Child & Adolescent Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist / Clinical Psychology Registrar

Develop your skills in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy with children and adolescents

Gymea Lily Psychotherapy Centre is seeking Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Registrars to join our private practice in Kirrawee.

We are looking for thoughtful clinicians who enjoy working with children, adolescents and families and who are interested in understanding children's emotional development through a psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and play therapy framework.

Positions are available from one half-day (minimum 4 hours) up to 4-5 days per week, with flexibility to increase sessions over time. We are particularly seeking clinicians who are able to work one evening or Saturday with children and/or adolescents.

About Our Practice

Gymea Lily Psychotherapy Centre is a well-established private practice located only a short walk from Kirrawee Railway Station.

Our practice has a particular interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, child psychoanalytic psychotherapy and play therapy. We value careful assessment, thoughtful formulation and developing an understanding of the emotional meaning underlying children's behaviour, relationships and symptoms.

Many of our referrals involve:

• anxiety/ emotional regulation difficulties
• autism and neurodivergence/ ADHD
• trauma/ attachment and relationship difficulties
• school refusal/ depression/ behavioural concerns
• family difficulties/ emotional and developmental challenges

We believe that understanding unconscious processes, attachment relationships and emotional development can enrich therapeutic work with children, adolescents and families, while integrating contemporary psychological knowledge and evidence-based practice where appropriate.

A Practice That Values Learning

One of the strengths of our practice is its emphasis on ongoing learning, supervision and reflective clinical practice.

You would become part of a team of 13 psychologists, including several Board-approved Clinical Psychology Supervisors, who work collaboratively and support one another.

As part of working with us, clinicians have opportunities to participate in:

• regular psychodynamic supervision groups
• clinical case discussions/ CPD activities
• reflective practice/ mentoring
• discussion of psychodynamic formulation and unconscious processes

Clinicians interested in developing their understanding of Kleinian, Winnicottian, Bionian, attachment-based and contemporary object relations approaches to psychotherapy will have opportunities to explore these ideas within supervision and clinical discussion. Previous knowledge is not essential—curiosity, openness to learning and reflective practice are highly valued.

We recognise that becoming a Psychoanalytic psychotherapist is a developmental process. We value reflective capacity and a willingness to think deeply about clinical work. While previous experience in psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy is welcomed, it is not essential. We are equally interested in clinicians who have a genuine desire to learn and who are committed to developing their capacity to think psychologically about children, families and the therapeutic relationship. 

Child Psychotherapy

Our practice includes dedicated wet and dry play therapy rooms, and an edible landscapes garden - allowing clinicians to work creatively with children using symbolic play and developmentally appropriate therapeutic approaches.

Depending on your interests and experience, referrals may include:

• child psychotherapy
• adolescent psychotherapy
• psychoanalytic play therapy
• parent work
• psychodynamic psychotherapy
• longer-term psychotherapy

We Welcome Applications From

• Clinical Psychologists
• Clinical Psychology Registrars
• Registered Psychologists

This position may suit psychologists who are:

• returning to work after parental leave
• building a private practice
• moving from public or community mental health into private practice
• interested in developing greater confidence working with children
• wishing to deepen their understanding of psychodynamic psychotherapy and child psychoanalytic psychotherapy

If you are transitioning into private practice, we are happy to provide support in establishing your caseload and navigating private practice.

Essential Requirements

Applicants must have: General Registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA - Eligibility for a Medicare Provider Number

• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Current Working With Children Check

Desirable Experience: While not essential, experience or interest in the following would be welcomed:

• Clinical Psychology qualifications or Clinical Registrar Program
• Child and adolescent assessment and therapy
• Parent work
• Play therapy
• Psychodynamic psychotherapy or Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
• Attachment-informed practice
• Longer-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy

We are particularly interested in clinicians who are curious about emotional development, symbolic communication through play, unconscious processes and the therapeutic relationship.

Why Join Gymea Lily?

If you are looking for more than consulting rooms—if you are seeking a practice where supervision, thoughtful clinical discussion, reflective practice and meaningful psychotherapy are valued—we would enjoy hearing from you.

Our aim is to provide an environment in which psychologists can continue to grow as clinicians while providing carefully considered psychological care for children, adolescents and their families.

Enquiries: For a confidential discussion, please contact: Vera Auerbach, Principal:

Phone: 9545 4772 or 0412 027 299 Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.gymealily.org