A holistic approach to health

The Southbank Family Medical Centre continues to extend its community health services with the addition of a registered psychology practice.

While specialising in psychology, the new Affinity Allied Health Clinic offers a holistic health service, which also includes myotherapy, osteopathy, exercise physiology and shockwave therapy.

The business’s director and registered psychologist Emma Cholakians said it was great to be able to provide a mental health aspect to Southbank’s fastest growing health clinic.

“I’m a strong advocate of an integrated approach, hence establishing an allied practice that incorporates whole person interventions,” she said.

“I believe that being part of the Southbank Family Medical Centre provides an opportunity for patients to access more unified treatment. I find that a holistic framework tends to be more effective in treating the cause of each presenting problem”. Alongside fellow psychologist David Hayler, the clinic specialises in helping patients suffering with mental health issues relating to anxiety and depression, stress management, relationships, addiction, sleep disorders and trauma.

Emma told Southbank Local News that her experience in the field originated from working with Melbourne’s homeless community as a Salvation Army intern.  

“Jumping straight into the deep end, I was exposed to acute presenting issues such as chronic substance abuse, trauma and personality disorders.

Although it was confronting at times, I loved the experience as it really shaped me as a therapist,” she said.

“Having exposure to such chronic issues so early in my career has helped me establish a breadth of transferable skills that can be utilised within a range of environments.” Currently operating another clinic based in Clifton Hill and having worked in the CBD, Emma said she was also very experienced at dealing with mental health issues related to inner city living and the workplace.

“I have worked at the other end of spectrum within the corporate world of the CBD, treating the ‘worried well’. 

The common issues within that cohort were predominantly stresses related to financial difficulties, relationships, excessive work pressures and, surprisingly enough, social isolation,” she said.

  “Even though we appear to be more ‘connected’ from a technology perspective, there is a definite lack of interpersonal connection.

You just need to look around – peoples heads are buried in their smart phones.” For help, understanding and respect of mental health illnesses, Affinity Allied Health is here for the local community.  

Emma said she looked forward to helping Southbank’s rapidly growing community. “Being able to educate and empower is what I love most about being a psychologist.

I thoroughly enjoy hearing the distinctiveness of people’s history. Everyone’s story is different,” she said.For more information visit www.affinityalliedhealth.com.au