Dr Carmen Teodor
Dr Carmen Teodor
Clinical Psychologist MAPS FCCLP
Carmen is a warm, compassionate, and solution-oriented bilingual Clinical Psychologist (English and Romanian), dedicated to providing evidence-based, and culturally sensitive psychological interventions to individuals, couples, and families, with almost 20 years of clinical experience (in Australia since 2011) with diverse client populations in one-on-one and group settings.
In Australia, she has worked with an NGO as a clinical supervisor and manager of a therapeutic team, providing counselling and family dispute resolution services, and, as a registered psychologist, in a private psychology clinic.
Carmen finds the uniqueness of ones’ story highly motivating and meaningful, giving her purpose in finding efficient ways to tailor treatment plans and therapeutic interventions that support clients’ needs, and help them diffuse stressful situations, proactively resolve issues, and achieve challenging goals. She acknowledges that coming to therapy can be quite daunting and anxiety provoking for some clients. Having to talk to a stranger and share your deepest worries, fears and hopes, might feel scary but she strongly believes that these profound acts of courage (showing up and being vulnerable) are a sign of undeniable strength and could lead to one of the most uplifting experiences you have ever had. Rest assured that therapy is a safe and confidential space where she will be gently walking by your side on this magnificent journey of self-discovery. She is committed to reflective practice and continuous self-improvement, and that is why she values feedback provided at the end of each session that would help her find the best way possible to support you.
She has a special interest in working with couples using therapy models such as Imago Relationship therapy, a form of relationship and couples therapy that focuses on transforming any conflict between couples into opportunities for healing and growth. Learning and teaching the “Imago Dialogue” allows couples to move from blame and reactivity, to understanding and empathy, so they can create a deeper and loving connection with each other.
She uses integrative, trauma informed, evidence-based psychotherapy approaches: from therapies focused on symptom reduction such as the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) and trauma focused such as Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing treatment (EMDR), to insight-focused psychotherapies such as systemic, experiential and narrative psychotherapy.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems. It’s the ability to deal with them. Steve Maraboli”
Get to know Carmen
Carmen finds joy in all the simple things in life: from a hearty laugh or a conversation with a friend or a family member to enjoying a good wine in a crystal glass because life is worth celebrating at any given time, here and now, in the present, the only certainty we have in life. Carmen understands the positive psychological change resulting from a struggle with traumatic or highly challenging life circumstances (that can have a transformational role and facilitate growth) having been confronted herself with a potentially life-threatening condition.
Carmen loves travelling, visiting family and friends overseas, pushing her limits and challenging herself by learning new things like foreign languages, playing guitar, or riding an enduro motorbike. She recharges by being outgoing and social but also valuing time alone (with a good book). Carmen strives for a better work-life balance, having a holistic approach to her health and wellbeing (a good diet, exercising and spending time in nature).
Carmen's qualifications include a master’s degree in Psychotherapy and Psychological Assessment and a PhD in Psychology (University of Bucharest, Romania). Carmen is an AHPRA Registered Psychologist, a member of APS (Australian Psychological Society), AIRTA (Association of Imago Relationships Therapists Australia) and College Fellow, College Clinical Psychologists.
Availability
Carmen is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays including After Hours and Online Sessions.