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metabolic mental health

Perri Carlson-Hawke - Clinical & Metabolic Psychology

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PERRI CARLSON-HAWKE​

clinical psychologist

My unique, holistic approach integrates traditional psychological therapies with metabolic health ​strategies. I use evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), ​integrating mindfulness and dialectical therapy-based interventions, interpersonal psychotherapy, ​prolonged imaginal exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). I ​am an eating disorder credentialed clinician, trained in the Maudsley model for anorexia nervosa ​treatment for adults (MANTRA) and family-based therapy (Maudsley model).


I am a board-approved clinical psychologist and supervisor. I am registered with the Australian ​Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Psychology Board of Australia. I am also a member of ​the Australian Psychological Society, Australian & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders and ​Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists.


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Perri

Transform Your Life

Prioritising your mental health can lead to transformative change. Talking to a ​psychologist doesn't mean something's wrong with you. It's about improving your life with ​specialist help.


Professional Services

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Abstract Face Line Art

Online Therapy

Individualised, effective therapy ​with a clinical psychologist

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Brain Line Art

Metabolic Psychology

A metabolic approach to the treatment ​of anxiety and mood disorders

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Online CBT-e

12-week online CBT-e ​treatment for binge eating

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Online Therapy

As an experienced clinical psychologist, you can expect ​me to provide you with a professional, confidential, and ​compassionate environment tailored to your unique ​needs. Our sessions provide a convenient and flexible ​way to receive support, allowing you to engage in ​therapy from the comfort of your home or any private ​space. This ensures that you can easily fit therapy into ​your schedule without the added stress of travel or ​logistical concerns.


My aim is to create a collaborative and empowering ​therapeutic relationship, helping you navigate ​challenges and improve your quality of life. Together, we ​will explore your thoughts and feelings, develop effective ​strategies, and foster resilience, all within a safe and ​supportive virtual setting.


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Abstract Liquid Stroke for Aesthetic Design

Metabolic Psychology

Unlocking the Power of Metabolic Health for Mental Wellness

Metabolic psychology is an emerging field that explores the ​connection between metabolism and mental health. It emphasises ​the impact of metabolism on brain function and mood, highlighting ​how interventions including nutrition, sleep and exercise can ​influence mental health and potentially play a role in preventing and i​mproving mental health di​s​orders.


An increasing number of psychiatrists, psychologists and​ medical professionals are recognising that inflammation, oxidative st​ress and mitochondrial may be important root causes of many chro​nic brain illnesses, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, binge eati​ng, bipolar and schizophrenia. By improving metabolic and mitochondr​ial health, we can enhance the effectiveness of traditional therapeu​tic approaches and offer new pathways to heali​n​g.


Maintaining a balanced metabolism is essential to your health

Integrating Metabolic Health into Mental Health Treatment

At my practice, I integrate metabolic health strategies, such as a therapeutic ketogenic diet, with ​evidence-based psychological therapies to provide a holistic approach to mental health treatment.

This integration aims to address both the mind and body, promoting comprehensive healing and ​wellbeing.

Personalised Assessments

I conduct thorough assessments to understand your unique metabolic profile and mental health ​needs.

Customised Treatment Plans

Based on your assessment, I create tailored treatment plans that may include dietary interventions, such as a ​therapeutic ketogenic diet, alongside more traditional therapies like CBT, mindfulness, and MANTRA. I work with ​your healthcare team, dietitians, GP’s and specialist physicians.

Ongoing Support

I offer regular support and monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of your treatment plan, ​making adjustments as needed to help you achieve optimal results.

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Abstract Liquid Stroke for Aesthetic Design
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Ready to take the first step towards ​better mental and physical health?

Schedule your telehealth appointment today here and experience the benefits of my integrated ​approach to mental health. With Medicare rebates available, expert care is more accessible than ever.

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Abstract Liquid Stroke for Aesthetic Design

Understanding Metabolic Health

Metabolic health refers to how well your body processes and uses energy. Factors such as blood sugar levels, ​cholesterol, blood pressure, and body weight play crucial roles in your metabolic state. When these factors ​are out of balance, they can contribute to various physical and mental health issues, including anxiety, ​depression, and cognitive decline.


Improving brain energy typically includes exploring how nutrition impacts the brain, with a specific focus on ​minimising sugar, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates to elevate both mental and physical ​wellbeing. The journey toward enhanced metabolic and mental health, tailored to individual needs, may ​involve strategies like personalised nutritional guidance, medication management, and psychotherapy.


Click here for more resources on metabolic therapies in mental health.

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Abstract Liquid Stroke for Aesthetic Design

Therapeutic Keto Diet

A therapeutic ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that shifts the body’s ​primary energy source from glucose to ketones, a process known as ketosis. This dietary ​approach has been shown to have numerous benefits for brain health and mental ​wellbeing, including:

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Reducing Inflammation

Ketones have anti-inflammatory properties that can ​help reduce inflammation in the brain, which is often ​linked to depression and other mental health disorders.

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Regulating Neurotransmitters

The ketogenic diet can help balance neurotransmitters, ​such as serotonin and dopamine, which play key roles in ​mood regulation and mental health.

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Stabilising Blood Sugar Levels

By reducing carbohydrate intake, the ketogenic diet ​helps stabilise blood sugar levels, which can alleviate ​mood swings and anxiety.

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Enhancing Brain Function

Ketones provide a more efficient and steady energy ​source for the brain, improving cognitive function, ​clarity, and focus.

Ketogenic Diet for Mental Wellness

Understanding the Ketogenic Diet for Mental Wellness

Imagine your brain as a high-performance car. Usually, it runs on regular gasoline (carbs), which leaves behind a lot of soot and gunk, clogging ​up the engine over time and causing problems. Switching to a ketogenic diet is like switching to a cleaner-burning fuel (fat). This new fuel burns ​more efficiently, producing fewer waste products (advanced glycation end products). As a result, the engine (your brain) stays cleaner, runs ​smoother, and performs optimally. The ketogenic diet is the premium fuel that keeps your brain at its best.

How the Keto Diet Helps the Brain?

For your car to run smoothly, it needs a steady power supply. Ketones, produced by the liver when you're on a keto diet, provide this steady ​energy. This helps your brain work better, leading to clearer thinking and improved mood.

Keto Diet and Epilepsy

For people with epilepsy, the keto diet can be a lifesaver. Imagine your brain's electrical system is like a city's power grid. In epilepsy, there are ​frequent power surges (seizures). The keto diet helps stabilise the brain's electrical activity, reducing these surges and making the brain function ​more smoothly.

Epilepsy and Psychiatric Disorders: A Shared Link

Both epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety, involve problems with brain signalling. A therapeutic keto diet helps by ​providing a consistent energy source, allowing the brain to conduct electrical signals smoothly and efficiently.

Beyond Epilepsy: Other Brain Conditions

Researchers are now exploring how a therapeutic keto diet might help with other brain conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's ​disease, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Biochemical Targets in Psychiatric Disorders

Psychiatric conditions involve imbalances in brain chemicals, inflammation and energy disruption. The keto diet can help address these ​issues by balancing neurotransmitter activity (brain chemicals), reducing inflammation, and improving energy production, muc​h like a comprehensive maintenance check-up fo​r a car.

High Blood Sugar and Mental Health

High blood sugar is toxic to cells and can disrupt brain function. A keto diet is low in carbohydrates, helping to regulate blood sugar levels, ​preventing these disruptions.

Role of the Keto Diet in Correcting Imbalances

The keto diet acts like a multi-tool, addressing several brain health issues at once. It balances neurotransmitters, reduces inflammation, ​supports energy production, improves glucose metabolism, and enhances brain flexibility, much like a tool that can fix various parts of a ​machine.

Insulin Resistance and Psychiatric Conditions

Insulin resistance, when the body doesn’t respond well to insulin, affects brain health too. It’s like having a faulty fuel pump that affects the ​whole car’s performance. The keto diet helps improve this condition, supporting better brain function.

Ketogenic Diet and Specific Psychiatric Conditions

Case studies have shown the keto diet can help with conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD and autism.

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Start Your Journey Today


Discover how metabolic health and the therapeutic ketogenic diet can transform your mental wellness. Contact me to ​learn more about my innovative approach and schedule your telehealth appointment. Together, we can pave the way to ​a healthier, happier you.


Click here for more resources on metabolic therapies in mental health.

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Fees & Rebates

Therapy sessions cost $250 and you can ​access a Medicare rebate of $141.85 if you ​have an eligible Mental Health Care Plan or ​Eating Disorder Plan from your GP.


I also accept all major private health ​insurance providers in Australia. Your private ​fund rebate will depend on your coverage, ​and you may be eligible to claim full cover. ​Ask your private health insurer for more ​details. No GP referral required.

Therapy sessions cost

$250

$141.85 ​

Access Medicare rebate

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Abstract Liquid Stroke for Aesthetic Design
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Work with ​Me

Originally from Queensland, I moved to Orange, NSW in 2012 where I ​completed my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University. I went on to ​study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney before obtaining my ​MPsych(Clinical) in 2016.


I am a board-approved clinical psychologist and supervisor. I am registered ​with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Psychology ​Board of Australia. I am also a member of the Australian Psychological ​Society, Australian & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders and Fellow ​of the College of Clinical Psychologists.


Discover how metabolic health and the therapeutic ketogenic diet can ​transform your mental wellness. Contact me to learn more about my ​innovative approach and schedule your telehealth appointment. Together, ​we can pave the way to a healthier, happier you.

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Feel empowered to make ​positive changes in your life.

Contact me to learn more about our services or to book your ​first appointment here.

Mailing Address

Central West Neurology & Neurosurgery

93 Byng St, ORANGE NSW, 2800

AUSTRALIA

Email Address

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