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A diagnosis can be useful, but it never captures a whole life. Christine builds psychological support around what you most want to recover or protect.

Being given a diagnosis can bring relief, a sense of direction or simply a word for something that was hard to name. Yet no label can describe everything about a person: their relationships, work, interests, values and hopes. Good mental health support keeps all of that in view.

Looking at the whole picture

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, is qualified in psychotherapy and sees clients in Lane Cove for talking therapy. In her sessions, she is interested in how difficulties affect daily life and also in what you want to recover or keep hold of. A diagnosis can inform that conversation without defining it.

What you might share

• which areas of life feel most affected, such as sleep, work, friendships or family;
• what matters most to you right now;
• things that still bring you some meaning or enjoyment;
• other care you are receiving, from your GP, a psychiatrist or another service.

Working alongside other care

Psychological support often works well when it is coordinated with other health professionals. Christine can talk with you about when that kind of coordination may help, and when a referral elsewhere would be more appropriate. Medication decisions remain with your prescribing doctor.

A plan that reflects you

A useful plan reflects both the difficulties you face and the priorities you hold. You might want to explore what you would like to understand, which patterns feel hard to shift and how you would recognise that something is changing. Ask Christine how the work will be reviewed and what support exists if your needs change between sessions.

If you are ever in immediate danger or crisis, contact emergency services or a crisis support service without delay.

More than a symptom list

You are welcome to bring reports or letters from other practitioners if they help, but you do not have to. Many people find the first session in Lane Cove is mostly about being heard. Christine will follow your lead about what to explore first and how quickly.