Ann Maree Billings

About me

I am a Credentialled Mental Health Nurse, Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor. I am passionate about providing Clinical Supervision and creative, therapeutic methods, including Guided Imagery and Music, to those seeking personal and professional development. My approach is built on collaborative partnerships. I continue engaging in my own personal & professional development in order to be as effective as possible with others.

My experience

I have nursed for over 34 years in Melbourne and London, including in general medical/surgical, palliative care and sexual/reproductive health. My lifelong interest in emotional and mental health led me to complete qualifications in counselling and mental health nursing and to work in counselling and mental health positions from 1998, including primary healthcare settings in Melbourne’s east and south east from 2008, supporting clients and families dealing with complex, severe mental illness. This has included work in the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) for 9 years since its inception, after which I was employed in the Mental Health Integrated Complex Care program for the past 4 years as Senior Credentialled Mental Health Nurse. I have experience with a broad range of mental illness and personal development presentations, working with adults and adolescents in acute inpatient units, community outreach, case management, primary healthcare, private practice, clinical management and senior mental health positions. I provided Mentorship to colleagues from 2018-2021, also providing Clinical Supervision and Guided Imagery and Music to individuals in private practice.

My current role/work

From October 2021, I left organisational employment to focus on my private practice, especially to provide Clinical Supervision and personal development opportunities to individuals, and holistic Mental Health Nursing support for clients under NDIS.

Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a music-based therapy for which there is strong clinical evidence, designed originally for well people seeking personal development that leads to life transformations. However GIM has also been used with very positive results when adapted for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, and I have also successfully used music and imagery methods in some Clinical Supervision sessions.

My training

Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing) (1987-1989), Adv. Dip. in Integrative Counselling in London UK (1997-2001), Psychiatric Nursing Post Grad Cert. (2005) in Melbourne, Clinical Supervision for Role Development training (endorsed program) with Paul Spurr at Clinical Supervision Consultancy (2016), Music & Imagery for Health Cert. (1 year in 2013) and the Level 3 Advanced Training in Guided Imagery and Music (2 years from 2019-2020). I have completed the 3 years of training in Guided Imagery and Music as required to be a registered Guided Imagery and Music Therapist.

I am committed to my ongoing learning and development so prioritise attendance at regular training, conferences and personal development sessions. I enjoy staying up to date with latest evidence-based treatments and applying these for the benefit of those I work with.

Memberships: Australian Clinical Supervision Association, Music and Imagery Association of Australia, Association for Music and Imagery, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.

My approach to supervision

I strongly believe that self-care and supported reflection are vital to sustain us, improve practice and assist to prevent burn out. I am therefore passionate about both providing and receiving quality Clinical Supervision, fortunate to have accessed a high standard of Clinical Supervision throughout my career.

Clinical Supervision provides an opportunity to reflect upon work issues and gain understanding, thus enhancing the supervisee’s capacity for reflective practice and development. Work in healthcare is often challenging, especially when undertaking the intense work of caring for those with serious health issues within the limits of organisational systems. As we develop reflective skills after key events, we become more able to reflect and consciously choose our responses in the moment. This decreases our potential for reactivity, fatigue and less effective responses, while increasing awareness and our capacity to choose more therapeutic interventions, leading to greater confidence and work satisfaction.

My supervisory practice is underpinned by a biopsychosocial model that incorporates Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Integrative Psychotherapy.

I draw upon a range of evidence-based modalities including: Psychodynamic - especially Jungian, attachment theory, humanistic and Person-Centred work, Existential, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, Resilience theory, Role Development Theory and Guided Imagery and Music.

With supervisees, I primarily use the Role Development model in combination with other methods according to individual needs and preferences. Role Development theory is informed by Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Psychodrama and Role Theory.