Dr David Ward

PhD (SW), MPhil, M.Couns, B. SocWk, BA, Grad Dip (Couple Therapy)

I’ve been a therapist for over 25 years now and am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, having worked in government and non-government settings. I enjoy working with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families and have both a breadth and depth of experience in helping many people with difficulties such as: 

• Domestic violence
• Sexual abuse
• PTSD and other forms of trauma
• Depression
• Generalised anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Eating disorders
• Family conflict
• Suicide and self-harm
• Anger
• Spiritual Abuse
• Dissociative disorders

To make an appointment with Dr David Ward please choose Online Booking or call Vision Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3088 5422, or M1 Psychology Loganholme on (07) 3067 9129.

I also have a keen interest in the following:

EMDR and trauma work

I was originally trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) in 2001 and have been using this therapy ever since. It remains my key therapy to resolve many difficulties such as violence, abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or anger. I have successfully and quickly helped people who have been traumatised from war, violence, car accidents or deep grief. I am also an Accredited EMDR Practitioner with the EMDR Association of Australia.

Please note: David cannot offer EMDR online*

Family Therapy

I have had extensive experience with families struggling with many different areas, such as mental health, violence or blended family difficulties. To do so, I usually work in a combination of sessions with the parents or caregivers, sessions with any young people, and of course, the whole family.

Couple Therapy

I have a Graduate Diploma specifically in Couple Therapy, nicely complementing my experience in family work. I have helped many couples with a range of difficulties including separation, infidelity and mental health.

Family Reports

Sometimes family or couple therapy is not possible, and decisions need to be made for the welfare of the children or other family members. As a qualified Family Therapist, as well as working many years in child and adolescent mental health, I can offer family reports if required. Please note that all sessions and the report itself, are billed at the full fee rate.

Helping Teenagers 12+ yrs

I have worked with adolescents throughout my entire career, in community mental health as well as hospital settings. My PhD was in the area of adolescent mental health, exploring the experience of teenagers receiving long-term mental health treatment.

Clinical Supervision

I am an AASW-listed supervisor and have supervised practitioners for many years from both government and non-government organisations, particularly in the areas of family work, trauma, and child and adolescent mental health. I have also guided social workers in gaining their AMHSW status.

Spiritual Abuse

Over many years, I have helped people who have exited a range of toxic groups, as well as journeyed with those who have been burnt out by spiritually abusive leadership. My MPhil thesis explored the experience of spiritual abuse and was the first in Australia to explore the topic in depth.

Other therapies I use

As well as EMDR and Family Therapy, I have also been trained in:

• CBT
• DBT
• Solution-focused therapy
• Schema Therapy

And of course, the most important aspect will be our therapeutic relationship. I look forward to hearing from you!

Disclaimer: David cannot offer EMDR online*

To make an appointment select Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call M1 Psychology Loganholme on (07) 3067 9129 or Vision Psychology Wishart on (07) 3088 5422.

Articles of Interest by Dr David Ward Psychotherapist:

• 5 Messages Every Teenager Needs to Hear
• Am I Dating a Man Child?
• Being Raised by Emotionally Immature Parents
• Boundaries for Your Family
• Burnout in Human Services
• Changing your Past with EMDR Therapy
• Communication Problems in your Marriage or Relationship?
• Health Anxiety in the Age of Coronavirus
• Helping a Loved One with Dissociation
• How Do I Relate to my Ex Now?
• How to Stop being a Critical Parent
• Is Divorce Just Around the Corner?
• Is My Teen Suicidal?
• Mental Health issues and the Church
• Moving On from your Family of Origin
• Myths About Blended Families
• Overcoming Shame and Self-Loathing
• Professional Supervision for Counsellors Psychologists and Social Workers
• Rejection Issues from Childhood to Now
• Signs Of Spiritual Abuse
• The Power of Words in a Family
• Trauma and Dissociation
• Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Warning Signs of a Stressed Family
• Why Does My Child Self-Harm?
• Why your Friend won’t Leave an Abusive Relationship

Publications:

• Ward, D. (2014) “Recovery”: does it fit for adolescent mental health?
  Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 26(1): 83–90.
• Ward, D., (2011) The lived experience of spiritual abuse
  Journal of Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 14 (9) 899-915.
• Ward, D., (2009) Five Messages Every Adolescent Needs to Hear
  Psychotherapy in Australia, 15 (3) 48-54. 
• Ward, D., (Winter 2009) Exiting the Faith: the dynamics of spiritual abuse,
  Counselling Australia.
• Ward, D., (Spring 2003) Counselling Children Part 1: Assessment,
  Counselling Australia.
• Ward, D., (Summer 2003) Counselling Children Part 2: Intervention,
  Counselling Australia.
• Ward, D., (2002) Cults and the Family
  Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, (23) (2) 61-68.
• Ward, D., (2000) Where do I start? Assessment and Intervention with ex-cult members,
  Australian Social Work, (53) (2) 37-42.
• Ward, D., (2000) Domestic Violence as a Cultic System,
  Cultic Studies Journal, (17) (1), 42-55.

Conference Presentations:

• “Recovery in Adolescence; views from the camera lens”
  23nd Annual Mental Health Services Conference Inc (TheMHS) of Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne, 20^th – 23^rd August 2013.
  
•  “The camera never lies: the use of photography to aid research and recovery for traumatised adolescents”
  Australasian Conference of Child Trauma: Research, Response, Recovery. Gold Coast, Queensland 4^th – 6^th July 2012.
• “Spiritual Abuse and the Family”
  29th Australian & New Zealand Family Therapy Conference, Brisbane, October 2008.
• “Counselling ex-members of cults and other controlling groups”
  National Conference of the Australian Counselling Association. Brisbane, October 2004.