Chaminga Dhanapala
Registered Psychologist
BSocSci (HonsPsych), BBioSci, MSocSc (HonsPsych), Postgraduate Diploma of Psychotherapy (First Class Honours), MAPS,.
I Can Help You With
About Chaminga Dhanapala
I am a gentle, caring Registered Psychologist with over fifteen years of experience working across various mental health settings in Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. I am passionate about supporting people to reach their true potential, improve their relationships and lead happier, more meaningful lives.
I use a client-centered therapeutic approach to support adults, adolescents, children, couples and families in dealing with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, self-esteem, confidence, marriage, relationship and family problems, among others.
I strive to help clients create lasting and meaningful changes in their lives.
My professional and life experiences allow me to approach therapy from a place of deep understanding, providing clients with a safe, authentic environment to explore their issues.
I am registered with Medicare, WorkCover, and VictimsAssist as a Psychology services provider and assist NDIS clients.
Languages
I can provide assistance in English and Sinhalese language.
Navigating Cultural Identity and Adaptation Challenges
Traversing cultures, cities and countries, I have come to value diversity, flexibility, and self-understanding in my professional and personal life. I was born in New Zealand and migrated to Australia to pursue my professional practice. My multi-cultural life and work experiences enhance my eclectic, client-centered approach to therapy.
Having experienced the journey of cultural adaptation myself, I bring a deep understanding and sensitivity to working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. I provide culturally informed therapy and am experienced in working with clients across various cultural contexts and sexual identities. I understand the unique challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities and life transitions.
Career Decisions and Professional Growth
I particularly enjoy helping clients develop practical skills they can apply in their daily lives, especially in their professional development and career journeys. As we spend a significant part of our lives at work, I understand how crucial career satisfaction is to overall wellbeing and mental health. My goal as a therapist is to empower clients with the tools and insights they need to make meaningful changes in their lives and develop greater self-understanding.
“As a therapist, I guide you in understanding your own experiences and patterns of behaviour, aiming to promote personal growth and self-acceptance“.
– Chaminga Dhanapala
Qualifications & Registrations
- Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons Psychology) University of Waikato, NZ
- Bachelor of Biological Sciences
- Master of Social Sciences ( Honours in Psychology)
- Post Graduate Diploma of Psychotherapy (First Class Honours)
- Post Graduate Certificate of Trauma Counseling & Therapy (First Class Honours)
- Fellow Member of The Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA)
- Reg. Clinical Psychologist with the Sri Lankan Medical Council (SLMC)
- Reg. Chartered Counseling Psychologist with British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Member of the Australian Federation for Trauma & Aftermath Research (AFAR).
Evidence-Based Therapies I Use
Meet Chaminga
Fees, Funding & Rebates
- 260Individual Private Appointment (50-min)
- 163.35Individual Medicare Appointment Out-of-Pocket with GP Referral (50-min)
- 260WorkCover Appointment (60-min)
- 260NDIS Appointment Self-Managed (60-min)
Rebates and other funding may be available depending on your eligibility.
- Medicare Gap Fee: The difference between the psychologist session fee and the Medicare rebate.
- Medicare Rebates: $96.65 per 50+ minute session with a valid doctor’s referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). You can secure your first appointment without a referral but must have one at the appointment to be eligible for the rebate. More about Medicare rebates >
- Private Health Rebates: Available depending on your private health policy and ‘extras’ cover. Please contact your private health insurance company to check your eligibility and the exact rebate amounts. More about Private Health Insurance rebates >
- NDIS Funding accepted (self-managed or plan-managed). More about NDIS funding >
- WorkCover Funding accepted. More about WorkCover Funding >
