A qualified Psychologist experienced in treating for Relationships, Family Therapy, Cultural Identity, and LGBT Issues
Oscar’s qualifications are a Bachelor of Psychology and a Masters of Psychology in Family Therapy from the Universidad de las Americas, and a PhD in Psychology from Macquarie University.
Oscar is currently lecturer and co-ordinator of the counselling programs at Australian Catholic University. Prior to this he spent many years as a lecturer in psychology at Macquarie University and in senior roles in various not-for-profit counselling programs and committees.
Oscar’s key areas of interest include relationships, couples counselling, working with young people, parenting, family therapy, navigating divorce and separation, working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients, migration, identity and cultural identity, LGBT issues, working with gay men and their relationships, gay identity, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, self worth, and questions related to existential dilemmas.
With respect to relationships and couples therapy, Oscar has extensive experience helping couples to re-establish their connection, improve communication, and assisting couples to move through the different stages in their relationship, including families dealing with adolescents. Oscar is skilled at working with same-sex male relationships as well as heterosexual couples, and the implications that gender brings into any romantic relationship.
In terms of family therapy and parenting, Oscar has helped many families and parents to renegotiate their parenting relationship after separation, rebuild trust and communication after a significant loss, create new paths for communicating after a breakdown of trust, and navigate the impact of mental health on family life.
Oscar also has considerable interest and experience in working with issues surrounding migration and cultural identity. He has presented at national and international conferences on topics including Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) clients and Working with CALD men. He enjoys helping people to re-connect with their cultural heritage and make sense of that heritage in the Australian culture.
Another area of expertise for Oscar is working with gay men. He has spoken at national and international conferences on topics including the coming out process, the formation of an identity as a gay male, and in the construction of couple relationships in gay males. Over the years, Oscar has explored and researched the importance of a gay identity and the role that it has on developing romantic relationships for gay men.
The underpinning theories of Oscar’s therapeutic training are Family Systems Theory and Brief Therapy, and the Constructionist Philosophy. Oscar has also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Group and Couples therapy, and Mindfulness approaches to therapy. He continually updates his knowledge through ongoing training and professional development.
Oscar is a warm and personable therapist, with a keen ability to empower clients through his genuine interest in and concern for them, and an attuned sensitivity to their needs. Oscar endeavours to create a respectful and safe environment of collaboration with his clients, in which they work together towards achieving their therapeutic goals.
Oscar’s standard fee is $230 per consultation hour.
He is fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Phone: Sydney (02) 9331 0756 or 0412 593 773
e-mail: enquiries@confides.com.au
Address: Suite 517, 185 Elizabeth St Sydney
