Developmentally informed, trauma responsive mental health supports and dispute resolution services in the beautiful and peaceful Adelaide Hills.
Email: admin@lotuscreekpsychology.com
Fax: +61(0)8 5117 3179
Psychology and Mediation
OUR PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES
Niamh is an experienced Clinical Psychologist. She specialises in helping her clients to manage their anxieties.
FOR ADELAIDE HILLS RESIDENTS
Niamh enjoys working in all aspects of clinical psychology and advocates for making mental health and wellbeing services more accessible for residents of the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. During the COVID19 pandemic, Niamh has extended her practice to include general adult clinical psychology.
FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Niamh worked at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for nine years and then at Mercedes College as a school psychologist for ten years. Niamh works as a clinical care coordinator at Headspace in Murray Bridge, where she manages complex inter-agency cases. In her private practice, Niamh focuses her workon children aged nine or older.
FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CANCER
Niamh's transition to the field of psycho-oncology was motivated by a diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer as a young adult. Consequently, she has personal and recent experience of the issues unique to younger people with cancer. This has given her a deep understanding of the impact of treatment on fertility and sexual wellbeing for younger cancer patients and their partners, including the complex pathways to pursuing parenthood through surrogacy.
FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY
Some people experience excessive and irrational anxiety, which becomes ongoing and distressing. Niamh understands how anxiety can interfere with your daily life and has made this a focus of her practice.
Please contact us, if you have any queries about our services.
TRAUMA-INFORMED PRINCIPLES
Dr. Karen Treisman's Four R's:
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"A trauma-informed organisation REALISES the trauma, stress and adversity, and understand potential
paths to healing and recovery. It RECOGNISES the signs and symptoms of staff, clients and all others involved
in the system. It actively RESISTS re-traumatisation (committed to being trauma-reducing and not trauma-inducing). It RESPONDS by fully and meaningfully integrating, embedding and infusing knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, language, culture, practices and settings."
"Every moment or interaction can be an intervention."
Dr. Karen Treisman.
OUR PLACE
Lotus Creek Psychology is located on Aldgate Valley Road between Aldgate and Mylor in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. It is a peaceful and secluded spot, but only twenty minutes from the Tollgate on the freeway.
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The property was named over 100 years ago after the Lotus Australis, which flowers along the creek in our valley. Each year, a pair of Sacred Kingfishers, make their home in our garden. We overlook the Nurriti National Trust reserve and are surrounded by birds and other wildlife. Nurriti is an Aboriginal word from the Kaurna Tribal Group meaning Spell or Enchanted.
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With your permission, Sunny - our friendly Head of Customer Care - dispenses love and cuddles when he sees a visitor is distressed. Often our visitors will "walk and talk" in our garden and Sunny is only too happy to come along for a play. Sunny has become so popular that we now make appointments that will note: with or without Sunny.
We have just welcomed Dhala into our lives. She is a Cocker Spaniel puppy, who only joins our visitors on special request, since her energy levels are yet to be measured by human invention. Dhala has appointed herself Head of Security and takes this role very seriously. She is slowly learning to look after our visitors from Sunny.
OUR DOGS
OUR FEES
The Australian Psychological Society has set the standard 46 to 60 minute consultation fee at $300. A recent survey by Lived Experience Australia showed that the average gap fee for a psychologist is $170. Please be aware that we may charge for report writing and our fees slightly increased from 1st July 2024. NDIS-funded clients will be charged at standard NDIS rates for psychological services.
STANDARD
$291.85 per session
($150 out-of-pocket,
after Medicare rebate)
Available for residents living outside the Adelaide Hills and Southern Fleurieu region and for weekend clinics.
With a Mental Health Care Plan referral from your GP, you receive a $141.85 Medicare rebate per session (valid for ten sessions each calendar year under the new Better Access initiative).
LOCAL
$241.85 per session
($100 out-of-pocket cost,
after Medicare rebate)
Available for residents of the Adelaide Hills and Southern Fleurieu region.
With a Mental Health Care Plan referral from your GP, you receive a $141.85 Medicare rebate per session (valid for ten sessions each calendar year under the new Better Access initiative).
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SPECIAL
$141.85 per session
(No out-of-pocket cost,
after Medicare rebate)
Available for people currently undergoing cancer treatments or surviving cancer.
With a Mental Health Care Plan referral from your GP, you receive a $141.85 Medicare rebate per session (valid for ten sessions each calendar year under the new Better Access initiative).
At the end of the psychology session, we will ask you to settle the out-of-pocket cost by EFTPOS. We will apply for the Medicare rebate on your behalf. You will then receive a receipt by email.
Please contact us if you have any questions about our fees. We look forward to hearing from you.
NIAMH O'BRIEN
Clinical Psychologist
Niamh has practiced as a psychologist since 2003. Her experience extends across a range of public health, not-for-profit and private practice environments, which allows her to offer a unique depth of knowledge, especially in her specialty fields of child and adolescent psychology. More recently, Niamh has begun to work in the field of psycho-oncology.
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For more of my credentials, please refer to Niamh's LinkedIn account.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
2010
FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
2000
DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION
Clinical psychology consulting
12 months (ongoing)
HEADSPACE
Clinical Care Coordinator - Murray Bridge, providing supports for young people aged between 12 and 25
18 months
ALLIED CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGISTS
Clinical Psychologist at a leading psycho-oncology practice
1 year
MERCEDES COLLEGE
School Psychologist for reception to year 12
10 years
SA HEALTH
Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
9 years
The Aldgate Valley Nature Walk is a scenic trail between Aldgate and Mylor. Weather permitting, we can enjoy a tranquil section of the trail that passes through the Aldgate Valley Nature Reserve for "Walk and Talk" sessions. There are many places to sit and simply soak up the beautiful views, while we talk.
 Lotus Creek Psychology Walk-and-TalkAldgate Valley Nature Reserve |  |  |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU OFFER SPECIAL RATES OR CONCESSIONS?
For people in cancer treatment or surviving cancer, we do not charge a fee, if If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from you GP. We offer a discount for Adelaide Hills residents.
HOW CAN I GET A REFERRAL TO SEE YOU?
Please ask your GP to provide you with a Mental Health Care Plan. This entitles you to 10 sessions through Medicare each year.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
Medicare funds a 50-minute session. However, we allow additional 20 minutes, if a session needs it.
Please contact us, if you have any queries about our services.
OUR POSTS AND ARTICLES WE LIKE
THOUGHT-PROVOKING VIDEOS
CONTACT US FOR A CHAT
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Niamh O'Brien
Clinical Psychologist
AHPRA Registration: PSY0001324655
Medicare provider number: 4434653F
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Nick Carter
Mediator and Practice Manager
Tel: +61 (0)8 8470 1748
Lotus Creek Psychology and Mediation Pty Ltd
(ABN 76 668 048 066)
Lotus Creek Cottage
104 Aldgate Valley Road
Aldgate, South Australia, 5154
Fax: +61(0)8 5117 3179
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Please reach out to us. We will listen to you with respect and understanding. If we cannot help, then we will point you in the right direction.
"I am not afraid of storms
for I am learning how to sail my ship."
Louisa May Alcott
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we undertake our business on the traditional lands and waters of the Peramangk and Kaurna people. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging as the Custodians of this ancient and beautiful land.
PRIVACY POLICY
Under the ADMA code of practice, we follow all regulatory provisions relating to the collection and use of data. Please contact us, if you wish to review data that we may have collected through your use of this website.