Our Team

Our Psychologists and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioners are registered to provide Plan-managed, Self-Managed and Agency-Managed Therapy and Positive Behavioural Support Services under the NDIS.

All psychologists are registered to provide services under Medicare, private health insurance, TAC, Workcover, Victims of Crime (VOCAT) and EAP. Most psychologists are also registered to provide services under Targeted Psychological Support Services (formerly ATAPS), DVA, Victims Assistance Program (VAP) and VVCS.

Dr Vivienne Sullivan

B.Sc., B.Sc.- Honours (Psychology), Dip. Ed., Ph.D.
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Vivienne has completed her PhD in Psychology focusing on mood disturbance, social engagement, disordered eating, weight management and occupational issues. She has worked in private practice since 2007 providing individual counselling to adults and children. She has worked extensively with people presenting with depression, anxiety, stress, chronic pain and trauma-related issues (including family violence and veterans). Prior to private practice Vivienne worked in a community setting providing individual counselling to people with multiple and complex psychological and situational issues. Vivienne has also developed and conducted group-based therapeutic interventions to address issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and anger-management. Her current and previous roles have also included providing cognitive, behavioural and vocational assessments. Vivienne believes strongly in a client-led approach to psychology and incorporates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Emotion-Focussed Therapy (EFT) strategies into her practice.

Beatriz Pon

B.Sc., Post Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Masters of Counselling Psychology (current)
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Beatriz has been a registered Psychologist since 1999. She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults around issues of depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss and relationships difficulties. Beatriz has run a number of programs for individuals with depression and anxiety and has a particular interest in anxiety. Her prior workplaces and experiences include community health, vocational rehabilitation, return to work, EAP and consultancy roles to schools. Beatriz’s therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focussed Therapy (SFT), Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Lara Sullivan

B.A., Post Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Masters of Applied Psychology (Health)
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Lara completed postgraduate qualifications in behavioural psychology before completing a Masters in Applied Psychology (Health). She has worked in a number of community organisations and in private practice since 2000. Lara has worked with people to address a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, family violence, pain management, drug and alcohol and sport psychology. Lara works primarily from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) perspective but also incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focussed Therapy (EFT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) perspectives into her practice. Lara has represented Australia at the Olympic Games and has a keen interest in performance psychology.

Melissa Donati

B.A., Post Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Masters of Counselling Psychology
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Melissa is a registered psychologist who has completed a Masters in Counselling Psychology. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in all settings. Her experience includes assessment and treatment of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, and addictions. In 2004 Melissa commenced full-time private practice and is registered to provide services under Medicare, VOCAT (Victims of Crime), VVCS, TPSS (formerly ATAPS), TAC, and DVA.

Rebecca Sullivan

B.Sc., Post Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Masters of Applied Psychology (Health)
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Rebecca completed postgraduate qualifications in behavioural psychology before completing a Masters of Applied Psychology (Health). She has worked in a variety of community organisations and private companies offering assessment and counselling services to both individuals and groups. She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults and has worked in private practice since 2002. Rebecca provides counselling for a wide range of presenting issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, pain management and trauma (including veterans and family violence) and works from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) approaches. Rebecca is a former National level athlete who competed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

David Xuereb

B.A., Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Grad. Dip. (Education), Cert. Clinical Hypnosis
Member of the Australian Psychological Society

David is a fully-registered psychologist with extensive experience in a range of settings including education, occupational rehabilitation, emergency housing and disability services working in capacities such as psychologist, registered teacher, and counselor. He has trained in a variety of psychological perspectives including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and believes in a client-led approach to therapy. His special interests include vocational assessment and the management of a range of anxiety and mood disorders including depression, generalised anxiety, panic disorder and PTSD.

Laura Krause

B.A., B.A. – Honours, Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Masters of Psychology (Clinical)

Laura is a registered psychologist who completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne. She has worked across a range of settings including public and private hospitals, schools, and community and consultancy services. Laura utilises a tailored client-centred approach that incorporates techniques from various evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).

Devyani Rangnekar

M.Psychology (Counselling), MA (Psychology)

Devyani holds two Masters degrees in Psychology, one of which was completed at Monash University. She specialises in counselling psychology. Her ongoing work experience focuses on children with autism spectrum disorder, behavioural and emotional concerns, cognitive and academic assessment, and treatment of other psychological conditions in children. Devyani is also adept at providing counselling to adults for anxiety, panic, depression and trauma. She has a special interest in working with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Ben Simon

Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies, Graduate Diploma of Psychology, Masters of Professional Psychology Practice
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Ben has an array of experience working with people of all ages for a variety of difficulties including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, anxiety, anger difficulties, eating disorders, relationship difficulties and identity difficulties. Ben practices with an emphasis on empathy and non-judgement towards his clients. Ben is passionate about his work and works collaboratively with his clients. Ben uses a number of psychological approaches including (but not limited to) Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and narrative therapy, which are tailored to each individual client.

Jamal Abawi

Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Masters of Education with Distinction (Guidance and Counselling)

Jamal comes from an extensive educational background, having studied both his Bachelor and Masters of Education degrees at the University of Southern Queensland and worked for many years as a teacher both in Australia and abroad in Vietnam. He graduated his Masters of Education (Guidance and Counselling) with Distinction, centring his research thesis on how schools respond to children with ASD. He has also completed intensive study on areas such as the effects of depression, anxiety, and intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities. Jamal builds his rapport with clients using a person-centred approach that is flexible and tailored to the individual needs of the people he is working with.

Nuray Okcum

BSci, Pos Grad. Dip. (Psychology), Master of Applied Psychology (Community)

Nuray completed her Masters in Applied Psychology in 2018 and is currently a PhD student researching non-suicidal self-injury. She has worked at various schools (public and private) and at private organizations offering assessment and counselling services (individual and group). She works with children, adolescents and adults. Nuray provides therapy for a wide range of presenting issues including stress, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, mood disorders, and trauma. Nuray uses various psychological approaches including (but not limited to) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tailoring therapy towards individual needs. Nuray also has qualifications in positive behavioural therapy and applied behavioural analysis. In addition to English, Nuray speaks Turkish.

Jodie McKay

Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education

Jodie has a background in education, having taught for Education Queensland for 26 years. She comes to us with a wide variety of experiences from working with children with special needs, to behaviour management within the classroom to facilitating and implementing the training of teachers around the best practices in behavioural strategies. Jodie is a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner (NDIS) with qualifications in positive practices in behavioural support from The Institute of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Jodie has worked with a wide demographic of people and that experience enables her to utilise a person-centred approach in order to best support the participants with whom she works with.

Michelle Cini

Michelle has a Bachelor of Health from Central Queensland University and is a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner (NDIS) with qualifications in positive practices in behavioural support from The Institute of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Michelle is a registered teacher with Queensland Education and has comprehensive experience in OH&S and is currently completing her Masters in Guidance and Counselling at James Cook University. Michelle has worked with children and adolescents from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and abilities within a variety of settings. Michelle has completed several courses and has an interest in mental health disorders and substance abuse. Michelle uses a person-centred approach to build rapport with clients and tailors her services to meet the individual needs of the people she is working with.

Emmanuel Matanhire

Emmanuel works with adults and children with complex disabilities and challenging behaviours and has worked in the disability sector for over 5 years. Emmanuel has worked alongside a variety of allied health professionals, including speech pathologists and occupational therapists and he has also received intensive clinical supervision from The Board-Certified Behavioural Analysts in which he accomplished over 80 percent across all clinical trials. Emmanuel enjoys working within clinical, home and community environments. Emmanuel is currently in his final year of his Bachelors of Disability and Developmental Education (Major: Rehabilitation Counselling) degree at Flinders University. Alongside his bachelor’s degree and experience in the field, Emmanuel has completed courses such as the Positive Practices in Behavioural Support (The Institute of Applied Behaviour Analysis), Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports (Flinders University – Dr Alinka Fisher) and is currently completing Enabling Quality Behaviour Support Planning at Melbourne University. Emmanuel is passionate about his work and uses a holistic and person-centred approach to ensure a good quality of life for all his clients.

Sara Ekberg

Sara is an experienced behaviour support practitioner who has a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology). Sara enjoys working with people from different cultural backgrounds and has worked in Asia teaching English in both Vietnam and Japan. Sara has studied and worked in the arts and enjoys using a flexible and creative approach to her work. Sara uses positive behaviour support to improve the quality of a person’s life and that of the people around them. Sara enjoys working with children and their families in a collaboration and proactive method to solve problems and reduce family stress. Sara also enjoys working with adults and support teams to improve quality of life and reduce challenging behaviour. Sara provides assessment, training and support to participants and their supports.

Vicky Northe

Vicky Northe is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with 20+ years of experience in New Zealand and Australia. Vicky is registered with Medicare to provide counselling for a wide range of presenting issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, pain management and trauma.  Vicky uses various Focused Psychological Strategies to provide counselling and is registered with Medicare to provide Eye-Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Vicky has worked extensively in the fields of Adult Mental Health, Maternal Mental Health, and Gambling Harm Treatment. As a Social Worker Vicky offers therapy and while working with you, she looks through the wider lens of you and your wellbeing within yourself, your social context and environment to assist you to overcome obstacles and problems and to gain understanding how personal relapse prevention can lead to a rewarding and joyful life. She has recently contributed to a Single Session Family Therapy publication and has been published in the Journal of Gambling Studies. Vicky is a registered NDIS provider with Healthy Minds.

Stacey Hagedorn

BPsych (Hons.)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Stacey is a registered psychologist with over 10 years’ experience providing individual counselling to children and adults within public mental health and drug and alcohol services. Stacey has a strong interest in supporting young people experiencing mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, attachment and relationship problems, substance use issues, trauma and other behavioural and emotional challenges. Stacey is passionate about working with parents/carers in supporting their child and has extensive experience working with vulnerable adolescents (and their greater support networks) presenting with complex and severe mental illness and high risk behaviours. Stacey is enthusiastic about supporting individuals and their families and believes in a flexible, client-centred approach. She utilises a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual needs of the client, with a special interest in family and attachment-based approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Ken O’Brien

(PhD l MSW l B.Soc.Sci. (Hons) l B.Soc.Sci. l B.Arts l Dip.Applied Behavior Analysis l  Dip.Bus.Man l Dip.Teach l TAE40116 l Mental Health First Aid (ATSI) l CertIV. Con.Res.)

Dr Ken O’Brien is a Registered Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over three decades of working and researching the mechanisms that drive the intergenerational transmission of traumatic stress. Ken has worked in Universities, Corrective Services, Child Safety, Aboriginal & Islander Services, Emergency, Rescue & Security Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Education, Employment Services, Legal Services, Remote Rural Supports and Business Strategy and Leadership, and with many international agencies. He exploits Focussed Psychological Strategies (such as Intergenerational Family Systems, CBT, Trauma-Informed, Strengths-focused, Narrative, Motivational therapies and more) to enable and empower his clients to identify opportunities and possibilities through innovation and Positive Psychology. Dr Ken provides clinical supervision to local and international students across the mental health field.

Tracey Webster

Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childhood) with Distinction

Tracey has an educational background and has been teaching for Education Queensland for 14 years. She has extensive experience working with children who have learning difficulties and special needs.  Tracey is an active contributor to the QLD School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Framework, facilitates literacy training for professional teams and is a  mentor for beginner teachers. She has completed studies in Engaging in Positive Behaviour Support Practices through Monash University and Positive Behavioural Support Practices with the Institute of Applied Behavioural Analysis.  Tracey uses her experiences working with a wide range of people to use a person-centred approach to best support the individual needs of the people she works with.

Serena Barclay

BA (Welfare)
Vocational Graduate Certificate in Community Services and Child Protection

Serena has extensive background in the community and disability sector field having worked across both the government and the private sector and has extensive experience working within the NDIS, Child Safety Services and Youth Justice. This work has included but has not been limited to counselling adults in the mental sector to engage in supports, management of young offenders in difficult home situations, and case management of vulnerable children who have suffered extensive abuse. Serena has an educational background in Community Practice and Child Protection and is currently completing a Bachelor of Science (Psychology).  Serena works with individuals and their stakeholders using a person-centered approach that is tailored to the needs to assist her clients to reach their goals. 

Catherine Ryan

B.Sc., Grad. Dip. (Professional Psychology), Grad. Dip. (Positive Behavioural Support)
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Catherine is a registered Psychologist with over 27 years of Counselling and Clinical experience, incorporating Psychological, General and Vocational Counselling, Coaching, Rehabilitation and Behavioural Support. Catherine has a Bachelor of Science, Graduate Diploma of Applied Science, (Professional Psychology) Graduate Certificate of Management and Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support.  She has extensive, hands-on experience across multiple sectors and in private practice working with mostly adult clients presenting with co-morbid conditions, trauma, disability, injury and /or severe psychological conditions. She possesses advanced assessment and psychological testing skills and is able to provide services in a variety of settings that suit client needs. Catherine has a person-centred approach and therapeutic style that enables clients to overcome their current barriers and challenges and move forward with their lives, whilst developing their psychological toolkits, capabilities and resilience to face future challenges and support overall mental wellbeing.  Catherine is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and Australian Association of Psychologist Inc. (AAPi).

Beverley McElholum

Post Grad.  (Pedagogy and Practice with Distinction)
BA (honours in Learning and Development)

Beverley has an extensive 10-year teaching career in the special needs sector working with children with diverse needs ranging from Autism and Acquired Brain Injuries to Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. This experience includes recently working at the world renowned Chailey Heritage Foundation School in Sussex, England, where she taught children and young adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. In 2019, Beverley successfully completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Pedagogy and Practice with Distinction at the University of Sussex, focusing her study on Intensive Interaction as a communication strategy.  She also has a bachelor’s degree with honours in Learning and Development from the University of Brighton, England. Beverley recognises and responds to behaviour in a positive, respectful, professional and person-centred way. Her approach to positive behaviour support is based on values that promote inclusion, choice, participation and equality of opportunity.  

Support staff

Kiara Scott-Thompson
Receptionist/Administration
info@healthyminds.net.au

Patricia Sullivan
Reception/Administration
accounts@healthyminds.net.au