Staff Profiles

 Kristy Johns       B.Arts (Psych) (Hons), MPsycClin, MAPS

Kristy is a registered Psychologist who completed both her undergraduate and Psychology Clinical Masters degree at the University of Newcastle, graduating in 2006. Whilst completing her fourth year honours, she was working for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for women and their children as a community outreach worker. She then moved into the health system, working as a Psychologist for the Alcohol and Other Drugs service. This involved the assessment and counselling treatment for individuals with alcohol and other drug issues and their families. She was also involved in setting up the Central Coast Cannabis Clinic.

Kristy completed her Masters thesis on “the retention of women in a long term drug and alcohol rehabilitation service” and received two publications from this research. She has also volunteered on the Board of Management for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre

.Kristy then moved into private practice where she was working with a broad range of issues across varying age groups, including children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. She has only just joined the READ clinic this year after doing research work with the University of Newcastle on a number of Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol projects for the previous 4 years.

Kristy currently works with adolescents and adults using an eclectic, client-centred and evidence-based approach, comprising of cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy and stress management techniques.

She is particularly interested in working with:

Alcohol and Other Drug Use

Anxiety

Depression

Co-morbid Conditions such as Substance Use and Anxiety

Trauma

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Pain management

Self Esteem

 

She has had experience in both developing and facilitating group therapy and is currently registered with Medicare and the Better Outcomes for Mental health, as well as EAP and Workcover.