Paul Buttigieg

Company Director
Clinical Psychologist

Paul Buttigieg is a registered Clinical Psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree. He has over twenty years of experience working with adults, couples and groups and he is passionate about helping people make meaningful, long-term changes to their lives. Dealing with psychological issues and concerns can sometimes be confronting and frightening and he knows how important it is for people to feel safe and supported during their therapy.

Paul has practiced as a Registered Psychologist since the early 1990s and as a registered Clinical Psychologist since 2003. In 2005 he entered private practice and later in 2010 started running group therapy programs at Abbotsford Private Hospital, and Mindfulness, Anxiety and Trauma based workshops for mental health professionals. Paul has also worked in government, non-government and educational institutions. In Western Australia, he worked at Edith Cowan University Student Counselling Service and the Health Department of Western Australia in Community Mental Health. When he lived in the Northern Territory, he worked in Community Drug and Alcohol services, Child Protection and Public Health.

Paul is an accredited Clinical Supervisor with AHPRA, and he provides professional supervision and training to mental health professionals in Mindfulness and Acceptance based therapies.

Before becoming a psychologist, Paul served in the Australian Defence Force and has experience in working with people from the armed services and first responders. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and is registered to provide clinical psychological services under the Medicare Health Scheme, major private health funds, and Veterans Affairs.

Therapy Approach

Over the years, Paul has trained extensively in a range of therapies and draws on his knowledge of evidence-based therapies, training and clinical experience to adapt what he does to best meet the needs and circumstances of the people he works with. Paul has extensive clinical experience in working with people with a range of mental health issues and problems, and has a particular interest in working with people experiencing issues relating to:

• Trauma and Complex Trauma
• Depression
• Substance Use
• Relationship problems
• Attachment difficulties
• Stress Related Illnesses & conditions
• Anxiety Disorders such as; Panic, Generalised, Social, Obsessive Compulsive and Health Anxiety

Throughout his professional career, he has been highly motivated and curious about how best to be an effective and informed therapist. As a result of his commitment to professional development, Paul is skilled and experienced in using the following therapy approaches;

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Emotion Focused Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
• Schema Focused Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
• Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness practice have long been a part of Paul’s professional and personal life. He has found daily practice of meditation and mindfulness principles to have had a profound effect on him both professionally and personally. Mindfulness helps Paul to be present and attuned to not only his own internal experiences but to the experiences and needs of others. He continues to incorporate meditation and mindfulness- based practices in his therapy with people who are interested.