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Professional Experience

I spent nine years (2010-2018) contracting within a multi-disciplinary practice in Newcastle NSW as a behavioural therapist for private and NDIS clients. Client challenges were related to parenting, household stress, conflict, anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder, obsessive behaviour, and learning disorders.

 

Sessions were conducted in clinic, home and school settings. I worked with parents (individual parents and couples) as well as with their children. How we worked depended on the individual needs and the family's involvement with other clinicians.  I liaised with my clients’ schools, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, paediatricians and psychiatrists to achieve outcomes, and gained substantial professional knowledge working in this manner. 

 

Since 2019, I have contracted within another large multi-disciplinary organisation, working in homes and residential facilities with NDIS clients across Greater Ipswich, Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. My clients experience a broad range of challenges, related to mental health, physical disabilities, neurological disorders, complex trauma, and childhood disorders.  I am again fortunate to work alongside and benefit from the knowledge of other clinicians - Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Dieticians and Physiotherapists. I continue this work for the extensive experience, knowledge and skill development it brings to me.

 

Private counselling allows me to work with individuals, couples and families who may or may not not have diagnoses or funding, but who have a range of significant challenges and past events impacting their daily life.  Since March 2021, Limestone Counselling has given me the privilege of connecting with local clients and spending more time working close to home in the Ipswich community. 

Academic qualifications


Masters of Counselling

(Child, Youth & Family)

University of Southern Queensland

Graduated with Distinction

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Postgraduate Diploma of Counselling (Child, Youth & Family),

University of Southern Queensland

Graduated with Distinction

 

Postgraduate Diploma of Education 

University of Newcastle

 

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

University of Newcastle

Professional registration

 

ACA (Australian Counsellor’s Association) 

Level 2 Registered Counsellor 

 

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Kim Med/long.jpg

Counselling approach

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My approach to counselling integrates;

 

  • Modern Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

  • Positive psychology

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Client-centred therapy

  • Emotion-focused therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Trauma-informed care

 

I value these therapeutic models for their capacity to be combined and flexibly tailored to the client’s individual needs and preferences. I enjoy including psychoeducation in my sessions so that clients may learn about their processes for change.

Professional development

 

Psychological First Aid 2023

Key Skills in Family Therapy 2022

Solution Focused Therapy 2021

Gottman's Model of Repair in Relationships, 2021

Anxiety in Children and Adolescents 2020

Positive Behaviour Support with Disability Connect QLD 2020

Managing Client’s Behaviours of Concern with MS Connect 2020

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Other credentials

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First Aid accreditation

QLD Working with Children check

NDIS Screening Check

National Police Check

Kim Johnston

BA(Psyc), PGDipEd, PGDipCouns, MCouns, MACA

Registered Counsellor

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Registered business with full insurance

ABN #65024758350

©2021 Limestone Counselling

Website by Marker Enterprises

Limestone Counselling
Suite 4, 17 Limestone Street
Ipswich, QLD 4305

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Phone: (07) 3050 0778

CLARITY

CHOICE

CHANGE

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