Mr Eddie Mtakwa Psychologist

About Eddie I am a registered psychologist who works with adolescents, adults and couples from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. I particularly enjoy working with people experiencing persistent pain, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, work related stress and major changes in life. I believe good therapy starts with the relationship between the psychologist and the person sitting in front of them. You do not need to know the right psychological words, have everything figured out, or even know exactly what you want from therapy. Sometimes you simply know that things are not going particularly well and something needs to change. We can start there. My style as a psychologist is warm, practical and straightforward. I enjoy having a laugh with clients when it is appropriate, but I am equally comfortable sitting with the difficult stuff. I want people to feel that they can talk openly with me without being judged or feeling they need to present a certain version of themselves. Eddie's Practice as a Psychologist Much of my work involves helping people understand how their mental health is affecting everyday life and then finding practical ways forward. Persistent pain is an area I particularly enjoy working in. Living with pain can affect far more than the body. It can change how someone sleeps, works, relates to others, sees themselves and thinks about their future. I enjoy helping people understand that relationship and find ways of getting more of their life back, even when the pain itself cannot simply be taken away. I also enjoy relationship work and helping people who are struggling with work pressures, stress and burnout. Relationships can become difficult when communication breaks down or when work, parenting, financial pressures and other stresses begin following us home. My role is not to decide who is right or wrong. It is to help people understand what is happening, recognise patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and develop healthier ways of responding. Working with adolescents and young people is another important part of my practice. Young people are navigating relationships, family expectations, education, identity and an increasingly complicated world. I try to give them a space where they can speak honestly and feel heard while also developing practical skills they can use outside therapy. My therapeutic work draws mainly from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed approaches and trauma focused therapy. I do not believe one approach suits everyone. Therapy should fit the person in front of me and, importantly, it should be useful outside the therapy room. Experience Before moving into private practice, I spent nine years working within New Zealand's Department of Corrections Psychological Services. This involved working with people with complex psychological, behavioural and life histories. That experience taught me a great deal about human behaviour, accountability, change and the importance of understanding the person behind the presentation. My private practice work has included psychological therapy, assessment, rehabilitation and psychological report writing. I have worked with people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, persistent pain, adjustment difficulties, workplace issues, relationship difficulties and other complex life circumstances. I am comfortable working alongside other health professionals and value collaborative care where it benefits the person I am working with. I was born in Zimbabwe and spent much of my professional life in New Zealand before moving to Australia. Having lived and worked across different countries and cultures has shaped the way I practise psychology. Culture, family, identity and life experience matter, and I believe these need to be understood rather than assumed. A Little About Me Outside of psychology, I’m a husband and dad to three teenagers. Family is a huge part of who I am and, like most people, I know that finding the right balance between everything life throws at you isn’t always easy. I’m a massive sports fan and love my footy and basketball. I also enjoy CrossFit and getting outdoors, especially camping and four-wheel driving with family and friends. Areas I Work With • Persistent and chronic pain • Anxiety and panic • Depression and low mood • Trauma and PTSD • Work related stress and burnout • Relationship and communication difficulties • Adjustment to injury, illness and major life changes • Adolescents and youth mental health • Mental health • Emotional regulation • Stress • Grief and loss • Self-esteem and confidence • ADHD • Rehabilitation and return to work • Parenting and family pressures Starting therapy can feel like a big step, particularly if you are someone who is used to handling things yourself. You do not need to arrive with everything worked out. We can start with what is happening now, understand what has brought you to this point and work from there. My aim is for therapy to feel genuine, useful and relevant to your life, not like something that only makes sense for the hour we are sitting together. I look forward to meeting you.