psychology for Children, teens & Adults in Geelong and the Bellarine

Your mind won't switch off and nothing seems to shift.

Lets Change That.
Practical, personalised support from a psychologist who gets it.

Real strategies to quiet the noise, reduce anxiety and feel like yourself again — at a pace that works for you

NO WAITING LIST

ONLINE & IN PERSON SESSIONS

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH FIRST!

NEXT STEP:

Complete the enquiry form & we will call you within 24 hours to confirm availability.

The secret to getting ahead, is getting started.

Get Started

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12
Years in practice
400+
People supported
8,000+
Hours of therapy delivered
Qualified
BPsych (Hons), MPsych(Ed)

Professional Memberships & Associations

Getting started is easier than you think

Three Simple Steps To Your First Session

01

Complete The Enquiry Form

Fill in the short enquiry form and our psychologist will call you personally to discuss your situation, answer your questions, and reserve your appointment.

No waiting rooms. No gatekeeping. Just a real conversation.
02

Sort Your Medicare Rebate (Optional)

You don't need a GP referral to book. Once your appointment is confirmed, you can visit your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan to claim the Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions.

Not sure if you're eligible? We'll help you figure it out on our call.
03

Attend Your First Session

We'll send you a short intake form beforehand so your first session can focus entirely on you — not paperwork.

Online or in-person. You choose what works best for you.

Professional memberships

& associations

A safe, supportive space for trauma, anxiety, depression, & life's difficult moments

Neurodiversity Support

Always felt like your brain works differently — but never quite had the words for it?

Support for individuals and families navigating ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent profiles. Sessions focus on understanding strengths and challenges while developing practical strategies that work in everyday life. The aim is greater confidence, clarity, and support that fits the way your brain works.

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Relationship Difficulties

Finding yourself in the same arguments, with the same people, over and over again?

Therapy helps you understand the patterns that keep problems repeating and develop clearer, more effective ways of communicating. The goal is stronger relationships and fewer ongoing tensions.

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Trauma & PTSD

Feeling like something from your past still has a grip on your present?

Therapy provides a structured, supportive space to process what's happened and reduce the impact trauma can have on your life. The focus is on helping you feel safer, steadier, and more in control.

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Anger, Irritability & Tension

Snapping at people you care about and not knowing how to stop?

Therapy helps you understand emotional triggers, manage reactions, and respond calmly under pressure so you can improve relationships, reduce stress, and feel more in control of your emotions.

+ Read more

Anxiety, OCD & Panic

Mind racing, can't switch off, dreading things that haven't happened yet?

Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or sudden panic attacks can be overwhelming. Therapy equips you with tools to manage triggers, reduce distress, and regain control over your day-to-day life so you can feel steadier, more confident, and better able to cope.

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Depression, Stress & Burnout

Feeling drained, low, or constantly under pressure?

Therapy helps you identify what's contributing to stress or burnout and develop strategies to regain energy and balance. You can start feeling lighter, more focused, and capable of handling daily challenges.

+ Read more

Proven Approaches, Tailored To Your Needs

Every approach is chosen to match what you're going through. Tap any acronym to learn more.

Tap any approach below to learn what it means

Anxiety, OCD & Panic

Structured approaches to reduce anxious thinking, break avoidance cycles and manage panic.

CBT ACT ERP

Trauma & PTSD

Evidence-based frameworks for processing difficult experiences at a pace that feels safe.

TF-CBT CBT

Depression, Stress & Burnout

Practical tools to lift mood, rebuild energy and shift unhelpful patterns of thinking.

CBT ACT Solution Focused

Relationships, Family & Parenting

Approaches to improve communication, reduce conflict and strengthen family dynamics.

Family Therapy IPT Parenting Support DBT

Neurodiversity & Behaviour

Tailored strategies for ADHD, autism, tics and other neurodivergent profiles.

FBA CBIT CBT

Motivation & Making Change

For when you know something needs to shift but aren't sure how to get there.

MI ACT Solution Focused

Not sure where you fit? That's completely okay. Many people come to therapy without a clear label — just a feeling that something needs to change. We'll work that out together.

See Behind The Scenes of Therapy

watch joe answer questions about therapy from other clinicians

CONTENT IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, CONSULT with YOUR medical practitioner PRIOR TO APPLYING STRATEGIES

Why Reassurance Isn't Enough For Anxiety

In this supervision session, Joe explains the components of anxiety and how anxiety only has to say 'yeah but what if?' to keep you stressed out

Play through the script

In this supervision session, Joe explains how playing through the script can be a powerful way of processing emotions related to distressing thoughts and feelings

Explaining Therapy to Kids + Teens

In this supervision session, Joe explains how to orient child clients to therapy and explain the limits to confidentiality and privacy.

Roll with Resistance

In this supervision session, Joe explains how to help clients build confidence talking about topics without directly addressing the issue.

You're In The Right Place If You Want Things To Change

When things feel overwhelming, stuck, or unclear, it’s easy to go in circles.

We help you understand your patterns, develop effective strategies, and create meaningful change not just short-term relief.

  • Understand what’s actually driving how you think, feel, and respond

  • Develop a clearer understanding of yourself and what you need

  • Create meaningful, lasting change — not just short-term relief

  • Have more mental space and less constant overthinking

  • Feel more capable handling whatever comes up

STILL wondering if

therapy is right for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that therapy comes with lots of questions

What does a psychologist actually do?

A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively.

Why aren't there reviews / testimonials on your website?

In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.

Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.

Do I need to have a clear problem before I book?

No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.

What happens at my first appointment?

The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.

How is therapy different from talking to friends or family?

Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.

What do we actually talk about in sessions?

Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address.

Will you tell me what to do?

Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.

How structured are sessions?

Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.

Do I have to commit to long-term therapy?

No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.

What if I don't know what to say?

That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.

Does coming to therapy mean something is wrong with me?

No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.

Will therapy make things feel worse before they feel better?

Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.

What if therapy doesn't work for me?

Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.

How long does it take to see results?

This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.

How much effort is involved in sessions?

Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.

How often are sessions scheduled?

Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability.

How long is a therapy session?

50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).

How do I know if therapy is working?

Your progress towards your goals is reviewed at the beginning and end of each session. Some signs that therapy is helping include clearer understanding of patterns, improved coping, less stress, and changes in how challenges are managed day-to-day.

Do you accept Private Health Insurance?

Yes. We can process your private health insurance claim for you.

Can I get a Medicare Rebate?

A Mental Health Treatment Plan or a referral from your Paediatrician/Psychiatrist allows you to access up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year.

Do you accept NDIS funding?

Yes. We are able to accept NDIS participants whose funding is self-managed or plan-managed. We are unable to accept funding that is NDIA managed.

Do I need a Referral?

You do not need a referral from a GP or medical specialist to see a psychologist; however, you will not be able to receive a medicare rebate without one.

Do you offer online / telehealth appointments

Yes - you can access counselling sessions using our health compliant and easy-to-use online counselling video conferencing system. You don't need to download any software. Just click the link in the reminder we send you to log into your session with your psychologist.

Do you offer in person appointments

Yes - we offer in person appointments at our clinic, which is located at 337 Ryrie Street, Geelong. Ample free car parking is available outside the clinic.

Director & principal psychologist

Joe Lewsey

BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Ed), MAAPi

I’m a Registered Psychologist based in Geelong, with over 12 years' experience working with adults across all stages of life. I have experience supporting people through complex and often stressful situations.

AHPRA Registered, Medicare Provider

AHPRA Psychology Board Approved Clinical Supervisor

Trusted by 400+ clients since 2016

8,000+ hours of Therapy and Assessment provided

I work well with people who:

Want to better understand patterns in their thoughts, emotions, or behaviour

Are experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood or life transitions

Prefer a collaborative approach rather than being told what to do

Are interested in practical strategies that fit real life, not just theory

53 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights VIC 3218, Australia

Copyright 2026. CAYA Psychology. All Rights Reserved.