About Me

Hi, I'm Michael Gurr (Doctor of Clinical Psychology)

Sometimes life can throw a lot at us – stress, issues in relationships, anxiety or low mood, and you might find yourself asking, “Why can’t I handle this by myself?”.

It’s completely normal for all of us to think that you should have all the solutions. However, the reality is that we all need a helping hand at times. Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness; rather, it’s a step towards improving your life. Often, having someone to guide and support you through the tough times can be the key to facilitating that change.

Please know that you are not alone in this and there is a path forward. I am dedicated to helping you find that path forward and getting your life where you want it to be.

My training and experience

I have taken an unusual path to become a clinical psychologist. I started as an economist for the Australian Government, but I quickly found that writing reports was just too dry for me. I wanted something that challenged me and was fulfilling. I realised that becoming a psychologist might be what I was looking for, so I volunteered as a Lifeline Australia telephone counsellor, and from that point, I knew what I wanted to pursue.

Through my studies and professional journey, I’ve developed a deep understanding of anxiety—not just from a clinical perspective but also from personal experience. I know how overwhelming it can feel and how it can impact work, relationships, and confidence. This understanding fuels my commitment to helping professionals move beyond surface-level coping strategies and get to the core of what’s keeping them stuck.

I went on to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and during that time, I realised that a good therapist doesn’t just coast along. They’re actively growing to help their clients feel and live better.

Since becoming a clinical psychologist, I’ve worked in private practices and public mental health, learning a range of therapies, including:

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Exposure Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Even now that I’m in full-time private practice, I value continuing my education to become a more helpful therapist to my clients.

An overview of my approach as a clinical psychologist

A lot of psychologists just work on helping you better manage your difficulties. And while that may be vital, it’s just as important to get to the root of the problem.

My aim is to find the pace and approach that works best for you to work towards immediate symptom relief and address the root causes of your psychological pain.

The ultimate goal is to help you live a more fulfilling life, where you can face the difficulties life throws at you.

Get Started

1 Get in touch

As soon as you book a meet and greet call with me. You will also get sent some intake forms. Complete and send these back as soon as possible.

2 Meet and greet call

I'll call you at the scheduled time and we’ll spend up to 30 minutes talking about your issues, goals, any questions you have, and how I can help you, and book the first therapy appointment.

3 You first session

During your first therapy session, we’ll start exploring and working through your issues, so we can outline some possible solutions.

The details of what to expect during an appointment

Here’s what you can expect when seeing me.

During your initial appointment, I’ll ask what you want from therapy and what prompted you to seek clinical psychology services. We may also discuss your history with therapy and any urgent difficulties you’re having with self-harm or suicide.

My role is to listen carefully and help you fully understand your situation, priorities, and the changes you want to make. As you tell your story, I won’t just pay attention to what you’re saying, but also to what you’re not saying or saying indirectly. For most people this will cover areas like their professional life, their relationships and their internal experience of anxiety.

I’ll share my thoughts, as I see patterns emerge or have thoughts about what I see and hear from you, in a way that will be helpful. When I share these observations, I’ll invite you to weigh in with your opinion. I’ll also assess your feelings, anxiety, and how you relate to me and yourself.

I will try to hold up a mirror for you to view your situation and problem areas objectively. If you feel an observation I’ve made is incorrect or a bit off, I’ll encourage you to correct me, to ensure we’re aligned. If your priorities change, for example wanting practical support with an issue at work or if you decide you want to really get to the bottom of the anxiety that you are experiencing, then we will change the focus in the therapy.

Since my observations are so immediate and personal, you may experience a reaction to my input. We’ll look into those reactions because, chances are, you likely respond to me similarly to how you respond outside of therapy. By examining your responses as they occur, we can accelerate the process of getting to the bottom of your difficulties.

Actively examining all of these areas provides the chance to identify and change negative patterns in your life. It’s common to uncover conflicting motivations in this type of therapeutic approach. I will help you come to terms with these motivations, and ultimately, make the changes in life that you want to make.

Continuing sessions will vary in terms of approach, which will depend on your needs and goals. For example, for someone struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the first step is typically a structured Exposure Therapy. At other times, the focus of our sessions will remain centred around relationships, emotions, and connections.

Who do I typically help?

I work with professional adults experiencing anxiety and stress, and other mental health issues that tend to go hand in hand. This includes but is not limited to:

While I work with people to manage their issues on a daily basis, my approach involves understanding the difference between their underlying causes and the observable symptoms. For example, two clients might report anxiety, but the underlying cause for each of them could be completely different.

I know firsthand the relief that comes from gaining clarity about anxiety and getting to the bottom of it. My goal is to help you move from where you are to where you want to be.

Searching for clinical psychology services in Moonee Ponds? Let's talk.

Fax:

(03) 7020 2738

Locations and Hours:

Consulting Rooms Melbourne in Fitzroy North:

Monday: 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM
R2R Health In Moonee Ponds:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 AM to 6:20 PM