Menzies Anxiety Centre

This week Dr Rachel Menzies attended the American Psychological Association's 2024 conference in Seattle, Washington.

Rachel was honoured to deliver an invited address, and to be awarded the William James Book Prize for her book "Mortals: How the Fear of Death Shaped Human Society", along with her co-author, Prof Ross Menzies.

This marks the first time in the award's history that a winner outside of North America has been selected for this prestigious prize, with previous winners including renowned psychologists such as Philip Zimbardo, Steven Pinker, and more.

Thank you to the American Psychological Association for choosing "Mortals" for this distinguished book award!

Research led by our director Dr Rachel Menzies was recently featured on PsyPost, a website showcasing the latest psychological discoveries.

Rachel was interviewed about a new study she conducted with her colleagues at the University of Sydney.

Their research team found that death anxiety may be playing a key role in eating disorders and body image concerns, highlighting the importance of addressing fears of death.

Read more about their study on PsyPost.org

https://www.psypost.org/new-study-sheds-light-on-death-anxietys-impact-on-womens-body-image/

We are excited to welcome the newest psychologist on our team: Maral!

Maral has a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach, helping clients make meaningful changes in their lives.

Her areas of interest include: anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, postnatal mental health, and chronic pain and illness.

Maral draws from therapy modalities including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Schema Therapy (ST), and
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

In addition to her clinical work, Maral has a keen interest in clinical research. She is a PhD Candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, researching innovative treatments for OCD.

Maral works with adults, adolescents and children ages 8 and older.

She offers appointments on Mondays and Fridays. After hours appointments are available.

To book an appointment with Maral, get in touch with us today.

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

Our director Dr Rachel Menzies was interviewed yesterday on ABC Radio National's show Life Matters 📻

In the segment titled "Death anxiety may be unconsciously influencing your life, but you can turn it around", Dr Menzies explains Terror Management Theory, and how fears of death shape our behaviours without our knowledge.

You can find the segment on Apple Podcasts, the ABC Listen app, or on the "Resources" page on our website 🎧

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/terror-management-theory-death-drives-odd-unhealthy-behaviours/103930458



🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

Did you know we are now open Monday to Friday?

Several of our psychologists also offer after hours appointments, as well as early morning appointments.

To learn more about our psychologists' availabilities, or to book an appointment, contact our friendly reception team

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

Our clinical psychologist Benjamin Petrovic was recently interviewed about OCD on an episode of the Mamamia podcast 🎙️

In the episode titled "OCD Is No Joke - I Thought My Family Would Die", Ben discusses what OCD looks like, how it can feel to live with OCD, and which treatments are most effective.

Our team at the Menzies Anxiety Centre are proud to be contributing to the community's awareness of OCD, and leading research into effective treatments for this disorder.

Listen to the episode on Spotify, Audible, or on the Mamamia website 🎧

https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/the-quicky/ocd-invisible-disability



🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

Our team at the Menzies Anxiety Centre is committed to being research-driven, actively contributing to the latest knowledge in the field.

One of our current studies is exploring the concerns and experiences of people living with migraine.

If you suffer from migraine, you are invited to take part in our confidential 10 minute online survey.

To learn more, visit the "Current Studies" Research page on our website

We hope that our research can help improve our understanding of this often debilitating neurological condition.

www.menziesanxietycentre.com/current-studies

Yesterday's Triple J Hack interview with Dr Rachel Menzies is now available online! 🎧 Thank you to host Dave Marchese for shedding light on this important topic.

You can listen to the episode titled "Do you guys ever think about dying?" on the Triple J Hack website:

https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/hack/103847812

Our director Dr Rachel Menzies in the ABC studios today, to speak with Dave Marchese from Triple J Hack! 🎙️

Tune in to tonight's segment to hear their conversation about the death industry, understanding death anxiety, and facing our fears 🎧

A big congratulations to our wonderful administrative and research assistant Georgina, who graduated today with First Class Honours in Psychology at the University of Sydney!

Georgina's thesis explored the role of death anxiety in hoarding disorder.

Well done Georgina - we are all very proud of you for this achievement! 🎓

At the Menzies Anxiety Centre, all of our psychologists offer online appointments, meaning you can get help no matter where you are.

With the convenience of telehealth, you can access our experienced psychologists from any corner of the country, right from the comfort of your home.

Whether you're facing daily stresses, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, our team is here to help. Plus, Medicare rebates are available with a GP referral and mental health care plan.

Contact us today to learn more or book your appointment.

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

In addition to offering treatment for general mental health difficulties, the Menzies Anxiety Centre is Australia's first treatment and research centre focusing on death anxiety.

Our team is committed to building awareness around death anxiety, and disseminating evidence-based information to the public.

For those wanting to better understand death anxiety, we recognise that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin.

We have put together some freely available resources on our website, to help you get started on your journey to understand and manage death anxiety.

To learn more, visit our "Resources" page here:
www.menziesanxietycentre.com/resources

Today our director Dr Rachel Menzies was privileged to deliver an invited talk at Domremy College. She spoke to the students about understanding and managing anxiety, outlining practical strategies and tools to help navigate their high school years.

Thank you to the wonderful staff and students at Domremy for their engagement, and our psychologists look forward to visiting again in the future!

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com

We are delighted to introduce our new clinical psychologist: Dan Macdonald!

Dan works with adults and adolescents, and brings with him a wealth of experience. His approach blends professional insight with empathy, fostering a safe place for healing and growth.

His areas of interest include anxiety disorders, trauma, phobias, LGBTQI+ related concerns, neurodiversity, and relationship concerns. Being LGBTQI+ Informed, Dan is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment.

Dan's treatment modalities include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Dan offers appointments on Thursdays and Fridays. Online and after hours appointments are available.

To book an appointment with Dan or to learn more, contact us today

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com

Today marks World Bipolar Day. How much do you know about this mental illness? Swipe to discover 5 facts you may not have known!

At the Menzies Anxiety Centre, our psychologists are trained in the diagnosis and management of Bipolar Disorder and its symptoms. To learn more or book an appointment, contact us today

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

We are looking for a Clinical Psychologist to join our growing team!

Apply today by sending your cover letter and CV to:
📧 [email protected]

Learn more about the role here:
🌐 https://www.seek.com.au/job/74563921

Congratulations to Claudia, our talented administrative and research assistant, who graduated this week with a Bachelor's degree majoring in psychology!

We are so fortunate to have Claudia on our team at the Menzies Anxiety Centre, and very proud of her for reaching this important milestone in her career.

Well done Claudia! 👏🏼🎓

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

At the Menzies Anxiety Centre, we are proud to have a highly skilled and diverse team of six psychologists.

Each member of our team brings a wealth of experience, unique expertise, and a deep commitment to providing empathetic and effective mental health care.

Our psychologists have extensive experience addressing various mental health challenges, using a wide range of therapeutic approaches. From cognitive-behavioural therapy to acceptance and commitment therapy, from relationship concerns to addiction recovery, our team is equipped to support you through many challenges.

Finding the right psychologist is a crucial first step in overcoming mental health struggles. That's why our knowledgeable and friendly reception team are here to provide you with more information about each psychologist’s area of expertise, their therapeutic approaches, and how they might best meet your needs.

To learn more about any of our psychologists, or to book an appointment, contact us today.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com

Today our clinical psychologist Benjamin Petrovic gave an invited talk to third year undergraduate psychology students at the University of Sydney.

Ben provided valuable insights into the field of clinical psychology. Sharing his experiences, Ben illuminated the challenges and rewards of a career dedicated to understanding and aiding the human mind.

His talk, a blend of personal journey and professional wisdom, underscored our team's commitment to advancing mental health care and inspiring the next generation of psychologists.

Thank you to Ben for sharing his insights, and to the students for their enthusiastic engagement and thoughtful questions!

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

On this International Women's Day, we at the Menzies Anxiety Centre celebrate the incredible women around us, including the talented female psychologists and support staff on our team.

Their dedication, expertise, and compassion play a crucial role in shaping the supportive environment we provide.

Today, we acknowledge not only the progress made towards gender equality but also the challenges many women continue to face, including in the realm of mental health.

We recognise the importance of offering care that addresses the unique needs of women, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Our female psychologists are at the forefront of this mission, and we are immensely grateful for their contributions.

Let's uplift and support each other, today and every day, towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Happy International Women's Day!

www.menziesanxietycentre.com

We are delighted to introduce the newest psychologist on our team: Zoe!

Zoe completed her Honours degree in psychology at The University of Sydney, winning the Dick Thompson Prize for her work exploring the effects of Hoarding Disorder on family members.

She then completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney, where she delivered therapy across a variety of settings, including The Gender Centre.

As an LGBTQIA+ friendly professional, Zoe is dedicated to providing inclusive and affirming support to individuals from all walks of life.

In addition to treating death anxiety, Zoe's areas of clinical interest include trauma, depression, and OCD.

Zoe works with adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older.

She offers appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

To book an appointment with Zoe, get in touch with us today.

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

Our team at the Menzies Anxiety Centre wish you and your loved ones a restful festive season and a happy new year.

Our centre will be closed for a short period from December 22nd, and will reopen on January 8th. We look forward to welcoming you again in 2024.

Last night, our Clinic Director, Dr. Rachel Menzies, delivered a sold out pub discussion for the AACBT (Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy). Her presentation focused on innovative approaches to treating death anxiety, and explored its key role in mental health problems.

Our team at the Menzies Anxiety Centre are proud to contribute to the latest discourse in the field of cognitive and behavioral therapy.

We are proud to announce that our clinician Sabina Iliescu has completed her registrar program, achieving full endorsement as a clinical psychologist.

Becoming a clinical psychologist marks a key advancement in Sabina's career, signifying her extensive training in mental health care. Sabina's patients can also now benefit from a higher Medicare rebate of $137.05 with a valid GP referral, for up to 10 sessions per year.

Congratulations Sabina on this commendable achievement!

To book a session with Sabina, contact our clinic today.

📞 0481 350 925
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com

Recently our Director, Dr Rachel Menzies, had a notable visit to Seattle. Serving on the board of directors of the International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology (ISSEP), she joined some of the key figures in psychology for a series of events last week.

Dr Menzies met with the founders of Terror Management Theory: Professors Jeff Greenberg, Sheldon Solomon and Tom Pyszczynski. These three scholars have significantly contributed to our understanding of how humans cope with the awareness of mortality, pioneering the scientific study of existential psychology.

Her visit also included a pivotal meeting with the Ernest Becker Foundation, an organisation committed to applying existential psychological concepts to everyday life.

Dr Menzies' time in Seattle underscores our centre's commitment to global collaboration in psychology, ensuring we remain at the forefront of psychological practice and research.

Last night we had our end-of-year MAC team dinner (minus three team members)!

Since opening our doors in January 2023, we have grown our team to eight people, and provided treatment to hundreds of clients.

As the year comes to a close, we bid farewell to our wonderful Administrative & Research Assistant Monique, and extend a warm welcome to our newest team member Georgina.

We would like to offer a big thank you to all of our clients, referrers and organisations, who we have been privileged to work with this year. We look forward to continuing to support our local community and clients across Australia in 2024.

We are thrilled to announce that our director Dr Rachel Menzies has been awarded the 2023 Early Career Research Award from the Australian Psychological Society (APS)!

The Early Career Research Award recognises excellence in scientific achievement among psychologists across Australia.

The award is bestowed annually on a researcher whose achievements place them significantly ahead of their peers.

Dr Menzies' research has explored how death anxiety impacts mental health, and paved new treatment pathways in the field.

Congratulations to our Director on this achievement!

🌐 www.menziesanxietycentre.com
📧 [email protected]

We are pleased to welcome Georgina, our new administrative and research assistant!

Georgina has recently completed her Honours degree in Psychology at the University of Sydney.

Georgina has a keen interest in anxiety and existential issues, having written her thesis on the topic of death anxiety and hoarding disorder.

Welcome aboard Georgina!

This week our team took part in the annual conference for the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT).

Our psychologists Rachel, Grace and Sabina were active conference delegates, and even our admin assistants Monique and Claudia took part to learn more about the newest studies in the field of mental health.

All of our clinicians are committed to delivering evidence-based treatments. This is why we always strive to be informed by the latest research findings in psychology.

For more information about our services or to book an appointment with one of our psychologists, contact us today.



📧 [email protected]

We are proud to be a sponsor of this year's Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) conference!

Not only are we a proud sponsor, our team is involved at every level of the conference, from volunteers, to delegates, to speakers!

The conference runs from October 19th-21st, and our centre will reopen this coming Monday.