NICKNAME: Carmel is a hard name when it comes to nicknames, but some friends call me Carms.
QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), PhD (Clinical)
ACHIEVEMENTS: Aside from surviving eight years of university study and an 18 month registrar program to become a Clinical Psychologist, I’d saying growing and bringing a tiny human into the world who I love more each day.
WHY DID YOU PURSUE PSYCHOLOGY? My love of psychology started in my grade 11 psychology class at Canberra College and naturally unfolded over the following nine years of studying it. I love the field of psychology largely because I believe it builds understanding – understanding why we do the things we do – I think there is something really special about feeling truly understood. I also love learning about the brain and body because I think they are remarkable.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK AT BODYMATTERS? I stumbled across BodyMatters after considering options for work following having my son, and after meeting Sarah, the Director of BodyMatters loved the way she ran the practice and the opportunity to work among like minded people focused on eating, weight and body image concerns was one I couldn’t resist.
YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE: Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced – Soren Kierkegaard.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS: Probably where I am just older and wiser! I’m loving the season of life I’m in I love my field, my family, my local church, my local community. But to be honest who knows, adventure sometimes creeps up on you. I wouldn’t have seen myself here ten years ago!
FAVOURITE SPORTS OR ACTIVITIES: I have a love of netball though I haven’t played a game in quite some time.
FAVOURITE HOBBIES OR INTERESTS: While being a mum doesn’t allow for much time anymore, I have recently been experimenting with water colour painting. I like to crochet – something I learnt with the young women in the eating disorders day program as a provisional psychologist. And I LOVE reading. And a recent obsession with a hot bath at the end of the day.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET SKILL: I can touch my nose with my tongue?? Gross and weird I know.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU: Jesus. He is moved by compassion for people, compassion means – to suffer with – He embodies this entirely. He breaks cultural and social norms and expectations, to place true value on humanity. He extends kindness. He offers relentless forgiveness. He embraced suffering.
WHO WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD HEROES: Vicki Wilson (Netballer)
3 THINGS YOU WOULD TAKE ON A DESERT ISLAND: A good book, swimmers and my family (do they count?)
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE INDULGENCE: Coffee, Wine and Chocolate!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE: Too hard to choose! But I’ll confess to watching Grey’s Anatomy – all fifteen seasons, potentially more then once.
FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL: I have a long list of places I would like to go, not sure where to start! I have been to China, Thailand, Turkey and Bulgaria thus far and am excited for opportunities to come in the future.
IF YOU DIDN’T PURSUE PSYCHOLOGY, WHAT OTHER PROFESSION WOULD YOU PURSUE:
If I didn’t pursue psychology, I would have done teaching OR an artist or florist depends if I went with the creative part of me.
Hi Dr. Harrison,
I am carer and have been one for the past 6 years. My daughter developed ED since at the beginning of 2014 (she was in year 7)… hospitalized 3 times between 2014 and 2015. Since then, she has or i should say we have been living with this Anorexia… she has finished her HSC, and preparing to take a year off (2020) to recover, however, her idea of recover is to control what’s and how much to eat each day, according to how much she consume (based on her Apple Watch). She has not been able to eat what i made for the past 4 or 5 years. We need help
Hello, I’m wondering If Dr Carmel Harrison has any availability.