Jace Cannon-Brookes
Jace is Co-Director of Birchtree Centre of Excellence. She began her career as a Registered Nurse, working within Acute and General Psychiatry, Drug and Alcohol, Palliative Care and Eating Disorders. It was during these years that she retrained as a Clinical Psychologist. For fourteen years Jace then worked within the field of addiction in a variety of roles. She designed and co-ordinated a six week residential rehabilitation program, with a focus on the treatment of complex trauma for women with histories of substance dependence. Jace has also completed the intensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) training and subsequently co-ordinated the implementation of a 12 month out-patient DBT program. Jace subsequently completed the three year Diploma of Psychotherapy with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy (ANZAP). It was through these professional experiences that Jace developed an interest and passion for working with survivors of complex trauma. She recognised and holds as deeply important the need to shift from a frame that asks ‘what is wrong with someone’ to one that questions ‘what happened to this person’. Jace believes in the importance of creating a safe space that holds and contains both clinicians and survivors enabling them to come together to focus on healing and recovery. This passion for working within the field of Complex Trauma resulted in Jace and Dr Sophie Reid opening Birchtree Centre in October 2015.
Jace provides clinical supervision regularly to clinicians, including clinical registrars. She has also taught for a number of years within the post graduate clinical psychology programs at the University of New South Wales, University of Technology and University of Sydney. Within her role as Co-Director of Birchtree Centre, Jace and Sophie have provided training on complex trauma to many private and public health agencies, as well as to a number of legal services.
Setting up Birchtree Centre also highlighted to both Jace and Sophie the need for the provision of support to clinicians and survivors of complex trauma in rural and regional Australia. In line with this need, Jace and Sophie have launched the Birchtree Foundation through which they provide workshops, support groups, supervision and mentoring.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Clinical Psychology (University of New South Wales)
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Hons) (University of New South Wales)
- Bachelor of Nursing (University of Technology, Sydney)
Professional Memberships:
-
Australian Psychological Society
Dr Sophie Reid
Sophie is Co-Director of Birchtree Centre of Excellence and is a clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience. She holds a Masters of Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Child and Adolescent Psychology. Understanding families, relationships and the day to day challenges of both growing up and raising children underpin her clinical work. A passion for child advocacy has lead Sophie to focus her clinical work on helping people heal from the trauma of childhood difficulties and trauma and to assist people to become a more peaceful integrated self and return to the person they were born to be. In her work with parents and couples, Sophie seeks to support adults to interrupt the intergenerational impact of childhood trauma. Sophie has extensive experience working with adults, children and adolescents, parents and families at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, with Sydney’s homeless community, school communities, and in private practice. Sophie specialises in helping both individuals and families to recover from trauma, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, addictions, relationship issues, workplace and childhood bullying, and childhood illnesses.
Sophie has been a clinically focused academic at Sydney University, Monash University, Melbourne University, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. She has supervised PhD, Masters and Honours students, produced many publications, and continues to collaborate on a number of projects in the trauma and eating disorder areas. Sophie has been a member of the Expert Working Committee for beyondblue. Sophie also provides clinical supervision to clinicians including Clinical Psychology Registrars.
Together with Jace Cannon-Brookes, Sophie established the Birchtree Centre of Excellence in Trauma, Addiction and Eating Disorders in 2015 to address the pressing need to provide a place for adult survivors of childhood trauma to be welcome, held and heal. The Birchtree Centre has run a number of workshops and training for clinicians on complex trauma. The newly founded Birchtree Foundation was launched to provide trauma support and care to regional communities and to conduct cutting edge research to impact and interrupt the outcomes of childhood trauma.
Qualifications:
- PhD (University New South Wales)
- Masters Clinical Psychology (University of Melbourne)
- Bachelor Science (Psychology), Hons 1 (University New South Wales)
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Psychological Society
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency – Clinical Psychology Endorsement
Alison Lyons
Alison is a warm and compassionate psychologist who places strong values in creating a safe and stable therapeutic relationship and working from a trauma informed lens. Alison provides therapy for a range of mental health difficulties and is particularly interested in managing emotional distress, trauma, anxiety and mood issues, grief and loss, self-esteem and identity concerns, relationship challenges and adjustment difficulties.
Alison’s experience has primarily been working with young people aged between 12 and 25 years of age as well as working closely with their support systems such as family, friends, schools and other professionals. She is really passionate about working with adolescents and young adults due to the importance and impact of early intervention. Her drive to work within the field of trauma began as she realised most individuals she worked with had been impacted on some level by trauma (including their families or other important supports in their lives). Walking alongside them in their therapeutic journey and acknowledging the devastating impact that trauma can have on young people, their family systems and their level of functioning sparked a passion to pursue a career where she could support survivors of trauma.
Throughout her experience, Alison has recognised the importance of tailoring therapy to the individual’s needs. In being creative with her style and allowing for the natural rhythm of conversation, she is able to build rapport and foster a therapeutic environment where individuals feel safe and heard. Alison has training in and often draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy as well as some elements of interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic treatments. Alison works collaboratively with individuals and any of their supports, implementing a client-centred, strengths based and recovery oriented framework; strongly empowering their autonomy and choice within their own mental health journeys.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists inc (AAPi)
Amy Dyson
Amy is a warm and compassionate psychologist who believes everyone has the right to be heard and to experience healing. She holds a Master of Professional Psychology through Macquarie University.
Amy has worked primarily within Not-For-Profit organisations due to her passion of providing quality service to everyone regardless of financial status, culture, age, gender, sexuality, religion, or any other barrier. These settings have included community services for young people (ages 12-26), community drug and alcohol services, gambling services, anger management services, and working with people who have had survived suicide attempts.
In addition to these services, Amy provides therapy for people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, developmental trauma, family violence, unwanted substance use, chronic suicidality, and aggression outbursts. Amy is experienced working with people who have complex trauma histories as they often underpin a lot of the more visible challenges that people experience.
As a therapist, Amy is passionate about conveying the unique value of every person she meets and to work with them wherever they are at, with whatever goals they have. Initially trained in a Cognitive Behavioural approach (CBT), Amy found that many people responded better to a varied approach. Other modalities that Amy works with, and will integrate into sessions, include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Amy works with people aged 14 years and older, all the way up to 90 years. She works to create a non-judgement, safe, and stable space where people can understand themselves more and be supported in seeing meaningful change.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Macquarie University
- Master of Professional Psychology (with Vice Chancellors Commendation for Academic Excellence) – Macquarie University
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists inc (AAPi)
Annie Chapman
Annie Chapman is a warm and open-minded Clinical Psychology Registrar who is passionate about the wellbeing and recovery of her clients. She is patient and committed in her clinical approach and strives to provide client-centred care and create meaningful connections with her clients. Annie aims to empower individuals to manage their distress, take agency over their lives, and improve their relationships.
Annie has experience working within adult, child and adolescent, and family contexts in a range of community health, private, and hospital settings. She has experience treating a number of clinical presentations, such as depression, anxiety, and child behavioural concerns, in addition to other issues such stress, family and relationships, responses to trauma, grief, self-esteem, and learning difficulties. Annie has been trained in various evidence-based approaches including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and mindfulness approaches.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Technology Sydney)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Macquarie University)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Associate member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Candy Liu
Candy Liu is a warm and compassionate Clinical Psychology Registrar who is devoted to providing the best evidence-based psychological care within a trauma-informed framework. Candy is curious and sensitive in her therapeutic approach and enjoys working collaboratively with clients from across the lifespan, and diverse backgrounds, and to establish a safe and open environment where they feel heard and supported.
Candy is trained in and draws upon a range of modalities, including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Metacognitive Insight and Reflection Therapy, to tailor treatment that meets her clients’ needs and supports their growth, well-being and development towards personally meaningful goals. She has special interests in emotional regulation and relationship challenges, acute and complex trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, grief and loss, disordered eating, self-esteem and identity concerns, and adjustment difficulties. Candy also has experience working therapeutically and in clinical research with individuals, families and systems in the areas of cross-cultural mental health, disabilities, and crisis support.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Technology Sydney)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (University of New South Wales)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists inc (AAPi)
Daniela Peiris
Daniela is an approachable and empathic psychologist who holds a Master of Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Daniela has specialised training and experience working with young people, adults, and families who have experienced trauma as well as anxiety and phobias, depression, child behaviour problems, adjustment difficulties, relationship problems, loss and grief. She is passionate about developing a collaborative therapeutic relationship in order to walk beside her clients as they grow.
Daniela’s drive to work in the field of trauma began when she conducted research at the Traumatic Stress Clinic, where she had the privilege to hear the stories of people from a refugee background and first responders who had experienced significant trauma. Their stories of both struggle and resilience encouraged Daniela to pursue a career where she could support survivors of trauma.
In addition to trauma, Daniela has conducted research to investigate the connection between the gut and mind, and has a special interest in how stress, the gut, the immune system, and mental health interrelate. She later conducted research exploring the interaction between adult attachment and relational stressors, and has also worked clinically with both adults and children in mental health inpatient units. Through these experiences Daniela has developed a special interest in working with individuals to maintain psychological, physical, and relational wellbeing and seeks to approach mental health in a holistic manner.
Currently, Daniela works for a non-governmental Organisation in the of home care sector. In this role she is able to work with children, adolescents, families, and carers and has gained an understanding of the importance of childhood experiences in shaping our perspectives and wellbeing as an adult.
Through her varied experience Daniela understands that every client is unique and therefore her therapeutic approach should match her client’s personal needs or goals. She is able to work from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach and also incorporate approaches such as Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Attachment Based Therapies.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Clinical Psychology, Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (Psych), University of New South Wales
Professional Memberships:
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society
- Associate member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
Edward Wynter
Ed is a kind, compassionate and open-minded clinical psychologist who enjoys working with people from all ages and walks of life.
Ed began his career in the corporate sector before transitioning to teaching mindfulness and yoga and completing training in clinical psychology. He has since had experience working in public health, non-government organisations, and university clinics including the Black Dog Institute.
Ed is currently working at the Mt Druitt Centre for Addiction Medicine, where he has developed a passion for working with survivors of trauma. Ed’s experience includes helping people with anxiety, depression, alcohol or drug dependence, childhood trauma and abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, and with children experiencing behavioural issues.
Ed’s therapeutic approach draws upon a range of influences including the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), family systems theory, polyvagal theory, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Ed understands that every individual and family is unique and takes a flexible and collaborative approach.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (Western Sydney University)
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Hons, 1stclass) (Western Sydney University)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Monash University)
- Master of Organisational Development (University of New England)
- Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences (University of Sydney)
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Psychological Society
- APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Publications:
- Wynter, E., Meade, T., & Perich, T. (2021). Parental and partner role functioning and personal recovery in bipolar disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77 (9), 1985-1996.
- Wynter, E., & Perich, T. (2019). Use of self‐care strategies in the management of bipolar disorder and their relationship to symptoms, illness intrusiveness, and quality of life. Clinical Psychologist, 23(2), 133-143.
Elisabeth Awad
Elisabeth began her career as a clinical psychologist in 2007 and has worked in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol, gambling, mental health, and sexual assault. She practiced in public health roles at Drug Court, Liverpool Hospital, and Royal North Shore Hospital before joining Birchtree Centre. Elisabeth co-facilitated Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups at Liverpool Hospital where she witnessed the power of social connection that is so often disrupted by trauma and the tremendous capacity for survivors to forge healthier lives for themselves and their families. She has been a facilitator in adult education at the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) and tutor at Macquarie University. Before becoming a psychologist, Elisabeth spent two years as part of a team providing Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy for children with severe Autism Spectrum disorders and volunteer work with Lifeline.
Initially trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Elisabeth has also trained in a variety of other therapeutic modalities that include Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT), phase-based models for complex trauma, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness and Meditation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Polyvagal theory. She has an interest and passion in working with adults and adolescents to recover from the impacts of recent or historical trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, addictions, and grief and loss.
Striving to build an understanding of what has led to the present experience of life for her clients, inviting collaborative consideration of what might gently move someone towards meaningful change, and honouring the many ways people survived adversity guides her work with adults and adolescents. Elisabeth believes in the importance of creating a safe space that allows individuals to build on their strengths and hold hope in all forms.
Elisabeth provides individual and group supervision and is an AHPRA Psychology Board approved Supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Psychology (Clinical)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Professional Memberships:
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Psychology Board
Elisabeth Awad
Elisabeth began her career as a clinical psychologist in 2007 and has worked in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol, gambling, mental health, and sexual assault. She practiced in public health roles at Drug Court, Liverpool Hospital, and Royal North Shore Hospital before joining Birchtree Centre. Elisabeth co-facilitated Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups at Liverpool Hospital where she witnessed the power of social connection that is so often disrupted by trauma and the tremendous capacity for survivors to forge healthier lives for themselves and their families. She has been a facilitator in adult education at the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) and tutor at Macquarie University. Before becoming a psychologist, Elisabeth spent two years as part of a team providing Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy for children with severe Autism Spectrum disorders and volunteer work with Lifeline.
Initially trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Elisabeth has also trained in a variety of other therapeutic modalities that include Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT), phase-based models for complex trauma, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness and Meditation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Polyvagal theory. She has an interest and passion in working with adults and adolescents to recover from the impacts of recent or historical trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, addictions, and grief and loss.
Striving to build an understanding of what has led to the present experience of life for her clients, inviting collaborative consideration of what might gently move someone towards meaningful change, and honouring the many ways people survived adversity guides her work with adults and adolescents. Elisabeth believes in the importance of creating a safe space that allows individuals to build on their strengths and hold hope in all forms.
Elisabeth provides individual and group supervision and is an AHPRA Psychology Board approved Supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Psychology (Clinical)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Professional Memberships:
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Psychology Board
Gwenda Gilligan
Gwenda qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2013 and since then has worked exclusively in private practice. Her work includes individual therapy, couple therapy and group work. Gwenda’s clients are primarily adults and older adolescents who have experienced trauma. She has a particular interest in working long term with clients, especially those seeking to deal with the effects of trauma in their lives.
She also works with clients presenting with a broader range of issues including anxiety, depression, addictions, and eating disorders.
Her academic research interests have included: Performance Anxiety; Attitudes towards death & dying in CALD communities: the impact on provision of Palliative Care services; Communication between Health Professionals and Indigenous Cancer Patients.
Gwenda brings to her practice an extensive and varied life experience. She has a serious and practical approach to therapy which is married with compassion and dedication to the wellbeing of her clients. She understands that most people enter therapy wanting to bring about change in their lives and she sees her role as facilitating the changes the client wants to make.
Gwenda has an eclectic approach to therapy and is engaged in ongoing training in methodologies pertinent to the difficulties her clients face. In the area of trauma this includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative therapies and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Gwenda has also completed her training in the Poly Vagal Therapy approach to understanding the nervous system. Other therapeutic trainings include: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Brief Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Attachment Theories.
Gwenda has a Diploma of Hypnotherapy and is a trained Meditation Teacher.
Prior to becoming a Clinical Psychologist Gwenda worked as a singing teacher and counsellor with clients in the performing arts, sports people, students and business people in overcoming performance related anxiety. This included working with clients experiencing generalized anxiety, social phobia and panic attacks. As well as counselling individual clients, Gwenda conducted workshops in schools, at universities, and privately.
Gwenda also had an extensive teaching career including primary, secondary and adult education. She has worked multi-culturally with children, adolescents, teachers and families in the public and private educational domains. Through the implementation of English as a Second Language programs and while teaching with Adult Migrant Education Gwenda worked with child and adult refugees and new arrivals to Australia. She has also worked with Indigenous Australians teaching on Palm Island, Qld.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Canberra)
- Master of Creative Arts (University of Wollongong)
- Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education (BA Dip Ed) (Macquarie University)
- Diploma of Theology ( Mater Dei Institute)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)- Clinical Psychology
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Member of APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Helke Kuhnast
Helke is a compassionate and down to earth therapist. She has been working as a psychologist since 2005 and holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. Helke has worked in community mental health, university counselling as well as in a number of NGOs. She has further worked as an educator in child sexual abuse prevention, working with children, parents and childcare workers. Since 2016, Helke has been working more specifically with adult survivors of trauma. In this space she has worked with women and men who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence and childhood trauma including all forms of child abuse and neglect. Some of this work has involved supporting survivors who were engaging with the National Redress Scheme.
When working with trauma survivors, Helke seeks to step away from seeing psychological symptoms as pathology. Instead, she takes a trauma-informed approach which involves viewing symptoms as trauma impacts that make sense in the context of a person’s adverse life experience. Helke recognises that many trauma impacts that may look ‘mad’ or ‘bad’ and which may be problematic at times, have very likely played an important role in a person’s survival and coping. Helke enjoys working with people of all ages, gender, sexual orientation and cultural background, supporting them in their journey to recovery, healing and growth.
Helke has been trained in a number of therapy modalities including Self Psychology, Family Systems Therapy, CBT and DBT. She uses a phased approach to trauma treatment and integrates knowledge around the neurobiological impacts of trauma and how trauma affects our bodies. Helke further draws on approaches such as Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
Helke aims to build a safe, respectful and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship with clients. She works collaboratively, providing choice and tailoring what works for a particular person. She is aware that there is no one fits all approach and that every person’s healing journey is unique.
Helke continually undergoes further training in the field of complex trauma and is engaged in regular, trauma-informed clinical supervision.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Counselling Psychology (Macquarie University)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) (Macquarie University)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered Psychologist with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
Kate Hinsley
Kate is a clinical psychologist with a warm and genuine approach. She works collaboratively with people to resolve the issues that brought them to therapy and to empower them as agents in their lives. She works with adults and adolescents providing longer term psychotherapy as well as brief interventions. She has expertise in working with a range of presentations including exposure to childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, depression and anxiety, dissociation, impulsive behaviours, sexual trauma, relationship problems, and addictions. Kate draws on best practice and evidence-based therapies to support clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and their presenting difficulties, and to bring about changes that are meaningful to them. She has specialised training and experience in the delivery of cognitive behavioural therapies (CBTs) including dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness based interventions, and trauma informed care.
Kate has a special interest in addictions and trauma. She understands that problem alcohol and other drug (AOD) use can be an attempt to regulate emotions and a symptom of trauma exposure. In addition to her role in private practice at Birchtree Centre, Kate works across the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network where she supports young people who use alcohol and other drugs and their families, and provides education and consultation to service providers across the state. She has previously worked with people in custody accessing longer term rehabilitation and with people with addictions in a private hospital. Furthermore, Kate has published in the field of addiction and developed a patient reported experience measure to better understand the experiences of people with addictions accessing care.
Kate is also a meditation teacher influenced by the Vipassana (insight) tradition. She has travelled overseas to complete 10-day silent meditation retreats and completed her qualification in mindfulness teaching. Her passion for meditation was influenced by her volunteer work while studying at university where she saw positive results from teaching mindfulness to children from refugee backgrounds and to aboriginal children in rural communities.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Psychology (Clinical), University of Wollongong
- Bachelor of Psychology, The University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Psychological Society
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency – Clinical Psychology Endorsement
Lauren Murray
Lauren is a registered psychologist who has completed postgraduate study in clinical psychology. She is completing the registrar program for endorsement as a clinical psychologist and has further specialised training in trauma informed care and anxiety management.
Lauren has worked across a variety of clinical settings, including university clinics, hospital inpatient and outpatient units, and in private practice. She has also worked for over five years as a social worker supporting individuals experiencing a range of multiple vulnerabilities, histories of complex trauma, domestic violence, homelessness and drug and alcohol concerns.
Lauren has experience and training in the psychological assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults. She utilises evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Schema Therapy.
Lauren is a compassionate, warm and empathic clinician who believes in the importance of providing an empowering, safe and nurturing therapeutic space in order to support meaningful change. She is dedicated to working collaboratively with others to ensure that treatment is personalised to suit the unique needs and goals for each individual.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours – 1st class) – Macquarie University
- Master of Clinical Psychology – Macquarie University
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Member of APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Dr Lucy Shi
Lucy is a clinical psychologist who has much compassion and warmth towards her clients, approaching each person with openness and respect. She aims to make genuine connections with people through which the healing process may be nurtured. She believes in the importance of collaboration and teamwork within the therapeutic relationship, and as such, intervention will be openly discussed with her clients at every stage of therapy. Her approach will be guided by the formulation of the client’s challenges, and the intervening strategies may be drawn from CBT, DBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, attachment, and trauma informed perspectives.
Lucy has interest and experience in working with a range of complex presentations, including mood disorders, phobias, parenting difficulties, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, emotion dysregulation, disordered eating, addiction, complex trauma, trauma, and abuse. She gained clinical experience in the public and private health systems, university, and private practice settings.
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Psychology – Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology (University of Queensland)
- Bachelor of Psychology – First Class Honours (Macquarie University)
Professional Memberships:
- Member of Australian Psychological Society
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
Lydia Turner
Lydia is a treating psychologist & neurofeedback practitioner with over 15 years’ experience working with trauma and its related conditions in both private & community health settings. She completed her undergraduate & postgraduate psychology degrees at Sydney University & Macquarie University respectively, and is currently completing a Masters in Applied Neuroscience. Lydia is a full member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi), International Society for Neuroregulation & Research (ISNR), and Associate Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
As a psychologist, Lydia has a particular interest in understanding the neurobiological basis of both developmental and adult-onset trauma and the specific impacts on the brain. Her work involves integrating evidence-based psychotherapies with neuro-interventions, to treat problems of emotional dysregulation, complex trauma, sexual assault, dissociative disorders, & mental health. She takes an eclectic approach using a variety of treatment modalities including Neurofeedback, Heart-Rate Variability Training (HRVT), Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness & EMDR. Lydia is passionate about unequal power dynamics & systems of oppression and how these contribute to and maintain poor mental health.
Lydia has extensive experience as an educator & trainer at various universities, medical & community organizations in the field of sexual assault and trauma. Prior to turning her focus to trauma, she worked briefly in eating disorders, establishing an innovative clinic together with Psychologist Sarah McMahon in 2009 that pioneered a health-centred prevention model in place of the conventional weight-based paradigm. Her professional opinion has featured in a raft of television, radio & print media. Her work has been published across broadsheet outlets. Lydia has further authored a chapter about pregnancy and eating disorders in Professor in Maternal Health at University of the West of Scotland Ruth Deery’s & Associate Head of Midwifery at Ara Institute Canterbury Lorna Davies’ collected edition Nutrition in Pregnancy and Childbirth: food for thought, and further authored a book chapter on body image in Psychologist Steve Biddulph’s book Raising Girls – the latter of which featured at #3 in both Australia and the UK.
Lydia’s treatment approach aims to be collaborative and affirming. She strives to operate within the ‘Power Meaning Threat Framework’, which is an alternative to the more conventional models centred on psychiatric diagnoses. This just means that in the provision of treatment, she considers the ways in which power has operated in a person’s life, the impacts of this, and the ways in which symptoms may have developed as meaningful adaptations for survival.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Applied Neuroscience – Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at Kings College London (pending)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology – Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Arts (Gender Studies & Psychology) – Sydney University
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Full Member of the Association of Australian Psychologists Inc (AAPi)
- Full Member of the International Society for Neuroregulation & Research (ISNR)
- Associate Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
Micaela Bucich
Micaela is a Clinical Psychology Registrar committed to building safe therapeutic relationships, shared understandings, and new pathways to satisfy the needs we all share. Micaela is passionate about working both with individuals and their support systems to improve psychological, social and physical wellbeing. She particularly enjoys witnessing the strengthening of relationships fundamental to our health.
Micaela has experience working with people across the lifespan in a range of services, including university clinic, primary school and public health settings. Across settings she has supported people in managing anxiety, low mood, complex responses to trauma, difficulties with attention and emotion regulation, grief and loss, parenting challenges and social/ relationship difficulties. Micaela has particular interest in the diverse ways of responding to interpersonal trauma, which has extended into her research practice. She is deeply open-minded to new perspectives and person-centred in her approach.
Micaela has been trained in a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney
- Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), The University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Associate member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Pete O'Malley
Pete is a warm and compassionate psychologist who puts building strong and supportive relationships at the heart of his practice. He incorporates person-centred and attachment-oriented approaches to create a safe space for his clients.
Pete has a background in working sensitively with people who have experienced trauma either as adults or during childhood. When he is not at Birchtree, he works with first responders and military veterans who have been impacted by post-traumatic stress. Pete recently completed a two-year research project with adolescent refugees who had their PTSD and depression improved by undertaking a creative arts project.
Pete is constantly inspired by the courage of his clients who tackle difficult issues to unlock a more fulfilling life. He supports both adults and adolescents who want to work on complex emotional and interpersonal issues; prolonged grief; recovery from violence, drug and alcohol addictions; depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
He draws on a range of evidence-based therapies including Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Hons, 1st class) – University of New England
- Master of Clinical Psychology – Macquarie University
- Master of Communications – University of Technology
Professional Memberships:
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Sabine Luebben
Sabine is a warm and compassionate clinical psychologist with a profound understanding of the impacts of trauma on individuals and families. With 25 years of experience, she gathered extensive expertise in working with clients across all ages suffering from trauma and loss, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, workplace bullying, and psychosis.
Her approach is grounded in providing a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship with her clients and working together to accommodate their individual needs and goals. Sabine draws on a variety of therapies including psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment-based and relational approaches, as well as DBT and mindfulness-based therapy.
Sabine developed a particularly strong foundation and interest in the treatment of complex childhood trauma and intergenerational trauma. She worked with clients with lived experience of foster care, adoption and childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and supported clients dealing with the National Redress Scheme.
She is dedicated to supporting trauma survivors in exploring and living their authentic self without denying their emotional vulnerability, and empowering them to find new ways of connecting to themselves, to others, and to what is important to them today.
Having qualified as a psychologist in 1995, Sabine began her career working with refugees and torture survivors in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. She subsequently qualified as a systemic family therapist, trained as a clinical psychologist at the Frankfurt Psychoanalytic Institute and is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency.
Qualifications:
- Graduate Degree in Psychology (J. W. Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Germany)
- Postgraduate Degree in Clinical Psychology (Frankfurt Psychoanalytic Institute)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
- Associate Member of the Frankfurt Psychoanalytic Institute
Sindy Kwok
Sindy is a dedicated and compassionate psychologist who works with adults, young people and their families. Sindy has extensive professional experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. Her clinical experience comes from working in mental health hospital, public, private and community settings including the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors. Sindy supports people with emotional and interpersonal trauma and provide therapy for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm and other behavioural concerns.
Sindy is committed to helping her clients enhance the quality of their lives by working collaboratively to achieve their treatment goals and move beyond their current circumstances. She believes in creating a therapeutic relationship that values the strengths and vulnerabilities of each individual, and in providing a supportive and caring space in which people can feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings. Sindy aims to empower her clients with skills and strategies that promote emotional resilience, and enable them to deal more productively with difficult life events.
Sindy personalised treatment and draws techniques from a range of evidence-based therapy models, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and family system approaches. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Sindy conducted research on cognitive training, eating behaviours and weight management. She has also contributed to research on cognitive training for elderly with cognitive impairment at the Brain and Mind Research Institute.
Tanuza Rahman
Tanuza is a registered psychologist who works with clients across the age range including, children (in the context of family therapy), adolescents, and adults. She has broad experience with a variety of presentations including complex trauma, adjustment issues, grief and loss, depression and anxiety disorders, parenting as well as family and relationship challenges.
Tanuza’s approach is holistic and client-centred, supporting the diverse needs of her clients, their families and communities. Her warm and caring nature enables her to instantly build rapport with clients and their support networks. Tanuza employs evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, solution focused brief therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Dialectical Behaviour therapy (DBT).
Tanuza is also a bilingual clinician with Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) having worked extensively with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She is a mindfulness group facilitator for women’s health and wellness, as well as a sessional clinician with the Multicultural Problem Gambling Service (MPGS). Tanuza has developed specialist knowledge in child protection and early intervention in her previous work with the Department of Human Services.
Qualifications:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Health- Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) – The Open University (London)
Professional Memberships:
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
- Member of Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)