Therapist
Dr Calabro has had experience working in private practice and various hospital settings, including The University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Veterans’ Administration Hospital, Friends Hospital, JFK Community Mental Health Center, and Peter’s Place – A Centre for Grieving Children and their Families in Philadelphia. After returning to Australia, she has worked at the Psychiatric Services Unit at Canberra Hospital and in private practice in Canberra and Sydney. In these settings she provided care to those with clinical issues ranging from depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, addictions, life transition adjustments, and learning difficulties to relationship problems, eating disorders and acute mental illness. A particular interest during this time was working with clients with breast cancer in individual and group settings.
Paulette graduated from Immaculata University (USA) with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and an Advanced Doctoral Certificate in Neuropsychological Assessment. She has a MSc. from Villanova University (USA) and a BA (Hons) from Temple University (USA). She is a member of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society and is committed to the highest standards of professional ethics, confidentiality and ongoing professional training, a member of The Australian Clinical Psychology Association, the American Psychological Association (APA), The International Association of Relational Psychoanalysis, the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and an associate member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy.
Therapy Approach
An important aspect of building a richer and more fulfilling life is identifying and dealing with underlying concerns. Paulette’s confidential sessions allow clients to address issues that may be preventing them from enjoying their lives and reaching their full potential.
Younger clients are looking for a more satisfying way to balance personal life, work and studies, manage time, deal with chronic illness, gain an understanding of relationship and family difficulties, reduce stress and learn ways to improve their satisfaction with life. Paulette is a compassionate, non-judgmental and trusted therapist whose psychodynamic training in masters and doctoral program prepared her to work with clients in the process of self discovery and self-understanding.
Many of Paulette’s older clients are interested in learning how to achieve successful healthy ageing, navigate life transitions and individual and family issues, as well as deal with chronic illness, grief and loss. Her advanced doctoral certificate in neuropsychological assessment enables her to assess and differentiate between early-stage dementia and depression as well as other cognitive problems related to ageing.
Paulette tailors her approach to the unique needs of each individual, using an integrated therapeutic approach. During her postgraduate studies she was fully trained in Psychodynamic theory and practice, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, Gestalt Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness training and Positive Psychology and other evidence-based therapies and strategies that can maximize a client’s healing, effectiveness and potential, while improving self-confidence, resilience and wellbeing.