Our psychologists offer a diverse range of therapies, and our staff include endorsed clinical and counselling psychologists.
Successful psychology treatment is about establishing a trusting relationship with the psychologist. Both clinical and counselling psychologists are trained extensively in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of high prevalence mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.
- Clinical psychology training tends to cover more low prevalence mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and psychotic illnesses, and developmental disorders such as Autism spectrum disorders. Both clinical and counselling psychologists are skilled in the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe mental illnesses including those of a chronic and complex nature.
- Counselling psychology training tends to focus more on psychotherapy theory and practice including various evidence-based models of intervention, and counselling psychologists are also trained in a variety of modalities including couple, group, mother-infant, and family therapy.
In practice, it is estimated that there is between 70 – 80% overlap between the two endorsements. In real life, the “match” between therapist/psychologist and the client is the most important determinant of a successful treatment process.
Please discuss your needs and concerns with our office manager Bernice, who will establish which practitioner is right for you.
Kerry Gemmell
BA (Psych) (Hons) M Psych (Clin Psych) PhD MAPS,M ASH, M EMDRAA
I work collaboratively with my clients to develop and achieve identified therapeutic goals and utilise a range of evidence-based therapeutic treatments including cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, schema therapy, hypnotherapy and EMDR therapy. I continue to enhance my clinical skills and knowledge by attending conferences, lectures and workshops in order to keep up-to-date with current literature and research to ensure I provide the most effective treatment for my clients.
Emily Clinch
BA (Psychology), GradDip (Psychology), M.Psych (Professional Psychology)
James Ireland
BSocSci (Psych) BPsych (Hons) MPsych (Clinical Psychology) MAPS
Altona & Williamstown
Ashveen Kaur Randhawa
MSc (Ed Psych) B Psych (Hons)
Williamstown
Lesley Denmeade
BPsych(Hons),MPsych(Clin), MAPS
Altona
My passion lies in helping my clients to gain greater insight and awareness into their internal world and patterns of behaviour. I collaboratively work with my clients to deeply explore and emotionally process the impacts of their early life, relationships, and inner conflicts, examining how these factors influence their lives and experiences in the present day.
My therapeutic approach is defined by warmth, empathy, and honouring the therapeutic relationship. I draw from numerous therapeutic modalities to tailor my work to best suit the unique needs of my clients, including, psychodynamic therapy, schema therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Rebecca (Bec) Blockley-Jackson
Williamstown
B.Social Science (Psychology) RMIT, B.Psych (Hons) Cairnmillar Institute, m.Psych (Clinical) RMIT
Lin Jiana Beverly
Williamstown
Master’s in applied psychology, Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Mihrail Toghian
BPsychSc/BCrim Justice, BPsychSc (Hons), MProfPsych
Altona
Ashley Freeman
(Master of Clinical Psychology, placement student)
Williamstown
Sara Batleska
BA(Hons), MProfPsych, MAPS
Altona
Sara is a Registered Psychologist committed to guiding individuals toward greater mental well-being and fulfillment in life. With extensive experience across various private, community, and educational settings, I've had the privilege of working therapeutically with people of all ages.
My therapeutic approach is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and curiosity. I believe in addressing each person's experiences holistically and value their individual strengths. In our sessions, you can expect to feel heard, respected, and supported. Together, we'll work on identifying and addressing patterns, narratives, and beliefs that may be holding you back, aiming for a more integrated and grounded sense of self amidst life’s challenges.
My therapeutic approach blends evidence-based frameworks including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I tailor my approach to suit the specific needs of every individual, ensuring flexibility and effectiveness in the therapeutic process.
Common concerns that clients often bring into our therapeutic space encompass challenges in navigating relationships, managing stress and anxiety, and coping after trauma and loss. Whether feeling hurt, fearful, confused, disconnected, or grappling with difficult questions around meaning, I am dedicated to providing you with a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore the intricacies of your experiences with courage and compassion.
Susan Jenkins
B.A. Soc Sci (Psych), Grad. Dip. Education, Grad. Dip. Applied Psychology, Diploma Integrative & Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cert. Process Oriented Psychology
Altona
Susan is dedicated to providing a safe, engaging and collaborative therapeutic experience to allow for positive change.
Susan has been a registered psychologist for 20 years and has worked in a variety of settings including: rehabilitations facilities, schools, community health centres, Aboriginal communities, detention centre, wilderness and farm settings, G.P. clinics.
Susan has travelled extensively, is open minded and celebrates the individuality of every person.
She is respectful of others’ cultural heritage, belief systems, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
Susan ensures that therapy is individually tailored to suit each person’s unique situation to address their needs in the most effective way, whilst recognising that change is not always easy.
Susan is passionate about empowering people through the process of change, assisting them to improve coping strategies, to gain insight into unhelpful behavioural patterns and to develop greater self awareness to allow for more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Clinical Specialities:
- Depression / PTSD
- Anxiety (phobias, panic)
- Relationship Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Addictions, substance abuse
Therapeutic Orientations:
- Process Oriented Psychology
- ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Emotion Focused therapy
Marie Hirst
MA (Hons), PGCE (Education), MSc (EdPsych), MAPS, EMDRAA
Marie is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Kristy Riley
B Psych (Hons), M. Psych (Community)
My approach is warm and understanding of the many challenges that people may face. I work together with clients to use a variety of therapeutic approaches including Schema Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I can also offer supervision to psychology students.
Kim Tran (Maternity Leave)
GradDipPsych, BA (Psych) Hons, MClinPsych, MAPS
Altona
Darcy Andrews
BPsycSc (Hons),MClinPsych,MAPS
Williamstown
Monica Wilson
B.Sc (Psych)., GradDip (Psych)., M.Psych (Ed&Dev)
Williamstown
Tatiana Zoghbi
Altona
Imogen Russell-Head
(B.EnvD.), GradDip (Psych), M.Psych(Prof Psych)
Williamstown
Peta Lee-Tobin
BA (Psych) (Hons), GradDipCounsel, M.Psych (Professional Psychology)
Altona
I am a Registered Psychologist with a background in working as a Counsellor for university students as well as couples. I love working with young people aged 14-year-old and over, so adolescents and young adults, let’s work together! I also love working with young couples with relationship concerns (40 and under). I have experience working with people identifying in the queer-community and my passion is helping people understand their personal identity in the context of mental health, identity in regards to gender and sexuality and just generally helping peoples’ identities flourish! When you are working with me, we can go at your own pace, we can also make it a bit fun! These are your therapy sessions and I want to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible, our therapy is a space place (and Ps -neuro-diverse affirmative). Additionally, I am open to working with clients who prefer sessions via tele-health to provide wider accessibility for my clients.
What are my areas of interest? Self-esteem issues, Personal identity, Dating and relationship issues, Sexual & gender identity , Anxiety, Depression, Self-harming behaviours. Trauma, Autism & Sensory & social concerns.
What kind of therapy do I use? Well, it’s an integration of the following: Emotion-focused therapy, Psychodynamic therapy , Mindfulness, Cognitive-behaviour therapy & Gottman Therapy skills (for dating and relationship concerns)
Ben Loriente
BPsych(Hons),MPsych(Clin)
Williamstown
I am a Generally Registered Psychologist with a master’s in clinical psychology, conducting my clinical registrar. I have a background working with adolescents and adults experiencing stress, interpersonal difficulties, depression, anxiety and emotional dysregulation.
Through collaboration and building a strong therapeutic relationship, I endeavour to promote an open and non-judgemental discussion with my clients, to empower them to identify how they can best live their lives.
As these discussions can at times be uncomfortable, I always enlist a warm, compassionate demeanour through validation, whilst affirming the needs for change that my clients’ have acknowledged. I tailor my interventions on the unique and individual needs of my clients, drawing on multiple evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Steve Miller
BPsychSc (Hons),BPsychSc
Altona & Williamstown
Steve is a Registered Psychologist with experience across aged care, community, disability, mental health, and forensic services. Steve has previously worked as a Mental Health Clinician in multiple organisations throughout central and regional Victoria. Steve currently has skills and interests in Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Steve has experience with a diverse array of client presentations within private practice.
Prior to being granted General Registration, Steve worked for several years in a variety of roles within the aged care and disability sector (e.g., Aged Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, Mental Health Support Worker, and Forensic Support Worker).
Steve completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at The University of Adelaide. Steve’s Honours thesis was on the Effects of Acute Stress on Learning and Decision Making.
Steve has interests in the assessment, intervention, and treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-traumatic stress disorder across the lifespan.
Steve is available to see clients funded under Medicare, NDIS, TAC, VOCAT, WorkSafe, or Privately Funded.