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- About
- Our Services
Individual Therapy
Body Based Therapy
- Clinician Support
- Education
- Contact
Our Pymble team of trauma informed therapists will help you on your journey to heal and rebuild from past trauma.
Psychologist
Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Psychologist
Birchtree Centre acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Birchtree Centre acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
58 Parramatta Road,
Forest Lodge NSW 2037
Birchtree Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present
Alison works at Birchtree on Mondays and Fridays.
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.
Amy is a warm and compassionate psychologist who believes everyone has the right to be heard and to experience healing. She strongly believes in providing quality service to everyone regardless of upbringing, culture, age, gender, sexuality, or religion. Amy wants to work with you to create a non-judgement, safe, and stable space where you can understand yourself more and be supported in seeing meaningful change.
She provides therapy for people throughout the lifespan: adolescents (14+), young adults, adults and older adults (70+). Common issues Amy works with include depression, anxiety, anger, bipolar disorder, trauma (current, childhood, and single experiences), dissociation, unwanted substance use, disordered eating, and chronic suicidality. 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.
It is not uncommon for people who come to therapy to have other experiences that will inform how Amy supports them. These include being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, being part of a religious community, identifying or suspecting neurodivergence (ADHD or Autism), among other things. She strives to get to know the unique you and how therapy can be best tailored to you.
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), Parts work (Internal Family Systems and Schema Therapy), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Somatic Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR).
Ed works at Birchtree on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Ed is a kind and open-minded clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. Ed’s main interest is long-term therapy with adults who have complex trauma. Ed works with people who experience relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, self-worth issues, eating and body image concerns, and existential issues. Ed’s approach is mainly influenced by psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, attachment research, interpersonal neurobiology, family systems, and mindfulness.
Ed has a diverse background that includes working at the Black Dog Institute, the Mt Druitt Centre for Addiction Medicine, child and family community health, and earlier careers teaching mindfulness and yoga, and working in corporate human resources and industrial relations.
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.
Gwenda works at Birchtree on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), 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.
Helke is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
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, DBT and EMDR. 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.
Julie Redican is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Julie is a warm, down to earth and energetic Clinical Psychologist with 30 years of experience working therapeutically with clients across community health, hospital, and private practice settings. She understands the importance of developing a safe and nurturing therapeutic relationship, and enjoys tailoring therapy to each individual client and situation to empower people with the skills and knowledge to continue growing as individuals and connection with others. She has worked extensively with adolescents, young adults, and adults, and has a particular interest in the mental health and wellbeing of women across the lifespan.
Julie draws from an extensive range of therapeutic approaches and has advanced training in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family Based Therapy, Attachment-focused therapy, Somatic-based interventions, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is passionate about exploring new and exciting developments in therapeutic approaches and in the rapidly developing field of trauma-informed therapy.
Julie specialises in working with adolescents and adults who are:
Her wide range of experience as a therapist and in life has given her the compassion, empathy and sense of humour to connect with people from a diverse range of life stages and experiences.
Dr Lucy works at Birchtree on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
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.
Meg works at Birchtree on Mondays (Pymble), Wednesdays and Thursdays (Forest Lodge).
Meg (she/her) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 10 years’ experience as a counsellor, social worker, manager and trainer. In recent years, she has worked as a sexual assault and domestic violence counsellor and has developed a special interest in the area of trauma.
Meg’s approach is warm, gentle and non-judgemental. She understands that for healing to take place, the connection and trust between therapist and client is paramount. She considers it a privilege to accompany clients on their journey toward change and healing.
Meg primarily works with adults and young people in addressing:
Meg understands that there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to treatment and tailors her approach based on the individual, using a range of therapeutic models and theories, including (but not exclusively):
Meg also enjoys providing supervision to social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists and case workers.
Micaela works at Birchtree on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Micaela is a Clinical Psychologist 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, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Pete works at Birchtree on Thursdays and Fridays.
Pete is a warm and compassionate clinical psychologist who puts building strong and supportive relationships at the heart of his practice. He incorporates 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. In previous roles he has worked with: first responders and military veterans who have been impacted by PTSD, clients trying to break the cycle of addictions, and refugees rebuilding their lives after resettling in Australia.
Pete is constantly inspired by the courage of his clients to tackle difficult issues and unlock a more fulfilling life. He works with adults 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.
To best meet the specific needs of a client, Pete integrates a range of therapies into his practice. These include Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Bec works at Birchtree on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Bec is a warm and compassionate therapist who places importance in creating a safe therapeutic relationship and working from a trauma informed lens. Bec enjoys working with a wide variety of presentations and life experiences, across the lifespan. Bec has a special interest in difficulties with eating and body image, anxiety, relationships, self esteem and trauma.
Bec’s therapeutic style is intuitive and guided by the clients needs. Bec knows that not everyone works in the same way or needs the same thing, so Bec draws upon a range of evidence based therapeutic frameworks to support your needs.
She began her career working with in occupational rehabilitation with people with psychological injuries, stressors and trauma, and not for profit services for young people aged between 12 and 25 years of age. Bec also values the importance of working closely with a clients support systems such as family, friends, schools and other professionals. Additionally, Bec has experience facilitating Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (mood management) groups, and likes to integrate practical skills into her therapy.
Bec has experience working with a wide range of presentations using evidence based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), as well as, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Bec also integrates different theoretical frameworks including attachment, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, positive psychology and mindfulness.
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.
Sindy works at Birchtree on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
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, EMDR, Schema 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.
Skye works at Birchtree on Saturdays every fortnight.
Skye is a warm and skilful clinical psychologist who provides trauma-informed psychological therapy to adults, couples, and groups. She aims to create a safe space to explore the root causes of emotional pain. She believes therapy is both an art and a science, and that your gut will tell you whether you feel comfortable working with a person. Skye tailors therapy to the individual and aims to improve people’s lives through direct clinical work, training and consultation, and research evaluation.
Skye completed a dual doctorate at Sydney University – both a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD in Psychology) and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She has worked for over 15 years as a clinician, postdoctoral researcher, group therapy facilitator, and trainer/supervisor, in a variety of roles in public health, hospital settings, and private practice.
Skye has extensive expertise in the fields of complex post traumatic reactions including complex trauma (C-PTSD), grief/loss, chronic pain, oncology, perinatal mental health, and health psychology. She uses a range of techniques, with an orientation towards relational and psychodynamic therapy for a wide range of psychological problems. This includes but is not limited to anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, relationship problems, interpersonal injury, parenting issues, feelings of shame, fear, doubt, perfectionism, self-criticism, existential distress, and despair.
Resilience factors, the impact of one’s adverse early life events, and intergenerational patterns of relating, including issues such as culture, migration, colonisation, and societal constructs are vital considerations in her approach to therapy. Skye is bilingual and fluent in both English and Mandarin. She is also an experienced facilitator of Circle of Security International ® and Tuning into Teens ® group programs for parents.
Tanuza works at Birchtree on Wednesdays.
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), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Narrative Therapy, 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.
Micaela works at Birchtree on Fridays and Saturdays.
Micaela is a Clinical Psychologist 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, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Rebecca works at Birchtree on Thursdays.
Steph is a provisional psychologist completing a Master of Clinical Psychology program. Steph has a specific interest in working with individuals from cross-cultural backgrounds who have experienced complex, situational and developmental trauma, and uses a variety of tailored evidence-based interventions to help her clients gain a richer understanding of themselves to empower them to lead a more meaningful life. She has trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), crisis support and also draws on attachment approaches such as Circle of Security, polyvagal theory, mindfulness, and family therapy approaches.
Steph has experience providing therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, and ADHD. Steph is passionate about holistic wellness and believes in a multidisciplinary approach to mental health care that marries Western psychology with Eastern traditions of healing, such as Tai Chi, meditation and yoga. Prior to retraining in psychology, Steph had an early career in corporate tax advisory and yoga teaching which has enriched her personal life experience and allows her to bring a deeper empathy and understanding to her clients’ life stories.
Kate Hinsley is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Kate is a clinical psychologist with a warm, empathic, 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.
Kate has expertise in working with a range of presentations including:
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 completed Janina Fisher’s Clinical Trauma Professional Training Level 1 and 2, as well as Level 1 Mindfulness Foundations and Development with the Mindfulness Training Institute Australia and New Zealand.
Kate has a special interest in trauma and addictions, as well as skills in working with a wide range of mental health presentations. Kate has worked at Birchtree Centre of Excellence since 2018. Kate has also worked in a range of public health services including an inpatient mental health service, an adolescent drug and alcohol service, and a custodial rehabilitation service. Furthermore, Kate has several publications in the addiction field and has 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 further professional development to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of how mindfulness helps trauma survivors. 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.
Kate works at Birchtree on Mondays.
Kate is a passionate and compassionate registered psychologist with a deep commitment to helping individuals understand their unique situations and embark on their healing journeys. Kate has extensive experience working with adults who have experienced trauma, anxiety, phobias, depression, substance abuse, ADHD, parenting issues, relationship challenges and adjustment difficulties.
Kate’s introduction to the field of trauma commenced in 2017 when she started working with the Australian Defence Force population (Navy, Army and RAAF). She has extensive experience working with adults in the Australian Defence Force and has a specialized knowledge with ADF processes and protocols, involving both current and post-serving ADF veterans.
Kate’s passion for psychology extends to research and evidence-based treatment approaches. Kate is skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy (trauma-focused), motivational interviewing techniques and mindfulness-based therapy. Kate is also a Circle of Security International facilitator and is dedicated to helping parents and guardians develop secure attachment styles within their families.
Kate believes in creating a holistic approach that is tailored to each individual’s unique needs. She is committed to providing a safe and supportive space where individuals can explore their challenges and work towards lasting change.
Sabrina works at Birchtree on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Sabrina is a Registered Psychologist completing the Clinical Registrar Program. She has worked with adults and adolescents throughout a range of settings including, university clinics, public and private hospitals, and private practice. Sabrina has worked with clients who have experienced complex and acute trauma, mood disorders and anxiety, relationships concerns, self-esteem and confidence concerns, and drug and alcohol concerns.
Sabrina has a warm and empathetic approach to create a safe space for clients to explore their concerns. She is passionate about creating a space to collaborate with clients to tailor therapy to their needs and emphasise their strengths. Sabrina draws from a variety of therapeutic techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Polyvagal Theory, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP).
Sue is a Registered Psychologist who specialises in working with people struggling with the legacy of early chilnckjksjksjksdhood trauma and neglect. Her background as a Registered Nurse working in Intensive Care, a Midwife and a Rehabilitation Counsellor has fostered her interest and passion for assisting people in crisis facing transitions in life. Her work as a midwife has resulted in a deepened understanding of the importance of secure attachments early in life and her interest in working with women and families in the perinatal period.
Sue has worked in the private and public health sector for the past twenty years. Currently she works at a private hospital facilitating groups in DBT, addiction, as well as in recent and developmental trauma. Sue brings a particular curiosity in the legacy of growing up in a disrupted or neglectful household to her therapeutic connections. She is aware of the long-term impact of trauma and the challenges faced by people struggling to make meaningful connections in adulthood. Her group work has also extended her experience in trauma to include PTSD therapy with frontline workers, police and emergency services.
Sue has undertaken extensive training in Polyvagal theory, the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, and regularly attends conferences to extend and deepen her knowledge and understanding of complex trauma.
Sue is a Registered Psychologist who specialises in working with people struggling with the legacy of early childhood trauma and neglect. Her background as a Registered Nurse working in Intensive Care, a Midwife and a Rehabilitation Counsellor has fostered her interest and passion for assisting people in crisis facing transitions in life. Her work as a midwife has resulted in a deepened understanding of the importance of secure attachments early in life and her interest in working with women and families in the perinatal period.
Sue has worked in the private and public health sector for the past twenty years. Currently she works at a private hospital facilitating groups in DBT, addiction, as well as in recent and developmental trauma. Sue brings a particular curiosity in the legacy of growing up in a disrupted or neglectful household to her therapeutic connections. She is aware of the long-term impact of trauma and the challenges faced by people struggling to make meaningful connections in adulthood. Her group work has also extended her experience in trauma to include PTSD therapy with frontline workers, police and emergency services.
Sue has undertaken extensive training in Polyvagal theory, the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, and regularly attends conferences to extend and deepen her knowledge and understanding of complex trauma.
Sue works at Birchtree on Thursdays.
Sue is a Registered Psychologist who specialises in working with people struggling with the legacy of early childhood trauma and neglect. Her background as a Registered Nurse working in Intensive Care, a Midwife and a Rehabilitation Counsellor has fostered her interest and passion for assisting people in crisis facing transitions in life. Her work as a midwife has resulted in a deepened understanding of the importance of secure attachments early in life and her interest in working with women and families in the perinatal period.
Sue has worked in the private and public health sector for the past twenty years. Currently she works at a private hospital facilitating groups in DBT, addiction, as well as in recent and developmental trauma. Sue brings a particular curiosity in the legacy of growing up in a disrupted or neglectful household to her therapeutic connections. She is aware of the long-term impact of trauma and the challenges faced by people struggling to make meaningful connections in adulthood. Her group work has also extended her experience in trauma to include PTSD therapy with frontline workers, police and emergency services.
Sue has undertaken extensive training in Polyvagal theory, the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, and regularly attends conferences to extend and deepen her knowledge and understanding of complex trauma.
Stephanie is a registered psychologist with advanced training and over 10 years experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. She works with adults and older adolescents. Stephanie has experience in the provision of a range of evidence-based therapies for both individuals and groups.
Stephanie has a specific interest in trauma care. In her clinical practice Stephanie has worked with the Australian Military across the Army, Navy and Airforce performing a senior psychologist role within multidisciplinary treatment teams for those with complex presentations. She is focused on providing client centred, holistic healthcare interventions for those she works alongside with in their recovery. She has experience working in private practice, with high performance individuals, inpatient hospitals and in rehabilitation settings providing mental health treatment input interwoven with physical health interventions. Stephanie will complete a Master of Clinical Psychology degree this year as a pathway toward endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.
Sindy works at Birchtree on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
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, EMDR 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.
Sarah works at Birchtree on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Sarah (she/her) has a social work degree and a Master’s degree in Narrative Therapy and Community Work. She has over 18 years clinical experience in working with diverse individuals and is firmly committed to helping individuals process and heal from experiences of trauma. Safety, choice, meaningful collaboration and accountability are central practice principles that anchor Sarah’s work within a broader social justice and human rights framework.
She acknowledges that it can be difficult to find words for these experiences and it is for this reason she does not rely on talking therapy alone. Sarah utilises creative and experiential methods (Family Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), as well as being proficient and highly experienced in talking-based counselling modalities such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Sarah primarily works with adults and young people addressing:
Sarah considers it a privilege to walk alongside people on their healing journey and acknowledges that this work must occur within a warm, empathetic and consistent therapeutic relationship.
Rebecca Lyons is a Registered Psychologist, Systemic Family Therapist, and Specialist Grief Counsellor. She works with adults, adolescents and children.
Authentic, compassionate and practical, Rebecca aims to create a place of safety where collaborative conversations can be had about painful life experiences and where healing involves understanding the impact these experiences have on the mind, body, heart and spirit of a person.
Rebecca’s special areas of interest are:
Rebecca began her counselling career as an Adolescent and Family Counsellor at The Fact Tree Youth Service in Redfern in 1996, and has worked in private practice, education, community mental health and for Uniting as part of their child focused post-separation programme. From 2012 to 2020 Rebecca worked for Red Nose Australia. In her role as Senior Counsellor she provided counselling to bereaved families and clinical support to a national team of counsellors. Most recently Rebecca has worked for The Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC) establishing a psychological service and providing therapy to women and children experiencing homelessness.
In addition to direct client work Rebecca has worked as a consultant for award winning documentary film makers Northern Pictures on their documentary See What You Made Me Do and supported participants from Love on the Spectrum. She has provided training at hospitals and at conferences on supporting bereaved parents and provides supervision to other therapists.
Rebecca is trained and experienced in evidence-based therapeutic modalities including Systematic Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, trauma-informed Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Rachel Moss is not accepting any new referrals at this time, but is still accepting requests for clinical supervision.
Rachel (she/her) is a passionate human rights and social justice advocate with an extensive work history as a counsellor, manager, trainer and educator in sexual assault, higher education and mental health settings. A career highlight so far has been working at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse as a senior counsellor.
Rachel has a social work degree and a Master’s degree in counselling, and is proficient and highly experienced in various counselling modalities including dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural therapy, (CBT) group work and clinical supervision. Rachel’s practice is built on the principles of client focussed collaboration and empowerment and she is currently incorporating more somatic practices into her work.
Rachel has over 20 years clinical experience working with people of all cultures, genders and ages affected by trauma. This includes developmental, single incident, and complex trauma. She also works with clients who are struggling with gender and identity issues, self harm, depression and anxiety, relationship and sexuality issues, grief and loss and interpersonal issues. Rachel has firsthand experience of the healing that is possible in the counselling space and grounds this in the evidence demonstrated in the neuroscience research.
Rachel is dedicated to continue to work in support of justice for our First Nations People.
Paul works at Birchtree on Thursdays.
Paul is a Clinical Social worker and Psychotherapist with an approachable friendly demeanour who specialises in helping people with drug, alcohol, sex and porn problems. He also has extensive training and experience working with individuals, couples and adolescents struggling with trauma and abuse, depression, anger, and loneliness. He is an intuitive non-judgemental therapist that tailors his approach to the person he is working with utilising a range of therapies including Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy.
During Paul’s career he has worked with individuals, couples and groups helping people become more comfortable with intimacy and improve their self-esteem and their connections with others. Paul has worked for many years in the LGBTIQ community, with people experiencing disability and social and cultural exclusion.
In recent years he has facilitated groups for men with problematic sex and porn behaviours both as a consultant and in private practice.
Paul has worked extensively with couples using a range of therapeutic techniques to help them develop a common language of respect and trust, so both partners experience being truly “seen” by the other.
Paul has a passion for working with adolescents and their families and for 18 years has provided therapy for adolescents with a focus on those experiencing poverty and family breakdown. Currently he co-ordinates an NGO providing therapy for disadvantaged and marginalised young people in Sydney.
Nadine is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Nadine is a fully registered Clinical Psychologist. She completed her Bachelor of Psychology with Honours at the University of New South Wales and her Master in Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney.
With experience across various clinical settings – including hospital outpatient services, university clinics, private practices, and non-profit organisations – Nadine has developed extensive expertise in the assessment and treatment of both adults and adolescents. She has supported individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, eating disorders, mood disorders and social phobia. Additionally, Nadine specialises in working with people who have experienced developmental trauma, childhood concerns, and difficulties with emotion regulation.
Nadine is particularly passionate about helping individuals build healthy, fulfilling relationships. As a dating coach, she offers both group and individual sessions that integrate psychological tools and coaching techniques to empower individuals in their dating journeys. She is also the host of the Psychology of Dating podcast, where she shares insights and strategies for applying psychological principles to dating and relationships.
Drawing on a variety of evidence-based therapy modalities, Nadine collaborates with individuals to help them achieve their personal and relational goals. These approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as Mildfulness and Trauma-Informed methods. As a certified yoga instructor, Nadine incorporates a mind-body perspective, fostering holistic well-being to support individuals in their mental and emotional growth. Nadine is known for her warm, non-judgemental approach and works to create a safe, supportive environment for every individual.
Marnie works at Birchtree on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Marnie is an experienced Clinical Social Worker having worked across both the public and private health sector in inpatient and outpatient settings.
She is a naturally warm, open minded and compassionate clinician who prioritises creating a safe environment where clients feel respected, supported and heard. She is patient and understands that it takes time to build trust, as she sees each client as a unique individual with an important story.
Marnie provides treatment to young adults though to older adults in addressing:
Using this experience, Marnie draws on strength based therapeutic interventions from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including EMDR and prolonged exposure, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing. She also understands the relevance of how our environment and context can shape our mental health and recovery.
Marnie is constantly amazed by the resilience of people impacted by trauma and feels privileged to support her clients during their hardest moments and to witness their remarkable strength and growth.
Liz Fitzgerald is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
With over 15 years of experience, art therapist Liz has worked with adults and children in services and private practice, including facilitating art therapy for people who have been affected by developmental trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety and self-harm. Liz currently works with people individually and in groups. She is trained in a psychodynamic, trauma informed approach and is a clinical supervisor and visiting lecturer on the Western Sydney University Master of Art Therapy course. Liz has also completed a Certificate of Traumatic Stress Studies with the JRI in Boston. Liz enjoys advocating for art therapy in the wider community, including teaching the Sydney University CCE course “An Introduction to Art Therapy”, and was the inaugural group leader of the ANZACATA Sydney regional group. Liz understands that you don’t need to be “good at art “or a practicing artist, to benefit from the shared creativity and other relational aspects of art therapy, which are as important as the art made in sessions.
Katie works at Birchtree on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Katie Young is a Clinical Psychologist dedicated to recovery and healing being possible for all. Katie is committed to working collaboratively with clients, using a person-centred and systemic approach to support clients to apply their strengths to achieve helpful long-term goals. Katie has a natural, open, and caring manner when working with clients and believes in creating a safe space that allows the client to feel seen and heard, focusing on their life experiences as the primary source of truth within the therapy room.
Katie began her career working with some of the most vulnerable members of our community, working as a welfare worker (case manager) and community developer worker in drug and alcohol, homelessness, and domestic and family violence. It was during these years that she re-trained as a clinical psychologist, completing her Master of Clinical Psychology.
Katie has over 15 years’ experience applying specialised skills within a trauma-informed perspective to work effectively with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, domestic and family violence and individuals and families from diverse backgrounds who have experienced acute and complex trauma. Katie also provides therapy for mood and anxiety disorders, grief and loss and adjustment to major life changes.
Katie has assisted clients by offering strengths-based intervention to build self-esteem and uses therapeutic techniques that are drawn from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and relational counselling.
Over the last eight years Katie has delivered supervision and led a team of 25 + frontline workers in providing support to women, children and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and/or experiencing or escaping domestic and family violence. Katie has provided staff supervision to enable staff to continue best practice and acknowledge and implement a self-care model of working.
Kate is an experienced therapist and supervisor having worked with a variety of mental health presentations, complex PTSD and developmental trauma, particularly with survivors of adult and child sexual assault as a Senior Clinician. Her work focuses on assisting the brain and body to cope with challenging life experiences and emotions.
Kate enjoys working with adults and young adults. Her style is warm, empowering and transparent. She understands the significance of deciding to come to counselling. Kate aims to sensitively attune to her clients, humanise lived experiences and work collaboratively.
Kate has an eclectic knowledge base and uses a range of therapy modalities as she believes a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Kate particularly enjoys working from an EMDR, Schema Therapy, IFS, Relational and Somatic Psychotherapy lens. She sees the relevance of how our socio-cultural context can shape our mood, mental health and recovery.
Kate feels honoured to bear witness to her client’s hardships and growth. She feels it is a privilege to play a role in each person’s healing journey and is humbled by people’s resilience.
Kate also enjoys providing supervision, consultation, training and mentoring to a variety of other professionals and organisations.
Kate is currently a casual academic at The University of Sydney.
Karen works at Birchtree on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Karen has over 10 years of clinical experience in the private and public sectors as well as her own private practise. She has written and facilitated both inpatient and outpatient programs supporting a wide variety of clientele who experience PTSD, complex trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders and substance abuse disorders.
Karen uses the principles of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy throughout her sessions with clients.
This expertise is further informed by many years of running Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups and workshops for hospitals, NGO’s and corporate clients. Karen is also the lead facilitator for Birchtree’s DBT program.
“I really enjoy being helping people understand their biology and learn practical skills that help them to feel more emotionally in control”
Jude Tynan is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Family Therapist. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in working with individuals, families and communities that have experienced the impact of trauma. Jude has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, community health, sexual assault and domestic violence services, prisons, counselling services, and private practice. She has also delivered training across NSW state to mental health professionals, has taught in higher education, provides supervision and run both therapeutic and educational groups.
Jude brings to her work a strong sense of social justice and human rights. Some of her approaches include narrative work, cognitive behaviour therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing) systemic work, acceptance and commitment therapy. These frameworks sit alongside a passion for empowerment and healing. Jude believes in the amazing resilience of people impacted by trauma and feel privileged to share their journey.
John works at Birchtree on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
John (He/Him) is a highly experienced Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorders Clinician who works with individuals and families who may have:
John’s experience spans across working with adolescents through to older persons in a variety of settings including:
John has a Master’s of Social Work Counselling and his work with individuals and families, as well as clinical supervision with allied health and peer support workers, tends to be grounded in relational theories of practice and trauma informed care.
John strongly believes in the importance of the therapeutic relationship where:
John uses an integrated approach that draws on:
John delivers:
John believes it is a privilege to witness the lives of the clients and families he works with, and accompany them on their journey to healing.
In addition to operating private practice:
Throughout John’s career, his fascination and interests with the complexities of mental health have led him to specialise in eating disorders, trauma and working with the LGBTIQ+ community. While John recognises the complex interplay and challenges of the mental health system and more broadly, the health system as a whole, this grounds his social work practice and drives his passion and dedication for social justice in Australia and around the world.
Hannah is a Registered Psychologist completing the registrar program for endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. She has worked with adults of all ages, children, parents, and families across a range of settings including private practice, university, public health, and research clinics. Hannah has worked with clients who have experienced complex trauma as well as clients who have experienced severe stigmatisation and discrimination, including LGBTQI and HIV positive individuals.
Hannah provides a warm, empathic, and safe space for clients to explore any difficulties they are having in life. In building a genuinely open, authentic, and collaborative relationship, Hannah helps clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their history, and their internal world before walking beside them as they build a more meaningful and satisfying life. Throughout this process, Hannah draws on therapeutic techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory, and Parent Management Training.
Hannah sees clients with a range of needs, including:
Alongside her clinical work, Hannah works as a Research Assistant at the University of Newcastle in digital health research.
Fiona Lumsdaine is an experienced psychotherapist specialising in relationship counselling. She provides a safe, non-judgemental therapeutic environment, helping individuals, couples and families to heal and communicate in a more direct and connected way. Fiona’s approach, based on a lifetime of counselling, teaching and experience, is that our shared humanity is stronger than our differences – that the way forward is best navigated with empathy, curiosity and compassion. She helps develop the skills necessary to identify, negotiate and resolve relationship challenges. Fiona also has a specific interest in helping individuals, couples and families dealing with issues related to LGBTQI and cross-cultural challenges.
As a qualified Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice (ICP) coach, Fiona is uniquely able to help couples going through separation and divorce to reach positive, mutually-beneficial settlements. ICP is a team-based, principled-negotiation approach designed to keep both parties in control of the outcome and to avoid the need for costly, traumatic litigation and Family Court intervention.
As an educator, Fiona teaches a specialised course on conflict resolution and mediation skills in the health care sector. She also runs workshops helping couples and families negotiate their way through separation and divorce in a way that helps preserve and evolve their parenting and communication skills in order to minimise trauma for all members of their families.
• Graduate Diploma of Relationship Studies (Australian Institute for Relationship Studies)
• Qualified Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Coach
• Diploma of Professional P.S.H. Therapy
• Certificate of Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy
• Member, Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
• Member, Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc
Eliza works at Birchtree on Wednesday and Thursdays.
Eliza Sajo is a Clinical Psychologist with a compassionate, warm, and authentic therapeutic style. She is passionate about collaborating with clients to tailor treatments that meet their needs, harness their strengths, and support their values and goals.
Eliza has experience in public health and private settings, supporting patients with a cancer diagnosis (including family and carers) and individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She works with adults and young people across a range of mental health and psychosocial needs, including:
Eliza is trained and experienced in a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Integrated CBT.
Eliza has a particular interest in working with CALD communities, and is committed to providing culturally sensitive, person-centred care that addresses the unique challenges individuals may face.
Warami! Diana is a clinical psychologist who proudly lives and works on unceded Gadigal land. She completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at Western Sydney University and has worked in public and private practice for seven years. Additionally, Diana has over 15 years of experience working in helping professions in a variety of settings including mental health, family support, youth and community services, and homelessness support services.
Diana identifies as an Indigenous Quechuan woman and works with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds who might be struggling with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, identity and relationship difficulties, disability, domestic violence, loss and grief, learning disorders, chronic pain, or substance abuse.
She recognises that people may seek therapy for any number of reasons depending on their personal identities, situations and life experiences. Diana is dedicated to providing an inclusive and non-judgmental space where clients can work collaboratively with her to explore their challenges in a safe, supported and empowered way. She also understands that there are different ways in which people may want to approach tackling their issues based on their personal preferences. Therefore, Diana tailors her therapeutic approach and the modalities she uses to suit the specific needs of each client, incorporating trauma-specific and culturally-appropriate techniques/treatment frameworks such as early intervention, emotion regulation, trauma-specific attachment therapy, narrative therapy, CBT, ACT and schema therapy.
Diana is a warm, bubbly, kind and patient person who builds holistic relationships with her clients to support them as effectively as possible as they strive to achieve their goals and greater wellbeing.
Danielle Russom is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Danielle has over 15 years experience working with clients both in the community sector and in her own private practice.
She specialises in working with couples and groups, with people living with HIV, the LGBTIQ community, complex trauma, and executives in the corporate sector.
As a Somatically trained Psychotherapist and Life Coach, Danielle is particularly interested in how her clients have adapted in their lives in response to their external environment. She works from the frame that body, mind and emotions are intimately interrelated and that if you can better understand yourself, then you have more capacity to make choices in your life that will best serve you.
Danielle is passionate about supporting her clients to achieve whatever it is that they desire in their lives, and in providing them with tools and techniques that will assist them in creating a more harmonious and healthy environment.
Danielle has more than five years of experience in facilitating the Trauma Support Groups at Birchtree. She currently runs the Forest Lodge Trauma Support Group.
Danielle McHugh is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Danielle is a clinical psychologist who has practiced as a psychologist for over ten years. Prior to gaining her qualifications Danielle worked in the community sector for 20 years supporting people to improve their circumstances and overcome adversity.
Danielle’s clinical expertise is broad and includes working with adolescents, their families and adults across a range of areas including depression, anxiety, relationship stress, complex trauma, sexual abuse and sibling sexual abuse, drug and alcohol issues, and disordered eating. Danielle has worked in the community sector, public health, and private practice.
Danielle has a gentle, warm and compassionate approach in assisting individuals and families with their concerns and providing therapy to meet their specific needs. She has a passion for assisting people to improve their emotional well-being and to overcome the impact of adversity.
Danielle has special interests in helping people who have been impacted by trauma and/or are experiencing emotional or relationship stress, and people facing difficulties with disordered eating.
Danielle has completed specialist training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Impact and Treatment of Childhood Trauma, Sexual Assault Counsellor Training, Sibling Sexual Abuse, and Treatment for Eating Disorders.
Charlie is a down-to-earth, warm and compassionate registered psychologist. Charlie has 10 years of experience working in the mental health sector providing therapeutic intervention for adolescents and adults, across a variety of settings (hospital inpatient, primary health care, nonprofit community organizations, national telehealth services and private practice). Charlie’s approach is holistic, inclusive, accepting and non-judgemental, she loves working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and tailors her approach to meet her clients’ unique needs. Charlie’s approach bridges Western science with Eastern healing methods, she targets the emotional, cognitive, physical, behavioral, relational & spiritual levels of healing. Charlie delves beneath the surface and gets the full picture of your health, to support you to find your wisdom, make lifelong sustainable changes and guide you towards the life you wish to lead.
Psychological Treatment for:
Therapeutic Modalities:
Chantell works at Birchtree on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Chantell is a clinical psychologist who adopts a client-centered approach, offering warmth and comfort to her clients. She integrates cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), schema therapy, polyvagal theory, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and EMDR, tailoring her methods to meet each client’s unique needs. By working collaboratively, she strives to find the most effective therapeutic approach for each individual.
Chantell has experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, life stressors, trauma, and gender diversity. She has facilitated group therapy sessions, providing education and techniques to address various mental health concerns in a community health setting. Her clinical experience spans public health, community mental health, tertiary education, and the NGO sector. Chantell has worked with clients across the lifespan and is experienced in supporting individuals within the LGBTIQ(+) community.
Carla works at Birchtree on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Carla is a Clinical Psychologist who has experience across public and private settings, including community mental health, youth and family mental health and psycho-oncology.
Candy works at Birchtree on Thursdays and Fridays.
Candy Liu is a warm and compassionate Clinical Psychologist 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), Mindfulness-Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and other mindfulness-based therapies, 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 growing interests in couples’ work and in understanding how relational dynamics can inform wellbeing. Prior to starting at Birchtree, Candy worked therapeutically and in clinical research with individuals, families and systems in the areas of cross-cultural mental health, disabilities, and crisis support.
Ben Larke is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Ben is a warm, empathetic and open-minded clinical psychologist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Sydney. He also holds associate membership with the Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy having trained with them in the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy.
He has an integrative, evidence-based approach to therapy that draws on his training and experience in delivering a wide-range of therapy models. Central to his approach, however, is the belief that the therapeutic relationship – the connection that can be made between a client and their therapist in the room – is a powerful tool in itself. A prior career working in post-conflict, complex humanitarian situations has also left him with an abiding interest in exploring how culture shapes and informs our mental health and pathways to recovery.
Ben works with men and women, as well as those who don’t identify with these binary definitions of gender, on a range of issues that they are struggling with in their lives, including: supporting people coping with complex emotional and interpersonal trauma; people motivated to explore identity and other life issues; people exploring sexual and sexuality issues; people living with grief and bereavement to people experiencing eating disorders, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
Ben regularly provides supervision to clinicians and is accredited to supervise clinical psychology registrars. He also works casually at the University of Sydney, delivering lectures on post-conflict reconciliation and conflict resolution. Alongside his work with people in Australia, Ben also provides support to those affected by conflict internationally, particularly in their management of vicarious trauma.
Dr Beata Robins is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Beata completed her PhD and Master in Clinical Psychology at the University of New South Wales. She has extensive training in the psychological assessment and treatment of adults, adolescents, children and their families. She has worked across a variety of clinical settings including hospital inpatient and outpatient units, a university clinic and private practice. Beata’s special areas of interest are: depression, anxiety, attachment, trauma, grief and loss, eating disorders, addiction, relationship issues, and psychosi
Beata enjoys working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and walks of life. She has a deep appreciation of how many of the difficulties and concerns that clients experience are understandable given specific life events, as well as social, cultural and familial factors at different stages of a client’s life. Beata endeavours to create a non-judgemental and accepting space where clients can feel safe to explore the challenges they are experiencing, increase self-understanding, and where their individual strengths and wisdom gained from their personal journey can be nurtured and built upon. Beata works collaboratively with clients using a wide range of evidence-based treatment approaches tailored to their individual needs.
Ariana is a warm and down-to-earth clinical psychologist. She enjoys connecting with people and aims to facilitate a safe and non-judgmental space to help people explore their challenges and create more meaningful lives and relationships. Ariana works with adolescents, adults and families from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
Ariana has experience working with a range of presentations, including trauma and abuse, complex trauma, emotion dysregulation, relationship difficulties, mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, parenting difficulties, and grief and loss.
Ariana’s clinical experience comes from working across various public, private and university settings. Ariana enjoys working in an authentic and collaborative style, drawing on evidence-based approaches tailored to individual client needs and goals. Ariana’s therapy modalities include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). She also draws on Mindfulness, polyvagal theory, attachment, the Ego State, and family therapy approaches.
Ariana is an AHPRA Board approved principal and secondary supervisor to registrars for Clinical Psychology endorsement.
Ariana is also a Casual Academic at the University of New South Wales.
Anila has been practicing as a psychologist for over 5 years, and has been passionately developing her skill as a therapist throughout that time. She holds general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia Anila brings a broad range of experience to her practice, having begun her career in educational and developmental psychology, and in private practice working in mood disorders, anxiety and depression. Most recently she has geared her career towards specialising in eating disorders. Anila has lived in Melbourne for several years where she was a psychologist at Eating Disorders Victoria and is currently working as at Northside West Hospital in the eating disorders unit. She brings with her extensive experience in providing short and long term therapeutic interventions for individuals affected by self-harm, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem. She has particular interest in working with complex emotional and interpersonal trauma, and in continuing her specialisation in eating disorders.
Anila draws from a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to suit the needs of each individual. She uses evidence-based therapies to address psychological problems, and has extensive training and experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and DBT skills.
Alison works at Birchtree on Mondays and Thursdays.
Alison is a warm and compassionate clinical psychologist who provides psychological therapy to adults. She completed her Master of Clinical Psychology degree at Macquarie University and has worked for over 35 years in a variety of roles in public health and private practice. Alison has worked extensively in the fields of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence, as a clinician and manager. She also has experience in health psychology.
Alison works with people who are experiencing a wide range of psychological problems including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, grief, and complex post traumatic reactions including child and adult abuse and sexual assault trauma. She has specialized skills in working with adults who have had difficult childhood experiences. These experiences often result in psychological difficulties such as perfectionism, self-criticism, shame, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse/addiction, self-harm, relationship and parenting difficulties, adjustment issues and sexuality concerns.
Alison works from an empowerment model using a range of techniques to help facilitate growth, connection and personal autonomy. She is able to provide medium term therapies as well as long term psychotherapy.
Alison has provided clinical supervision and consultation to a wide variety of government and non-government agencies and individuals.
Adriana Bakovic is not accepting any new referrals at this time.
Adriana is a psychologist completing the registrar program for clinical endorsement. She has a specific interest working with individuals who have experienced complex and developmental trauma, as well as doing transformative work with people who want a holistic approach toward their healing and personal growth. Adriana uses a variety of evidence-based interventions to help her clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, build their resilience, and lead a fuller and more meaningful life.
Outside of Birchtree, Adriana facilitates groups at a private hospital outpatient centre for OCD, schema therapy, and mood disorders. She is also a qualified bodyworker and yoga practitioner, and incorporates all her learnings across neuroscience, mindfulness, somatic psychology, cognitive-based therapies, and yoga philosophy to address the mind-body-spirit of each client. In this way, Adriana is dedicated to using an integrative approach that is based on the latest research, tailored for everyone, collaborative with her clients, and held in a supportive and non-judgemental space.
Adam uses a range of approaches to suit individual needs. He has training and experience in Compassion Focussed Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Eye Movement Desensitisation, and Reprocessing (EMDR), Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), as well as, attachment approaches such as Circle of Security.
Natasha (she/her) is a Master of Clinical Psychology student completing her final course placement with the Birchtree Centre. Natasha is passionate about working with adults and young people and has a particular interest regarding mood and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Natasha has experience working with young people and adults with a diverse range of mental health presentations including anxiety and mood disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, substance use, and self-harm.
Natasha is committed to working collaboratively with clients to achieve their treatment goals and providing a safe space for clients to explore their strengths, values, and vulnerabilities. Natasha draws from a range of therapy models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and is trained to deliver the Safe and Sound Protocol at the Birchtree centre. Natasha is grateful for the opportunity to learn from the team at the Birchtree Centre and contribute to its important work.
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.
Daniela is an approachable and empathic clinical psychologist. She has experience working with young people and adults 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.
Daniela is passionate about working with individuals to maintain psychological, physical, and relational wellbeing and seeks to approach mental health in a holistic manner. She has worked in inpatient as well as community health settings and an out of home care NGO with children. She also has experience working with adults in the Australian Defence Force and first responders.
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 incorporates approaches such as Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Daniela is a Circle of Security International facilitator and often uses attachment-based approaches in therapy.
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.
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.
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.