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Tim Smyth

Senior Psychologist & AHPRA Supervisor

Tim has been a Registered Psychologist since 1998 and brings to DS Psychology Group maturity and a wealth of experience across a diverse range of clinical settings.

Tim has extensive experience in treating adolescents, adults and couples. Tim worked for The Currumbin Clinic, a 100 bed private psychiatric facility, for 10yrs full-time and 6yrs part-time, conducting group and individual therapy and psycho-education across all clinic inpatient and outpatient programs, including trauma, addictions, mood and anxiety disorders. In addition Tim provided intensive group and individual treatment for 10yrs to the Military Posttraumatic Stress Program. which was later expanded to include personnel from fire, ambulance, and police services. Tim also provided individual supervision to Masters students and to other psychologists.

In the last 16 years Tim has worked in private practice, providing treatment for issues of mood, anxiety including OCD, addictions, bulimia, trauma and abuse, anger, relationships, adjustment to injury, and workplace conflict and burnout. During this period he also provided services to clients of Workcover, Victoria, Qld and NSW, Employee Assistance Programs, Queensland Ambulance, Police and Fire Services, the Department of Veteran Affairs and other private companies.

Tim has been the principal trainer and a senior supervisor for the DS Psychology 5+1 Internship Program since 2021. He also provides private supervision to registered psychologists.

Tim’s approach to helping clients combines experience and knowledge, care and compassion, trust and confidence, flexibility and collaboration in goal setting, and a recognition that therapy is not just about clients feeling better but becoming more effective problem solvers and human beings. He believes it is important that clients gain hope, relief and a way forward right from the first session, and most importantly that clients are comfortable and confident in the therapeutic relationship; the factor which three decades of research has demonstrated to be the greatest predictor of effective treatment outcomes.

Tim also considers that many clients require and benefit from multi-disciplinary treatment and will refer clients to other professionals and community support groups where appropriate.

Clinical interests

  • Trauma (including PTSD, sexual abuse and debriefing)
  • Addictive disorders (alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, internet)
  • Anger management
  • Workplace issues (conflict, burnout)
  • Anxiety disorders (panic disorder, OCD, social phobia, generalised anxiety)
  • Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
  • Relationship issues and couples counselling (marital discord, separation, divorce)
  • Sexual orientation (issues affecting gay and lesbian clients)
  • Life transitions and adjustment (job loss, injury, parenthood)
  • Eating disorders (bulimia)
  • Grief and loss
  • Low self-esteem and assertiveness training

Supervision

Registered and provisional psychologists

Therapeutic modalities

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
  • Behavioural Activation (BA)

Client groups

  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Military and emergency services personnel (active or retired)

Availability

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, for day and after-hours appointments.