About Us
Once you have asked if someone is ok the next step may be that they need a psychologist. Anyone can start that conversation. Following it up with properly qualified help is the next important step.
There will often be a lot of doubt;
- Is there a diagnosis for what is going on?
- Is it one of these things called a personality disorder?
- Maybe you have already bene given a diagnosis but are wondering is it right?
Whether it is personal or professional, for you or someone else, at Need A Psych we can help. We can conduct objective psychological testing to establish the correct diagnosis and provide treatments most common mental illnesses. Come and talk to someone who is professionally trained to address the issues that come with modern life.
Our philosophy is that people, regardless of having a mental illness, deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. People do not lose their right to be a person just because they have a mental illness. We believe that a person deserves the best diagnostic evaluation available to provide the appropriate therapy targeted to their specific mental health concerns. This means that assessments are something that are taken seriously and treatment is provided ethically.
We do not employ unqualified people or people still undertaking their training. All therapists are fully qualified and registered with the appropriate health regulating authorities. Because of this stringent standard you can get Medicare rebates if you are eligible for Medicare services and your GP provides you a referral prior to you attending our offices. We are also happy to see people who do not wish to obtain any form of rebate.
Dr. Paul Phillips
B.A. (H.M.S.), B.App.Sc. (Occ. Th.), B.A. (Psych.), M.H.Sc. (Beh.Sc.), PhD
Dr. Paul has obtained multiple health related degrees and certificates. This includes a Bachelor of Arts in Human Movement Studies from the University of Technology Sydney, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology from the University of Western Sydney, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, a Masters in Health Science majoring in Behavioural Science and a Philosophical Doctorate from the University of Sydney from the school of Behavioural Science. He is a registered Occupational Therapist and Psychologist with the Australian Health Professionals Registration Agency.
Dr. Paul has been published in journals and conference proceedings more than 49 times including the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, International Mental Health Conference, Law Society of NSW Journal, The Australian and New Zealand Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, and the International Congress of Applied Psychology. He has presented at the Law Society of NSW on psychological issues.
Below are a list of his publications;
| 2020 | Phillips, P.A., Titterton, A., & Tooma, M. (2020) Managing the health and safety legal and psychological ramifications of Covid-19: An Australian multidisciplinary perspective, Society Register, 4(3), 45-66. https://doi.org/10.14746/sr.2020.4.3.02 |
| 2019 | Makhoul, Y., Cucchiaro, J., Tyler, A., Phillips, P.A., (2019) Using just the Personality Assessment Inventory PAI is not good enough to diagnose: Triangulation requires the addition of other multiscale- psychopathology tests such as the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Phillips, P.A., Makhoul, Y., Cucchiaro, J., Tyler, A., (2019) Did event A cause diagnosis B? Bridging the gulf between legal common sense and DSM criteria. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Cucchiaro, J., Tyler, A., Makhoul, Y., Phillips, P.A., (2019) From 30% to 99% if it were you, which level of certainty would you want? Substantial improvements in psychological testing is improving diagnosis and people’s outcomes. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Phillips, P.A., Tyler, A., Makhoul, Y., Cucchiaro, J., (2019) Improved outcomes flow from improved diagnostics using the MMPI-2: The difference between Mania and Schizophrenia scales indicative of intention level of malingering. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Tyler, A., Makhoul, Y., Cucchiaro, J., Phillips, P.A., (2019) Screening tools versus validity testing: The ethical and social implications of not testing for symptom exaggeration, feigning or denying. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Phillips, P.A., Cucchiaro, J., Tyler, A., Makhoul, Y., (2019) Which diagnosis matters, but how that diagnosis was reached matters more: A proposed 6-tiered system of diagnostic reliability. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Burzacott, H., Aune, T., Phillips, P.A., (2019) Holistic healthcare can only work if mental and physical talk the same language: using t-scores to bridge the language divide and improve consumer outcomes. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Aune, T., Currie, P., Phillips, P.A., (2019) Secondary psychological injuries don’t have to happen: how using pre-employment screening can be used to prevent physical and mental health work-related injuries. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2019 | Currie, P., Aune, T., Burzacott, H., Phillips, P.A., (2019) Using the International Classification of Function to reshape pre-employment Medicals holistically. 20th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, July 31-August 2 |
| 2017 | Phillips, P.A. (2017) We can’t all be 10s. The bell curve of reality. Law Society of NSW Journal, September edition |
| 2017 | Phillips, P.A. (2017) Daily mindfulness. Law Society of NSW Journal, March edition |
| 2017 | Philips, P.A. (2017) Is the clinical interview dead? Law Society of NSW Journal, February edition, |
| 2016 | Phillips, P.A. (2016) Take control before holiday season. Law Society of NSW Journal, November edition, pp.54-55 |
| 2016 | Phillips, P.A. (2016) A matter of sense: If you want to work better and stay calmer, working out your sensory profile can help. Law Society of NSW Journal, March edition, pp. 54-55 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P.A. (2015) How to cage the rage (and why it gets you further). Law Society of NSW Journal, November edition, pp. 54 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P.A., Huxley, J., & Doyle, U., (2015) Are lawyers functionally unique?: Results from anonymous electronic surveys indicate lawyers have a correlation between two psychological structures the population does not. 16th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, August 12-14 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P.A., Huxley, J., & Doyle, U., (2015) Being mindful to prevent mental illness: using mindfulness techniques to decrease distress, improve social connectedness and self-efficacy. 16th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, August 12-14 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P.A., Huxley, J., & Doyle, U., (2015) Why bother with lawyers’ mental health?: How we can move from awareness to actions that help lawyers improve their mental health. 16th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, August 12-14. |
| 2015 | Phillips, P.A., & Huxley, J., (2015) Do lawyers have anosognosia or extreme denial?: Evidence for lack of insight into their mental health in face of obvious data. 16th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, August 12-14 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P.A., & Sanbrook., G.M.C., (2015) Working with vulnerable complex patients with possible criminal tendencies before they act: prophylactic is better than incarceration and more responsible. 16th International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast Australia, August 12-14 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P. A. (2015) When friends aren’t enough. Law Society of NSW Journal, July edition, pp. 56 |
| 2015 | Phillips, P. A. (2015) 12 seconds to a better, calmer life. Law Society of NSW Journal, May edition, pp. 56 |
| 2014 | Phillips, P.A., Huxley, J., & Doyle, U., (2014) Mindfulness and lawyers: Could it help with decreasing the rate of depression? 34th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Vulnerability and Responsibility, Sydney, November 19-22. |
| 2014 | Huxley, J., & Phillips, P.A., (2014) From vulnerability to full return of function using mindfulness to support the mental process of recovery from brain cancer 34th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Vulnerability and Responsibility, Sydney, November 19-22. |
| 2014 | Phillips, P.A., & Huxley, J., (2014) Choosing which mindful technique requires an understanding of the client’s current state be it vulnerable or performing well: The development of the Mindfully Appropriate Technique Tool (MATT). 34th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Vulnerability and Responsibility, Sydney, November 19-22. |
| 2014 | Phillips, P.A., & Sanbrook., G.M.C., (2014) Working with vulnerable complex patients with possible criminal tendencies before they act: prophylactic is better than incarceration and more responsible. 34th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Vulnerability and Responsibility, Sydney, November 19-22. |
| 2014 | Phillips, P.A., McGuire, S., (2014) How to have a lifelong practice in mental health private practice: the tips, tricks and pitfalls to avoid! 2014 NSW & ACT Conference Occupational Therapy: A Life Practice. Sydney Australia March 28 – 29 |
| 2011 | Phillips, P. A., Murdolo, D., Desai, H., Stewart, T., (2011). The holy grail of occupations, it can be good for you and you will have fun doing it!: Using computer technology to gain neurological and mental health benefits. 24th National Occupational Therapy Australia: Making Evidence Work. Gold Coast, Australia, June 29-July 1 |
| 2011 | Phillips, P. A., Wilson, B. (2011). Cross Cultural or simply cross at culture?: One way to work with a person’s culture is using the Phillips Cultural Orientation Screening Tool. 24th National Occupational Therapy Australia: Making Evidence Work. Gold Coast, Australia, June 29-July 1 |
| 2011 | Phillips, P. A., Kelk, N.(2011). The Unified Theory of Self addresses complex concerns raised by recent research into the ability for occupations to be meaningful, engaging and fulfilling. 24th National Occupational Therapy Australia: Making Evidence Work. Gold Coast, Australia, June 29-July 1 |
| 2010 | Phillips, P. A., Wilson, B. (2010). Stop being cross at culture and start working with the person’s cultural orientation: A discussion of the Phillips Cultural Orientation Screening Tool. OT Australia, Victoria 2010 Conference: Transitions and Transformations. Melbourne, Australia, November 12-13. |
| 2010 | Phillips, P. A., & Kelk, N. (2010). A re-conceptualization of the person and the internal-external dichotomy present in theories that explain occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 17 (4), p246-255. |
| 2010 | Phillips, P. A., Desai, H., Stewart, T., Scott, A., Murdolo, D., Everett, N., Hinchcliffe, J., (2010). Your health can be an entertaining game: Using computer technology to gain neurological and mental health benefits. OT Australia, Victoria 2010 Conference: Transitions and Transformations. Melbourne, Australia, November 12-13. |
| 2010 | Phillips, P. A., & Winks, T. (2010). A pilot of Psychorationalist based therapy with 10 injured workers demonstrating large effect sizes for anxiety, depression and trauma. 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology. Melbourne, Australia July 11-16 |
| 2010 | Phillips, P. A., & Winks, T. (2010) Return of the psychodynamic therapy: a pilot for using Psychorationalist based therapy in the management of worker injuries. Occupational Therapy NSW Mental health forum: Recovery and Resilience. Sydney Australia, February 26. |
| 2010 | Wilson, B. Hillman, A. & Phillips, P. A. (2010) Social Interaction: How do our theoretical frameworks impact upon our interactions with clients and the way we deliver therapy? 15th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Santiago, Chile May 4-7 |
| 2010 | Phillips, P. A., Wilson, B., & Cogger, N., (2010) Collectivists and individualists: how can you know which a person is? 15th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Santiago, Chile May 4-7 |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A., Wilson, B., & Cogger, N. (2009) When Families Are at Risk Interventions Need to Take Into Account the Cultural Orientation of the Family Members. 29th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Families in Law |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A., Kelk, N. (2009) Without Mens Rea Perpetrators Could Walk Free: Where Would That Leave Parents, Children and Families? 29th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Families in Law |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A., Hartup, M., Champion, E. (2009) A survey of 10 free massive multiplayer online games that may help augment social interaction and positive mental health. 29th Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Families in Law |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A. (2009) Experiencing the impossible: Proof that what is not physically possible can be consciously experienced. 35th Annual International Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Conference: Mind to Care, Sydney, September 29-October 2. |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A. (2009) Is it up or is it down? A clash of consciousness. 35th Annual International Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Conference: Mind to Care, Sydney, September 29-October 2. |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A. (2009) Is it flat or is it three dimensional? Is it in front or behind? The split between choice of perception and conscious content. 35th Annual International Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Conference: Mind to Care, Sydney, September 29-October 2. |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A. (2009) Transference experienced! How it occurs and how it is experienced by everyone on a regular basis. 35th Annual International Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Conference: Mind to Care, Sydney, September 29-October 2. |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A. (2009) When congruent shapes do not give congruent conscious experiences. 35th Annual International Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Conference: Mind to Care, Sydney, September 29-October 2. |
| 2009 | Phillips, P. A. (2009). Why get NEAR to recovery when you can get NEARA! 5th Annual GWS Conference: The Passionate Practitioner, March 27. |
| 2009 | Altner, M. Welsh, M. & Phillips, P. A. (2009). Make the link. 5th Annual GWS Conference: The Passionate Practitioner, March 27. |
| 2008 | Welsh, M., Lee, H., Martin, M., Radley, J., Phillips, P. A., (2008). Risky business of one stop shops: Balancing the legal obligations with the available resources. 28th Australian and New Zealand Association of psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Risks vs. Rights, October 23-26. |
| 2008 | Phillips, P. A., Lee, H., Welsh, M., Radley, J., Martin, M., (2008). Using the MH-OAT data clinically instead of just collecting it! 28th Australian and New Zealand Association of psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Risks vs. Rights, October 23-26. |
| 2008 | Phillips, P. A., (2008). How to meet the rights of collectivists and individualists to be treated ethically? 28th Australian and New Zealand Association of psychiatry, Psychology and Law (NSW): Risks vs. Rights, October 23-26. |
| 2008 | Phillips, P. A., (2008). Using Psychorationalist® based occupational therapy services for healing rather than just skill training. Occupational Therapy NSW Mental health forum: From Core Skills to More: The Future of Mental Health OT, October 31. |
| 2008 | Phillips, P. A., (2008). Effective Clinical Communication: A New Client Centred Approach. OT AUSTRALIA 23rd National Conference & Exhibition 2008: Creating the future: to inspire, to explore, to take action. September 11-13. |
| 2008 | Phillips, P. A., (2008). The Unified Theory of Self: The new kid on the theory block. OT AUSTRALIA 23rd National Conference & Exhibition 2008: Creating the future: to inspire, to explore, to take action. September 11-13. |
| 2007 | Phillips, P. A., (2007). Are Celtic crosses really Celtic or are they markers of Constructed Identity? The Sixth Australian Celtic Conference 2007. July 18-21. |
| 2007 | Phillips, P. A., Kelk, N., & Fitzgerald, M. H. (2007). Object or person: The difference lies in the constructed identity. Journal of Occupational Science, 14(3), p. 162-171. |
| 2006 | Phillips, P. A., Fitzgerald, M. H., & Kelk, N. (2006). You don’t choose the field: The field chooses you! 14th Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Sydney, Australia. July 23-28. |
| 2006 | Fitzgerald, M. H., & Phillips, P. A. (2006). Centralized and non-centralized ethics review: A five nation study. Accountability in Research, 13, p. 47-74. |
| 2006 | Fitzgerald, M. H., Phillips, P. A., & Yule, E. (2006). The research ethics review process and ethics review narratives. Ethics & Behavior, 16(4), p. 377-395. |
PAID PRESENTATIONS
| 2020 | Assessing mental health conditions for the workplace. Thomson Reutuers Mental health and the law, 26 June |
| 2019 | Getting it right: psychological diagnosis and legal capacity. UNSW Law Edge, Centre for Continuing Legal Education |
| 2019 | Getting it right: psychological diagnosis and legal capacity. UTS Employment Law Seminar, 29 October |
| 2017 | Personal injury and the psychological clinical interview at The Law Society of New South Wales, March 9 |
| 2016 | Mandatory rule 6.1: Mindfulness at The Law Society of New South Wales, October 26 |
| 2016 | Mindfulness bootcamp: at The Law Society of New South Wales, March 22 |
| 2015 | Mindfulness: Mental flexibility Continuing professional development seminars at The Law Society of New South Wales, February 16 |
| 2015 | Mindfulness explained: Tools for today’s lawyer Annual C.L.E. Far North Coast Law Society of New South Wales, February 20 & 21 |
| 2015 | The power of sleep – And why you need it for optimal performance Continuing Professional Development Seminars at The Law Society of New South Wales, March 3 |
| 2014 | Getting creative – Tips for Success Continuing Professional Development Seminars at The Law Society of New South Wales, October 14 |
| 2014 | Mindfulness explained: Tools for today’s lawyer Continuing Professional Development Seminars at The Law Society of New South Wales, September 2 |
Our therapists are proudly registered with the following agencies:
