About Us
Silver Birch Psychology is run by Genevieve Angel, a psychologist, plant enthusiast, and avid gamer. Gen moved to the Leongatha area in 2018 after spending many childhood summers in Cape Paterson. She now lives in Wonthaggi and can often be found at the plant nursery with her latest haul in hand, accompanied by her long-suffering partner and her Blue Heeler, Shadow (who lives up to his name).
Gen is neurodivergent herself and remembers how confusing life could sometimes feel. She is passionate about supporting young people, their families and wider systems to make life easier wherever possible. She embraces each person’s individual way of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world and loves to hear about her clients' special interests.
Gen’s own special interests currently include growing blueberries, camping, playing Terraria and watching Bleach — but this might look very different in a few weeks!
Background & Experience
Before establishing Silver Birch Psychology, Gen worked in community mental health with young people across Bass Coast and South Gippsland. More recently, she led a clinical team providing intensive outreach support across Gippsland. Gen moved into private practice to pursue her long-standing interest in psychological assessment, while continuing to support young people experiencing chronic mental health concerns.
Gen has also worked in schools and in private practice, providing therapy as well as autism and ADHD assessments. Before completing her studies, she worked as a medico-legal transcriptionist for psychiatrists, developing an excellent memory for obscure medication names and super speedy typing skills, which come in handy when writing assessment reports.
Philosophy & Approach
Gen believes meaningful psychological care involves understanding the whole person — including their strengths, relationships, identity, neurotype, physical health, culture, environment, experiences and the systems around them. Gen’s approach is warm, compassionate and non-pathologising, though she understands that diagnostic ‘labels’ can be a useful communication tool for many young people.
Rather than viewing difficult thoughts, feelings or behaviours as symptoms to eliminate, she approaches them with curiosity — seeking to understand what they may be communicating, where they have come from, and how they may have helped a person cope, adapt or stay safe. More information about the approaches that most influence Gen’s work is available on our Psychological Therapy page.
