Psychological Assessment and Individual Treatment
Evidence based psychological treatment
About Aston Psychology Clinic
Who we are
Aston Psychology is committed to providing high-quality, client focused care in a safe and respectful environment. We value professionalism, empathy, and collaboration, working with each individual to support meaningful progress and long-term wellbeing. Whether in-person at our Thomastown clinic or online, we aim to make accessing support straightforward, effective, and tailored to your needs.
📞 Now accepting new clients. Contact us or click the “Book Now” button to schedule your appointment.
What we offer
- Individual counselling
- Medicare funded treatment
- WorkSafe/ TAC
- Relationship counselling
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) – EAP Counselling Services
- Supervision
We provide psychological treatment onsite and online for individuals aged 18+ to address a range of issues including:
- anxiety and depressive disorders
- trauma
- loss and grief
- addiction (including substance use and gambling)
- obsessive compulsive and related disorders
- bipolar disorders
- other mental health issues
- chronic pain
- women’s mental health
- anger management
- stress management
- self-esteem
- general life difficulties
- relationship difficulties
- work related difficulties, etc.
Psychologist
Lavinia McSwain is a registered psychologist and a lecturer with more than 16 years of experience working across hospital, community mental health, forensic, and university settings. Her work spans both the public and private sectors, where she has supported adults experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges. Lavinia is also a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi).
As a lecturer in psychology and a Board Approved Supervisor, Lavinia is contributing to the academic development of the next generation of mental health professionals. She offers professional supervision for psychology students and other mental health professionals.
Lavinia provides individual therapy and relationship counselling both onsite and via telehealth. She also offers support through Medicare, WorkSafe and TAC-funded services as well as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
She has experience working with individuals experiencing a variety of mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, addiction, relationship issues, workplace stress, and many other mental health and life difficulties.
Lavinia draws on a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities in her work, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
She recognises that no single approach fits all, and thoughtfully tailors treatment to suit the unique needs and goals of each client.
Lavinia has a warm, genuine, and collaborative style. She values the therapeutic relationship and sees it as a foundation for meaningful psychological change. Her work is grounded in the belief that people are capable of change when supported in a safe, non-judgmental environment. She is committed to helping clients understand and move beyond long-standing patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and to supporting them in building more adaptive, values-aligned ways of coping and engaging with life.
Treatment approaches
Our evidenced based treatment approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Schema Therapy
Types of Therapies
CBT & Third Wave Therapies (ACT, DBT)
Third-wave behavior therapies include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs).
CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) is a type of therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs can influence our feelings and behaviors, and that by changing our thoughts and beliefs, we can change our emotions and behaviors.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was developed to help individuals who have difficulty regulating their emotions and behaviors. It is based on the idea that people learn to regulate their emotions and behaviors through a process of dialectical change, which involves balancing acceptance and change.
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is an action-oriented approach that stems from traditional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions and, instead, accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives. With this understanding, clients begin to accept their hardships and commit to making necessary changes in their behavior, regardless of what is going on in their lives and how they feel about it.
Schema Therapy
Schema therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was developed to help individuals who have long-standing and unhelpful patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior, known as schemas. A schema is a mental structure that organizes and interprets information and experiences, and it can be both positive and negative.
In schema therapy, the therapist works with the client to identify and understand their schemas, and to develop new, healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. This may involve a range of techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and behavior modification.
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy focused on learning how the person's subconscious thoughts, feelings, and memories are affecting their current behavior. With this deepened insight and self-awareness, they can develop coping techniques and achieve therapeutic goals such as improving relationships and making better choices. Psychodynamic therapy is derived from psychoanalytic therapy, and both are based on the work of Sigmund Freud. Psychodynamic therapy is an in-depth form of talk therapy based on the theories and principles of psychoanalysis. Comparatively, psychodynamic therapy is less focused on the patient-therapist relationship and more focused on the patient’s relationship with their external world.
Supervision
Lavinia is an experienced Board Approved Psychology Supervisor with experience teaching in university settings. She is passionate about providing support to provisional psychologists (5+1 and 4+2), registered psychologists, social workers, counsellors, therapists and psychotherapists. She provides clinical supervision services in Melbourne and Australia-wide via Telehealth.
Lavinia believes in the importance of providing a space that is safe, supportive and encouraging and will tailor her approach depending on your learning needs and goals.
Fees & Services
Treatment
We provide psychological treatment onsite and online for individuals aged 18+ to address a range of issues including but not limited to:
· anxiety and depressive disorders
· trauma
· loss and grief
· addiction (including substance use and gambling)
· obsessive compulsive and related disorders
· bipolar disorders
· other mental health issues
· chronic pain
· women’s mental health
· anger management
· stress management
· self-esteem
· general life difficulties
· relationship difficulties
· work related difficulties, etc.
Treatment approaches
Our evidenced based treatment approaches include:
· Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
· Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
· Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
· Psychodynamic therapy
· Schema Therapy
Fees
Psychological Session Fees
Standard individual counselling - 50 Minute Session
The standard individual counselling fee is $200 for 50-minute session. If you have a GP referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan, the Medicare rebate for a 50-minute consultation will be $98.95 for registered psychologists.
Medicare Rebates
*$98.95 rebate with a GP provided mental health care plan and referral letter.
*You must obtain a GP referral prior to your first appointment in order to receive Medicare rebates.
*Payment in full is required at the time of your appointment.
Couples Counselling
Relationship counselling fee is $200 for 50-minute session.
*Medicare Rebate does not apply to couples counselling
Private Health Insurance
Patients without a mental health care plan may be able to claim a rebate through their private health insurer – please check with your provider for rebate amounts.
WorkCover / TAC Referrals
Are welcome – please advise our staff when making an appointment.
Fees are paid by WorkCover / TAC
Clinical Supervision
50 min appointments | $200
Clinical supervision is available in Melbourne and online for psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, mental health credentialed nurses or other practitioners.
Telehealth
Telehealth Psychology Treatment allows clients to access evidence based psychology treatment from the privacy and comfort of their home or workplace. We are excited that we can make psychology treatment more accessible to more patients through the use of telehealth treatment.
How to make referrals
Self-Referral
Contact us directly on 0499 893 636 or leave a voice message with your contact details and we will get in contact with you as soon as possible.
General Practitioner
General Practitioners (GP) can refer directly to us by emailing a referral letter and a copy of a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). Correspondence can be sent to info@astonpsychologyclinic.com.au
Alternatively, your GP can provide you directly with a copy of the referral letter and your MHTP, which you can bring to your appointment or email to us. Please note that the MHTPs needs to be addressed to "Aston Psychology Clinic", include the date the plan was created and the amount of sessions for this referral.
Other Professional Referrals
Other Professionals can make referrals by contacting the office on 0499 893 636 or by leaving a voice message.
For all other services including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and supervision please call us on 0499 893 636 to discuss your needs.
"When you least expect it, nature has cunning ways of finding our weakest spot"- Andre Aciman
