Our Team
Interested in Joining our Team?
Maria Kampantais
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Maria is a clinical psychologist and has worked in the field of psychology since 2009.
Maria has experience assisting adolescents and adults to address a variety of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties (e.g., communication, relationship breakdown), grief/loss, and low self-esteem. Maria has a particular interest in working with clients presenting with anxiety disorders and past trauma. Maria offers a warm and supportive space to assist clients in navigating their presenting concerns and exploring past painful experiences. She aims to support clients to build awareness into how past experiences may have shaped their belief system and subsequent emotional responses and move towards healing through developing helpful coping mechanisms.
Maria draws on various evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness techniques, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT).
Lana Lubomirska
Senior Psychologist
Lana is a Registered Psychologist who completed both Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies at Monash University. She is fluent in both English and Russian.
Lana is a warm, friendly, and empathic practitioner with experience in working with children, adolescents, and adults from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. She is committed to providing a client-centred safe environment for every individual and assisting clients along their journey.
Lana uses a variety of evidence-based therapies to support clients in addressing difficulties with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, friendship problems, and educational stresses. These include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness Techniques as well as elements of psychodynamic and play therapies.
Annick Saminaden
Senior Psychologist
Annick is a registered Psychologist who completed her studies in psychology at the University of Melbourne. She is fluent in French, English, and Creole.
Annick is interested in assisting young people and adults presenting with a wide range of issues, including mental health, stress, grief/loss, trauma, self-esteem, assertiveness, perfectionism, and school/workplace/career.
Annick provides a safe, non-judgemental, and collaborative space to empower clients to create meaningful changes in their lives and enhance their overall well-being. She incorporates a number of evidence-based approaches into her psychological practice, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy and relaxation techniques. She tailors these approaches to meet the unique needs of her clients.
Johana Xanthopoulos
Clinical Psychologist
Johana works with a range of clients, including children and adolescents. Working previously in an early childhood intervention setting, Johana has skills and experience working with a range of childhood disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder. Johana’s other special interests include anxiety and depression. She has also completed Animal Assisted Therapy training with her dog Luna, who you may see in our office.
Johana uses evidence-based interventions and aims to create an environment where clients feel comfortable and heard. She is registered as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and is endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist. She is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Johana is fluent in English and Greek.
Blair Raatjes
Psychologist
Blair is a registered psychologist and is passionate about supporting her clients to heal from core wounds, break negative patterns, thrive, and live authentically. Blair understands that seeking psychological help for the first time can be very nerve-wracking and is committed to providing a warm, accepting, and compassionate space.
Blair is a credentialed eating disorder clinician and has a particular interest in helping adolescents and adults with body image and eating and feeding challenges.
Blair has experience working with a range of presentations, such as anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, trauma, and family and relationship issues. Her approach to working with clients is highly individualised and integrative, combining techniques from ACT, CBT, CBT-E, DBT, EMDR and schema therapy.
Laura Forlani
Senior Clinical Psychologist and Founder of YMM
Laura is the Director at Your Mind Matters and works as a registered Clinical Psychologist. She completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Swinburne University and is also a Board Approved Supervisor.
Laura has a strong interest in working with clients struggling with pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy loss, or new parents adjusting to their role as carers. She has experience helping children, adolescents, and adults overcome a wide variety of difficulties such as mood and anxiety disorders and problems arising due to changes in personal circumstances (e.g., family breakdown or a change in career). Laura is also experienced in the treatment and assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More recently, Laura completed further studies in the management of eating disorders using Family-Based Therapy.
Laura’s approach to therapy involves education, collaboration, and evidence-based interventions such as cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), skills training, and relaxation strategies.
Ian Clark
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Ian is an effective and insightful Psychologist with over 10 years of experience in private practice. He enjoys working with adolescents and adults presenting with a range of difficulties, including mood disorders, anxiety, and stress related to school or work, and has years of experience supporting victims of domestic violence. Ian believes it is essential for the therapeutic process to provide a welcoming, safe, and non-judgmental environment in which to carefully explore ways to help people make positive changes in their lives. He supports his clients to carefully and thoughtfully identify challenges in their lives and to explore strategies and more effective ways of coping. His solution-focused and collaborative approach enables him to journey with his clients as they engage fully with the change process and make informed and lasting changes to their lives.
Ian works with clients dealing with a variety of issues and is committed to providing individualised support to each client. He has experience in the application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused therapy, and often integrates concepts from Family Systems Theory.
Michaela Hughes
Psychologist / Educational and Developmental Registrar
Michaela is a registered psychologist with a passion for helping children and young people thrive by embracing their unique strengths and identities. She has a strong interest in working with neurodivergent individuals, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Intellectual Disability, and Language Differences.
Michaela’s professional journey began with a background in early intervention and as an integration aide, where she developed a strong foundation in collaborating with schools, teachers, and families to support young learners. She holds a Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology from Monash University and completed her Honours at the University of Melbourne, where her research focused on how ADHD and anxiety influence attentional processes in primary school children. She is currently completing the Educational and Developmental Psychology registrar program to further enhance her skills and expertise.
Michaela has a particular interest in supporting children with school readiness, addressing anxiety, and conducting comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments to better understand and support each individual’s unique needs.
She values a warm, empathetic, and collaborative approach to her work, tailoring her support to each client’s goals. Michaela draws on evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, play therapy, and mindfulness, to empower children and families by building skills, fostering resilience, and celebrating individuality.
Patrick Carey
Clinical Psychologist
Paddy is a Clinical Psychologist who completed undergraduate and postgraduate training at the University of Adelaide. He has worked in various contexts, including private practice, inpatient and outpatient public mental health, and community rehabilitation services.
Paddy works with adults presenting with
- Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder)
- Mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar affective disorder)
- Trauma-related difficulties (e.g., PTSD)
- Stress-related disorders (e.g., acute stress disorder or adjustment disorders)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Psychosis spectrum disorders
- Grief and loss
- Addiction related to
- substances
- pornography
- gambling
Paddy utilises various therapeutic modalities, tailored to the client’s needs and goals, including: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Metacognitive Training (MCT), and mindfulness approaches.
Paddy is focused on developing warm, trusting, and strengths-based relationships with clients. He recognises that his clients are the foremost experts in the room, and unearthing their own expertise is crucial to applying his skills. Most importantly, he’s invested in moving towards a client’s own definition of recovery—i.e., what will be the most meaningful and fulfilling life for them beyond their current struggles.
Steven Andritsos
Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
Steven is a fully registered Psychologist who completed his Master of Clinical Psychology at Charles Sturt University at the start of 2023 and is currently undertaking the clinical registrar program. He is passionate about implementing research-backed interventions to collaboratively develop treatment plans with his clients.
Through his studies, Steven has worked in a variety of unique contexts, including research roles at the Austin Hospital and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, as well as assessment and treatment roles in clinical and residential settings. He has extensive experience supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental profiles, including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Steven works with young adults, adults, and older adults, addressing a range of concerns, including anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, sleep disturbances, chronic pain, and daily stressors. He is also dedicated to helping individuals build self-esteem, self-confidence, and assertiveness.
With a primary foundation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Steven integrates elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to provide a tailored, evidence-based approach to therapy.
Steven’s main areas of interest include
- Neurodiverse clients (diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, &/or ID)
- Chronic Pain Management
- OCD, Anxiety, and Specific Phobias
- Self-esteem, Assertiveness, Interpersonal Relationships
Steven also enjoys working with the following demographics:
- Senior School Students (particularly those with ADHD/ASD)
- Young Adults (Male and Female)
- Older Adults (Particularly Female)
Shivonne Cammell
Senior Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Shivonne is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist (APTA – RPT), who completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and neuroscience at Monash University, followed by a Master of Social Work at University of Melbourne. She began her career working with children with autism and their families and has worked across complex settings, including foster care, child protection, family support services, sexual abuse, and specialist trauma counselling services.
Shivonne sspecialises in usingplay therapy to help children recover from trauma and grief; develop resilience; enhance family relationships; and adjust to new social circumstances in positive ways. She believes strongly in partnering with parents and carers to support their child’s development at home and to develop further knowledge and tools to better understand their children’s emotional needs and how to respond effectively.
Shivonne also works with adolescents and adults to address issues including anxiety, low mood and depression, childhood trauma, and parenting difficulties. She is a warm and approachable clinician who works from a strength-based approach incorporating methodologies including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal therapy, Level 1 EMDR, and relaxation and mindfulness strategies.
Dominika Runkowska
Psychologist
Dominika is a registered psychologist who completed the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology program at Monash University. Dominika has experience working with people across the lifespan in private practice and educational settings.
Dominika uses both her clinical knowledge and practical approach to gain an understanding of each client and to collaboratively work towards their future goals or desired change. Dominika tailors her treatment to each client’s individual needs, using an evidence-based, integrative approach. Therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness approaches.
Dominika is committed to providing a compassionate, supportive, and non-judgemental environment. She enjoys working with adolescents and young adults and has experience in treating a range of difficulties, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, stress, and poor self-esteem and confidence.
Dominika is also experienced in completing comprehensive Autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and cognitive assessments.
Bonnie German
Provisional Psychologist
Bonnie is a provisional psychologist who is currently completing her Master of Clinical Psychology at Cairnmillar Institute. She has worked in multiple industries across her career, which spans 20-plus years! In more recent years, while gaining her psychology degree, Bonnie has started working with young people across government and private settings, including forensic, in various therapeutic roles.
Bonnie loves working with families to strengthen parent-child relationships and attachment and ensures therapy sessions are fun and engaging, often incorporating play therapy interventions. Some of Bonnie’s key areas of interest and experience focus on neurodiversity, anxiety and stress management, and trauma-informed care. Bonnie is passionate about ensuring children (and, in turn, future adolescents and adults) are equipped to cope with the social, emotional, and environmental stressors that may come their way.
Laura Fawzy
Provisional Psychologist
Laura is a provisional psychologist who is currently completing a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University. Laura has previous experience as a support worker who has worked with young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions. She also has experience working in an early intervention centre, participating in programmes with young children to target the improvement of social skills, and has experience working in an after-school setting, helping to run activities for primary school children to help them identify their strengths and interests and target social and emotional issues.
Laura is passionate about working with children and adolescents and making a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of young people. She has a strong interest in working with young people who present with neurodevelopmental and learning differences such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD). Laura aims to create a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable to express their feelings and concerns.
Aanchal Sood
Senior Psychologist
Aanchal is a registered general psychologist who completed studies in psychopharmacology and psychology in England. She is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Aanchal has experience assisting adolescents, adults, and couples to address a variety of difficulties, including anxiety and mood disorders, grief and loss, trauma and stress-related disorders, adjustment issues (e.g., cultural adjustment), sleep difficulties, relationship difficulties, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
Aanchal feels privileged to work as a psychologist and is committed to providing a compassionate, non-judgemental, respectful, and safe environment for clients. She uses a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Motivational interviewing (MI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution- focused approach, Schema therapy and Mindfulness.
Fiona Lian
Senior Psychologist / Couples Counsellor
Fiona is a registered psychologist with postgraduate qualifications in Counselling Psychology. She is also a qualified family therapist and completed training both in Singapore and Australia.
With 20 years of counselling experience, she possesses a lively, empathetic, and approachable disposition, which allows her to readily establish a therapeutic rapport with her clients. Fiona is passionate about supporting individuals of cultural diversity to reflect on their experiences, discover their inner potentials, draw upon their inner strengths, and help them live a life they consider most meaningful. Her counselling involved children, youth, individuals, couples, and families in various schools and communities.
Fiona uses evidence-based strategies ( namely Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Solution Focused Based Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy) for multicultural, diverse clients experiencing a range of issues. She enjoys working with anxiety and mood disorders (e.g., depression), grief and loss, couples, bullying and workplace injuries, PTSD, and working with neurodiverse clients.
Fiona is also multilingual, being most fluent in English and Mandarin.
Sarah, Melissa, Katherine, Emma, Stasia, & Marina
Sarah (practice manager) and the admin team are the people you’re most likely to see when you first step into our office. They take care of the day-to-day running of the clinic and are crucial in ensuring our team members and clients have the best possible experience.