About

Bloom Psychology and Assessment

Bloom Psychology and Assessment was founded by Psychologist, Jaclyn Potts and Clinical Psychologist, Kara Hockey, who have a combined 20+ years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Bloom Psychology is a face to face (Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and surrounds) and an
online/telehealth-based psychology practice that provides therapy, assessments, and supervision services.

At Bloom Psychology we are passionate about developing provisional psychologists & skill sets through supervision and providing high-quality, evidence-based services to help our supervise and professionals grow and thrive. Our supervision services are designed to help professionals continue to increase their skills, which in turn increases treatment effectiveness, client retention, and staff satisfaction.

Our experienced team of psychologists offer assessment and intervention for a range of conditions, ensuring that you receive the most appropriate treatment for your specific needs.

We also provide private therapy services to help individuals overcome personal challenges and improve their mental health.

We understand there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and that seeking help can feel like a difficult process. We are passionate about understanding your unique needs, paired with high-quality psychological practices to work towards your goals for change, improvement, and infinite blooming.

Our team

Jaclyn Potts

Registered Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Face to face

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Jaclyn Potts is a Registered Psychologist with over ten years of experience working in various mental health settings. She has also completed her postgraduate studies in the Masters in Professional Psychological Services (MPPS) program.

Jaclyn is experienced in the delivery of psychological assessments, structured complex case management, crisis interventions and a range of longer-term psycho-social interventions such as D.B.T, C.B.T, A.C.T, mindfulness therapy, motivational interviewing, grief and loss counselling and relapse prevention.

Her work experience has included working in Occupational Rehabilitation with adults 18 years and over who have suffered workplace injuries and Life Insurance Claimants who were unable to work. This component of Jaclyn’s career started as a consultant and after demonstrating a history of astute technical and strategic knowledge teamed with a passion for leading with integrity and zest, she advanced from consultant to senior consultant, team leader, life insurance specialist and National Manager of Life Insurance which culminated into the role of National Psychological Health and Well-Being within Rehab Management, a national and award-winning rehabilitation company with over 500 staff.

Jaclyn is also a STAP trained and AHPRA registered supervisor and an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor and has further widened her skill set in the role of School Psychologist at a local school and now works predominantly with people who have experience trauma and women in the perinatal stages.

She is trained in a range of therapeutic modalities including;

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TI-CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement and Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing

Her background has allowed her to have skills and special interests in:

Complex and developmental trauma
PTSD
ADHD
Perinatal care of women
Trauma informed care and practice
Anxiety
Depression
Attachment
Clinical supervision

Jaclyn is approved to provide psychological services with WorkCover (many Australian States and Territories, NDIS and Open Arms).

Jaclyn is registered to provide principal and secondary supervision for the 5 + 1 and 4 + 2 registration pathways as a Board Approved Supervisor and also provides clinical supervision for professionals.

Kara Hockey

Clinical Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Face to face

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Kara is a psychologist with 10 years of experience in clinical practice and has worked with clients managing complex mental health needs including:

workplace stress,
motivational deficits,
limited vocational direction,
relationship concerns,
substance use (AOD addictions),
adjustment and transition concerns,
emotional dysregulation and diagnosed mental health disorders (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, the spectrum of Depression and
Anxiety Disorders,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,
Substance Use Disorders,
Adjustment Disorder,
Personality Disorders, and
Eating Disorders.

Kara typically practices from a Cognitive Behavioural Framework (CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, and CBT-E), however is proficient in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy and therapy relating to eating disorders. In addition, Kara has demonstrated experience in working with clients who are at risk of suicide, self-harm and harm towards others and has effectively navigated many challenging ethical dilemmas due to the nature of her work roles. Kara has a range of assessment experience, exploring concerns relating to Autism, ADHD, Learning difficulties, Vocational Concerns, Employability, Career Development, Mental Health, Personality Factors and Eating-disordered concerns.

Samara Thompson

Registered Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Within 4 weeks

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As a psychologist, Samara specialises in working with children, adolescents, and their families. She employs a comprehensive, evidence-based approach, drawing from her expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to assist young individuals in reaching their therapeutic objectives. Samara adopts a holistic therapeutic approach, emphasising compassionate and empowering care to support her clients effectively.

Samara is available to see clients via Telehealth and can see patients within four weeks.

Below are some presentations that samara has expertise in:

· ADHD/Autism

· Depression

· Parenting support

· School Issues including school refusal

· Anxiety including panic attacks, phobias, and fears

· Coping and emotional resiliency skills

· Social and communication skills

· Self-harming and suicide behaviours

· Low self-esteem and low confidence

· LGBTQ

Dean Polisena

Registered Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Within 4 weeks

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Dean is a registered psychologist who has worked in both private and public clinical psychology settings.

Dean enjoys working with a diverse range of clinical presentations including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders, Dean has experience working with Australian veterans and their families and focuses on providing a supportive non-judgmental environment for his clients. Prior to full-time clinical practice, Dean published research in the field of internet gaming disorder with the University of Adelaide.

Dean utilizes evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Motivational interviewing. Dean adopts a biopsychosocial model of care and understands the social and behavioural factors that play a role in our overall mental health.

Outside of work, Dean enjoys playing and watching tennis with friends while supporting the Adelaide Crows in the Australian football league.

Dean is available to see clients via Telehealth and has the capacity to see patients within four weeks.

· ADHD

· Depression

· PTSD and trauma

· Gambling addictions

Assertiveness training

· Anxiety including panic attacks, phobias, and fears

· Coping and emotional resiliency skills

· Social and communication skills

· workplace stress and burnout

· Low self-esteem and low confidence

Harmony James

Registered Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Within 4 weeks

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Harmony operates within the Ipswich area and has worked in suicide prevention with a Not for Profit organisation, with State Government organisations conducting risk assessments, psychological interventions, and supporting persons living with significant mental health challenges. She also has experience in Private Practice supporting clients across all ages and genders and with a variety of presentations including anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, pain conditions, neurodivergence and functional impairments.

Harmony holds a special interest in grief and loss, and aligns best with the values based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach to her practice, along with the primary approach of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She has a genuine interest in people, loves to notice and identify a person’s individual strengths and comes across as authentic and practical. Harmony uses the experience she has gained to hold hope for those finding themselves stuck, lost or overwhelmed with their own unique and personal challenges. She loves to learn and grow; when an unfamiliar presentation presents, she will rapidly familiarise herself with the current, scientifically supported literature to use while working with the client as they address their difficulties and make decisions on how best to move forward.

Harmony has a special interest in working with school aged clients.

Kellie Woodgate

Registered Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Within 4 weeks

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Kellie is a warm, compassionate psychologist who enjoys working with adult clients. With a holistic approach at the core of her practice, Kellie takes care to foster a genuine understanding of clients' needs, values, and unique life experiences to support their journey toward self-discovery and to empower individuals to reach their full potential. Kellie engages with warmth and sensitivity, while encouraging self-examination, self-acceptance, and growth that supports individuals to live with meaning and purpose.

Kellie has experience across private practice and occupational therapeutic settings, using an integrative, evidence-based approach. She draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).Kellie is also skilled in delivering a diverse range of high-quality psychological assessments and reports. This provides a comprehensive and accurate picture of individual strengths and challenges relating to Autism, ADHD, Learning difficulties, Vocational concerns, Career Development, Mental Health and Personality Factors.

Kellie is available to see clients via Telehealth (or face to face for assessments), and works with people experiencing:

· Anxiety

· Depression

· Workplace concerns - stress and burnout, interpersonal difficulties

· Difficulties adjusting to life changes

· Grief and loss

Nicole Pendell

Provisional Psychologist

Sessions available:

Online

Within 4 weeks

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Nicole is a provisional psychologist with experience in both therapy and assessment. She utilises evidence based therapeutic approaches and has experience in administering, interpreting and providing feedback for both cognitive and academic assessments. Nicole has a passion for supporting the emotional and psychological wellbeing of all her clients and emphasises the importance of rapport to enable her clients to reach their goals. She is particularly passionate about providing comprehensive assessment to support individuals to achieve their full potential.

Nicole is available to see clients via Telehealth and can see patients within four weeks.

Courtney Reich

Administrative Assistant

Courtney is an experienced administrative assistant with nearly 8 years of experience in the medical receptionist industry. She has worked in GP practices and specialist offices, gaining valuable experience in the field. At Bloom Psychology, Courtney’s management skills ensure the practice runs smoothly and efficiently. She will gladly assist you with her strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

You will find her pottering in the veggie garden and running around after her little people when out of the office.

Courtney Reich, Administrative Assistant

THERAPIES

Working with you and your specific needs.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (MCBT)

Mindfulness

Motivational Interviewing

Bloom Psychology and Assessment team working on a project

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Join us on our mission

If you want a workplace that supports both your professional and personal growth and is actively working to prevent clinician burnout in the industry, then apply to join our team today! There are a wide variety of roles on offer as we expand to reach more people that need our help.”