The First Mirror
The concept of mirroring in the work of D.W.Winnicott and Heinz Kohut and what it means for therapists and clients
Dr Amanda Robins
Psychotherapist
“I am a psychodynamically oriented psychotherapist working with people who have experienced childhood trauma.”
About Me
I understand how childhood trauma can cast long shadows, affecting how you feel and relate today. As a psychodynamically oriented psychotherapist, I help you unravel these deep-seated patterns. We will gently explore past experiences, understanding their impact on your present. This approach is ideal for those seeking profound insights. You can find a calm, steady space here to heal at your own pace.
Approach
When early experiences continue to shape how you relate, I help you name the patterns and the feelings beneath them, keeping the work gentle and focused. Sessions take place in Melbourne in English, paced to suit you, with room for silence, curious questioning and honest reflection. Together we trace recurring emotions, relationship struggles and parenting dilemmas, sometimes using short reflections between sessions to test new ways of being. This way of working often suits those seeking clearer self-understanding and steadier connections.
Services
Services Offered:
- •
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
Works With:
- •Adolescents
- •Adults
- •Families
- •Individuals
- •Parents
Area of Expertise
Scope of Practice:
- •
Abuse
Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.
- •
Adolescent Therapy
Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.
Learn more about Adolescent Therapy - •
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues - •
Behaviour or Conduct Issues
Persistent patterns of defiant, aggressive, or rule-breaking behaviour in children or adolescents that significantly disrupt home, school, or social life.
- •
Identity Issues
A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.
- •
Parenting Support
Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.
- •
Suicidal Thoughts
Thoughts about ending one's own life, ranging from passive wishes to active plans. This is a sign of severe emotional distress that requires professional support.
Learn more about Suicidal Thoughts
Professional Title:
- •
Psychotherapist
A professional trained to provide in-depth therapy that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting change.
Qualifications
University of Melbourne
Registrations
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Social Work
