About Me

I am a Clinical Psychologist trained to provide assessment and intervention to help people of all ages. In addition to working with adults, I have specialised in working with children, adolescents and young adults and their families. I am registered with the Psychologist Board of Australia (PBA), which is part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and also registered with Medicare as a Clinical Psychologist.

I hold the following university qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology from USQ

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from QUT

  • Masters of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) from QUT

  • Masters of Mental Health (Art Therapy) from UQ (ANZACATA Professional level training)

I hold the following professional memberships:

  • Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)

  • Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists (FCCLP)

  • Associate Member of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists (AMCCP)

  • Historical Professional Membership with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)

I have practiced full time for over two decades. The first decade was within non-government and government specialist intervention services for children and adolescents and their families, including intervention services assisting with childhood and adult trauma and attachment, adolescent substance misuse, foster care, cancer care, family therapy, and child and youth mental health services. This second decade has been in full time private practice on the Sunshine Coast, continuing providing assessment and intervention, and providing consultation for fellow experienced allied health professionals.

I value evidence based practice, and am experienced and well trained in psychological assessment and in interventions including Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Schema Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Attachment informed Therapies. Alongside these interventions, I am also trained and experienced in Non-Directive Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, and Family Therapy and I am an experienced Art Therapist (Historically holding Professional Membership with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), the peak professional body for creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region)

I value tailoring interventions to meet the needs of individuals coming to me seeking assistance and value contributing to the evidence via my own writing and practice based research. I have had writings published in professional journals and published a book chapter in the area of creative therapies with children and adolescents.

I live locally with my family, including clinic dogs, Dusty and River, and a number of sprightly chickens, guinea fowl, geese and goats.

The Clinic

I value professional service delivery and quality care, but also value being approachable, accessible, private, humble and family friendly. It is important that anyone coming in for intervention feels welcome and comfortable as it is a very brave thing to do to come and ask for help with sensitive issues. It is my aim to help you feel looked after and to assist you with your concerns with professional but individualised care. 

In keeping with these values, in the clinic you will find me, but also Dusty and/or River, in training to be job-sharing therapy dogs. To do this, there is lots to learn, but will be part of the team with me later in 2022, to help people feel comfortable and help with intervention, and or just sit and rest if dogs are not your thing.

The clinic is also a very proud supporter of the Peregian Beach Community House and the Peregian Beach Community Garden. I have made the Peregian Beach Community House the clinic home since 2014, where I have two therapy rooms, allowing us to always have a private waiting area. This special location allows us to be accessible to the community, with free parking available and close access via public transport. The location means I can be available on weekdays and weekends, and also contribute to the long life of this lovely community house. In June 2022 we moved from David Low Way into the new community house location in the Rufous St precinct and hope this change will be the beginning of another positive chapter for the clinic. The clinic also has a plot at the Peregian Beach Community Garden, growing food for myself and the families connected to the clinic. If Dusty, River and I are not in the clinic, you will probably find us in the garden, and you are welcome to pop down there, or have your appointment there with me if this feels more comfortable than the clinic room.

Telehealth is also now a big part of my clinic, allowing us to continue treatment no matter where you are, and if this is a delivery mode you would prefer, please discuss with me to find out more about this way of accessing your intervention.