Dr Rachel Upperton
BPsych(Hons), PhD, AHPRA, MAPS

Dr Rachel Upperton is a highly experienced and compassionate psychologist who believes strongly in helping clients identify their strengths and core values to facilitate resilience and positive change. Rachel’s empathic, collaborative and warm approach creates an environment that lends itself to self-exploration and healing. Having worked in the field of psychology for over 20 years Rachel holds a wealth of knowledge. She enjoys continued training which keeps her abreast of therapy advances.

Rachel works with adolescents, adults and couples on a diverse range of issues including perinatal mental health, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, identity, adjustment and transition. With experience both internationally and locally Rachel is well suited to work with a culturally diverse range of clients. Her broad experience spans private practice, mood disorder inpatient settings, mentoring, phone counselling, corporate workshops and group therapy.

Rachel has a preference for using Schema Therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy coupled with a solid base in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This enables her to tailor therapy to the needs of the individual. The range of interventions she uses help facilitate change for her clients on an emotional, cognitive and behavioral level.

When working with couples, Rachel draws from Emotion Focussed Therapy (EFT) - an evidence-based therapy to decrease couple distress and increase connection. Rachel has undertaken continued training in couples therapy utilising the EFT for couples model.

Rachel began her career in the early 90’s as a welfare worker assisting adolescents experiencing homelessness. Witnessing the depth of emotional and physical pain that these youth had experienced motivated Rachel to become a psychologist and conduct doctoral research into the risk and protective factors facing adolescent offenders. Rachel is a firm believer in building on the courage and strength it takes to seek assistance. Her strengths based, resilience building approach allows clients to acknowledge and build on positive attributes that will help them create positive and lasting change. An approach that works across all age groups.

Rachel holds Bachelor of Psychology with Honors and PhD, both through Charles Sturt University. Rachel is registered as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and also a Member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Make an appointment with Rachel today.