Telehealth Clinical Psychologist
Individuals & Couples Australia-Wide
Therapy that takes your thinking seriously
Hi, I'm Dr Russell Downham. I work with adults and couples by video anywhere in Australia (excluding the Blue Mountains region of NSW). I'm a clinical psychologist with more than ten years' experience, training in Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and a PhD in Philosophy.
You've probably thought about this a lot already. Maybe you understand your anxiety better than anyone, and it still runs the show. Maybe you and your partner can each explain exactly what goes wrong between you, and it keeps going wrong anyway. Or maybe you're struggling to come to terms with what it means to be human at this strange time in history. Insight matters, but on its own it rarely changes much. Therapy here is a place to take your thinking seriously, to make room for the feelings underneath it, and then to work out what to actually do differently, in the situations that matter most to you.
Who I work with
I work with adults (18+) and couples who want therapy that engages their mind as well as their feelings, including people:
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caught in anxiety, overthinking or obsessional doubt
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wrestling with questions of meaning, mortality or direction
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stuck in the same relationship patterns despite understanding them well
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recovering from an affair or a breach of trust
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who'd prefer a real conversation to worksheets and scripts
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in all kinds of relationships, including LGBTQ+ and ethically non-monogamous
If you tend to think deeply about everything, read about therapy for deep thinkers.
How I can help
Individual Therapy
Video therapy for anxiety, overthinking and existential questions, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other cognitive-behavioural approaches. Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Couples Therapy
Video therapy for couples, informed by Gottman Method (Level 3) and Emotionally Focused Therapy. A structured assessment first, then focused three-way conversations.
How it works
1. Enquire
2. Book
3. Meet by video
Tell me briefly what's going on and what you're hoping for. I usually reply within two working days.
If it's a good fit, I'll send a link to book via my secure client portal, with a $100 deposit paid via Stripe.
Join on Zoom from anywhere private in Australia, using the link I send when you book.
My approach
I took the long road to psychology, through a PhD in Philosophy, and I still bring that training to the room. That means not just weighing the evidence for and against particular thoughts, but exploring the values that drive your perspective and worldview. Sessions are conversational and collaborative. Rather than handing you generic tools, we work through real situations from your life and practise new responses together, with compassion and, often, a measure of humour.
Fees and availability
Sessions are $270 for one hour, for individuals and couples. Medicare rebates are available for individual therapy with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan; couples therapy isn't covered by Medicare. With a plan, Medicare rebates $149.05 per session, leaving a gap of $120.95.
Sessions are available on Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and evenings, and Saturday mornings every second week.