Social Worker
Alicia is an experienced youth and adult mental health clinician. Alicia has worked across tertiary and community settings in rural and metropolitan areas for more than 13 years. Currently, Alicia is based in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, QLD. Alicia offers in-person and Telehealth/Video sessions through Vista Counselling.
Alicia places a high value on developing respectful, authentic and open-minded relationships with clients, creating a safe, client-centred and collaborative environment. Alicia has a specific area of interest in working with people struggling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, family violence, addiction, personality disorders/complex trauma and low self-worth. Furthermore, throughout her career, Alicia has had a focus on supporting members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.
As an accredited mental health social worker and Bachelor of Psychology graduate, Alicia's therapeutic approach is underpinned by trauma-informed practice and the recovery care model, focusing on collaboration and inclusivity. Alicia uses several therapeutic models including, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing. Alicia is passionate about the accessibility of evidence-based mental health support for her clients.
Psychologist
Anthony is a Clinical Psychologist who has a special interest in anxiety, OCD and resilience.
He utilises a positive psychology approach to treatment aimed at encouraging individuals to reach their potential and improve their resilience and wellbeing. Anthony is a registered Clinical Psychologist and the Clinic Director of Anxiety House and the OCD Clinic in Brisbane.
He has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings to support clients with building resilience and addressing serious mental health conditions. Anthony has a special interest in anxiety, OCD and resilience. Anthony has also conducted both Australia-wide and international training for resilience enhancement and anxiety prevention.
Further, Anthony has published research on the importance of early intervention in preventing mental ill-health. He has extensive experience and knowledge working with high performing athletes from numerous sporting backgrounds.
Anthony works collaboratively with clients to manage their mental health, adjust effectively through life transitions and to improve performance. Anthony focuses on providing treatment from an evidenced based approach established on a solid formulation tailoring his treatment to the individual.
Psychologist
Ashleigh (she/her) is a registered psychologist, and ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician, with experience working in high performance sport settings as a sport and exercise psychologist, as well as in private practice supporting the mental health and eating disorder recovery of elite and developing athletes, and performers. Ashleigh currently provides psychology support privately via Telehealth, or face-to-face at True North Psychology in Brisbane. Ashleigh works with people from our LGBTIQAP+ communities, people living with a disability, and practices from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
Ashleigh has a special interest in the treatment of eating disorders, disorder eating, body image concerns, relative energy deficiency in sport (REDS), and low energy availability in current and retired athletes. Ashleigh also has experience in supporting athletes experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and concerns related to emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Ashleigh enjoys supporting athletes to achieve their optimal health to then help them perform at their best.
All eating disorder treatments delivered by Ashleigh are underpinned by principles aligned with social justice, weight-inclusive care, and non-diet approaches. Ashleigh is trained and experienced in the delivery of the following evidence-based eating disorder treatments:
Psychologist
Brett took a less conventional path to becoming a clinical psychologist, completing his honours and master’s degrees in psychology after racing as a professional triathlete and employment as a swim coach working with elite coaches and athletes in swimming, surf sports, and triathlon at Bond University. Brett’s experience training alongside Olympic and World Champions, and seeing the pressures and challenges they faced, was his inspiration to study psychology.
Brett has worked in both government and private settings to assist individuals with concerns such as addictive behaviours, performance, stress, disordered eating, depression, anxiety, persistent/chronic pain, and adjustment to spinal cord injury. Brett has also worked with Australian Defence Force members to help them overcome post-traumatic stress, injury setbacks, and adjustment to civilian life after the military.
Brett aims to help clients understand and shift automatic default patterns of thought and behaviour that exist to provide short-term relief/distraction/avoidance from painful feelings/emotions, however, in the long-term underpin mental health issues and impact performance in relationships and valued pursuits. Brett draws upon techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy depending upon client needs.
Psychologist
Dr Emily O’Leary is an experienced Clinical Psychologist with extensive knowledge supporting high performance athletes and executives experiencing high levels of perfectionism, obsessionality and adjustment to life post athletic/business career.
Dr. Emily O’Leary is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years’ experience. She holds a PhD in Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology. She provides guest lectures across several universities about anxiety. Emily has presented her research on anxiety and OCD at both national and international conferences.
Aside from her work, Emily is a regular columnist for Mindfood and the Director of three psychology clinics and co-director of a psychiatry practice. Her interest areas include: Anxiety disorders Obsessive compulsive and related disorders Transitional issues e.g life post sporting career. Infertility and trying to convince Bipolar Affective Disorder
Psychologist
Ian is a Clinical Psychologist who enjoys working with adults seeking support for a range of mental health difficulties. Ian has experience in private practice and community mental health settings. With a background in disability support work and community development, Ian completed a BA Honours in Psychological Science and Master of Clinical Psychology. Ian holds membership with the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA).
He has a special interest in OCD, anxiety disorders and mood disorders, as well as Christian counselling and men’s mental health.
He works collaboratively with clients to come to a mutual understanding of the client’s difficulties which informs a tailored treatment program. He utilises techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Psychologist
AIS Clinician and Senior Clinical Psychologist
Katie is a Clinical Psychologist based at the OCD Clinic Brisbane. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Australian Psychological Society.
She has completed a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and has over 15 years’ experience working with clients experiencing anxiety and other mental health issues. She has worked in both private and public settings as a Clinician and also a Team Leader and Director. She has presented at Conferences and Workshops, both nationally and internationally. She has a special interest in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders and OCD, and is particularly passionate about working with perfectionism and stress management with high performing athletes. She values a warm and collaborative relationship with her clients and utilises evidence based treatment that is tailored to the individual (particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).
Katie has worked with athletes both from Representative teams and individual sports (e.g. Gymnastics). She values health, sport and exercise, and has always actively participated in sports herself. She is currently a keen road cyclist and distance runner.
“I value the opportunity to provide mental health support for Australia’s athletes, from challenges early in their journey as an athlete to retirement from their sporting career.”
Psychiatrist
MBBS, BSc., LLB (Hons), FRANZCP
Dr Ryan qualified as a general doctor in 2003 and has been working full-time in psychiatry since 2005. All of his tertiary qualifications were obtained at the University of Queensland. He achieved Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 2011.
He treats a wide range of psychiatric conditions including mood and anxiety disorders, various forms of psychosis, and substance misuse. He has worked in both private and public practice for over 10 years. Dr Ryan established, and is the director of, Westside Medical Specialists in Toowong, Brisbane. He also currently holds the following appointments:
Prior to completing University degrees in Science and Medicine, Dr Ryan completed a Law degree and was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He is experienced in complex medico-legal matter and has been consulted as an Independent Medical Expert by a wide variety of clients and organisations.
Dr Ryan practices in the area of General Adult psychiatry and is committed to an “evidence-based medicine” approach to the care of his patients. He thus considers biological, psychological, and social factors when assessing problems and developing management plans for his patients. Dr Ryan has advanced training in CBT and psychotherapy and recognises both the importance of psychological therapies and the limitations of medicines.
Dr Ryan aims to be approachable and non-judgmental whilst being professional and outcome-focused. Patient confidentiality is always strictly maintained. Quote: “to love and to work” Sigmund Freud, when asked about the purpose of life.
Psychologist
Registered Psychologist with a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology, with extensive experience working with athletes and their families/partners.
Mette has a warm, non- judgemental approach and provides a safe space for clients to feel heard.
She has several interest areas including wellbeing, performance, relationships, stress, depression and anxiety management. She is also a committed grief counsellor and enjoys delivering communication and assertiveness training to build confidence and improve relationships.
She has been trained in Gottman Marriage Counselling and Trauma/Critical Incident Debriefing.
"The AIS Mental Health referral network provides a high calibre of psychological support for all current and retired athletes; I hope it continues to be an integral part of athlete wellbeing and that anyone who engages with the service finds it empowering and meaningful."
Social Worker
A holistic, relational approach to mental health and psychotherapy.
Monique is a Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Family Therapist working in private practice on the Gold Coast. She works both locally and across Australia via telehealth.
Monique is passionate about her work in supporting people to have healthy, thriving relationships and heal from past trauma. Her clinical specialisation is in anxiety and trauma. She considers these symptoms within the context of past conditioning and influence of both current systemic influences and historic family of origin patterns.
Monique’s style is warm, compassionate and optimistic. She takes an active, collaborative approach to therapy, highlighting to clients where they are struck and supporting long lasting transformation. Quote: Helping you heal from past trauma, break through stuck patterns to truly make peace with your past.
Psychologist
Sam is a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
He holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. He has experience supporting clients with anxiety disorders and other mental health difficulties across a range of settings including; inpatient residential treatment facilities, high schools and private practice.
He has conducted research in both sport psychology and alcohol and other drug settings. He enjoys working with adolescents and adults with a specific interest in anxiety disorders, difficulties with substance use, and with athletes. He also enjoys using a warm, friendly therapeutic approach to work alongside clients and facilitate their treatment goals.
He primarily utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailored to meet the needs of the client.
Dietitian
Shane is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. He currently works in private practice at River Oak Heath where he provided treatment for a range of eating, weight and body image concerns in addition to offering training, supervision and consultancy services. Shane is a credentialed eating disorder clinician, and is past treasurer of the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders.
Throughout his career, Shane has worked almost exclusively in the field of eating disorders, disordered eating, and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-s) and has a strong interest I how these presentations intersect with athletes. Shane has experience in working with athletes at all levels, in both an individual and team setting.
As the creator of the RAVES eating framework, Shane compliments this approach with the therapeutic concepts of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing in his work to help clients work towards a more positive relationship with food, mind and body. In his work, Shane adopts a holistic, collaborative approach to his work and believes in empowering clients to reach their health and performance goals.
Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of experience working with complex populations
Tara is a Clinical Psychologist with experience in both government mental health settings and private practice. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2002.
Tara has worked with high performance athletes and coaches as part of her private practice on the Gold Coast over the past 6 years. She has previously worked as both a Senior Clinician and a Clinical Team Leader for government mental health teams working with severe and complex mental health presentations.
Tara has completed training in a range of evidenced-based mental health interventions including ACT, CBT, Schema Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Family and Systemic therapy, and trauma processing. Tara is a board-approved supervisor in Clinical Psychology and continues to provide supervision and training to both early career and experienced clinicians.
Tara has previously taught clinical psychology subjects at Griffith University, and managed a state-wide research team evaluating mental health treatment in severe and complex populations. Tara holds membership with the Australian Psychological Society and is a Fellow of the Clinical College.
"Good mental health is a key component of good performance. The Mental Health Referral Network is an excellent initiative linking high performance athletes with experienced mental health professionals who can support them to manage mental health challenges, whether from their sport or life more broadly, to help them perform at their best."
Psychologist
Zoe is a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years experience across both the public and private sectors. She trained in New Zealand before jumping the ditch to Sydney and then settling for the sunshine in Brisbane. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Australian Psychological Society. She enjoys a healthy balanced lifestyle, is an active gym attendee and competed in national level sport in her younger years.
Given a long history client work Zoe has seen a broad range of difficulties including, but not limited to, Depression, Anxiety and OCD. She is well versed in the impacts of life's complexities including neuro-diversity, complex family backgrounds and trauma. She has worked with children, teenagers and adults. She enjoys working with athletes around perfectionism, transition changes and stress management.
Zoe is familiar with a wide variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). She is also trained in Level 1 Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). She likes to work collaboratively with her clients from a strengths-based approach. Using a client's own values to guide therapy goals.