CHRISTINA HEREFORD
Christina has in excess of 17 years’ experience as a registered psychologist providing quality psychological care to clients in a variety of settings including Private Practice, Government Departments and Primary Schools.
Christina’s warm, engaging and empathetic personality combined with her good knowledge of a wide range of solution focussed, evidence-based therapeutic interventions has led to her success in assisting a wide variety of client groups.
Christina has extensive experience in providing counselling to individuals, couples, teenagers and children and is passionate about supporting her clients to problem solve, set and achieve goals to enhance meaning in their lives.
Christina’s areas of interest include adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, couples counselling, depression, eating disorders, grief & loss, personality disorders, pregnancy, separation anxiety and workplace issues.
In addition to counselling, Christina is also a Psychology Board Approved Supervisor and she has a keen interest in supervising both provisional psychologists and registered psychologists.
LINDIE OPPERMANN
Lindie Oppermann has more than 12 years’ experience as a psychotherapist. She received her qualifications in South Africa, where she worked in a hospital setting in private practice. Lindie has also counselled various clients in Hong Kong in a community private practice environment. In Singapore, she worked as a school counsellor at an international school.
Lindie moved to Australia in 2018 and due to her off-shore qualifications was required to undertake an internship to register as a General Psychologist in Australia. Lindie successfully completed her internship with us under the supervision of Ms Christina Hereford.
Lindie has a special interest in working with children, adolescents and families, as well as clients of all ages who suffer from anxiety and depression. She also enjoys working with clients who are experiencing grief/loss, those going through a time of adjustment, and clients getting back on their feet after experiencing trauma.
Lindie has a warm and compassionate style in relating to clients and enjoys working from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Narrative Therapy frameworks. She has a practical, empathetic approach to tackling problems and emotional difficulties alongside her clients.
Lindie is bilingual and is able to provide counselling services in both English and Afrikaans.
OLIVER WALUK
Over the last few years, Oliver has provided quality psychological care to clients across multiple settings, including; Private practice, Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) services, Hospitals, and Schools.
Oliver has experience working with adults, teenagers, and children and he is passionate about supporting and working together with his clients to collaboratively problem solve, set and achieve realistic goals, and build coping skills, to help clients manage distressing events and experiences more effectively.
Oliver’s warm, empathetic, thoughtful, and holistic client-centered approach to counselling helps to identify and understand what troubles clients’ and then tailors treatment towards working together on their individual needs. This has led him to successfully help many clients enhance the meaning and quality of their lives.
Oliver is practiced in several evidence-based therapeutic modalities, which include (but are not limited to): Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, psychoanalytic, and mindfulness-based treatments.
Oliver’s diagnostic areas of interest include: depressive, bipolar, anxiety, personality, somatic, traumatic, impulse-control, substance-related and addictive DSM-V disorders. He also works to assist clients struggling with recurrent problems related to: grief & loss, adjustment, relationships and communication difficulties, lack of motivation, complex trauma, workplace issues, stress management, and suicide.
ANDREW DUNHILL
Andrew has been working as a psychologist in clinical mental health and high performance environments since 2008. He utilises a combination of techniques including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Andrew’s areas of interest include stress, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, drug & alcohol abuse, and chronic pain.
Andrew is currently registered with Medicare, TAC and Workcover and is familiar with procedures for working with Victims of Crime.
NIKKI BLEJA
Nikki has been working as a registered psychologist since 2004, supporting older adolescents through to mature-aged adults. She has worked in community health, the Department of Justice, university counselling settings and private practice. Nikki has experience and an interest in assisting clients with issues relating to trauma, depression and anxiety, grief, identity, relationship difficulties, stress, managing studies, ADHD, and cross-cultural adjustment.
Nikki’s priority is to always develop a safe environment for the client. She integrates mindfulness-based practices, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and somatic-based interventions into her counselling approach. She is a friendly counsellor motivated by values of compassion, social justice, and practical support. Nikki provides counselling on Wednesdays.
CADENCE WILLIAMSON
Cadence has been providing counselling as a registered psychologist for over three years. Prior to this, she spent over a decade working in the mental health sector in counselling, case
management, crisis intervention and mental health education roles where she pioneered
and developed programs for community education. Cadence has a warm, compassionate
and highly engaging style, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds, though she has a
particular interest in working with children, adolescents, families and couples.
Cadence is practiced in a variety of therapeutic modalities including, Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT),
Family/Systems Therapy, Play Therapy and Gottman Method Couples Counselling. Cadence
draws upon theories such as ecological theory and trauma theory, as well as recent
perspectives on neuro-divergent affirming practice.
Cadence’s areas of clinical interest include anxiety (including phobias and OCD), depression,
trauma and abuse, chronic pain, pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, parenting, and
couples counselling.
EMAN SHEHATA
Eman is a registered Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner. She has a Bachelor degree in Psychological Science (Honours) and has recently completed her Masters of Clinical Psychology.
Eman’s background includes working with people of all ages and managing problematic emotional and/or behavioural concerns. Her experience working in both forensic and clinical settings has given her a highly adaptable and holistic approach towards making real positive emotional and behavioural changes.
Eman enjoys collaborating with her clients to tailor individualised treatment plans whilst utilising a variety of therapeutic techniques and evidence based models. These include, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transdiagnostic Therapy, Mindfulness based interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and more.
Eman is dedicated to providing a warm and non-judgemental space for her clients to express themselves and has a keen interest in supporting people struggling to manage behaviour concerns, trauma/PTSD, anger, shame, anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationship issues and parenting.
TEGAN MCKAY - Telehealth Consultations Only
Tegan is a general psychologist who is passionate about supporting people from all walks of life, no matter their location – metro, regional and remote.
Tegan has experience working in acute and community mental health settings, as well as in the corrections sector which has enabled her to gain experience in working with adolescents and adults across the lifespan in both public and private settings.
Tegan will endeavour to make you feel heard, without judgement, while working with you to progress in the areas in life that you are struggling with. She implements a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities that are specifically tailored for your needs, including CBT, DBT, ACT & Mindfulness based interventions.
Tegan has an interest in working with clients experiencing Depression, Anxiety / Social Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Substance Abuse & Addiction, Behavioural Change and Workplace Stress.
AMANDA HAYWARD
Amanda is a registered psychologist who brings a caring, empathetic, and client-centred approach to therapy.
With a background in Nursing and Counselling, Amanda has worked in a variety of settings and with a range of presentations, including private practice and school settings where she has worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, anger management, bullying, self-esteem concerns, family conflict, school refusal, and behavioural issues.
Amanda is dedicated to working collaboratively with her clients in seeking a therapeutic approach that best suits the individual and utilises frameworks including, but not limited to; Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Person-Centred Therapy.
Amanda is passionate about supporting her clients in building resilience, goal setting, and enhancing their quality of life.
Her areas of interest are; anxiety, grief and loss, stress management, self-esteem concerns, relationship difficulties, chronic pain, trauma, depression, family conflict.
CATHERINE MARTIN
Catherine has completed a Master of Educational Psychology.
Catherine has over 10 years experience as a registered psychologist and works with us conducting cognitive assessments of children, adolescents and adults.
SASH COSTA
Sash Costa has completed a Master of Educational & Development Psychology.
Sash has over 10 years experience as a registered psychologist, predominantly conducting psychosocial assessments and assessment of the impact of mental health conditions on work capacity.
Sash works with us conducting cognitive assessments of children, adolescents and adults.
KATHERINE (KATHY) DE VALENCE
Katherine is a registered Provisional Psychologist who has an empathetic and client-focused approach to therapy. She completed her Masters of Professional Psychology at Deakin University in 2018. During this time she completed a four month placement at Headspace and gained valuable experience with youth mental health. Katherine will be completing her internship with us under the supervision of Ms Christina Hereford for the next 2 years.
Katherine has over 10 years’ experience in working across the lifespan in a variety of settings including; outpatient mental health, Government, vocational rehabilitation and assessment. Katherine is passionate about helping her clients learn and grow to become a better version of themselves. She has worked with a range of presenting problems including anxiety, depression, return to work, disabilities and much more. Most recently, Katherine has worked as a Rehabilitation Counsellor, completing assessments for Government organisations.
Katherine is committed to working collaboratively with her clients to find the best therapeutic approach to suit their needs, utilising frameworks including; Cognitive Behabioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. She is interested in supporting clients of all ages with issues relatind to mood disorders; depression & anxiety, relationship difficulties, work related stress, as well as vocational and congnitive assessments.
Katherine is bilingual and is able to provide counselling services in both English and Spanish.
LISA DIAZ - going on extended leave from 30 July 2023
Lisa is a registered Provisional Psychologist and has completed her post-graduate psychological studies at Monash University in 2020. Lisa completed a Health Science degree (majoring in Public Health) at La Trobe University prior to endeavouring on her journey to obtaining full registration as a Psychologist. Lisa will be completing her internship with us under the supervision of Ms Christina Hereford.
Lisa has experience working as a Provisional Psychologist in the field of Organisational Psychology, where she worked with a wide range of client presentations. Additionally, Lisa has experience volunteering as a crisis support worker with Lifeline Australia providing counselling and suicide prevention support to callers.
Lisa has an empathetic nature and is passionate about ensuring that her clients receive individually tailored and evidence-based therapeutic care to help them achieve their goals. Lisa has experience working with a range of client presentations including but not limited to; depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, work-related stress, relationship conflict/
Lisa is passionate about building trust and rapport with her clients and providing them with a warm, safe, and non-judgemental space in which they can explore their concerns. In her therapeutic work, Lisa takes a respectful and compassionate approach. She believes in using evidence-based treatment models to assist her clients to better understand their concerns, identify and utilise their strengths, and establish and achieve their goals. Lisa utilises
YANNIK SAUERBORN
Yannik is a registered Provisional Psychologist who completed his Bachelor of Science (Psychology) in the UK and Germany, before moving to Australia in 2018. Since moving to Australia, Yannik has undertaken Lifeline training and has gained experience in counselling and mental health support with a variety of client presentations across the lifespan.
While Yannik does work with a variety of client presentations and ages, as a member of the LGBTIQA+ community, he is passionate about working with individuals that identify as gender diverse or same-sex attracted.
Yannik uses many different therapy modalities, which include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy. He understands that when going through difficult situations in life it often helps to have someone who simply listens. Yannik is all ears.
Yannik is bilingual and is able to provide counselling services in both English and German.
Julia Villani
Julia graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Dietetic Practice from La Trobe University. She has since completed extra studies on paediatric feeding disorders as well as meeting all training and qualification requirements to become a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician. Julia has experience working with both adults and children working in a private practice setting.
Coming from an Italian background, food and cooking has always been a big part of Julia’s life which is why she is passionate about improving clients relationship with food and helping clients to discover how to improve their nutrition with simple, and personalised plans.
On the weekends you’ll find Julia cooking for her family and friends, taking her dog on adventures, and relaxing at home!