NICKNAME: Kat
QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Arts (Psych), Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology
ACHIEVEMENTS: One of my greatest achievements has been completing my degrees and becoming a registered psychologist. This journey required me to face many challenges and I feel great satisfaction knowing that I never gave up. I could not imagine working in any other profession.
WHY DID YOU PURSUE PSYCHOLOGY? I have always loved working with people. When I finished high school I initially worked with homeless youth. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in psychology. I felt both honoured and privileged that the youth I worked with let me into their lives and were able to share their stories with such honestly and vulnerability. From that moment I knew I wanted to learn more. I wanted to understand the factors that influence one’s life circumstances and beliefs; and most importantly learn how one can change and live a valued and meaningful life.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK AT BODYMATTERS? I initially heard about BodyMatters through Sarah McMahon. Sarah was one of my supervisors during my provisional registration. I fell in love with the practice from the beginning, their professionalism, their philosophy and the respect and understanding that was given to someone with an eating disorder. When a position came up to work for Body Matters I knew it was an organisation I wanted to be a part of.
YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” – Oscar Wilde
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS: In ten years I hope to have travelled through Europe and experienced different cultures and ways of living. I hope to be married and have children. I also hope to still be working at BodyMatters and making a meaningful contribution to the eating disorder field. Well this is the dream, but I know I will be happy wherever life takes me.
FAVOURITE SPORTS OR ACTIVITIES: I love bush walking. A perfect day for me would be going for a walk through the national park and sitting by a lake or stopping at a beautiful look out and enjoying my packed lunch. I also enjoy any water activates, whether it be boating, swimming, or wake boarding.
FAVOURITE HOBBIES OR INTERESTS: When I was young I thoroughly enjoyed arts and crafts. I remember most weekends my mother would take me to the craft shop to buy a new craft product. Being creative is something that has never left me. As an adult I now use my creative flare for home furnishing and designing creative therapy groups.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET SKILL: One of my passions is cooking. You will regularly find me in the kitchen creating new recipes.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU: Nature inspires me. I feel most relaxed and rejuvenated when I am surrounded by nature, whether bushing walking, kayaking on the Hawkesbury River or camping somewhere along the coast. I love hearing the sounds of birds chirping, insects buzzing and the feeling of the sunshine beaming on my face.
WHO WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD HEROES: I’m not sure, but I remember I use to love watching Captain Planet. He was always off saving the world from toxic pollution.
3 THINGS YOU WOULD TAKE ON A DESERT ISLAND: If I think practically I would need to make sure I had a generator for power. I would also want my luxuries. I would need an iPad for music and tv, and a warm comfy bed to sleep in.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE INDULGENCE: Ice cream! I absolutely love a good ice cream parlor.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE: This is a hard one, as there are so many great movies. Growing up my favorite was The Lion King and I would watch this movie over and over. I am sure I drove my family crazy. As an adult I appreciate foreign films and one of my all-time favorites is Amélie.
FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL: I would love to travel through Europe for at least 6 months.
IF YOU DIDN’T PURSUE PSYCHOLOGY, WHAT OTHER PROFESSION WOULD YOU PURSUE: I grew up with lots of animals; and my family still have dogs, cats, chickens, cows and horses on their property. So I think I could definitely see myself becoming a veterinarian.