Clinical Psychologists, Educational and Developmental Psychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists

Sharon Cheeseman

Clinical Psychologist, BArts (Hons) (Psych), MPsych (Clin), MAPS

Consulting at the Beaumaris Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online.

Clients: 16 + years – older teens, adults, older adults and couples

Sharon is caring, supportive and collaborative in her approach with adults, older adults and couples. She is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in a variety of community and private settings. Sharon tailors her treatment to each client’s individual needs, using an integrative approach that is evidence-based. Therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Trauma focused Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and mindfulness approaches.

Sharon uses both her clinical knowledge and practical approach to gain an understanding of each client and get alongside the client to collaboratively work towards their respective future goals or desired change. Sharon’s clients would describe her as warm, supportive and empathic, whilst also gently challenging and empowering to enable the desired growth and/or change.

Sharon has expertise in treating a range of difficulties including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma, grief and loss, chronic pain, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction, sleep, stress and self-image issues. Sharon also has a specific interest in the support of adults with ADHD.

Sharon provides assessment and treatment for clients covered by TAC with no ‘out of pocket’ costs. You simply require a referral from your GP prior to making an appointment.

Sharon welcomes new clients (16 years and older only) to book online.  Reception will be in touch to confirm your booking. If you are a current client your appointment will be automatically confirmed.

Georgia Riordan

Clinical Psychologist Registrar, BPsych (Hons.), MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online.

Clients: 12+ years – adolescents and adults

Georgia is a warm and compassionate psychologist with a strong commitment to person-centred, inclusive, and affirmative care. She provides individual therapy to young people and adults and has experience working across both public and private settings. Georgia supports clients with a range of concerns, including anxiety and depression, life transitions, gender identity and sexuality, relationship and attachment difficulties, low self-esteem, body image concerns, perfectionism, and neurodivergence, including autism and ADHD.

Georgia takes a holistic approach to therapy, recognising the interpersonal, cultural, systemic, and social factors that shape each person’s identity, challenges, and wellbeing. Georgia is mindful that therapy can bring up a range of emotions and is committed to creating a non-judgmental space where individuals feel safe to explore their experiences with openness and curiosity. She values honesty, feedback, and collaboration, and is passionate about tailoring therapy to each person’s goals, needs, and lived experience.

Georgia takes a neuro-affirming, inclusive, and personalised approach that helps individuals develop insight, honour their needs, and create meaningful, lasting change. She draws on a range of evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

Abby Aizenstros

Clinical Psychologist, BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online. 

Clients:  13 + years – adolescents and adults

Abby has worked in public and private healthcare settings and completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Melbourne. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults to improve their health, well-being, and functioning. She is collaborative, understanding, and caring in empowering her clients to explore their challenges and build on their coping strategies.

She is particularly interested in working with clients who experience anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and difficulties with sleep, relationships, assertiveness, self-harm, and self-image.

Abby delivers evidence-based psychological interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Schema Therapy, Mindfulness, and supportive counselling.

Abby is accepting new clients now. Please contact reception or book directly online and reception will be in touch to confirm your appointment.

Dr. Alison Parkington

Clinical Psychologist, BArts, PGrad Dip (Psych), DPsych (Clin). 

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online. 

Clients: 0+ years – children and adolescents

Dr Alison Parkington completed her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at La Trobe University in 2007. She has worked in public and private settings supporting children, adolescents and parents across a range of issues. Alison provides support for young people experiencing anxiety and depression, as well as behavioural difficulties, sleep difficulties, learning difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Alison also works with students with stress related to study.

Alison has a warm and empathic approach. She works closely with parents and young people to help reach a shared understanding of the current difficulties. In some circumstances, particularly with younger children, Alison will primarily work with parents to help understand and support their child’s behaviour and needs. Treatment focuses on building strategies and implementing interventions that will support the young person. Treatment is tailored to the age and needs of the individual, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other evidence based interventions.

Joshua McEvoy

Clinical Psychologist Registrar, BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and Beaumaris Clinic. Welcoming new clients to book with reception.

Clients: 10+ years – children, adolescents and adults

Josh is a warm and caring clinical psychologist (registrar) who completed his Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the Institute of Social Neuroscience. Josh has experience providing individual and group therapy, as well as cognitive and ADHD assessments within community clinics and school settings.

He takes a neuro-affirming approach to his practice and values collaborative work to explore clients’ strengths, challenges and goals. His specific area of interest is working with adolescents, young adults and adults, supporting presentations including anxiety and mood disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, grief and those seeking to better understand and support their ADHD presentations.

Josh aims to establish a safe and empathic space, with an emphasis on developing a trusting therapeutic relationship. He employs an evidence-based, person-centred approach, drawing on multiple modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness-based interventions.

Zoe Heffernan

Educational and Developmental Psychologist Registrar, BA (Psych, Crim), GradDipProfPsych, MPsych (Ed&Dev) 

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online.

Clients: 7+ years – children, adolescents and parents

Zoe is a registered Psychologist, having completed her Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University.

Zoe is dedicated to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in youths, with a passion for working with children and adolescents. Zoe has experience working with a range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, OCD, emotional dysregulation, attachment issues, complex trauma, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses such as Autism and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Zoe has prior experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both educational settings and private practice. She is proficient in psychological assessment, intervention, and counselling and uses a variety of evidence-based frameworks including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and play therapy.

With a compassionate, client-centred, and neuro-affirming approach, Zoe collaborates closely with her clients to develop tailored interventions that meet their unique needs and goals. She is dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to help individuals and families thrive.

Calypso Strauss

Clinical Psychologist Registrar, MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online.

Clients: Children, adolescents and adults

Calypso is a clinical psychologist (registrar) who completed her Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Melbourne. She has prior experience working in both private and public hospital settings, providing support to individuals and families with a range of psychological presentations.

Calypso’s practice includes a focus on matrescence and attachment, working with both prenatal and postpartum women to provide support in these times of significant transition. She also has experience working closely with children and their families to help navigate emotional, behavioural and developmental challenges. Calypso uses a warm and practical approach to help individuals and families develop effective strategies for resilience and wellbeing.

She has experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as play and mindfulness-based therapies. Calypso focuses on evidence-based care and strongly believes in working with clients to tailor sessions to their individual needs.

Samantha Thomas

Clinical Psychologist, BBehavSc (Hons) (Psych), MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Beaumaris Clinic. Welcoming new clients to book with reception. 

Clients: 13 + years – adolescents and adults

Samantha is a Clinical Psychologist who provides a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space for individuals to openly explore their concerns. She is empathetic and genuine, and values the therapeutic relationship, believing that feeling understood and connected is an important part of therapy. Her approach emphasises understanding the individual as a whole, recognising that psychological difficulties are often multifaceted and influenced by a range of interacting factors.

She has experience working across the lifespan and has practiced in both public health and private settings. Samantha enjoys working with a wide range of presentations. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, sleep difficulties, OCD, attachment-related concerns, life transitions, existential distress, chronic illness, physical health challenges, eating disorders, and difficulties related to self-esteem and body image.

She draws on a range of evidence-based approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She takes a collaborative and individualised approach to therapy, tailoring treatment to each person’s unique needs, goals, and experiences.

Freyja Lysne-Sherwood

Clinical Psychologist, BA, BAppSc (Psych) (Hons), MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Beaumaris Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online. 

Clients: 18+ years – adults and older adults

Freyja is a warm and compassionate clinical psychologist. She has experience working in both private and hospital settings, counselling individuals presenting with a range of challenges including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and complex chronic health difficulties. She has a particular interest in supporting clients in the perinatal period and early parenthood.

Freyja believes in tailoring her sessions to the individual needs of her clients, utilising a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness based therapies. She values spending time establishing a safe and trusting environment first, fostering a strong therapeutic relationship.

Within her sessions, Freyja explores the impact of past negative experiences on the current challenges her clients face. She then helps her clients develop more adaptive behaviours and heal from these past experiences, moving them towards living the life they desire.

Outside of work, Freyja enjoys spending time with her young family, going to the beach, reading or seeing friends.

Freyja welcomes you to book online today.

Katherine Ko

Clinical Neuropsychologist Registrar, MArts (Clin), MPsych (ClinNeuro)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic. Welcoming new clients to book with reception.

Clients: Children, adolescents and adults

Katherine provides neuropsychological and educational assessments by arrangement, as well as cognitive remediation and therapy sessions.

Katherine holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Clinical Neuropsychology and has recently completed her PhD. She has extensive clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across a variety of settings, including neurodevelopmental and learning disorders, mental health, and neurological conditions (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, and Epilepsy).

She is skilled in delivering evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Katherine has a particular interest in designing personalised cognitive and psychological interventions that empower individuals to enhance their daily functioning and overall quality of life.

Katherine takes a warm, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach, working closely with clients to understand their unique strengths, needs, and goals.

Jessica Rabinowicz

Clinical Psychologist, BPsych (Hons.), MPsych (Clin)

On maternity leave. 

Clients: 10+ years- children, adolescents and adults

Jessica has recently returned from working in the United Kingdom. She has experience running individual and group interventions with children, adolescents and adults across a range of difficulties including depression, anxiety, body image concerns, low self-esteem, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, anger management, post-traumatic stress, attachment issues, alcohol and/or drug addiction and neurodevelopmental diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Jessica’s approach is strengths-based and she emphasises a collaborative approach that reflects warmth, empathy and genuineness. Jessica values openness and feedback, and the importance of making her clients feel comfortable through building a strong therapeutic relationship. Her training has primarily comprised of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but she also incorporates techniques relevant to Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Schema Therapy. Jessica can tailor treatment plans to the needs and goals of her clients.

Jessica is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Outside her clinical work she enjoys trying new food spots, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Jessica Polhill

Clinical Psychologist Registrar, BArts (Psych) (Hons), MPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and welcoming new clients to book online.

Clients: 13+ years – adolescents and adults

Jessica is a clinical psychologist (registrar) who completed her studies at the University of Melbourne. She is caring and reflective and allows you to take your time to connect and feel comfortable in sessions. Jessica has experience working with individuals and groups across community and private settings, treating a range of emotional difficulties including; anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, addictive behaviours, eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss.

She is passionate about working with young people and adults in a creative and collaborative manner to support them in reaching their goals. Jessica values an empathic approach, with a strong emphasis on building a trusting therapeutic relationship. She draws upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other evidence-based approaches with consideration of the individual’s age, needs, and preferences.

Dr. Caitlin Bishop

Clinical Psychologist, BPsych (Hons.), DPsych (Clin)

Consulting via telehealth only.

Clients: 7+ years – teenagers and adults

Caitlin is a clinical psychologist who aims to bring warmth, genuineness, and collaboration to her work. She has experience in clinical, research, and educational settings, with much of her work focused on supporting young people and their families.

She offers support to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties including anxiety, mood, eating and relationship issues. Caitlin is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space where people can explore their current challenges and work towards meaningful change. She values working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and is committed to providing affirming and respectful care. When supporting children and young people, she recognises the importance of working closely with parents and support networks to ensure they feel supported both in and outside of sessions.

Caitlin is a recognised Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner and draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring her approach to the unique needs of each person. Caitlin is accepting clients for a waitlist only at this time.

Dr. Amanda Nagulendran

Clinical Psychologist, BSc (Hons) (Psych), DPsych (Clin)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic. Currently accepting enquiries for waitlist.

Clients: 18+ years – adults and older adults

Amanda is a caring and empathic Clinical Psychologist with specific interests in treating a range of anxiety conditions such as Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as well as depression and adjustment to life stressors.

She holds a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) degree. Her professional experience includes treatment of anxiety and depression at a private hospital clinic, providing psychological services for medical inpatients, and facilitating day programs. Amanda has worked in a range of settings in public and private healthcare across Melbourne. She is passionate about providing evidence-based treatment to support clients in reaching their goals.

With a research background in cross-cultural psychology, Amanda enjoys working with adults from a range of cultural backgrounds. She is particularly interested in working with anxiety disorders, depression, and stress and adjustment difficulties. Amanda‘s therapeutic approach combines elements of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), including mindfulness.

Dana Santon

Educational and Developmental Psychologist Registrar, BA, GradDipProfPsych, MPsych (Ed&Dev)

Consulting at the Beaumaris Clinic. Currently accepting enquiries for waitlist for 2027 for therapy and assessments 

Clients:  5+ years to 25 years (children to young adults)

Dana is a psychologist who has completed her studies at Monash University and recently started her registrar program to become an endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist. Dana has prior experience working in out-of-home care, family violence, disability, and student wellbeing.

She is passionate about supporting young people and their mental health, working in collaboration with schools and families to provide person-centred outcomes. Dana is experienced at working with a range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, OCD, as well as extensive experience working with the autistic and ADHD community.

Dana is proficient in assessment, intervention, and counselling, with her primary modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Dana also provides assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) utilising the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS 2) and Autism Diagnostic Inventory Revised (ADI-R). She also provides educational and developmental assessments for learning disorders, ADHD and other related difficulties. Please contact reception for further information about assessments.

A welcome addition to Dana’s practice is her therapy dog, ‘Charlie’, who she brings into the clinic on occasion. Charlie can help support and encourage calm and connection with children and young people.

Dr. Nellie Lucas

Principal Clinical Psychologist, BPsych (Hons), DPsych (ClinChild), MAPS, FCCLP

Consulting in Armadale and Beaumaris.

Clients: 0+ years – Parents and infants, children, teenagers and adults

Nellie established Melbourne Clinical & Child Psychology in 2009. She enjoys seeing infants and parents, children, young people and adults and is empathic, supportive and caring in her approach. She has over 20 years experience in mental health, having first worked in adult mental health in Sydney and then completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Child & Adolescent Specialisation) at The University of Melbourne. She has since worked in a number of private and public health services across Melbourne and New Zealand including as a Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor at Monash University and Clinical Supervisor at Wellington University. She has expertise in treating a range of difficulties in adults including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, and personality difficulties. She has a specific interest in seeing infants and parents, children and young people with attachment, emotional, social and behavioural concerns. Therapy is always evidence based and principally draws upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches within a developmental framework.

George Karapetsas

Clinical Neuropsychologist Registrar, BSci (Hons), MPsych (ClinNeuro)

Consulting at the Armadale Clinic and Beaumaris Clinic.

Clients: Children, adolescents and adults

Intellectual and educational (Cognitive and Neuropsychological) assessments by arrangement. Please phone reception to arrange an appointment.

George completed the Masters of Clinical Neuropsychology from Macquarie University and is currently completing the registrar program at MCCP. He has worked with a range of age groups across public and private sectors, completing assessments for clients presenting with neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and specific learning difficulties, as well as expanding on co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

He approaches neuropsychological assessment by creating a comprehensive and thorough overview of a young person’s strengths and challenges. By providing tailored feedback based on a person’s own unique strengths, George aims to incorporate these were possible to improve functional outcomes for children and caregivers alike.

George has a strong interest in epilepsy, having completed his master’s thesis on assessing nonverbal memory and right temporal lobe epilepsy and has published research investigating sleep and behavioural outcomes in children with epilepsy. George is currently accepting referrals for cognitive assessments. Please contact reception for more information and to arrange an appointment. 

Dr. Hiba Bilal

Clinical Neuropsychologist, BPsych (Hons), PhD (ClinNeuro) 

Consulting at the Beaumaris clinic. Welcoming new clients to book with reception.

Clients: Children, adolescents and young people for assessments and parenting strategies also provided.

Intellectual and educational (Cognitive and Neuropsychological) assessments by arrangement. Please phone reception to arrange an appointment.

Hiba completed her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology at Monash University. She has a strong interest in working with children and adolescents, as well as collaborating with their families and schools throughout the assessment process. She believes in taking a holistic, collaborative, and strengths-based approach to improve academic, cognitive, and social-emotional outcomes for young people. Hiba endeavours to provide tailored feedback to each client, which considers that individual’s unique circumstances, needs, and capacity.

Hiba has had prior experience in working with a wide range of age groups across public and private settings but now particularly enjoys working with children and adolescents. She has completed assessments with clients who have neurological and neurodegenerative conditions (Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis), psychiatric disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, ASD, specific learning disorders).

Hiba is also a certified provider of the Tuning into Kids parenting program, for parents of children aged 3-12 years. This evidence-based program helps children understand, regulate, and work through their emotions, and develop better emotional intelligence. Research shows that children with higher emotional intelligence have greater success with making and keeping friendships, have better academic and career success, are better at self soothing when upset or angry, and have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults. This program is typically delivered across 6 to 8 sessions, but the number of sessions can be modified based on the availability and preferences of the parent.

Maddy McDonald

Support staff

Maddy is a warm and dedicated team member who works as a receptionist at Melbourne Clinical and Child Psychology. She has completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Monash University and is currently undertaking a Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Deakin University. Maddy’s doctoral research explores the mental health care pathways for children in out-of-home care, focusing on their transition from the emergency department to community-based services.

She is passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people and hopes to work as a Clinical Psychologist in this area in the future. Maddy brings valuable experience to the clinic from her previous roles as a Lifeline Crisis Supporter, a research assistant investigating the effects of shift work and trauma on emergency service workers, and several years of experience in medical reception.

Maddy is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all clients. Outside of work and study, she enjoys cooking, reading, travelling, and spending time with her partner and friends.

Rhea D’Souza

Support staff

Rhea is a friendly and dedicated team member who is currently completing her Honours year in psychology at Deakin University. As part of her studies she is developing her understanding of psychological assessment, research, and evidence-based practice.

Rhea has a strong interest in children’s mental health and clinical psychology, and is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of young people and their families. Through her studies and professional experience, she has developed strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, and values creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all clients.

Outside of work and study, she enjoys going on walks with her dog Theo, catching up with friends and family, watching movies and travelling.

Alicia Mudie

Support staff

Alicia is a caring and friendly receptionist at Melbourne Clinical and Child Psychology. She brings a warm and empathetic presence to the clinic and is focused on ensuring a welcoming environment for all clients. She has completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and hopes to contribute meaningfully to the field of psychology as a Clinical Psychologist in the future.

Alicia has a strong commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, which is reflected in her experience across the mental health sector. Her previous roles as a Mental Health Support Worker and a school wellbeing team member have equipped her with practical skills and insights to work effectively within a client-centred approach.

When Alicia is not working she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to the beach, reading and travelling.