Dr Lucinda Clifford

Locations

Telehealth
North Adelaide

Client Age Groups

Children 5-12
Children 12-15
Adults
Adolescents/Youth 16-25

Not currently available for new bookings

Hi, my name is Lucinda and I look forward to working collaboratively with you to address and/or help you to clarify your therapy goals. Depending on your needs and wishes, we can work to try to understand your mental health symptoms, including their potential origins. I can also help you to develop practical tools to support your mental health and well-being.

I would describe my therapeutic approach as genuine, empathic, caring, kind, honest and tailored to my clients’ needs. I am easy to relate to and tend to develop strong, positive therapeutic alliances with my clients, who I feel privileged to work with and have learned so much from. I don’t take myself too seriously, am open minded and non-judgmental. One of my strengths is my ability to break down psychological theory for clients, so that therapy feels like a safe and un-intimidating space, where clients can express themselves freely.

I am analytical and enjoy assisting clients to make connections between their histories and presenting symptoms, as relevant. Often, understanding the origins of symptoms of concern assists clients to gain more self-compassion and is the first step towards breaking unhealthy patterns. I also enjoy assisting clients to develop practical, behavioural interventions to improve mental health outcomes. Many of my clients have noticed significant shifts in their mental health symptoms upon reviewing and adjusting their sleeping, eating, exercise and relaxation schedules, for example.

I have over 10 years of experience working in government, school and private settings. In these settings, I have enjoyed working with clients from diverse backgrounds, in a manner that is sensitive and respectful.

I have experience working with adults, adolescents and children (from approximately school-age). My understanding of attachment and child development has helped to inform some of my work with adults, including the exploration of the origins of symptoms. Depending on age, development, abilities, personality and preferences, my work with children tends to be educational and activity-based and often there is some parent involvement, the extent of which is typically negotiated at the commencement of therapy. Although I do not offer assessments at Attuned, I have experience in conducting educational assessments and thereby understanding the various needs and supportive accommodations that young people may benefit from in different settings. Having completed a PhD, I also have firsthand experience managing significant study demands and have knowledge in how to manage study stress and maximise performance

Therapeutic Approach

Cognitive behaviour therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Integration of some attachment theory and elements of schema therapy
Student advocacy

Qualifications and Memberships

Combined M Psych (Clinical) / PhD University of Adelaide 2013
First Class Honours in Psychology University of Adelaide 2007
Bachelor of Psychology University of Adelaide 2006
Registered Psychologist with Clinical endorsement – Psychology Board of Australia 2015
Specialist Clinical Psychology Provider with Medicare 2020

Special Areas of Interest

anxiety
depression
stress
attachment
relationships
social skills
study skills
healthy routines
student accommodations in learning settings
character strengths
values clarification

Fee Schedule

50-minute sessions, face to face or via telehealth, are $270 (business hours), which reduces to $133.65 after your Medicare rebate if you are under a Mental Health Care Plan referred by your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. For after hours services the session costs $310, which reduces to $173.65 after your mental health care fund rebate.

These are the standard length for subsequent individual sessions unless otherwise negotiated.

Health funds and payments

You can pay online via card for telehealth bookings in advance or on the day prior to your appointment or for face to face sessions use Eftpos in our practice before or after your appointment.
Our team will process your Medicare and private health rebates immediately after your appointment.

For telehealth appointments the claim may be made for Medicare by our team through our software. For private health we will send you a receipt in the case of telehealth services. Please note that although we may process payments in advance we are not permitted to process the rebates until after the appointment has finished by law.

If you have private cover you do not need a referral and will pay a variable gap depending on your level of cover and your health fund. Please check with your health fund before booking to understand whether you are entitled to a rebate for psychology services. If you are in the rooms we will process the gap but if doing telehealth we will send you a receipt for claiming after full payment has been made.

Referral Information

To access our services as part of Mental Health Care Plan (allowed up to 10 visits per calendar year (initial referral for 6 sessions), please email our reception team with your valid Plan and a referral letter from your GP.

We accept clients with a self-managed or plan-managed NDIS referral but do not take NDIS agency referrals. There will be a gap payment beyond the NDIS fee that is payable on the day of your appointment. Please call us before booking to make sure your plan fits our criteria for referrals within our practice.

Booking Information

Not currently available for new bookings

Current availability:

Tuesday mornings North Adelaide
Tuesday nights North Adelaide/Telehealth
Wednesday nights Telehealth

Please note that I will be gradually increasing my hours so there may be some greater flexibility for future bookings.

Please contact us below to book an appointment, or put yourself on a waiting list

Or make an appointment enquiry using our form