SUSAN (SUE) GAVAN

Susan (Sue) Gavan

Registered Psychologist
MProf Psych, Grad Dip Psych, Grad Dip Psych Studies, MFamily Therapy, BSW.
MAPS (Assoc)

Sue has been providing counselling as a family therapist and mental health social worker for over 25 years and has been a psychologist since March 2018. She has extensive practice experience in counselling, program development and training workshops in a broad range of programs (problem gambling, drug and alcohol misuse, family support, foster care and adoption). Her counselling experience has involved working with individuals (at all stages of the life span), including couples and families. Sue is able to help couples resolve interpersonal issues and improve their relationship satisfaction. Sue also has a Masters in Family Therapy and is able to help families deal with multifaceted issues that impact the family system, such as mental health issues, risk concerns, relational conflict, and parenting difficulties.

Sue has worked in private practice for the past 10 years working with adults, adolescents, and children. These clients have come from a diverse range of cultural and social backgrounds and have presented with a broad range of issues such as sexual assault, gambling or drug and alcohol issues, depression, anxiety (including social anxiety) and underlying issues resulting from child maltreatment and/or trauma. Sue has significant experience in working with clients who have been through trauma resulting from natural disasters and is able to assist clients to adjust to new situations and changing environments. Sue also has a particular interest in working with military families in which a parent has PTSD, as well as the children whom have been impacted by the military deployment and/or the parent’s mental health struggles. Sue is also very engaging in her work with children and young people and is able to help them with a range of mental health concerns. In addition, Sue is able to provide cognitive assessments to children regarding developmental and learning issues and personality tests for adults and adolescents to assist with career choices or gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

Sue has an open and warm approach and is able to help clients feel comfortable in the therapy process, engaging varied clients across life stages. She works collaboratively and respectfully with whomever she comes in contact and has knowledge and experience in implementing a range of therapies. Sue is able to help individuals and families to assist them to; understand and adjust to their circumstances, gain and retain hope, understand one’s strengths and weaknesses, engage in an active life, develop personal autonomy, social identity, a meaning and purpose in life, and a positive sense of self.

Clinical Interests

Sue is married with 3 adult children and 2 grandchidren.

Sue offers appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays including evening appointments.