Positive Families

Larne Wellington Principal Psychologist/Clinic Director

Larne utilises a range of evidence based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, Mindfulness based Cognitive therapy, Solution Focused Therapy.

More about Larne…
Reflecting on her personal journey, Larne says “I seem to have always had a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around me, without them having to tell me explicitly". She says people naturally turned to her knowing she would listen respectfully. According to Larne, "my father was a major influence in my curiosity about people and the mind. He was fascinated by eastern spirituality, particularly Zen, psychology, martial arts (he was a 2nd Dan Black Belt) and was incredibly optimist and resilient in spite of a tough childhood". Larne says that although she was raised in a Catholic family, it was these influences that broadened her interest in spirituality and shaped her desire to make a difference in the world. 

After a successful career in business and management in the fashion industry that culminated in a position in London, Larne returned to her hometown of Melbourne. "The desire to pursue a new path that allowed me to help others was gathering momentum, " she says.  It was a natural progression for her to commence her psychology degree as a mature age student.

Positive Families was established in 2008 to fulfill Larne's vision of building a team of experienced and passionate practitioners committed to helping people from a positive, strength-based approach. Larne says, "As our name suggests, our aim is to assist individuals and families move forward positively and with purpose". She also developed the Confident Kids and Teens group program to boost children's confidence and resiliency skills.

Larne has been living in Brisbane for the past 12 years and says "it's a brilliant city to raise a family". She is married and has two daughters and a stepson. "My greatest joy, as well as my greatest challenge, is my family" she says. "As mum to two preteen girls and stepmum to a preteen boy, I understand the struggles and joys of parenting and life in a stepfamily". While Larne is committed to her personal spiritual development combining mindfulness meditation practice with her Christian background, she respects each individual's path and way of deepening their own experiences.