Previously, as Browne Psychology's principal psychologist, Mrs Browne had run her private practice as she leased part of the property at 171 Main Street, Stawell.

But Browne Psychology is now located at 34 Sloane St, Stawell, after Mrs Browne purchased the property, in a move she said will help her expand mental health services in the region.

"I saw an opportunity with this place and I wanted to buy it," she said.

"It is great because now I can turn it into something a lot bigger and grow the business.

"I want to get some more clinicians in and that is the dream to have more individual therapy options and also convert some space into having group therapy as well.

READ MORE:

"My business model hasn't changed, it is just the location and it gives me the opportunity to grow it."

Mrs Browne had been at the 171 Main Street address for around a year and ran her private practice for around three years at the Stawell Medical Centre before that.

Now she has a permanent site Mrs Browne has some big plans for what the future of Browne Psychology might look like.

"So much of it is about getting the health professionals attracted here," she said.

"My hope in the shorter term is to get another clinician in at least and trying to keep it mental health focused with a psychologist or a mental health social worker or something along those lines.

"That is exactly the dream, to make it a mental health hub for specialised treatment and for right across the life span."

Mrs Browne, who's focus areas include depression, anxiety and trauma treatment, said extra services are desperately needed in the area, with the rate of new referrals climbing.

OTHER NEWS:

"I would maybe have had one or two new referrals a week three years ago, now it is maybe three or four new ones a day and that is only going to grow," she said.

"There is a huge shortage here, in terms of mental health in the private sector, and I'd say the public health system would be pretty full too."

As she gets settled into the practise, Mrs Browne will be unable to accept any new referrals until April-May 2022, with her baby due to be born in October.

Mrs Browne said she was aiming to return to work in around February as she takes maternity leave during September.

Mrs Browne, grew up in Landsborough and attended school in the region before heading to Monash University to continue her study.

She returned to Stawell after her study and said she was passionate about her work because she gets to help people on their recovery journeys.

"For me it is the privilege of being able to hear people's stories and help them through that and see the progression they make when they are in treatment," she said.

"I am in the position to hear their stories- their very personal, very vulnerable stories.

"Often people come to me when they are in quite a bad state and to see them progress over time is definitely the most rewarding part of it."

If you can see this message, you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Stawell Times-News, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and for allowing us to continue telling Stawell's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great town.