Martina Palombi

B.F.A, Grad.Dip.Gestalt Psychotherapy, PACFA Reg. Clinical 23338, Cert. Bowen Family Systems Therapy & Practice, Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2 Training

Psychotherapy & Counselling

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Martina is a psychotherapist and counsellor with thirteen years experience in private practice and over twenty years experience in personal development, meditation, and the healing arts, offering counselling for Individuals, Couples and Families.

Martina has post graduate qualifications in Gestalt psychotherapy and an Advanced Certificate in Bowen Family Systems Theory & Practice. She is currently enrolled in a Masters of Social Work (MSW). Martina is a clinical member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Martina’s practice is conveniently located in the heart of Bondi Junction.

After-hour and weekend appointments are available upon request.

Martina is bilingual, offering therapy in both English and Italian.

She is available for face to face consultations as well as online therapy and phone counselling.

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Bondi Counselling psychotherapy

Individual Couples and Family Therapy

Providing effective individual, couples and family psychotherapy and counselling for emotional, behavioural and relational struggles in life.

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My approach

I see people for a range of issues emerging from their lives including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, workplace concerns, family relationship issues, behavioural problems, parenting, and life transitions.

People who engage in therapy with me undertake the challenge of relating to their difficulties in new ways as well as assuming responsibility for the direction they want their life to take. Clients quickly learn that the real ‘work’ happens outside the therapy room, in the context of their significant relationships. Once committed to, psychotherapy involves a process of self-growth, emotional regulation, self-differentiation, and personal evolution.

My approach is based on Bowen family systems theory, a theory of human behaviour developed by Dr. Murray Bowen. Bowen family systems theory views human beings and their problems as embedded in the broader context of their social and family environments. A person’s problems, from this perspective, are not divorced from their relationship systems. Bowen family systems theory does not view issues as belonging solely to the individual but rather sees human functioning as interconnected to, and co-created by, the individual’s relationship system. A disturbance observed within the individual is a reflection of a disturbance in the (family or social) group. According to Dr Bowen, “human behaviour, along with that of any other social species, is not only self-regulated by individuals, but co-regulated in the highly interdependent systems in which individuals are embedded” (Noone & Papero, 2015). Aligning with the principles of evolutionary biology, Dr. Bowen viewed the human family as a natural system, and the individual, as a member of that system.

Natural systems thinking – is based on the evolutionary biological idea that individuals both impact their environment/family system and are impacted by it, the two are not separate but in constant relationship. They are in reciprocity, the same way ants are in reciprocity with their colony. We do not isolate an ant’s behaviour by asking: why is that ant carrying food in that direction? Rather, we view and make sense of the ant’s behaviour in relationship to its colony, its natural system. Similarly, a human being’s functioning is interconnected to their family/environment system, both past and present.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy and counselling?

Psychiatry is a medical specialty like general practice (GP), surgery or paediatrics. Psychiatry mostly uses a diagnostic system based on the DSM5. Psychiatrists work with more severe disorders and can prescribe prescription medication.

Psychology, Psychotherapy & Counselling?

Depending on their training preference, mental health practitioners choose a particular path of education to qualify as either a psychologist, a psychotherapist or a counsellor. Often these terms are used interchangeably and sometimes therapists hold qualifications in one or more of these modalities. The main difference between psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors is the framework they use to base their thinking of human nature and behaviour.

What does therapy involve?

The focus will be on the problem you have come with, with a view to look at the broader context out of which the problem emerges. This could be how your current relationship and life circumstances play a part in the problem you are experiencing. It could also be how your family of origin or nuclear and extended family have contributed to the issue, past or present. The exploration might focus on how important events in your life have impacted your development, functioning and resilience, anything from relationships, to loss, to work, deaths, marriage, divorce, addictions, parenting, relocations or cross-cultural issues.

How long does it take?

The duration of therapy depends on you and your needs, the nature of the problem and how much energy and time you want to devote to the process. If you have a relatively straight forward concern 6-12 weeks may be enough time for you.

If, on the other hand, you want to understand and change long term patterns and the broader context which effect your functioning and underpin your symptoms, a longer therapy would be more helpful.

You may not have a major problem but may want to make use of therapy to understand and explore yourself, to grow in your relationships and to steer yourself more effectively in your life-path.

Usually therapy starts with weekly or fortnightly sessions with greater spacing as things improve.