WELCOME TO THE BIRCHTREE CENTRE
How can we help?
The Birchtree Centre is a collective of Sydney psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists. The centre provides a safe space for survivors of complex trauma, addiction and eating disorders to access treatment.
We’re definitely still here for you – but in order to keep everyone in our community safe, we will be doing things slightly differently. We have temporarily closed the doors and won’t be offering face-to-face consults until further notice.
However all clinicians are conducting sessions online and are taking referrals for Telehealth.
Please contact your clinician directly or email us on info@birchtreecentre.com.au or tel: 02 9518 8719
Remember, take care and stay safe.
Read our latest newsletter:
Trauma Support Groups
Our popular Trauma Support Groups run for six sessions, fortnightly. Two therapists look after and guide the group through a number of themes common to individuals struggling with a legacy of complex trauma.
Next class starts 22nd July 2020.
DBT First Aid – Skills for Managing the Traumatised Self
An eight-week DBT informed psychoeducational group on Mondays at 6pm, starting July 20 and limited to approx 12 people. Develop practical skills to be able to self-regulate during uncomfortable emotional experiences, survive a crisis without making things worse, and learn simple strategies to seek safe interpersonal connection.
Upcoming Workshops for Clients
We regularly run workshops, seminars, support groups and other services for clients and their families and friends.
Due to the current COVID 19 situation, we are temporarily pausing event registrations. To express your interest in attending this event please contact us by sending an email to info@birchtreecentre.com.au and we will keep you informed of developments. The client workshop is postponed until September.
Upcoming Clinician Events
Our Centre for Excellence conducts CPD events across NSW.
Due to the current COVID 19 situation, we are temporarily pausing event registrations. To express your interest in attending one of these events, please contact us by sending an email to info@birchtreecentre.com.au and we will keep you informed of developments. All events previously scheduled until June are postponed.
Testimonial …
“The Long Limbs of Trauma” two day workshop presented by Jace Cannon-Brookes and Dr Sophie Reid was a masterly, yet pragmatic introduction to working with some of our most psychologically fragile patients.
The topic was carefully discussed in all its aspects from neurobiology, behavioural psychology, stages in therapy, practice management – even the therapy setting.
It was a great privilege to hear two such experienced practitioners talk about how they work and how they maintain their equanimity, even more importantly how they assist their patients in finding theirs.
Overall the workshop provided a most valuable learning experience and one which was rich with personal vignettes, warmth, humour and heartfelt humanity.
Highly recommended.
– Professor Janice Russell
The University of Sydney
NEWS
“We can do hard things…” when we stick together By Jace Cannon-Brookes
For the past two months at Birchtree we have all been conducting our sessions through telehealth platforms, relying on Zoom to connect with those whom we see. It has been an interesting and challenging period
Countering the Impact of Social Exclusion on Trauma Survivors
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A New Year – Renewed Focus on the need for balance
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that we are already coming towards the end of January. For many the last few weeks have been challenging.
10 Tips for coping with Christmas
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The importance of a secure attachment
Diana Divecha, Ph.D has an excellent blog called Developmental Science. I was particularly interested in an article from April where she talks about the importance of secure attachment in developing children, but also dispels a
Child Abuse Report
The Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry recently published a report on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The report is damning in its criticism of the Catholic Church and
Building awareness of dissociation
Dissociation is simply a "disruption of the normal integration of experience" (Chu 1998). It is something that everyone experiences as we organise and compartmentalise our experiences and memories. This can be a normal, healthy and
Childhood Trauma, Stress and the Biology of Addiction
Gabor Maté's 2012 paper in the Journal of Restorative Medicine discusses the degree to which childhood trauma leads to addiction in later life. "Early trauma has consequences for how human beings respond to stress. Trauma
Intuitive eating – a common sense approach to food
Eat when you’re hungry. Stop when you’re full. Don’t see food as “good” or “bad.” Eat what you want, when you want. Does Intuitive Eating sound right for you?
How the marriage equality debate is affecting LGBTI Australians – a guide for health professionals
With marriage equality continuing to remain out of reach for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Australians, ACON has produced a resource for health care providers, to assist services to support members of the LGBTI community through what may be a distressing time.