JOSEPH SZAKMARY 

BSc(Psych/Genetics) PostGradDip(Psych) CertIV(Clinical Hypnotherapy)

Joseph has over 15 years of experience as a psychologist. As an integral part of Pain Specialists Australia’s clinical team, Joseph supports our patients with chronic pain using a wide range of psychological therapies that compliment pain control treatments that our pain specialists provide. 

Psychological therapies that may benefit those suffering from both mentally and psychically exhausting pain include cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which is used to re-balance thoughts that become too focused on the negative and on pain and suffering; and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) which is used to de-fuse or accept those thoughts that become stuck and repetitive. Other pain psychological therapies might include mindfulness and relaxation strategies.  

A key aspect of Joseph’s approach with patients is moving thoughts away from the negative towards the positive. Positive psychology does not focus on what is wrong, but on how to live a happier and productive life under the current circumstances. This therapy can make a significant impact on pain and suffering. Existential therapy deals with the deeper concerns of life like its meaning, interpersonal isolation, and freedom. 

Joseph is also trained in hypnotherapy. Hypnosis provides pain relief and helps develop self-management techniques to dial down the pain and get a sense of increased control. Although hypnosis may provide temporary pain control, its long-term effects include a diminished focus on pain, hence making the pain more like a background noise than a debilitating focus of attention.

Joseph supports people with a variety of psychological issues that sometimes co-exist with pain. These include depression, anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, grief and loss, stress, and poor sleep. Joseph supports personal development and can help patients regain self-confidence and address work-related issues.