About Me

Christopher Beards Psychologist Eating DIsorders

Christopher Edward Beards

Medicare Provider

5217256H

AHPRA PSY0001811074

 

I'm Christopher Beards, a registered psychologist based in the Sutherland Shire, NSW, working with clients across Australia via telehealth. Since 2020 I've delivered care by video and phone, which means location isn't a barrier, whether you're in a capital city or regional and remote Australia.

I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults, and I focus on complex presentations that benefit from a tailored, collaborative approach. My aim in sessions is to create a safe, non-judgemental space and to work with you toward goals that actually matter to you, building your capacity to manage your own wellbeing rather than just managing symptoms in the room.

I have 14 years in practice as a registered psychologist, since 2012.

Areas of Focus

  • Eating disorders

  • Trauma and complex trauma

  • Personality difficulties

  • Men's mental health

  • LGBTQIA+ affirming care

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Mindfulness-based approaches

  • Sexual health issues

  • Mental illness assessment

How I Work

I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches and tailor them to the person in front of me, including CBT, CBT-E (for eating disorders), DBT, ACT, schema therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and trauma-focused therapy.

Who I Work With

I currently have capacity for new referrals, including:

  • NDIS participants — mental health support and skills development as part of your plan.

  • ADF and Defence community members — targeted sessions via Defence Health/BUPA ADF.

  • DVA clients — support for veterans through the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

  • Eating disorder referrals — individual treatment drawing on CBT-E and other credentialed approaches.

  • Medicare Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and private health clients — standard sessions with Medicare rebates or private health fund claims available.

If you're a GP, case manager, or support coordinator considering a referral, I'm happy to have a quick conversation first about fit before you send anything through formally.

Qualifications and Credentials

  • AHPRA Registration: PSY0001811074

  • Medicare Provider Numbers: 5217255X and 5217256H

  • Bachelor of Psychology, Western Sydney University

  • Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology, Macquarie University

  • ANZAED/NEDC Eating Disorder Credential (joint ANZAED and NEDC program, credentialing eating disorder clinicians against national workforce and clinical training standards)

  • AHPRA Board Approved Supervisor — currently supervising Master of Clinical Psychology (MCP) and Master of Professional Psychology (MPP) students

  • Member, Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI)

  • Member, ANZMH

The reasons I do what I do

  • Depression and Anxiety

    One in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime. 15% of people are diagnosed with an affective or mood disorder. One quarter of Australian will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime. (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/media/statistics)

  • Personality Disorders

    4.8 - 6.5% of the Australian full-time workforce has a personality disorder with a personality disorder being predictive of work or personal impairment. This is something we can develop either through survival of traumatic events or in need to survive different environments. (Jackson and Burgess, 2000)

  • Sexual Health Issues

    There is an increasing amount of issues in Australia with the lack of education and management of sexual related conditions. Mismanagement of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Drug use during sex and increased risk taking leading to irreparable harm to self and/or others.

  • Mens Health Issues

    A lack of reporting problems for men is a major factor to us losing friends or family too early. Depression, Anxiety, Sexual Issues, Relationship and more. It’s time to stop rubbing dirt in it and know its okay to feel.

  • Eating Disorders

    4% of the population at any given time is living with an Eating Disorder. This can include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), OSFED. Lifetime prevalence for eating disorders is around 9% of the Australian Population. The statistics for men and women are increasing each day. (Deloitte Access Economics, 2015; NEDC, 2017).

  • LGBTQIA+

    Australia is growing in acceptance each day, however there are still issues faced by our Queer Community needing support. Queer-Trans-Bi-Non Binary phobia is at a peak leading to increased severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and ultimately suicide in our communities.

Services