We’re so pleased to introduce you to Jodee Vella and her two lovable Kelpies, Gemma and Ranger. These guys are ready to support you during your next visit to 12 Points Psychology.
With 13 years of experience in the homelessness sector, Jodee has worked in crisis facilities, assisting 100s of clients from diverse backgrounds. Her expertise includes; crisis support, grounding and de-escalation and problem-solving skills building.
A year ago, Jodee introduced Gemma and Ranger to her work. This amazing canine duo have been instrumental in helping Jodee help her clients, especially those who have recently experienced trauma. From physical and sexual assault to self-harm, grief and loss, Gemma and Ranger provide comfort and companionship to those in need.
Jodee has a passion for working with clients with complex mental health needs, as well as neurodivergent clients. She utilises client-focused, trauma-informed practices, integrating Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as needed.
Recently, Jodee obtained her Australian Counselling Association (ACA) registration, in preparation for a return to providing one-on-one therapy in a private practice setting. And her ultimate goal is to become a qualified Canine Assisted Therapist, using the bond between humans and animals to facilitate healing.
As part of that training in canine assisted therapy (CAT), Jodee, Gemma and Ranger will be completing a 6-month internship here at 12 Points Psychology. They will be providing CAT services under a diamond-model of animal-assisted therapy to clients visiting our Bayswater rooms starting from the first week in June.
If you currently see Judy or Nadia on a Wednesday at Bayswater, you can request your session be conducted in Jodee’s room with your therapist, Jodee, Gemma or Ranger.
Maybe you just want to have some cuddles with some happy, friendly dogs, or maybe you want to work on your communication or assertiveness skills by learning how to take Gemma or Ranger through their catalogue of tricks. The possibilities for how Diamond Model sessions run are limited only by imagination!
And if you’d like to learn more about what we mean by the Diamond Model – please read on!
The Diamond Model of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a framework that guides the integration of animals into therapeutic interventions, but which separates the role of the therapist from the handler. It was developed to enhance the effectiveness of therapy by incorporating the unique therapeutic benefits that animals can provide and allowing the handler to focus solely on the interaction between the animal and the client while the therapist focuses solely on the therapeutic work with the client.
Traditionally, here at 12 Points Psychology, we’ve relied on the Triangle Model of AAT where the therapist and handler are the same person, but we’re proud to be expanding that service to also provide some Diamond Model sessions.
The ways in which you can take advantage of the Diamond Model are limited only by your imagination, but here are a few examples:
1) Anxiety Reduction: As we know, the presence of therapy animals in session can help create a calming and supportive environment. This effect can also be harnessed more directly, e.g., to provide comfort and reduce anxiety symptoms during exposure exercises.
2) Social Skills Development: We can practice communication, empathy, and responsibility through activities like grooming, feeding, or playing with the dogs.
3) Emotional Regulation: e.g., working on identifying emotions in ourselves and in the dogs, then learning how to regulate those emotions. This can be through grooming, play or other interactions and even in observing the interactions between the dogs and their handler. It also gives us a chance to learn patience and challenge any perfectionistic tendencies we may have (as the dogs will still be dogs!)
But this really is just the beginning!
If you’d like to learn more, please give us a call on 03 8799 3907 and/or follow us on our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) to see what the Diamond Dogs Team are getting up to!