Robyn Lingard
Individual & Relationships Therapist
On a Personal Note
I first became interested in counselling as a result of learning to live with a physical illness called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
In my early twenties, I found myself suddenly faced with this unexpected and unwelcome challenge that has lasted for past three decades. Learning to stay positive on a daily basis and experiencing a variety of reactions from friends, colleagues, and medical professionals developed within me a desire to be a healer in the lives of others.
This battle for good health also sowed in me a deep belief that no matter how dark the day, there is a way through the despair. And reaching out to caring others can help us to find this way. With the welcome return to better health, I now enjoy assisting others to face their own ongoing challenges with courage, dignity, and hope.
Gottman Methods Couples Therapy – Certified Gottman Therapist; Levels 1, 2, 3 (2020)
Masters of Clinical Counselling (2013)
Graduate Diploma in Bible and Ministry (2006)
Bachelor of Social Work (1988)
Membership of these professional organisations requires me to operate according to a Code of Ethics, to receive regular supervision, and to regularly update my skills through readings and attendance at conferences
I am a member of three professional associations:
The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional representative body of Social Workers in Australia, with more than 10 000 members nation-wide.
I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Supervisor within the AASW.
I have been actively involved as a member including:
– Membership of the SA (branch) Management Committee
– Co-founder and chair of the SA Subcommittee for Private Practitioners
– Networking Group Convenor
The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Inc. is a peak body for Member Associations which meet the standards developed by consensus as appropriate for professional practitioners within the disciplines of Counselling and Psychotherapy in the Australian community.
I am a clinical member and supervisor which is the highest level of membership in recognition of my experience and training.
Under the umbrella of PACFA, Christian Counsellors Association of Australia promotes the respect and integration of spirituality within the counselling process – according to the requests of the client. Their approach guides me to work respectfully with people of various faiths and philosophies, including Christians who are seeking therapy which honours their faith.
CCAA is a national body for Christian counsellors and facilitates professional networking and professional development of high quality in every State.
I am a clinical member and supervisor which is the highest level of membership in CCAA. Clinical membership is achieved by completing over 1000 hours in counselling and 125 hours in individual supervision.
Since graduating in 1988 from the University of Queensland, I have worked in a variety of organisations, including:
– Youth worker at the Universities of Queensland & Sydney
– School Social Worker with primary and secondary students
– International Student Counsellor with Indian and Chinese adult students
– Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Therapist
– Couples Relationship & Individual Therapist at private practices
– Lecturer and tutor in counselling skills at undergraduate and post-graduate level
I use an integrated client centred approach to therapy that draws upon:
– Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)/Mindfulness
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
– Gestalt & Body Awareness Therapy
– Family Systems Therapy
– David Kessler’s model of Grief therapy
– Narrative Therapy
– Solution Focused Therapy
– Gottman Method Couples Relationship Therapy
– Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Gottman Certification track continued with Gottman Institute
“Nailing the Gottman- Rapoport Intervention” with Trish Purnell-Webb, Relationships Australia Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
“Social Work – telehealth & you” with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
“Tips and strategies in using technology for mental health consultations” with Mental Health Professional Network
“Gottman certification track” continued with Gottman Institute
“Curing the dread of death” with Rachel Menzies & Prof Ross Menzies, Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (AACBT)
“The Joyful Brain – practical neuroscience” with Dr Jonah Paquette, Tatra Training
“Certified Gottman Therapists and Consultee Retreat” with Trish Purnell Webb & John Flanagan, Relationships Australia
“Traumatic Grief & Loss” with Dr David Kessler, Tatra Training
“Strengths Based supervision” with Jenny Charlton (AASW)
“TREATING AFFAIRS AND TRAUMA Helping Couples Heal and Rebuild Trust” with Drs John & Julie Gottman, Gottman Institute
“Military member to civilian: Identity in transition” with Professor Mark Creamer Department of Veterans Affairs
First Aid Course
“Effective Approaches for Successful Change in Clients with Borderline, Narcissistic and Antisocial Personality Disorders” with Dr Daniel Fox, Tatra Training
“Mindfulness and Resilience: Best Mindfulness Based Techniques to Bounce Back From Stress, Snap Back To Baseline & Grow With Change” with Dr Pavel Somov, Tatra Training
“Psychotherapy with Older Adults” with Felicity Chapman, AASW
Gottman Certification track commenced with Gottman Institute
In August 2012, I completed my Masters research project called “The strengthening factors in couple relationships with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis”. This research assists me to better support couples who experience chronic physical illness and all couples in general who are looking to regroup, reconnect, and refresh amidst the challenges of life.
Many couples with chronic physical illness experience greater levels of distress and divorce compared to the general population. However current research is giving more attention to an unexpected silver lining reaction to chronic illness.
My thesis focused upon the experience of couples (married and defacto partnerships) who report a silver lining within the stormy clouds of ongoing illness, such as the strengthening of their relationship. I focused in particular upon couples where one partner suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. CFS/ME is a mysterious disease of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems characterized by debilitating fatigue and severe muscle aches.
I undertook this project through Tabor College and was supervised by Dr John Court. The examiner for my thesis was Professor Michael Hyland, Psychology & Health Department, University of Plymouth, Devon, UK.
My research found the key factors that strengthened couples relationships in order of priority were: spirituality, relationship resilience, fondness & admiration for one another, increased appreciation for couple’s relationship, reappraisal of their relationship, discovering new relationship strengths, more sensitivity to emotions of partner and self, confrontation of current concerns, self-improvement, improved relationships with other people.
Lingard, RJ & Court, J 2014, “Can Couples Find a Silver Lining Amid the Dark Cloud of ME/CFS: A Pilot Study”, The Family Journal: Counselling and Therapy for Couples and Families, vol. 22, no. 3, July , pp. 304 – 310. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480714533652 (available online at SAGE publishing)
Lingard, RJ & Court, J 2016, “A Preliminary Study of Couples Finding a Silver Lining Amid the Dark Cloud of ME/CFS”, Counselling Connections Across Australia, Edition 7, pp. 36 – 41.
