IMOGEN O'LOUGHLIN

Imogen O’Loughlin
Clinical Psychologist
BA (Hons), MPsych (Clin)

Imogen is a warm, compassionate and genuine Clinical Psychologist who provides a safe and nurturing space for her clients to feel comfortable to share their story. Imogen aims to empower her clients with the skills and strategies to effectively manage the difficulties and challenges in their lives. Imogen has trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches and has experience working across private practice, hospital and university clinic settings.

Imogen has experience working with adults with a variety of emotional concerns, has a particular interest in working with those who have experienced trauma, both in childhood or later in life.  She is passionate about supporting her clients to regain a sense of safety and stability, and to fully process their painful emotions and traumatic memories to allow them the freedom to heal and move forwards in line with their goals.

Imogen is also especially passionate about supporting clients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to overcome and become free of the vicious cycle of distressing intrusive thoughts and compulsions/rituals. In addition, Imogen has a strong interest in working with clients with anxiety disorders including panic, agoraphobia, social anxiety, health/illness related anxiety, death anxiety, as well as generalised anxiety and worry.

Another strong area of interest for Imogen is supporting individuals who are experiencing both emotional and physical health concerns. She empathetic to the profound and often wide-ranging impacts of chronic and acute illness, as well as challenges that may arise from the healthcare journey and treatments for the lives of her clients.  Imogen will work collaboratively with you to navigate the demands of your illness and to enhance your emotional wellbeing in line with your values.

Imogen has a special interest in the following areas:

• Chronic health concerns and illness including but not limited to: cancer; dysautonomia including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS); autoimmune disease; chronic pain
• Grief and loss
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Trauma
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders
• Stress and burnout
• Tic Disorders including Tourette Syndrome
• Body-Focussed Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) including Trichotillomania (hair pulling) and Dermatillomania/Excoriation Disorder (skin picking)

Imogen is trained and experienced in delivering a range of evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Imogen has completed further training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to broaden her skills set for treating OCD.  She brings extra skills to her care for those living with Tourette’s Syndrome and tics from her training in Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT). In addition, Imogen is particularly interested in supporting clients with deeper work to address underlying attachment wounds and schemas, and has completed advanced training in Schema Therapy.  Imogen will work hard to tailor her approach to your individual situation, needs and goals.

Imogen is committed to ongoing learning, professional development and keeping up-to-date with the latest cutting-edge research in clinical psychology to ensure that she is providing high quality, effective care to her clients.

Imogen has published the following research articles in peer-reviewed journals:

• O’Loughlin, I., & Newton-John, T. (2019). ‘Dis-comfort eating’: An investigation into the use of food as a coping strategy for the management of chronic pain. Appetite, 140, 228-297. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2019.05.027
• O’Loughlin, I., & Blaszczynski, A. (2018) Comparative effects of differing media presented gambling advertisements on male youth gambling attitudes and intentions. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16, 313-327. doi:10.1007/s11469-017-9753-z

Imogen was awarded multiple prizes and scholarships throughout her training, including the Blanka Buring Prize, the Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance, the University of Sydney Honours Scholarship, two Academic Merit prizes and the UTS Luminaries Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship. In April 2019 Imogen was awarded The APS Clinical College Student Prize which recognises outstanding clinical and therapy skills and the ability to design and conduct clinically relevant research.

“We all have times in our life when the challenges that we face seem overwhelming and insurmountable. However, we don’t have to face these challenges alone. My aim is to work together with you to form a personalised treatment plan that enables you to work towards a meaningful and enriched life. It is an absolute honour to walk alongside my clients and offer support during what are sometimes the most challenging times of their lives. I am here to offer the support, skills and strategies needed to help you overcome your difficulties, whilst also recognising that you are the expert in your story and unique experiences.” – Imogen O’Loughlin

Therapeutic approach: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

All of our psychologists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency AHPRA (see ahpra.gov.au)