Braden Vernon PhD

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

What is psychotherapy?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a process of self-exploration and psychological understanding that takes place within an ongoing therapeutic relationship. The process seeks to understand the deeper patterns that shape a person’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, and experience of themselves. Together, we may explore aspects of your life that feel confusing, repetitive, painful, or difficult to change. 

The work is not limited to events that occur outside of therapy; over time, the therapeutic relationship itself often provides a unique opportunity to better understand longstanding patterns that may otherwise remain outside of awareness. 

Psychotherapy develops gradually. It is not designed as a brief intervention or quick fix, but as a sustained process of reflection and understanding. As with any meaningful relationship, depth requires consistency, regularity, and time. We will typically meet at least once per week, and the process is generally undertaken over a couple of years rather than months, allowing the therapeutic relationship to develop and deeper patterns to emerge and be understood.

Who tends to benefit from psychotherapy?

Many people seek psychotherapy because they notice recurring patterns in their lives. They may find themselves repeatedly entering similar relationships, struggling with the same conflicts, experiencing persistent feelings of emptiness or dissatisfaction, or reacting in ways that feel difficult to understand. Others seek psychotherapy because they wish to better understand themselves, their relationships, and the emotional forces that shape their lives.

Psychotherapy may be helpful for a broad range of difficulties, including depression, trauma, relationship problems, personality disorders, problematic and compulsive behaviours and emotional distress. Whatever the presenting concern, the focus is on understanding the person as a whole rather than addressing isolated problems in separation from the wider context of their life.

Because psychotherapy centres on the development of an ongoing therapeutic relationship, it requires both practical and emotional commitment. The work unfolds gradually and is best suited to individuals capable of engaging in regular sessions over an extended period.

Dr Braden Vernon, PhD

Braden is a Psychotherapist and training candidate in Psychoanalysis & Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. His practice is informed by contemporary object relations and broader psychodynamic theory. As an Accredited Schema Therapist, he is equipped to draw on additional approaches when appropriate.

Braden works both in private practice and with forensic populations within NSW Correctional Centres.

Graduate Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Master of Counselling (Trauma Informed Psychotherapy – Elective)
  • Graduate Diploma of Counselling
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master of Arts in Psychoanalysis (Candidate, EU)

Professional Memberships

  • International Society of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (ISTFP)
  • International Society of Schema Therapists (ISST) – Accredited Schema Therapist
  • Australian Counselling Association (Level 4)
  • ACA College of Supervisors
  • Australian Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Register (Registered Psychodynamic Psychotherapist)

Psychoanalytic Training Candidate

Braden is undertaking formal training in psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. This involves advanced study, regular supervision of clinical work, and an ongoing personal analysis (therapy) over several years.

Fees

$200 per 50-minute session

Sessions are typically conducted one to three times per week.
If we are meeting two to three times per week, a reduction is provided for the second and third appointments. If eligible, partial funding may be available through the following.

Government Funding

  • NDIS
  • Victim Services, NSW Govt.
  • WorkCover, NSW Govt.

Private Health

  • Medibank
  • Bupa
  • HCF
  • BUPA

Beginning Psychotherapy

The initial appointments are devoted to developing an understanding of you, your history, your relationships, and any difficulties that have led you to seek treatment.

During these meetings, I will seek to develop an understanding of your history, relationships, personality, and current concerns. In some cases, I may draw upon structured psychotherapeutic assessments to assist in this process.

This assessment phase typically takes place over several sessions. In some cases, I may share my impressions and understanding of the patterns and what the proposed therapy may look like. In other cases, this understanding develops more gradually through our work together.

If we decide to proceed, psychotherapy becomes an ongoing process of exploration and reflection. There is no expectation that you arrive with a carefully prepared agenda or know exactly what to talk about. You are welcome and encouraged to bring whatever is on your mind.

Contact

Please feel free to contact me on:

braden@bradenvernon.com

205/24 Moonee Street Coffs Harbour, NSW

Telehealth & In-Person
Appointments Available