Sydney Psychology Centre Staff

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Director

Emma Spencer – Director/Principal Clinical Psychologist

 

Emma is a Clinical Psychologist who has a special interest in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and families and peri-natal care.  Her background has been varied and included employment within hospital and community settings, both public and private.  Emma also worked for a number of years in consulting, as a trainer, project manager, neuropsychological assessor and also provided employment selection and transition services. Her leadership roles have included Site Manager, Clinical Supervisor and Executive Level Allied Health representative.  Emma is trained in a number of evidenced based therapies including CBT, ACT and DBT as well as Art and Play Therapies and she has written a number of therapeutic programs for mental health facilities nation wide.

 

Her clinical role within CDSA focusses on early intervention treatment services for children 0-6 years and their parents.  She is also passionate about supporting expectant/new mothers/fathers, with transitioning into these roles or to address mental health concerns.  Emma is a licensed 123 Magic trainer and Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, with a passion for working with parents to improve their confidence in parenting.

Emma’s other passion is as an Assessor and Diagnostician with a focus on complex cases such as Autism and ADHD.  She takes assessment and diagnosis very seriously and as such has ensured the high quality of the tools and reporting requirements at the centre.  She is also a Clinical Supervisor providing supervision services to peers and Psychologists in training.

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MOSSMAN STAFF

 

Simone Chartres

B. Sci (Psych), PG Dip (Psych); M. Psych (Clinical)
Clinical Director/Clinical Psychologist
Registration PSY0001629041

 

Simone Chartres is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  Mrs Chartres completed a Masters of Clinical Psychology at Charles Sturt University and holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Wollongong. Simone has had over 10 years of clinical experience working with young people and adults with complex presentations.

 

Before commencing her practice at SCPC, Simone worked in inpatient mental health hospitals, including St Vincent’s Hospital, as part of the Young Adult Mental Health Unit (USPACE), leading group and individual therapy. Mrs Chartres has also worked at Manly Drug Education and Counselling Centre (MDECC), Mosman Private Hospital, and directed early intervention programs in high schools.

 

Mrs. Chartres has conducted research with Professor Rocco Crino examining Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the role of family members. Mrs Chartres also has experience in treating clients with specific phobias, having worked at the Sydney Phobia Clinic which incorporates virtual reality for exposure therapy. Mrs Chartres has completed training at the MJC Pain Management and Research Centre (Royal North Shore Hospital), working within a multidisciplinary team to assist clients in the treatment of chronic pain.

 

Mrs Chartres is passionate about working with adolescents, adults and families, with extensive clinical experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders and eating disorders. She has received specialised training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and EMDR for processing traumatic memories.

 

Nicole Andrews

Assoc MAPS
BA (Psych) PGDip Psych MPsych (Clinical)
Clinical Psychologist

Nicole is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and is a full member of the APS and an Associate Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and their families. She works collaboratively with all of her clients in order to improve their wellbeing and help them reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Nicole has a special interest in ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety and behavioural problems in children. Nicole strives to provide a holistic, empathic and caring service that is both personal and highly professional, utilising interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Brief Solution Focused therapy. Nicole has also developed a social skills group aimed at helping children build or improve their social skills and friendships.

 

Kim Shortridge  MAPS

Psychologist
BA (Hons), BHlthSc (RC)
Registration PSY0001896130

Kim is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).  She has undertaken tertiary studies at the University of Sydney, Charles Sturt University, and Central Queensland University. For over 5 years Kim has worked across both the public and private sectors, providing both assessment and therapy services in child and family mental health settings.  Prior to her work in psychology, Kim worked in the occupational rehabilitation sector for 10 years.

 

Kim is a certified facilitator for the Circle of Security parenting program, Triple P parenting program, Cool Kids Anxiety Program and Tuning in to Kids parenting program. Kim is, therefore, able to incorporate attachment based, cognitive behavioural and emotion coaching therapeutic techniques.  Kim has a extensive knowledge in sensory processing issues and enjoys early intervention work.

 

Kim applies a client-centred strength-based approach to assist children and families move towards their goals for positive mental health.  Kim adopts evidence-based approaches using Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Play Therapy to assist children and families manage a range of issues.  She is committed to assisting families in becoming more connected, resilient and content.

 

Jessica Radovan

BSc; Grad Dip Sci (Psych); MsSocH
Psychologist
PSY0001331494

 

Jessica is a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and Medicare. She is also currently undertaking further study, a Master of Clinical Psychology at Charles Sturt University.

 

Jessica has over 13 years of experience both in Australia and the UK across various sectors, including community mental health services, non-government services, schools, hospital settings, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults in these various roles. She is passionate about supporting people of all ages experiencing various challenges including depression, various anxiety conditions, behavioural concerns, and relationship issues.

 

Jessica has also worked with various health providers supporting her clients and is committed to working collaboratively to achieve best outcomes for her clients. Jessica aims to create a safe space for her clients where they can share their current difficulties and work together to come to a shared understanding of these difficulties from which they develop and practice strategies to alleviate these difficulties.

 

Jessica’s has much experience in working with children and young people with varying difficulties including depression, anxiety and OCD, as well as family and relationships difficulties. Jessica is trained in and uses a variety of evidence based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and is trained in various parenting programs, including Triple P.

 

Jessica is experienced in administering various psychometric assessments to assess for intellectual ability and learning issues, as well the screening and assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

Tim Bullivant


BPsych (Hons), MClinPsych, LLB(Hons), BAppFin
Clinical Psychology Registrar/Registered Psychologist

 

Tim is a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA), having completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Queensland. He is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) and the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour therapy (AACBT).

 

Tim has clinical experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, and adults in public and private settings. He worked with young people and their families at the Child and Youth Mental Health Service in Queensland. He has also provided treatment at the Alcohol and Drug Assessment Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and at the the University of Queensland Psychology Clinic.

 

Tim has experience providing treatment in relation to a range of presentations, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, behavioural difficulties, social skills, self-esteem, and parenting skills. Tim’s primary treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), though his practice is also informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), narrative therapy, and family therapy. Tim also has experience in assessment of ADHD, specific learning disorders, and giftedness.

 

Tim is a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental psychologist. He is passionate about building a strong therapeutic alliance with his clients, believing that this and other relationships can be powerful agents of change and improve overall well-being.

 

Dr. Zoë Wheeler


Psychology (Hons), MSc (Health Psychology), PhD (Developmental Psychology), PG Dip Professional Psychology
Registration PSY0001765916
Psychologist

 

Dr. Zoë Wheeler is a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and has a Masters and PhD in Psychology from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. Dr. Wheeler has previously worked in a high school as the Senior School Counsellor, in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and has also lectured in Early Childhood at Macquarie University.

 

Dr. Wheeler has a passion for working with teenagers and young adults, in addition to supporting parents. She has trained extensively in mood difficulties, behaviour change, and health behaviours, and believes in an empathic, emotion focused approach which fosters a strong therapeutic alliance.

 

Dr. Wheeler tailors her approach to each individual client and draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Mindfulness. Dr. Wheeler conducts  intellectual and educational assessments, in addition to assessing and  treating a range of mood, situational, and behavioural difficulties. She has also worked with disadvantaged adolescents and in early intervention supporting families where a child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

Michal Shoham Polonsky

BBehavSci, MPsych(Clin)
Psychologist
PSY0002109367

 

Michal is a fully registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Michal was trained overseas and holds a Master’s degree in clinical psychology from Tel- Aviv University.

 

Michal is a warm and dedicated therapist, who is passionate about supporting her clients through all stages of life. Michal has been working with children, adolescents, adults and families with various mental health presentations such as anxiety, depression and mood disorders for over nine years.

 

Before commencing her practice at Sydney Psychology Centre, Michal worked in an NGO in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, working with disadvantaged youth and families, providing therapy, school counselling, and facilitating parenting courses and school programs.

 

In her therapeutic work, Michal likes to draw on eclectic therapy models such as Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Systemic Family Therapy, as suited to clients’ needs. Michal is also trained in WorkCover.

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GLADESVILLE STAFF

Melissa Gilkes

BA (Media and Communications), GradDipPsychSc, BPsychSc (Hons), MPsy (ClinPsy)
Psychologist
PSY0001964131

 

Melissa is a registered Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar specialising in the treatment of adults and young adults. She has completed a Masters degree in Psychology (Clinical Psychology) at the Western Sydney University. She is fully registered with the Psychologists Board of Australia and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She is also an Associate Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association.

 

Melissa’s experience includes working in government settings, private and public hospital settings, and corporate rehabilitation settings. In these roles, she has conducted both individual and group therapy to clients with mental health presentations including depression and anxiety, bi-polar disorder, adjustment to significant life changes, enduring pain, co-occurring mental health and substance use, trauma and psychosis.

 

Melissa is trained in a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). She also uses Mindfulness in her approach. She has a particular interest in complex trauma, bipolar-disorder, relationship difficulties, body image and self-esteem, difficulties with intense emotions and self-harm behaviours. Melissa is SIRA accredited for workers compensation claims.

 

Melissa’s approach is client-centred, empathic, and collaborative. She is committed to sensitively helping her clients understand their experiences and move towards a more fulfilling life.

 

Melissa has been published in the Stigma and Health Journal by the American Psychological Association, on the topic of self-stigma in bipolar disorder.

Nicholas Walker

BSc (Hons) MPsych (Clin)
Psychologist
PSY0002032407

 

Nic is a registered psychologist who has completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology Honours) from the University of New South Wales and a Masters of Clinical Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney. Nic is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), and is a member of Australian Psychological Society

 

Nic has experience working with individuals of all age groups with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, substance misuse, emotional dysregulation, criminal behaviour and autism. Nic treats from a science-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) foundation but also utilises other science-based methods such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Nic is SIRA accredited for workers compensation claims.

 

Nic prefers a transdiagnostic approach that emphasises targeting the core factors underlying thinking and emotional problems. Most of all Nic likes listening to people and developing an understanding of their difficulties. He believes in a collaborative approach where problems and solutions are explored together with the client in a warm and supportive environment that can hopefully be a mutually rewarding experience.

 

Claire Rokobauer


Clinical & Research Assistant


Claire is part of the administration team at Sydney  Psychology Centre as a Clinical & Research Assistant.

Claire has recently completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP). She is now studying a Graduate Diploma of Psychology at Deakin University. Her plan is to eventually become a registered psychologist and work with children and adolescents.

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Support Team

 

Francesca Evans
Practice Manager

Francesca is the Practice Manager of Sydney Psychology Centre and has had many years of experience in performing a practice manager role.

Francesca has previously managed us here at Sydney Child Psychology and then moved on to the Orthopaedic area at the Mater hospital for a few years. However, Francesca missed us so much she has now returned. She is caring and professional and is always happy to go above and beyond to help us and all our lovely clients. Please don’t hesitate in calling her if you need anything at all.

 

 

Arabelle Tantipech
Saturday Receptionist


Arabelle is part of the administration team at Sydney Psychology Centre and the first point of contact on Saturday providing assistance to our clients. Arabelle is currently studying Pharmacy at The University of Sydney
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