About

Dr. Helena Schutz is a credentialed Eating Disorder clinician and registered Clinical Psychology Medicare Provider, with specific expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and a range of related conditions, in individuals aged 18+ years.  

Helena completed her Honours, Masters and PhD Degrees at the University of Melbourne.  Throughout her University education she was the recipient of numerous prizes and awards including an Australian Psychological Society Award, and the Dwight Final Year Examination Prize.  After achieving top position in her Psychology Honours year, Helena was granted an Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship to complete a PhD.

Helena has extensive expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, completing a PhD in this area, and having undertaken work in this field since 1995.  Following completion of her clinical training, Helena worked for almost 6 years in a specialist eating disorders program in Melbourne where she played a primary role in running the inpatient eating disorders psychology program, as well as co-ordinating an outpatient program for bulimia and binge eating.  Helena has also worked in a variety of other psychiatric settings, with adolescents and adults presenting with: mood and anxiety issues, stress & trauma-related conditions, psychosomatic symptoms, personality disorders, and a wide range of coping and adjustment issues.  Helena has a particular interest in assisting adult survivors of childhood abuse (and other forms of adversity), to overcome the enduring impact of these experiences on their day-to-day lives.

Over the course of her career, Helena has presented at a variety of conferences.  She has also published a number of pieces of original research, and been involved in a variety of research/teaching roles for Melbourne-based Universities.

Helena keeps abreast of developments in the field of clinical psychology, with a strong commitment to ongoing professional development activities.   Helena offers individual eating disorders supervision for practitioners wishing to fulfil ANZAED credentialing requirements.

Treatment Approach

Helena has a warm, compassionate, and client-centered treatment approach.   She recognises the importance of tailoring treatment to each person’s specific needs and goals.  Therapeutic objectives extend beyond symptom relief, to modifying longstanding patterns of thought and behavior that are preventing people from reaching their full potential.

Helena draws upon a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches in her  work including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindfulness-based approaches (i.e., ACT & DBT).   Helena has a particular interest in applying insights from the developing field of Neuroplasticity, to assist individuals struggling with a wide range of psychological difficulties, including the enduring impact of early developmental trauma.  

Helena has a strong commitment to collaborative care.  She welcomes the opportunity to meet with new referrers, and has strong established connections with dietitians, psychologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, GPs, and family therapists.

As a full member of the Australian Psychological Society with clinical endorsement, Helena is able to offer the highest level of rebate to clients referred for subsidised sessions under Medicare.   After this, clients with Private Health Insurance may be eligible to claim partial rebates from their health fund, or may choose to pay for sessions in full, privately.  Further information on rebates available for clinical psychology services is available here.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Eating Disorders), Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, 2005.
  • Master’s Degree (Clinical Psychology), University of Melbourne, 2007.
  • Honours, Psychology, University of Melbourne, 1995.
  • Bachelor of Arts (Majors: Psychology, English), University of Melbourne, 1994.

Awards & Prizes

  • Exhibition Prize, Top Student, Psychology (2nd Year), University of Melbourne, 1993.
  • Dwight Final Year Examination Prize, Psychology (4th Year), University of Melbourne, 1995.
  • APS Award, Top Student, Psychology (4th Year), University of Melbourne, 1995 (Research & Coursework focus: Eating Disorders).
  • Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship (PhD, Psychology, Eating Disorders) 1996-1999.

Professional Memberships/Registrations

  • Member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED).
  • Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (ANZAED).
  • Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA).
  • Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).