Valentina Bianchi

ABOUT

I am a Clinical Psychologist with a specialist interest and expertise in supporting adults managing individual and relationship issues related to: personality disorders, trauma (including PTSD and complex trauma), substance use, identity and sense of self, eating disorders and problematic patterns of behaviour, particularly in the context of difficulties managing emotions (e.g. suicidality, self harm, externalizing issues). 

I am originally from Italy and have lived in the Netherlands and in the UK, before moving permanently to Australia in 2011. Over the last 10 years, I have gained experience in a range of mental health setting including public, private, inpatient and outpatient services. I am passionate about supporting people in making sense of their inner and outer experiences and in aligning themselves with their own meaning. Outside of work, I enjoy live music, dark humour and travelling and experiencing all aspects of different cultures (particularly learning languages and sampling cuisines). 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Psychology (Clinical), Deakin University
• Master in Social, Work and Communication Psychology (Universita’ Degli Studi di Padova, Italy)
• Bachelor in Personality and Interpersonal Relationships Psychology (Universita’ Degli Studi di Padova, Italy)

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

I bring a transdiagnostic, open and irreverent style to the therapy room. I am extensively trained in the following evidence-based treatment approaches:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Schema Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Structural Dissociation

LANGUAGES

• Fluent in English and Italian
• Basic communication skills in French and Spanish

PUBLICATIONS

• Sloan, E. , O'donnell, R. , Bianchi, V. , Simpson, A. , Cox, R. and Hall, K. (2018), Distress, emotional clarity, and disordered eating in young people with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties. Clin Psychol, 22: 148-157. doi:10.1111/cp.12154

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• Registered Psychologist (Clinical) with AHPRA
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
• Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (MACPA)
• Member of The Mental Health Professional Network (MHPN)
• Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA) and accredited EMDR practitioner