About Aston Psychology Clinic
At Aston Psychology Clinic, we provide a safe, compassionate space where adults can explore their experiences without judgment. Our goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and supported as you work through trauma and life’s challenges, so you can regain control, build resilience, and live a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Trauma can happen anywhere — through loss, abuse, accidents, or overwhelming life experiences. Its impact can linger long after the event, affecting your thoughts, emotions, and sense of safety.
Immediate appointments are available because your healing journey shouldn’t wait. Book online or call us to discuss your needs.
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.
Lavinia McSwain - Psychologist
I believe that everyone has a story and that each story is remarkable. I consider it a privilege to be part of your story and to support you along your journey.
I am a registered psychologist and a lecturer with more than 16 years of experience working across hospital, community mental health, forensic, and university settings.
I have provided psychological assistance to people from all walks of life. I am very aware that one size does not fit all in therapy, so I tailor individual treatment utilising evidence-based approaches, including CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, DBT and EMDR.
I provide individual therapy and relationship counselling both onsite and via telehealth, supporting clients through Medicare, WorkSafe, TAC-funded services, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
I have experience working with individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, addiction, relationship difficulties, workplace stress, and other life challenges.
As a lecturer in psychology and Board Approved Supervisor, I contribute to the academic development of the next generation of mental health professionals and offer professional supervision for psychology students and other mental health practitioners. I am also a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi).
Treatment approaches
Our evidenced based treatment approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Schema Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based psychological therapy that focuses on understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours. CBT is based on the idea that the way we think about situations can strongly influence how we feel and how we respond, and that by changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours, emotional wellbeing can improve.
CBT is a collaborative and goal-focused approach, where you and your therapist work together to identify current difficulties, develop a shared understanding of what maintains them, and build practical strategies to support change. Sessions often involve learning coping skills, practising new ways of responding to challenges, and developing tools that can be used both during and beyond therapy.
CBT is commonly used to support difficulties such as anxiety, depression, stress, low mood, trauma, and low self-esteem, and aims to empower individuals with skills that promote long-term resilience and wellbeing.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychological therapy that helps individuals develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with their thoughts and feelings. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult experiences, ACT focuses on learning how to respond to them in ways that support wellbeing and meaningful change.
ACT encourages acceptance of thoughts and emotions that are outside of our control, while helping people commit to actions that align with their personal values. Through mindfulness-based strategies, clients learn to step back from unhelpful thought patterns, reduce their impact, and become more present in daily life.
Therapy is collaborative and practical, supporting individuals to clarify what matters most to them and to take purposeful steps towards a more fulfilling life, even in the presence of ongoing challenges. ACT is commonly used to support anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, chronic health conditions, and difficulties related to self-criticism or emotional avoidance.
ACT aims to build psychological flexibility, helping people live with greater awareness, resilience, and engagement in what truly matters to them.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychological therapy that helps individuals understand and manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop effective coping strategies. DBT is based on the balance between acceptance and change, supporting people to accept their experiences while also working towards meaningful behavioural change.
DBT focuses on building practical skills in four key areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help individuals increase emotional awareness, manage overwhelming feelings, cope with distress in healthier ways, and communicate more effectively in relationships.
Therapy is structured, collaborative, and skills-based, with a strong emphasis on applying strategies in everyday life. DBT is commonly used to support difficulties such as emotional dysregulation, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.
DBT aims to help individuals build a life that feels more balanced, manageable, and aligned with their goals and values.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy is a depth-focused psychological therapy that explores how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and early relationships can influence current thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It helps individuals gain insight into long-standing difficulties and understand why certain patterns may continue to repeat in their lives.
This approach provides a reflective and supportive space to explore emotions, relationships, and internal conflicts. By increasing self-awareness and understanding, psychodynamic therapy supports emotional growth, improved relationships, and lasting change. The therapeutic relationship itself plays an important role in helping individuals recognise and work through patterns as they emerge.
Psychodynamic therapy can be helpful for a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, low self-esteem, and difficulties linked to identity or life transitions. It is particularly suited to those seeking deeper understanding and long-term personal development.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy is an integrative, evidence-based psychological therapy that helps people understand and change long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that often develop in childhood or adolescence. These deeply rooted patterns, known as schemas (or life traps), can continue into adulthood and may contribute to ongoing emotional difficulties, relationship problems, or unhelpful coping styles.
Schema Therapy combines elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, attachment theory, psychodynamic approaches, and experiential techniques. Therapy focuses on increasing awareness of maladaptive schemas, understanding how they developed, and learning healthier ways to meet emotional needs. This may include working with emotions, past experiences, and patterns that emerge within relationships.
The approach is collaborative and compassionate, with an emphasis on building emotional safety, self-understanding, and resilience. Schema Therapy is commonly used to support difficulties such as chronic depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and long-standing relational issues.
Schema Therapy aims to promote lasting change by helping individuals develop healthier patterns, strengthen emotional regulation, and build more fulfilling relationships.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological therapy designed to help people process and recover from traumatic or distressing experiences. EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess memories that have become “stuck,” reducing their emotional intensity and the impact they have on present-day life.
During EMDR therapy, attention is given to specific memories while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. This process supports the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing distressing experiences to be integrated in a more adaptive way. As a result, memories can become less overwhelming, and associated symptoms often reduce.
EMDR is a structured and collaborative approach. It is commonly used to support difficulties such as trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and distress linked to adverse life experiences.
EMDR aims to help individuals feel more grounded, regain a sense of control, and move forward with greater emotional resilience.
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 (ACT)
· Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
· Psychodynamic therapy
· Schema Therapy
. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing(EMDR)
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.
Of all the things trauma takes away from us, the worst is our willingness, or even our ability, to be vulnerable.” — Brené Brown
