About your Psychologist Elke Ponczek
Elke registered as a generalist psychologist in 2002. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
For more than 20 years Elke has worked with people from all walks of life, from ages 15 to 80 years. She has experience in providing services in a sensitive manner, having worked with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and First Nations Australians in Victoria.
Elke also works with people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, intersex and queer. She is an LGBTIQ+ affirming and aware practitioner.
Working collaboratively with individual clients, she takes a client-centred approach to help people identify and make the changes required to achieve their goals. She has an accepting and non-judgemental manner, supporting people to feel welcome and at ease as they discuss current challenges. Her friendly and warm approach facilitates openness as people explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a safe space.
Training and experience
Elke completed her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology at Victoria University and registered as a psychologist in 2002. She has completed specialised training in a range of topics including: working with trauma, mindfulness, workplace bullying, childhood sexual assault, critical incident training, and has completed the Certificate in Young People’s Mental Health and Technology.
Elke’s psychology experience began in the community and government sectors working with people experiencing severe disadvantage through encountering trauma, victims of crime, acquired brain injury, homelessness, and physical and mental health conditions. Elke then moved into the health sector providing psychological assessment and counselling services. She also had the opportunity to work on a program for adults who experienced difficulties adjusting to living with low vision.
Elke then went on to work within tertiary education, responsible for the coordination and delivery of counselling and support services to staff and students. She also delivered a range of mental health programs. Elke lead in the implementation and coordination of an online counselling service and obtained extensive experience providing online mental health support and counselling, before moving into private practice.
Therapeutic treatment approaches
Elke will use a combination of evidence-based therapies to best suit your needs.
These may include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Positive Psychology
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Behavioural Therapy
- Strength based approaches
