Dr Kelsie Bufton
she/her
Dr Kelsie Bufton
Clinical Psychologist
BA (Hons), English Literature, GradDipPsych (Adv) , DPsych
How Kelsie Works
Kelsie works with adults and young people aged 16 and over who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck in repeating patterns, or are often hard on themselves. Many are going through significant life changes, including parenthood or a relationship ending. Some come with a clear difficulty, while others simply feel something isn’t working in their lives or relationships.
Kelsie believes therapy is most helpful when people feel safe enough to be real, with room for honesty, humour, and being themselves. Her approach is warm, genuine, and collaborative. She works in a strengths-based and trauma-informed way, with a focus on self-compassion, values, and meaningful connection. She is interested in how earlier relationships and experiences, including trauma, continue to influence how people think and feel about themselves and others.
Sessions offer space to slow down and reflect on what has been happening. Kelsie values shared formulation and works with people to make deeper sense of their experiences so a clearer way forward can emerge. From there, therapy focuses on healing and change in ways that feel manageable, safe, and meaningful.
Areas of Focus
Kelsie supports people experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety and depression, panic, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, bipolar experiences, and difficulties with emotion regulation or feeling overwhelmed. She also works with people navigating grief and loss, identity and self-worth concerns, relationship difficulties and breakdown, and major life transitions.
She has a particular interest in trauma and its ongoing effects, including PTSD and Complex PTSD, as well as experiences such as hearing voices or psychosis. Kelsie also supports parents during the perinatal period, including postnatal depression and anxiety, attachment concerns, postnatal psychosis or mania, and pregnancy or infant grief and loss for both birthing and non-birthing parents.
Therapeutic Approach
Kelsie draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems informed therapy (IFS), Mindful Self-Compassion, Circle of Security, polyvagal-informed approaches, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy informed skills.
She offers a neuroaffirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming space.
Professional Background
Kelsie works in private practice, in the Perinatal Team at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Health Service, and in early childhood parenting research at Deakin University.
Kelsie consults with WARM on Wednesdays.
