Animal Assisted Psychologist

Dr. Pree Benton is a registered Health Psychologist, with a special interest in Animal Assisted Psychotherapy, an innovative practice that enables clients to feel at greater ease in the therapy room, and assists clients to feel more comfortable and open to the therapy process. The relationship between the client and the therapy dog can provide multitudes of therapeutic information to assist the client to better understand themselves, and their relationships with others. Sessions may also be conducted outside of the therapy room, assisting clients to
conquer fears and develop new life skills that are not always possible to achieve through traditional therapy.

Pree has extensive experience in the following areas:
 Eating disorders and body image issues

 Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
 Anxiety disorders including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Phobias (including dog phobias) and Social Anxiety

 Depression and mood disorders
 Grief, loss and end of life care
 Health issues such as chronic pain, cancer and disability

Pree’s therapy style is compassionate, collaborative and direct. She focuses on building a strong therapeutic
relationship, and collaborating as a team - client, therapist and therapy dog. As a health psychologist, Pree
strongly believes in the importance of the mind-body connection and in assisting clients to tune into their
strengths to teach them how to be their own best therapist.

In addition to Animal Assisted Therapy, Pree is trained in the following models:
 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy  Emotion Focused Therapy
 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Enhanced for Eating Disorders

 Non-diet approach and Health at Every Size paradigms
 Mindfulness and Mindful Self Compassion

 Motivational Interviewing
 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

 Compassion Focused Therapy
 Schema Therapy

 Cognitive Processing Therapy (for PTSD)

Pree is registered with AHPRA and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Pree works with clients
aged 16 and older, and her services are eligible for Medicare and private health rebates.

If you would like to make an appointment with Pree, please email her on pree.benton@dogsforlife.com.au.
Consultations are available Thursday afternoons in Bentleigh, VIC.