Clinical Psychologist and technology enthusiast.
Nested within warmth and curiosity, Lanhowe (or‘Lan’ for short) enjoys working with people to help collaboratively understand and make sense of persistent pain. He finds the ‘aha!’ moments particularly rewarding, where clients feel empowered to take control and direction in their lives and recovery.
“Pain without purpose is pointless. For many of our clients, persistent pain has become their everyday reality, and understanding pain is central to recovery. Clients sometimes get told particularly damaging and scary things, and I believe a team approach is particularly helpful to instil hope. Like in Formula 1 Pit Stops, I see my role as part of the team to help our clients with tools and practices to live meaningfully as quick as possible, but I also firmly believe in the power and importance of our clients taking control in the driver’s seat. ”
My Story
Growing up as the eldest of 3 sons, I remember my mother frantically taking care of the family while constantly hindered by aches and pains. Back then, I thought that ongoing pain was just a natural consequence of being alive. Then, I remembered the moment in my studies, sitting in a lecture theatre, when I was exposed to the growing research around understanding pain. That pain is more than just a physical injury. I was hooked. Could there have been more to my mum’s pain?
Since then, it’s been an incredible and humbling journey of so much learning, understanding truly how complex and amazing the human body and brain is, and at the same time, witnessing the very real and tangible changeability of the human body and nervous system. I have been privileged to work with like-minded teams to share these learnings with a diverse range of clients, and to be part of their journey in courageously taking steps to challenge themselves and their pain.
It still amazes me that 30 years ago, a psychologist’s role was to just help ‘manage pain’, and now, we have science-backed ways to help treat it. I’ve seen both the very real and tragic impact of persistent pain and the vicious cycles that it can create in worsening mood, sleep, and social lives. I’ve also seen the power of hope, openness, and persistence in reversing these cycles, slowly and surely. To be part of this journey is incredibly rewarding and truly an honour, though when I think about the turning point for many of my clients, the famous quote comes to mind: “the truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off”.
As for my mum, I got to run alongside her at Busselton jetty recently. She was laughing and jogging as we soaked up the beautiful sunset together. I guess she’s been getting there too, slowly and surely.
My Approach
I am continually learning, and I have a deep fascination for what’s at the edges of research to bring to the therapy room (virtual reality I’m looking at you!). In our sessions, you can expect me to be warm, compassionate, and collaborative in my approach. I wouldn’t be in this profession if I didn’t believe people could change, but I also strongly believe that people are at the centre of their own change. I see my role in the team as one of many in helping to light the way, and I will support and encourage clients to bravely take steps along the way. I typically use various therapeutic approaches to help clients enact change, whether they be trauma-focused interventions or various other approaches towards current stressors and emotional difficulties.
