Olivia
Dr. Olivia Hawkins is a psychologist based in Shellharbour, NSW.
She provides compassionate psychological care for individuals of all ages, from children and
teenagers to adults.
Her practice welcomes neurodivergent clients and focuses on identifying personal strengths, addressing challenges, and working towards individual goals.
Therapeautic Approach
Dr. Hawkins provides individualised therapeutic support, adapting her approach to meet each client's
unique needs. She creates a safe and nurturing environment that enables clients to work towards improved mental health and wellbeing.
Services are available under Medicare with a Mental Health Care Plan, and Dr. Hawkins can also work
with eligible NDIS and SIRA clients.
Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, Dr. Hawkins is committed to providing a safe
and understanding therapeutic experience.
Services
Olivia Hawkins Psychology supports a wide range of mental health concerns. Olivia adapts her approach to each individual, creating personalised treatment plans from various therapeutic techniques, ensuring every client receives support suited to their unique situation and goals.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy sessions are designed to address your unique needs. Working collaboratively, we'll work through your concerns and develop strategies to help you navigate life's challenges.
Play Therapy
Our practice provides a range of play therapy options, such as art therapy, sand tray therapy, and AutPlay. Engaging in these therapeutic play activities allows children to build resilience, enhance their ability to communicate, develop a stronger sense of self-worth, and improve their emotional regulation, leading to improved overall wellbeing.
Telehealth Appointments
We offer secure and convenient telehealth appointments, allowing you to access quality psychological care from the comfort of your own home, making it easier for you to prioritise your mental health regardless of your location
or schedule.
Neuro affirming Practice
Our practice embraces neurodiversity, recognising and respecting the unique ways different brains function. We strive to create a supportive environment that celebrates cognitive differences, focusing on individual strengths.
School & Home
We offer flexible school and home visits to provide convenient and accessible support in familiar environments. These tailored sessions allow for more personalised care and can help reduce barriers to treatment, ensuring individuals receive the support they need in settings where they feel
most comfortable.
Work Cover & NDIS
SIRA accredited to provide all Work Cover needs, ensuring comprehensive support for work-related injuries and rehabilitation.
Our services are available to NDIS clients with either self-managed plans or those using plan management services.
Couples Therapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a research-based approach designed to improve relationship quality and satisfaction. We help couples enhance their communication, manage conflicts more effectively, and build stronger emotional connections, leading to more resilient and fulfilling partnerships.
Psychological Support
Our practice offers support for a range of life's challenges, including anxiety, depression, anger, workplace stress, sleep problems, worry, trauma, and loss. We provide compassionate, tailored care to help you navigate these difficulties and enhance your wellbeing.
Disordered Eating
Overcoming eating disorders is challenging, but recovery is possible with appropriate support and resources. We take a holistic approach, nurturing
mental and physical well-being.
• ARFID • Bulimia • Anorexia
• Binge eating disorder
Play Therapy
What is play therapy?
Play is central to your child's learning and development, with far-reaching positive effects on their mental, emotional, and physical health. Through play, children experience the world in various ways, building crucial connections in their brains which support overall growth.
Play therapy harnesses these powerful benefits in a therapeutic setting, providing a natural and effective way for children to process emotions, experiences, and challenges. It's a special approach that uses play–something children naturally love and understand–to help them work through difficulties.
In the playroom, we provide children with a variety of toys that allow them to express their thoughts and feelings without words. Using items like dolls, puppets, dress-ups, musical instruments, and art supplies, they can act out their inner experiences. This gentle yet powerful method helps children grow and heal, using the language they know best–play.
What does a Play Therapist do?
A Play Therapist meets your child where they are emotionally and developmentally. They take a child-led approach, working alongside your child, carefully observing how they interact with the toys in the playroom. The therapist pays close attention to your child's actions, understanding that the toys serve as tools for self-expression, emotional processing, and problem-solving.
This non-intrusive method allows the therapist to gain insight into your child's inner world without pressuring them to verbalise complex emotions or experiences. By meeting your child at their level and allowing them to lead the play, the therapist creates a safe, comfortable environment where your child can naturally work through their challenges.
Does my child need play therapy?
Every child is different, but some children experience emotional or behavioural challenges that can affect both their own lives and those of the people around them.
As a parent, you might notice your child acting differently than usual. Maybe they’re not sleeping well, eating differently, or having trouble getting along with family and friends. They might seem worried, sad, angry, or have trouble paying attention.
Some children may be experiencing the loss of someone they love, parent separation, or something traumatic. Sometimes, they might struggle with everyday tasks that used to be easy for them. Play therapy process can help with all these things.
How long does play therapy take?
The duration of play therapy varies depending on each child's unique needs. Some children may see benefits from a short-term approach of about 12 sessions, while others with more complex needs might need therapy extending beyond a year.
We typically schedule weekly sessions, maintaining a consistent day and time. This regularity is particularly beneficial for children dealing with emotional or behavioural challenges.
Regular attendance is key to your child's progress and the therapy's effectiveness. We understand that maintaining a consistent schedule can be challenging, so please don't hesitate to discuss any attendance concerns with us. Our goal is to work together to achieve the best outcomes for your child.
Our Space
Our thoughtfully curated therapy space features carefully selected therapeutic toys and resources that enable children to explore and express themselves naturally through play. The dedicated area includes a complete sand tray therapy setup and art therapy materials, whilst our adult consultation room offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with comfortable seating - creating the perfect environment for meaningful therapeutic work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
You don't need a referral to see Dr. Olivia Hawkins. You can book as a private client, but you might be able to get some money back from Medicare for certain reasons. It's best to chat with your GP or give Medicare a call to find out more about this.
Are your services available to children who are NDIS participants with agency-managed plans?
While Dr Hawkins is not an NDIS-registered provider, she can still assist people whose NDIS plans are either self-managed or handled by a plan manager. Unfortunately, she is not able to see people with agency-managed NDIS plans.
Fees Schedule
Our standard consultation fees are published below.
Private Clients
50 mins
$195
Private Clients
50 mins
$195.00
70 mins
$250.00
Note: Medicare rebate of $96.65 if eligible
NDIS Clients
50 mins
$222.99
SIRA Clients
60 mins
$259.90 (Initial)
$217.00 (Subsequent)
