Healthy North Coast and the wider health community extend their gratitude to Judi Bray for her dedication and the extraordinary contribution she has made to public health. To mark her 25 years of service in Grafton, and her upcoming retirement, Judi has kindly agreed to share a reflective account of her professional journey, including some of her most memorable experiences. Read on below…
I arrived in Grafton in February 2001, having been fully registered as a psychologist the previous year. After a ‘tree change’ from Sydney, I applied for a newly created position with the Mid North Coast Division of General Practice, funded by the Commonwealth to assist local GPs in delivering services to the community.
The Division used this funding to establish 4 outreach units delivering psychology services across Bellingen, Nambucca, Woolgoolga, and Grafton. I was fortunate to be appointed in June 2001 to establish the Grafton GP Psychology Service, located in Roslyn Heritage House on Alice Street.
My role was to build relationships with local GP medical centres, accept referrals from across the region – including Maclean, Yamba, and Wooli – and provide assessment and treatment using CBT and focused psychological strategies.
The introduction of the Better Outcomes for Mental Health (BOMH) program soon expanded community access to psychological services, easing the pressure on overstretched community health services. While most referrals were for depression, anxiety, and stress, many clients were also dealing with trauma, grief, loss, and major life changes.
Over time, Roslyn Heritage House grew into a multidisciplinary practice with 2 psychiatrists, a psychotherapist, and a social worker, offering a full range of mental health services. Living and working in a rural community proved deeply rewarding. As an ‘out-of-towner,’ I found that my independence from local networks helped clients feel a greater sense of anonymity and trust.
The profession evolved significantly during my time here. BOMH provided valuable training opportunities, including the introduction of ATAPS, and in 2012, Medicare’s Mental Health Treatment Plans transformed access to counselling, offering up to 10 sessions a year.
That same year, the Division transitioned from employing psychologists to contracting them, which prompted me to establish my own private practice. In 2019, I relocated to my current premises at 80 Villiers Street, Grafton.
Over the past 25 years, I’ve witnessed a steady rise in the demand for psychological support. Unfortunately, the supply of psychologists in Grafton has not kept pace, especially compared with nearby Coffs Harbour. Before COVID, visiting psychologists from Coffs filled some of the gap by offering a few days of service each week.
It has been great to see the uptake of telehealth since COVID, and while I adapted quickly, some rural clients lacked reliable internet or still preferred the familiarity of a phone call.
One of the most positive changes I’ve seen is how well the profession is now understood and respected. People are far more open to seeking support, and many approach their GP already requesting a referral.
Reflecting on my professional life in Grafton, I can say without hesitation that it has been the highlight of my career. It has been a true privilege to walk alongside my clients as they face their challenges, build resilience, and learn the skills to empower themselves.
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