Dr Joyce Chong, Associate
Joyce's qualifications are a PhD in Psychology, a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology from the University of Western Australia. In addition to private practice, Joyce is a University-based Clinical Psychologist and counsellor, where she provides therapy to students and staff, and supervises intern Clinical Psychologists.Joyce works with a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem and self-confidence, trauma, grief, substance use, quitting smoking, anger, adjustment to life events, stress management, and relationship difficulties.
In the area of anxiety, Joyce works with social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, public speaking anxiety, health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, performance anxiety, specific phobias, and excessive worry.
In her work as a university-based psychologist, Joyce works effectively with high-achieving individuals on a range of issues to optimise work and performance. Her areas of focus include burnout, stress management, time management, procrastination, perfectionism, goal setting, communication and conflict resolution, public speaking and performance anxiety, as well as work-life balance.
Joyce is also accomplished working with relationship difficulties in work and personal spheres. She helps people to identify unhelpful patterns of communication and assists individuals to understand one another's perspectives in relationships. Joyce works with individuals and couples on developing communication skills to enhance conflict resolution and promote relationship wellbeing. She also works with issues such as separation and trust, as well as maintaining healthy relationships.
Joyce has worked extensively with clients of various cultural and religious backgrounds. She is understanding of how cultural and religious values impact on wellbeing, relationships, and mental health, and works flexibly with clients while being respectful of such values.
Joyce is a very warm and insightful therapist, who creates a supportive environment in which to achieve change and growth.
In addition to her clinical work, Joyce has conducted honours level research examining the impact of depression on attention, and PhD level research examining the impact of anxiety on memory. She has also conducted postdoctoral research investigating referral relationships between general practitioners and other health professionals in chronic health management, and has developed and co-ordinated a project to enhance referral relationships between GPs and other treating health professionals. Her research has been presented at national and international conferences.
Joyce has also taught communication skills, trained university researchers in interviewing and communication skills, and has taught psychology to undergraduate students. Joyce has appeared as a guest speaker on a local youth radio station to discuss topics relevant to young adults and depression, and has presented seminars and workshops on stress management, social phobia, anxiety, and depression.
Joyce has co-authored self-help booklets on exam anxiety and procrastination for high school students, and is currently co-authoring a treatment manual for Cambridge University Press for health professionals working with clients who want to quit smoking.
Joyce is fully registered with the NSW Psychologists' Registration Board, and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists, and the Australian New Zealand Student Services Association.