Our Team

Maria Kampantais - Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)

Maria is a registered psychologist and has worked in the field of psychology since 2009. She recently completed the Master in Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) and is currently undertaking the clinical registrar program.

Maria uses a supportive and caring approach, drawing on a variety of evidence-based therapies including (but not limited to) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, mindfulness techniques, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT).

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.

Aanchal Sood - Psychologist

Aanchal is a registered general psychologist who completed studies in psychopharmacology and psychology in England. She is fluent in both 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, obsessive compulsive and related disorders.

Aanchal feels privileged to work as a psychologist and is committed to providing a compassionate, non-judgmental, 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.

**Please note that Aanchal will commence maternity leave as of July 2023 - we can't wait to meet her twins!**

Lana Lubomirska - 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.

Simone Chaochalakorn - Psychologist

Simone completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Psychology (Honours these exploring conflict behaviour in relationships at Deakin University), as well as a Masters of Professional Psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute. In 2019, she completed her final year of studies and placement with YMM, and soon after gained full registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA.
Simone has experience working in a variety of contexts, including working with young children in primary schools, as well as adolescents in clinics. Alongside this, Simone has also assisted adults and seniors with concerns such as work-related stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety and low mood.
Simone uses a client-centered approach, in which she strives to understand each individual and their unique problem, in order to find the most effective strategies to help them.

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.

 

Annick Saminaden - 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-judgmental 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.

Blair Raatjes - Psychologist

Blair completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Bond University and Monash University, and is a fully registered psychologist. Her Honours research focused on the effects of mindfulness and rumination on the psychological adjustment of women exposed to verbal aggression. Blair has experience working with children, mentoring youth, and aiding older adults with difficulties such as loneliness and low mood. More recently, Blair completed further studies in the management of eating disorders using CBTE, and is a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician.

Blair understands that seeking psychological help for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience for clients, therefore, she is committed to providing a warm, accepting and compassionate environment. She believes that collaboration, empathetic understanding, and respect are essential components to therapy and is interested in evidence-based approaches that emphasise the importance of catering to each client’s needs and strengths. Blair has experience using key therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Motivational Interviewing and has a keen interest in Mindfulness based techniques such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Laura Forlani - Clinical Psychologist

Laura is the Director at Your Mind Matters and works as a registered Clinical Psychologist.  She completed undergraduate and post-graduate 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 care-givers. 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, and is a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician.

Laura's approach to therapy involves education, collaboration, and evidence-based interventions such as cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy, (IPT), skills training, and relaxation strategies.

 

Ian Clark - Clinical Psychologist

Ian is an effective and insightful Psychologist with over 10 years experience in private practice. He enjoys working with adolescents and adults presenting with a range of difficulties, including mood disorders, anxiety, stress related to school or work, and has years of experience supporting victims of domestic violence. Ian believes it is essential to the therapeutic process to provide a welcoming, safe, and non-judgemental environment in which to carefully explore ways to help people to 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.

 

 

Elina Makela - Psychologist (Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar)

Elina is a fully registered Psychologist who recently completed the Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology program at Monash University.

Elina has experience working collaboratively with families and other professionals to support young people with developmental difficulties related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She is passionate about helping young people presenting with behavioural and emotional difficulties at school, and difficulties forming and maintaining social connections. Through warmth, compassion and play, Elina creates rapport with her younger and adolescent clients. She also has a strong interest in working with young people who experience eating difficulties, poor body image, sleep issues, and anxiety.

Elina engages with a range of evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), play-therapy, behavioural therapy, and mindfulness to support the wellbeing and development of young people.

Michaela Hughes - Psychologist

Michaela completed her Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University, and her Honours  at the University of Melbourne, where her research focused on the impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety on attentional difficulties in primary school children.

Coming from an early intervention and integration aide background, Michaela has experience working collaboratively with schools, teachers, and families to support young children with issues related to school and school readiness. She has a special interest in working with children and young people with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ADHD, Intellectual Disability and Language Impairment.

Michaela believes in a warm, empathetic, and collaborative approach to the therapeutic process and that treatment should be tailored to the client’s individual needs. She strives to adopt a client-centred approach, drawing on a range of evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy, play-therapy and mindfulness-based therapy.

Tayla Chellew - Psychologist (Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar)

Tayla is a registered Psychologist currently completing her PhD in Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults and their families. Tayla enjoys supporting young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and has a special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific learning disorders (SLD).

Tayla recognises that the early years of childhood through to adolescence can be an exciting yet challenging time for many. She is enthusiastic about supporting the development, mental health and well-being of young people, and values the importance of collaborating with families, teachers and other health professionals. Tayla also has a passion for conducting psychological and educational assessments, in order to better understand an individual’s strengths and difficulties, and develop targeted strategies to help them succeed to their full potential.

 

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, whilst 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 which may come their way.

Patrick Carey - Clinical Psychologist

Paddy is a Clinical Psychologist who completed undergraduate and postgraduate training at the University of Adelaide. He has worked in a variety of contexts, including private practice, inpatient and outpatient public mental health, and community rehabilitation services. Paddy works with adults presenting with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, substance and gambling issues, psychosis spectrum disorders, and grief and loss.

Paddy is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Metacognitive Training (MCT), and mindfulness approaches.

Paddy is focussed 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. Steven is passionate about implementing research-backed interventions to collaboratively develop treatment plans with his clients.

Through his studies, Steven has been able to work in a handful 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 work in clinical and residential settings. Steven has also had the opportunity to work closely with the neurodevelopmental disorder population (ADHD, ASD, ID). Steven is interested in working with young adults and adults who may be experiencing challenges related to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, phobias, and other sources of daily stress.

With a primary foundation of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Steven explores the integration of other therapeutic techniques (including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) in order to tailor his work to the specific needs of his clients.

 

Karen Dreher - Counsellor (Individual & Gottman/Couples Therapist)

Karen has a Masters of Counselling, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, a Masters of Education, and is an accredited and registered member of Australia’s peak body for counsellors, The Australian Counselling Association (ACA). She has also completed additional training in Gottman (couples) Therapy.  Karen is a person-centred counsellor who values the diversity of human narrative and her clients own personal meanings, experiences and feelings.  She has a particular interest in the connection between language, communication empowerment and intimate relationships. Other interests include anxiety, trauma, grief, loneliness, life transitions, identity, parenting, divorce. She has worked in a variety of settings, including many years in education where she supported young people with mental health and learning difficulties (e.g. , ADHD, depression) and those who had experienced trauma (eg: sexual assault, domestic violence). Karen is responsive to the individual and her counselling includes psychotherapeutic approaches that explore unconscious thoughts, themes, interpersonal difficulties and feelings through deeper talk therapy and healing. Karen also utilises Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused therapy (SFT) and mindfulness-based techniques. Karen provides a warm, empathetic, authentic space that supports the client in engaging in their own self-understanding and healthy well-being.

Shivonne Cammell - Senior Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

Shivonne is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, 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 and specialist trauma counselling services.

Shivonne specialises in utilising play 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 caregivers, 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 has experience working with adolescents and adults to address issues including anxiety, low mood and depression, low self esteem and interpersonal 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, 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-judgmental 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.

Nicole Gerson - Psychologist

Nicole is a registered Psychologist who has completed her Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University. Nicole has previously completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Psychology, as well as her Masters in Counselling.

Nicole has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and their families. Nicole enjoys supporting these individuals who present with a range of social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, including anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem, and relationship concerns.

Nicole uses a client-centred approach whereby she strives to understand each individual and their unique concerns to ensure they feel supported throughout their therapeutic journey. Recognising the importance of collaboration, Nicole works with individuals’ families, teachers, and other health professionals to ensure each client is well supported.

Nicole also has a passion for conducting psychological and educational assessments to better understand an individual’s strengths and difficulties. Nicole works closely with clients to help develop targeted strategies and assist each client to reach their full potential.

Sarah, Melissa, Brittany, Steph, Siahn, and Marina

Sarah (Practicer 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.