Meet Our Practitioners

We have a highly-experienced team of General Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health Social Workers with a wide range of backgrounds, therapeutic approaches and special interest areas.

Psychologists

Dr Shelley Appleton Clinical Psychologist - DPsych (Clin), BPsySc (Hons)

Shelley provides therapy to adolescents (14+ years) and adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression and mood disorders, trauma, self-harm and suicide, personality disorders and drug and alcohol use disorders. Shelley particularly enjoys working with people experiencing eating disorders.
“I integrate a number of therapeutic approaches to meet the individual needs of each client. These include psychodynamic interventions, brief therapy interventions, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy.”

Kate Barton General Psychologist - MAppPsych (Couns), MSc (PsychoanalyticDevPsych), PGCE, BBehSci, MAPS

Kate provides therapy to adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression, life transitions, adjustment disorders, self-esteem, emotional regulation, grief and loss and existential issues. Kate particularly enjoys working with people who have diverse cultural, sexual or gender identities.
“My main focus is to be client-centred; tapping into client needs, wants, strengths and challenges, and working collaboratively with clients to help facilitate change. I like to draw on many approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. My overall approach is supported by an interest in play therapies, psychodynamic therapy, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, and positive psychology. I enjoy working with clients to tailor an approach uniquely applicable to their own personal journey.”

Dr Karyn Healy General Psychologist- BSc (Hons Psych 1st class), MOP, PhD

Karyn provides therapy to children (2+ years), parents, adults and families. Her special interest areas include helping children experiencing bullying and peer problems, working with families to address child behavioural and/or emotional problems, and improving relationships (at home and at school).

“I work with families to resolve issues and help them achieve their goals. This can include individual work with children and teenagers, but for best results, usually includes work with parents and caregivers as well. I specialise in helping with relationship problems – this includes helping children experiencing bullying and conflict with peers, and improving family relationships. I hone therapy to your needs using a broad cognitive behavioural approach (including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, mindfulness and all Triple P programs).”

Zarinah Hienekamp General Psychologist- BAPsych, GradDipPsych, BPsych (Hons)

Zarinah provides therapy to adolescents (15+ years) and adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression, adjustment issues, self-confidence and self-compassion, body image, goal setting and psychological resilience. Zarinah particularly enjoys working with students, people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and people of the Muslim faith.
“I am passionate about helping people to develop the skills that they need to manage life challenges. I am very interested in helping you to identify what really matters, to set and achieve related goals and to support your action plan of how to get there. I am also passionate about increasing your self-compassion and resilience skills. I have skills and experience in Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Positive Psychology, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy and mindfulness. I use a compassionate, friendly and positive approach, and always aim to make people feel comfortable, supported and valued. I am experienced in working with clients of a range of cultural backgrounds and faiths.”

Alison Holtom General Psychologist - BSc (Psych), MHlthSc

Alison provides therapy to adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression, anger, stress, grief and loss, life coaching, self-esteem and confidence, interpersonal difficulties, trauma and adjustment to major life changes and events. Alison particularly enjoys working with older adults and people experiencing career and work-related difficulties.
“I am passionate about helping people find strength and joy in themselves, their work, their relationships and their lives. I provide client centred care in a compassionate and confidential environment to help with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and interpersonal problems. I am outcome-focused and undertake evidence based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness. I will sensitively help you to work through your struggle with painful thoughts and feelings, to help you move toward a more rich, full and meaningful life you want.”

Pragnya Indugula General Psychologist - PGDip(PsychPrac), PGDip(Couns), MSc(Child and Family Psych), BSc(Psych):

Pragnya provides therapy to adults (13+ years) and adults of all genders, sexualities and ethnicities. She has experience and a special interest in working with people who are survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, as well as those experiencing anxiety, relationship challenges (couples or individual), difficulties related so sex, sexuality, gender and cultural identity, self-esteem/self-confidence/self-worth and existential concerns.
“I place a strong focus on empowerment. I prioritise safety and trust to build a nourishing environment for my clients. I work in collaboration with my clients to reach their goals while keeping their holistic wellbeing at the forefront. I support my clients by building on their strengths while increasing their awareness of any limiting beliefs and addressing them by exploring helpful strategies. I utilise evidence-based approaches to tailor therapy to my client’s needs. Even though the focus is on achieving your goals, I endeavour to create an environment that can at times feel light and you may find yourself enjoying the process, with a few laughs along the way. I feel honoured to be working with incredible people and helping them live their best lives.”

Anastasia Ivleva General Psychologist - BSc (Hons), MProf Psyc, MAPS

Anastasia provides therapy to adolescents (12+ years), adults, couples and families. Her special interest areas include anxiety disorders, PTSD, CPTSD, LGBTIQ+, CALD, men’s mental health, couples and relationship difficulties, parenting, anger and emotional dysregulation (including BPD).
“In my sessions we laugh, we cry, we create and explore. I walk alongside my clients, and together we tackle life’s hardest challenges – identity, relationships, parenting and how to quit that job you never really wanted in the first place. Drawing on my eclectic collection of lived experience and professional development, I seek to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community and clients who experienced difficulties growing up. My purpose is to help my clients live a life in line with their values, while strengthening their connections with friends, family and the wider community.”

Rupa Kar General Psychologist - BPsySc (Hons), MProfPsych, MAPS

Rupa provides therapy to children (3+ years), adolescents and adults. Her special interest areas are Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, emotional regulation, child behaviour, anger management, self-esteem and social skills building.
“I focus on assisting clients to address issues challenging them, helping them discover their strengths, build their self-esteem, confidence and social skills. I believe in providing genuine and compassionate care in a warm and supportive environment. I apply a number of therapeutic strategies suited to client needs, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing. I work towards assisting clients to maintain overall wellbeing and functioning.”

Liria Ropolo General Psychologist - BSc (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), MAPS

Liria provides therapy to adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression, workplace and life stress, self-esteem and confidence, grief and loss, relationship issues, self-defeating thoughts and behaviours, life adjustments and Borderline Personality Disorder. Liria particularly enjoys working with Spanish-speaking people, university students and older adults.
“My aim is to work collaboratively with clients to identify and explore their inner strengths and resources to assist them in achieving their full potential. I use different approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing within a Person-Centred framework. I provide a supportive environment and unconditional positive regard to every individual."

Lauren Stewart Clinical Psychologist - MPsych (Clin), BPsych (Hons)

Lauren provides therapy to adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression, phobias, Adjustment Disorders, relationship difficulties, self-esteem and self-compassion difficulties, grief and stress management. Lauren particularly enjoys working with people struggling with feelings of vulnerability, difficulties with trust and feelings of shame.
“I feel privileged to work alongside my clients and would love at the end of our time together for clients to have more compassion and acceptance of themselves and their human struggles, feel more connected to people they care about and obtain strategies for managing painful thoughts and emotions to lead rich and meaningful lives. I typically tailor therapy to a client’s individual goals, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, Compassion Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Schema Therapy.”

Dr Lena Zhang Clinical Psychologist - DPsych(Clin), BA (Hons), MAPS, MCCP

Lena provides therapy to adults. Her special interest areas include Anxiety, Depression, interpersonal difficulties, mindfulness, Borderline Personality Disorder, trauma, Bipolar Disorder and emotional regulation difficulties. Lena particularly enjoys working with culturally and linguistically diverse people.
“I am passionate in using evidence-based interventions to help you reach your potential and find a sense of meaning and fulfilment in life. Drawing from my extensive experience working with a diverse group of clients in university-based clinic, hospital, community and educational settings, I utilise a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. I believe in working collaboratively and tailor my approach to each person’s unique goals, personality and circumstances.”

Mental Health Social Workers

Lucy Martinez Social Worker - BA(Soc), MSW and Accredited MHSW, AASW Member

Lucy provides therapy to adolescents (15+ years) and adults. Her areas of special interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, PTSD (complex trauma, domestic violence, abuse), parenting struggles and behavioural issues in children, plus a wide range of mental health issues across the lifespan.
“I am a friendly, welcoming, and non-judgemental person, with extensive experience in the field of mental health with people from various backgrounds, including CALD and multi-lingual – Spanish is my native language. I believe that clients are the foremost experts in their life and circumstances, and I strive to tailor my approach to each individual situation.”

Jessica Sharrock Social Worker - BSW/MCPT (Masters in Play Therapy)

Jess provides therapy to children (3+ years), adolescents and adults. As a Social Worker with a special interest in Play Therapy, Jess works with children one-on-one, assisting with anxiety/depression, low self-esteem, grief and loss, family separation, trauma, social or peer difficulties, selective mutism, disability, learning difficulties and chronic illness.
“I work at empowering children to express, develop and grow through engaging ways. Although talk therapy is used, play is also used as way of engaging and supporting young children. I work at developing a trusting and safe environment for children and their families.”