Bowen’s Adaptive Strategies plans to expand psychological services
A private Bowen practice has applied to expand its discrete services to meet pressing mental health needs in the Whitsundays
Whitsunday
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Bowen schools and doctors have pleaded with the council to allow a private psychology practice to expand to ease the “extreme shortage”.
Adaptive Strategies NQ owners Kasie-Lee Lane and Dr Corey Lane have applied to Whitsunday Regional Council to rezone their home-based business at 90 Powell Street, Bowen to take on more psychologists.
If approved, it would operate between business days and hours, have four consulting rooms and continue to operate with no advertising signage.
“(It) will provide the appropriate level of discretion and privacy commensurate with the needs of clients and the nature of the business, without compromising the character and amenity of the residential area where it is proposed,” the application documents stated.
Clients will be able to park in the site’s four-car double door garage.
Noise Corridor NQADHAS clinical director and paediatrician Dr Michalis Yiallourides said the Adaptive Strategies provided essential psychological therapies to children and their families in the Whitsundays region.
“There is often a high demand for these services in the region and long waiting lists,” Dr Yiallourides said in a letter supporting the proposal.
Queens Beach Medical Centre practice manager Alicia Fletcher said the rezoning would help ease the “extreme shortage” of psychological services.
“Our practice has three doctors who all refer patients to Adaptive Strategies and they are an essential service provider to this town,” Ms Fletcher said.
St Mary’s Catholic School principal Colette Williams said Dr Lane provided “extensive” support to its students including with the Secret Agency Society Program.
“This program has provided our students with strategies to identify their feelings and how to regulate their emotions,” Ms Williams said.
Proserpine State School behaviour support teacher Ann Gardel said Dr Lane and his team gave students unobtrusive, discrete, personal and welcoming psychological help.
“We have seen this service grow rapidly in the past two years and this indicates not only the pressing need for these kinds of services in our area but also the effectiveness of the services provided by Adaptive Strategies.”
There were also supporting letters from Bowen Medical Centre, paediatrician Dr Michael Williams, Neami National Cairns and Whitsunday Family Practice.
The proposal is now subject to public notification and feedback.
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