MEET OUR TEAM
APHRODITE PAPAGEORGIOU
|
|
SUHARA
|
Suhara Perera is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with seven years of Clinical Social Work experience. She has worked therapeutically with Aboriginal clients, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, and families and has a special interest in supporting the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.
Suhara uses a variety of therapeutic frameworks, including Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Mindfulness-based interventions. She also uses Focused Psychological Strategies to assist clients whom are referred with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. Suhara is compassionate, caring and nonjudgmental. She works collaboratively with her clients to assist them to achieve their goals and empower themselves. Suhara is passionate about helping others' make positive changes to their mental health and wellbeing. Suhara can speak English, Sinhalese, and Tamil and holds the following qualifications;
|
Areas Of Special Interest
Adolescents, Adults, Elderly Anxiety Bereavement Bullying Dementia Depression Developmental Disorders Dual Diagnosis (Substance Abuse/Mental Illness) Dual Disability (Intellectual Disability, Acquired Brain Injury & Mental Illness) Eating Disorders Grief Life adjustment & Transition Perinatal Mental Health Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Stress management Workplace Issues |
BLAIR RAATJES
|
Blair is a Registered Psychologist who completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Bond University and Monash University. Blair understands that seeking psychological help for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience for clients, therefore, she is committed to providing a warm, accepting and compassionate environment. She believes that collaboration, empathetic understanding, and respect are
essential components to therapy. She has experience working with adolescents and adults with difficulties such as anxiety, panic, depression, and burn-out. Blair practices evidence-based approaches that emphasise the importance of catering to each client’s strengths and goals. She uses a variety of therapeutic frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-based interventions and relaxation strategies. |
Areas of Special Interest
Adolescent therapy Anxiety and panic disorders Depression & Mood disorders Eating Disorders Self-esteem and self-worth School and university stress Stress management & Relaxation Confidence |
PRABHA MISHRA
|
Prabha Mishra is a Registered Psychologist who completed her studies in psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute. She is fluent in English and Hindi.Prabha has worked with children, adolescents and adults presenting with a wide range of issues including mood disorders, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, self-esteem, assertiveness, perfectionism and school/workplace/career transitions. Prabha is compassionate, caring and works towards providing a safe, non-judgmental and collaborative space to empower clients to create meaningful changes in their lives and enhance overall well-being. Prabha is passionate about building strong rapport with clients and establishing a collaborative relationship. As a practitioner, her belief is that ‘no one size fits all’ and so uses a combination of psychoeducation and research-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and play-based therapy to help support clients to reach their goals.
|
Areas Of Special Interest
Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder Self-esteem/Confidence Adolescent Therapy Parenting & Parenting Support Post Natal Support Public speaking Relaxation/Stress management Grief, Transition & Life Adjustments Sleep disorders Depression & Mood Disorder Unresolved Childhood Issues Life coaching Motivation/Procrastination |
CHLOE SHALE Psychologist
|
Chloe is a Provisional Psychologist who completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Liverpool, England. Coming from a background supporting victims of crime, she has a strong understanding of trauma and experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults, and their families. Chloe is a supportive, compassionate, and respectful practitioner who is passionate about supporting others to make positive changes in their lives. She strives to understand individual experience and empowers clients to achieve their goals. Chloe hopes to adopt a client-centred approach and draw on a range of evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-based interventions and relaxation strategies.
|
Areas Of Special Interest
Adult Individual Therapy Anxiety Stress Management/RElaxation Trauma Depression & Mood Disorder Victims of Crime |
MAIDA KANWAL
|
Maida Kanwal is a Psychologist with Provisional Registration having completed her Masters of Professional Psychology at Deakin University. Maida has extensive experience working with individuals of different ages from Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. She has worked within schools helping young people and parents and "Headspace" community mental health facilities for young people.
Maida is culturally competent and believes that a person's culture, background, and early life experience plays a very important role in forming how they develop as a person. Maida works with people to raise their confidence and better understand their developmental history and its influences. Originally from Pakistan, Maida migrated to Australia at a young age. She has always been passionate about supporting people with mental health concerns and challenging the stigma surrounding this. Her core values include respect, empathy, warmth and effective communication. Her main approach to therapy is client- centred, focused on helping individuals gain control over their emotional health, wellbeing and improve their quality of life. Maida is keen to continue her professional development, planning to further her studies of evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relaxation techniques and Trauma-Informed practices. |
Areas Of Special Interest
Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder Self-esteem/Confidence Adolescent Therapy School & Academic Issues Parenting & Parenting Support Post- & Perinatal Support Relaxation/Stress management Grief, Transition & Life Adjustments Sleep disorders Depression & Mood Disorder Unresolved Childhood Issues Motivation/Procrastination |
Prajakta Deshpande
|
Prajakta is a Registered Psychologist with over eight years of experience providing individual counselling to adults and young people. Prajakta draws upon her empathic and compassionate nature and knowledge and skills in evidence-based psychological practice, to guide her clients through the empowering and healing process of therapy. She believes that despite our histories and circumstances we can strive for purpose, fulfillment, and growth. Prajakta works with people from many backgrounds, cultures and belief systems to help them navigate trauma, distress, improve quality of life, and reduce psychological suffering. Prajakta works with a wide range of issues using an eclectic approach including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Rational Emotive Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focussed Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychoeducation, and Relaxation strategies. More recently she has undertaken training in EMDR for PTSD and trauma and is passionate about advancing her knowledge and practice in this area. Prajakta has a Master’s in Psychology with Clinical Psychology as her specialisation from India. She has experience working as a psychologist in both India and Australia. Prajakta worked as a Doctor of Alternative Medicine (Homoeopathy) for nearly 10 years before she began her journey into the field of psychology. She also works in a private hospital as a psychologist, conducting group therapy.
|
Areas Of Special Interest:
Anxiety and Panic disorders Depression Adjustment & Life Change Issues Grief & Loss Anger Issues Complex Trauma & PTSD Work Related Issues Acculturative Stress Emotional Dysregulation Relationship Concerns Self-confidence and Self Esteem Adolescents over 16 years of age |
STEVE CAREY
|
Steve is our clinical hypnotherapist and has been practising since 2009. He brings a warm, compassionate and optimistic approach to his work. He believes passionately that we all have areas of our lives in which we know how to succeed, and that as a result we have abilities that can, with a little help, be applied to areas in which we are challenged. Steve loves working with clients and helping them find the gaps in knowledge and skill that will enable them to get back on track quickly and effectively. He particularly enjoys using hypnosis to reach the creative parts of our minds. Steve’s background involves many years teaching Hypnotherapy for one of Australia’s biggest training academies for Clinical Hypnotherapists. Steve is a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist, has over nine years of clinical experience, is a member and supervisor of the Australian Hypnotherapist's Association (AHA) and has been a lecturer of hypnotherapy.
|
Areas Of Special Interest
Anxiety and Panic disorders Phobias Smoking cessation Weight Management Behaviour change Insomnia Self-confidence and Self Esteem Motivation, procrastination, finding direction Performance issues – sport, exams, public speaking Depression Problem Alcohol & Substance Use |
REBECCA PEARCE
|
Rebecca is the clinic director, psychologist and hypnotherapist. She is passionate about providing a thriving workplace so she, and her team, can provide the best of care. Rebecca has been a registered psychologist since 2003 and has assisted hundreds of clients toward peace and wellbeing. Rebecca prides herself on bringing optimism, humour and compassion to her work. She has an unwavering, non-judgemental attitude toward people, an absolute belief in their ability to heal, and a deep love for the work she does. Rebecca particularly enjoys analysing, seeking to understand the root cause of psychological distress, and aims to facilitate change that is fundamental and lasting for her clients. Rebecca is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) & Member of the Australian Society Hypnosis (MASH). Rebecca has experience working with people from many backgrounds, cultures and belief systems.
|
Areas Of Special Interest:
Anxiety and Panic disorders Eating Disorders Body Image Concerns Weight Management Depression Grief & Adjustment Disorders Self-confidence and Self Esteem Problem Alcohol Use Behaviour change (exercise, diet, smoking) Relationship Problems |
CLIENT EXPERIENCES TEAM
LISA
|
Lisa is the backbone of the clinic, running our office and ensuring that our systems and processes are smooth and functional. She will greet you when you arrive, offer assistance when required, and will be your point of contact for all administrative queries and assistance. Lisa is warm, sincere, discreet and kind and will help you to feel comfortable in our clinic.
Please feel free to talk to Lisa and provide any feedback that can help us do things better. Lisa is always happy to help where she can. |
Areas Of Special Interest
Warming our reception area with her presence Being an all-round great team member Welcoming visitors and guests Paperwork and Administrative processes Having a laugh |
MARIA
|
Maria is a member of our "CEO" (Client Experience Officer) team and is a valued contributor to the smooth running of the practice. Maria helps our clients and team to ensure that bookings are made, rebates are processed, clients are greeted and phones are answered. As a member of the CEO team, Maria is an integral part of the behind-the-scenes running of the practice, ensuring that we can help as many people as possible live in a positive and healthy way.
|
Areas Of Special Interest
Bringing an enthusiastic, friendly energy to the clinic, being helpful to clinicians and clients, and focusing on great client outcomes. |