M1 Psychology

"I went for my first therapy session with Dr David Ward in late May. I am so deeply traumatised by his service towards me. A family member had gone to see him, a couple of months before. Ward kept calling me pet names like “Kiddo” and as a thirty-five year old woman, I felt so belittled. He was critical of me having two therapists. He asked me some intrusive questions about my sex life. I told him I discuss sex matters with my other therapist. At the end of the session, he told me that he would not report my therapist. I thought “Well obviously” because my other therapist has never and would never hurt me. One month later, June 29, after Ward announced he did not know I had ASD until the NDIS funding came through, he disclosed that he had reported my therapist for sexual misconduct. I was so surprised. I had never slept with my other therapist. I was devastated. Ward made a false accusation and kept repeating himself. I told Ward I had never had sex with my other therapist and he said point blank “I don’t believe you!” Ward told me I was not fit to make decisions regarding my own safety. I have ASD but no mental or intellectual disability. I felt controlled, humiliated and psychologically distressed. I had lots of PTSD and anxiety because I had never had sex with my other therapist. It was so very upsetting. I trust my other more competent therapist implicitly. Ward also said that I speak with my other therapist too much about sex and no therapy was going on. It felt like Ward was trying to control what I spoke about. Ward saw me for 1 session! Ward did not even know me! Ward had broken my confidence on 1 visit based on his misguided opinion. Ward was still critical of me having two therapists. Ward breaking my confidences unnecessarily and accusing me of having sex with my other therapist when I did not, is a complete breach of my trust. Ward even said that if this complaint he makes breaks up my other therapist’s marriage it is only my other therapist’s fault. I was so panicked, because here was an innocent man, my other therapist, who had only been good to me, on the receiving end of a baseless complaint. Then Ward had the audacity to say he cared about me at the end. I feel so gutted and betrayed. I complained to Vision/M1 Psychology, and they were hard to contact. It is basically an email saying they are not able to respond because the email is not manned all the time. They did not return emails or complaints in a timely manner or caIl. I asked for a copy of my notes. When I eventually did hear back from Vision, who have no internal complaints processes, they said the case is closed. Vision did not try and reach a resolution. They just forwarded a message saying Ward was uncertain the unsubstantiated complaint he made may not land. The notes Ward wrote seemed very selective and in them, he accuses me of having an affair with my therapist over a decade before having treatment. This is just an outright lie! I did not even know where my other therapist lived before I engaged with his services in 2021. Ward also alleges that I have no capacity to “draw boundaries” with my other therapist, but I am a very intelligent, self-determined woman. I have informed NDIS of the mistreatment of Ward against me and am currently exploring my legal options. This should never happen to anyone. Dr David Ward publishes articles on the Vision/M1 Psychology website, with special attention to confidentiality being very important to him as a therapist as well as leaving therapy better than before walking in. The hurt and betrayal I have felt at the hands of this man who was supposed to help me, is, utterly indescribable. About a month later, I requested a face to face meeting with Paul Wright (business manager). The third party body Ward had complained about my therapist to were dismayed and outraged by what they described as defamation, and a horrific breach of trust. Ward’s complaint was dismissed. The ordeal this put my family through was tragic and if you are going to see Ward, be careful. He has never said sorry."

"Is a good place for your kids head issues, parking is the only issue here"

"Willem is professional yet personable and we are definitely going back to see him again."

"Excellent, after 8 months though my therapist was no longer available so have been put into someone else but their name doesn't appear anywhere so I can read up on them so I'll just have to hope they're good. I don't want to be tossed from one to the other"

"I've only had one visit so far, it was awesome,I wasn't to keen on going. But I can't wait to my next visit."