Desné Doman

Desné is a Clinical Psychologist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Sydney and a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in psychology from MacQuarie University. Desné is fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, and has obtained endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. She is registered with Workcover and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She is experienced in treating a range of psychological difficulties including anxiety and mood disorders, PTSD, ADHD (adult), fatigue disorders and anger, and works with children, adolescents, adults and couples.

Desné works predominantly from a cognitive-behavioural (CBT) framework, but integrates a number of other evidence-based modalities: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Schema-focused Cognitive Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Since each client is unique, treatment methods are carefully chosen to fit the clients’ needs and strengths. As a long term meditator herself, Desné uses a mindfulness-informed approach to therapy.

Desné holds a particular interest in the treatment of trauma and anger, and in assisting clients who have struggled with long term symptoms. She believes that such symptoms can reflect how we have tried to adapt to circumstances beyond our control, resulting in entrenched thinking styles and patterns of behaviour as we try to adapt to the ever-changing world. During longer term therapy these survival strategies are respected whilst gently transformed.

Desné has trained with the Black Dog Institute, and facilitates the Black Dog REACH group program for adults. This program is a 9-week wellbeing group for participants with depression or bipolar disorder who wish to better manage their illness and stay well.Desné also facilitates our Mindfulness for Emotional Wellbeing groups (mindfulness based cognitive therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction).

Desné has worked in a range of clinical treatment and research facilities including a university clinic, a mental health hospital specializing in anxiety, depression and addiction, an early intervention service for vulnerable families and “at risk” children, and private practice.

Before embarking on her career in psychology, Desné earned an MBA and enjoyed a successful executive career in financial services and management consulting. She understands how the drive for achievement and success can leave us feeling disconnected, disenchanted and isolated. She understands the corporate culture and the pressures it places on individuals working within it, and is also able to identify and treat mental health issues that may arise in this environment. She has an interest in assisting clients with workplace issues such as workplace stress, bullying and job burnout.

Throughout her corporate career and her later work in psychology Desné has worked extensively on facilitating better relationships between people (colleagues, family members, couples). She enjoys working with couples and larger family groups to improve relationships.

Desné is a keen volunteer. Her volunteer work includes working as a telephone counsellor for Lifeline for four years, tutoring children with learning difficulties and being a founding member of Partners in Micro Development, an NGO committed to improving access to education and ICT in developing countries.

Publications:

• Doman D., Kneebone I., Menant J., Baune B.T., Brodaty H., Perminder S.S., Crawford J., Trollor J. & Smith E. (In review). Pulse wave velocity and the prediction of cognitive decline in a longitudinal community cohort: the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.
• Doman D., Todorov, N. & Egan L. (In press). Relationship continuity holds the key to forgiveness. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
• Doman, D. & Vaughan D. (2005), Corporate mercenaries. Sydney, NSW:Doman Vaughan Consulting.