Paul Buttigieg

Company Director
Clinical Psychologist

Paul Buttigieg is a Clinical Psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree and is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. With over twenty-five years of experience working with adults, couples, and groups, Paul is passionate about helping people make meaningful, long-term changes in their lives. He understands that dealing with psychological issues and concerns can sometimes be confronting and frightening, and he knows how important it is for people to feel safe and supported during their therapy.

Since the early 1990s, Paul has practiced as a Registered Psychologist and has been a registered Clinical Psychologist since 2003. In 2005, he entered private practice and later, in 2010, started running group therapy programs at Abbotsford Private Hospital, as well as Mindfulness, Anxiety, and Trauma-based workshops for mental health professionals. Paul has also worked in government, non-government, and educational institutions. In Western Australia, he worked at Edith Cowan University Student Counselling Service and the Health Department of Western Australia in Community Mental Health. When he lived in the Northern Territory, he worked in Community Drug and Alcohol services, Child Protection, and Public Health.

Paul was an accredited Clinical Supervisor with AHPRA for over ten years and has supervised Clinical Psychology trainees at Abbotsford Private Hospital. He has also supervised Clinical Psychology Registrars for their supervision and registration. He continues to provide supervision and training to mental health professionals in Somatic, Mindfulness, and Acceptance-based psychotherapies.

Before becoming a psychologist, Paul served in the Australian Defence Force and has experience working with people from the armed services and first responders. He was a member of the Australian Psychological Society for thirty years and the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for ten years. He is registered to provide clinical psychological services under the Medicare Health Scheme, major private health funds, and Veterans Affairs.

Therapy Approach

Over the years, Paul has trained extensively in a range of therapies and draws on his knowledge of evidence-based therapies, training, and clinical experience to adapt his approach to best meet the needs and circumstances of the people he works with. Paul has extensive clinical experience working with people with a range of mental health issues and problems, and has a particular interest in working with people experiencing issues related to:

• Trauma and Complex Trauma
• Depression
• Substance Use
• Relationship problems
• Attachment difficulties
• Stress-related illnesses and conditions
• Anxiety disorders such as Panic, Generalised, Social, Obsessive Compulsive, and Health Anxiety

Throughout his professional career, Paul has been highly motivated and curious about how best to be an effective and informed therapist. As a result of his commitment to professional development, Paul is skilled and experienced in using the following therapies:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Emotion-Focused Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
• Schema-Focused Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
• Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy
• Internal Family Systems

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness practice have long been a part of Paul’s professional and personal life. He has found that daily practice of meditation and mindfulness principles has had a profound effect on him both professionally and personally. Mindfulness helps Paul to be present and attuned to not only his own internal experiences but also to the experiences and needs of others. He continues to incorporate meditation and mindfulness-based practices in his therapy with people who are interested.