Our Clinic Team
Dr Matt O'Connor
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Matt has over a decade of experience working with adolescents, young adults, adults and parents, across diverse settings, including schools, psychiatric units, and with organisations like Defence and Queensland Police. He balances care and compassion with humour and is well-regarded for his ability to build rapport. Matt also regularly provides presentations and training to schools, parents and businesses
Lauren Keating
Psychologist & Educational and Developmental Psychologist Registrar
Lauren Keating is a joyful and down-to-earth psychologist passionate about fostering connection and growth. With experience across rural Queensland, she supports clients through mental health, perinatal care, and psychoeducational assessments. Lauren uses a strengths-based, attachment-informed approach, drawing on ACT, CBT, DBT, and COS to empower individuals of all ages.
Erin Wilson
Psychologist & Educational and Developmental Psychologist Registrar
Erin Wilson is a psychologist and Educational and Developmental Registrar, dedicated to creating a safe, collaborative space for clients. She supports children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, life transitions, and neurodivergence. With experience across schools, hospitals, and private practice, Erin integrates creative, strengths-based approaches to enhance wellbeing, self-acceptance, and meaningful personal growth.
Tracey Beck Gude
Psychologist (and works with Dobby)
Tracey Beck Gude is a compassionate psychologist with over a decade of experience in education and mental health, including roles in schools, youth detention, and drug and alcohol counselling. She works creatively with clients to build confidence and achieve personal goals, often incorporating animal-assisted therapy with her certified therapy dog, Dobby.
Dobby
Therapy Dog and Good Girl (works with Tracey)
Dobby is a certified therapy dog, working with handler Tracey since 2021. A registered Good Girl with P.A.A.T.S and a member of Animal Therapies Ltd, Dobby supports children and young people in counselling, offering comfort, reducing stress, and encouraging engagement through play, love, and her friendly nature.
Debbie Green
Psychologist
Debbie Green is a psychologist dedicated to supporting individuals, particularly those who are neurodivergent. She brings experience from schools, palliative care, and equine therapy, using evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT, and DBT to tailor her practice to each person’s needs. She values building trust and collaboration with clients and their support networks to achieve meaningful, personalised outcomes.
Angela Bromfield
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Angela Bromfield is an Education and Developmental Psychologist with extensive experience in schools and private practice. Originally from Canada, she has worked with children and families since 2012, helping with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioural challenges. Angela is passionate about supporting children’s growth through evidence-based therapies and assessments.
Michelle Pullen
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Michelle Pullen is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with over a decade of experience in schools. With a background in teaching and psychology, Michelle supports children and families facing challenges like ADHD, anxiety, and learning difficulties. Her warm, playful approach uses evidence-based therapies, including CBT and play therapy. Michelle also provides psychoeducational, ADHD and ASD assessments
Emily Locke (nee Coote)
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Emily Coote is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with experience supporting individuals of all ages, particularly adolescents. Emily’s approachable, empathetic style helps clients navigate challenges like emotion regulation and self-identity. She draws from therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT to foster resilience and growth. In addition, she offers psychoeducational and ADHD assessments
Qualifications
- BPsySci(Hons)
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Dr Matt O'Connor
Clinical and School Psychologist
About me as a person
My top three character strengths are: Creativity, Humour and Perspective, and these summarise me perfectly! I love learning and thinking about things in a different way. I regularly have a ‘new thing’ that I’m into, whether that is learning about raising ducks, learning magic tricks, gardening or how to win at Fortnite. My closest people would describe me as curious and compassionate and someone whom they would come to for advice, a good cry or a belly laugh. I am so grateful and challenged by my family – my partner, our daughter, our cavoodle (who is by far the most troublesome of us all!) and our ducks, and learn a lot from the (humans) unique character and strengths.
About me as a psychologist
As a psychologist, I am all the things above but with a focus on bringing those qualities out that will best suit our work together. I have almost a decade of experience as a school psychologist and in education, including working in a co-educational school (St Peters Lutheran College), particularly working with teenagers, as well as supporting a number of other school psychologists. I’ve also worked as a psychologist in other roles, including inpatient psychiatric units, adolescent drug and alcohol, for Defence and for Queensland police. I have balanced my work with individuals by also doing presentations and programs with a strong focus on supporting parents. Outside of my role as a psychologist, I have and continue to volunteer with mental health services, including as the youngest-ever Director of Reachout.com, and as a clinical advisor for Batyr.
I am fiercely passionate about mental health and the courage we show when we reach out for support, and I will help bring that pride out in you for the steps you are taking. My primary focus in our work is for us to develop a strong partnership, and to use this to find the balance that is right for you. For some people, that will include providing you with your space to be heard, for others, it is focused on practical suggestions or in problem-solving together. You will find that while I take my work very seriously, I also believe that counselling does not need to always feel serious and that laughter brings its own healing and growth.
More specifically, I use strategies in my counselling that draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Attachment and Solution Focussed-Brief Therapy (SFBT). I adapt the particular therapy to suit what your preferences are.
I have a special interest in working with high-performing young people and adults across a wide range of performance domains (e.g. sport, music, academics). I have a background as an elite athlete, including playing first-division soccer for over a decade, a state-level rock climber, a national-level gymnast and a national champion in taekwondo.
Matt sees: Adolescents (12+ yrs), young adults, adults and parents
Matt can help you with:
- Low mood
- Anxiety and high stress,
- Competition and performance issues
- Family difficulties (e.g. parent separation, conflict at home)
- School and study-related challenges (e.g. goal-setting, study skills, motivation, organisation)
- Friendships and relationships (e.g. managing conflict, repairing relationships)
- Sleep difficulties
- Coping with grief and loss
- Managing anger and frustration
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Parenting practices
- Attachment and relationships
- Personal concerns impacting your parenting (e.g. mental ill-health, post-partum depression and anxiety)
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Balancing self-identity and care with family demands
- Parent separation and conflict
Qualifications
- BBehavSci
- GradDip Psychology (Adv)
- MPsych (Ed and Dev)
Lauren Keating
Psychologist and Educational and Developmental Psychologist Registrar
About me as a person
I am a joyful, solar-powered human who delights in learning and deep connection with others. Nature is my happy place, and I am often found hanging out at the beach, climbing mountains, falling down mountains, or enthusiastically attempting trail running. Whilst a source of adventure, the outdoors is also my place of grounding and nurturance.
As a dance teacher by trade, there are some remnants of studio life about me (e.g., tapping down hallways, using jazz hands unironically, and telling people I was in that local production of CATS one time), but I now just go to casual classes to keep up with my creative spirit. One of my other favourite hobbies is making and decorating cakes.
Humans are amazing, and it is a privilege to hear and hold stories, ask questions, explore, and find meaning with people from all walks of life. I am energised by shared curiosity and I’m committed to my core values of authenticity and wholeheartedness – come as you are, always. Come, and share space.
About me as a psychologist
In the therapeutic realm, I am down to earth and focused on forming a strong connection with my clients. Creating and maintaining a safe space is of utmost importance to me, and I find joy in the growth, challenge, vulnerability, and laughter it can bring. My work in mental health and psychology has taken me across regional and rural Queensland, working within the community sector to provide social and emotional wellbeing services to young people and adults, and more recently, perinatal, and complex mental health supports.
I have an extensive background working with children and adolescents in the Arts, which has a big impact on how I work with young people – there will always be space to play and be heard. Likewise, storytelling and narrative have played an important role in my life, and are a focus across my work with children, adolescents and adults. I love working across the lifespan, though have a particular soft spot for seasons of change and transition. This might include adjustments to high school or the world beyond, parenthood, or questioning of identity and exploration of the person you want to be.
I have a passion for psychoeducational assessment (i.e., cognitive, learning, ADHD) and am a firm believer in the value of assessment as intervention. Knowledge is power, and I love working closely with young people and adults, their families and supports, and broader systems (e.g., schools or work) to better understand each client’s unique strengths and support needs. This provides a platform for improved collaboration between systems, and opportunities to empower and nourish each person and to advocate for their holistic wellbeing.
Ultimately, I love working with people (and their people) to improve quality of life, sense of self, and relational functioning. Collaborative and feedback-driven processes are at the core of how I practise, and my interventions are attachment-informed, strengths-based, and trauma-responsive, integrating elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Circle of Security (COS).
Lauren sees: Older children (10+), Adolescents, Young Adults, Parents and Adults
Lauren can help you with:
- Low mood
- Anxiety and high stress,
- Competition and performance issues
- Family difficulties (e.g. parent separation, conflict at home)
- School and study-related challenges (e.g. goal-setting, study skills, motivation, organisation)
- Friendships and relationships (e.g. managing conflict, repairing relationships)
- Sleep difficulties
- Coping with grief and loss
- Managing anger and frustration
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Parenting practices
- Attachment and relationships
- Personal concerns impacting your parenting (e.g. mental ill-health, post-partum depression and anxiety)
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Balancing self-identity and care with family demands
- Parent separation and conflict
Qualifications
- BPsySc(Hons)
- MPsych (Ed and Dev)
Erin Wilson
Psychologist and Educational and Devleopmental Psychologist Registrar
About me as a person
Calm, empathic, creative, open, and nurturing are the qualities that best describe me. I have a deep curiosity about people and genuinely love working alongside them, learning about their experiences, and supporting them in meaningful ways.
Spending time in nature is where I feel most at peace, whether it’s camping on a farm with my two Kelpies, going on long walks, or hiking in the mountains. These moments provide a sense of grounding and an opportunity to recharge. Creativity has been a constant in my life—I have a deep love for art, crafts, and making things with my hands. With experience as an assistant art teacher, I enjoy sharing creative experiences with others. Languages have always fascinated me, and I had the opportunity of living in Germany for several months, immersing myself in both the language and culture while forming lifelong friendships. Listening to podcasts, cooking, spending time with my cat, playing tennis, and swimming are all things I enjoy. Recently, I have been rediscovering old games and I am determined to win a game of Backgammon. Music is another passion of mine, and I have been teaching flute for several years which I find incredibly rewarding.
About me as a psychologist
Creating a safe space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves is at the heart of my work. My approach is flexible and collaborative, incorporating creative methods to engage clients, especially younger individuals and those new to therapy. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, stress, anger management and social skills, across school, hospital, and private practice settings.
In my practice, I prioritise creating a comfortable space where people feel at ease. I take the time to get to know them, identify their unique strengths, and incorporate their interests into sessions. Collaboration is central to my practice, as I work closely with schools, allied health professionals, and support coordinators to develop strategies that promote young people’s development, wellbeing, and educational outcomes. Additionally, I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals, helping them to understand their neurotype (e.g. autistic, ADHD, AuDHD), navigate challenges in school, work, relationships, and life transitions including the perinatal period. I endeavour to foster self-acceptance and support individuals in embracing a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. I also enjoy supporting individuals in identifying their workplace values, leveraging their strengths, and pursuing a career that excites and fulfils them.
My therapeutic approach is attachment-informed and strengths-based, integrating elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Circle of Security (COS), and Motivational Interviewing.
Erin sees: Children (8+), Adolescents, Young Adults, Parents, and Adults
Erin can help you with:
- Anxiety and stress
- Low mood
- School and study-related challenges (e.g. goal-setting, study skills, motivation, organisation)
- Friendships and relationships (e.g. managing conflict, repairing relationships)
- Sleep difficulties
- Managing anger and frustration
- Teasing and Bullying
- School refusal and school can’t
- Parenting practices
- Attachment and relationships
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Balancing self-identity and care with family demands
- Personal concerns impacting your parenting (e.g. mental ill-health, post-partum depression and anxiety)
Qualifications
- BA (Science)
- Hons (Psychology)
- PGrad Dip (Psychology)
- Assoc Dip (Health Science Drug & Alcohol)
Tracey Beck Gude
Psychologist, Animal Asssited Therapist and School Psychologist
About me as a person
Love of Learning is my top Character strength, followed by perseverance, creativity, curiosity, and honesty. I enjoy the challenges of new learning and thinking of creative and novel ways to do things. It’s fun being curious about people and places as it opens conversations and helps to understand ideas and histories, and focus on people’s special interests. Balance is important to me, and I love to spend time with family and friends in nature and travelling with my Kelpie X Dobby. I have always loved cycling, and mountain e-biking, and feeling the wind on my face when flying down hills, (Dobby doesn’t really like her bike trolley yet!).
I am fortunate to have a loving family, group of friends and fun work peers who have supported me over the years to achieve my goals. I now watch our two daughters grow into caring, kind, successful and intelligent young adults and I am very grateful to our village over the years who have provided the love, fun, safety, and connections it takes to raise a family.
About me as a psychologist
I enjoy helping people recognise and use their strengths to build their confidence with schooling, social interactions, and personal goals. I support, encourage, and advocate for clients around learning, wellbeing, culture, mental health, and safety. I have an affirming and caring approach with supporting client’s gender and sexuality. My strengths and skills include a thorough process of gathering information during the assessment stage to support client’s goals and health. I am comfortable consulting with family, schools, and external providers to determine ongoing supports with education and health, while maintaining respect and confidentiality.
I have worked with Education QLD and Brisbane Catholic Education as a Psychologist, Complex Case Coordinator and Guidance Counsellor over the past 10 years in mainstream high schools and Youth Detention. In previous roles, I worked with Education Qld supporting pregnant and vulnerable teens with schooling, Qld Health in drug and alcohol counselling and unearthed an interest in psychology while working as an enrolled nurse in psychiatric hospitals.
During my counselling sessions, I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Brief Solution Focused Therapy (SBFT), Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I focus on attachment theories with a trauma-informed approach. I am very imaginative in my sessions and enjoy reading, watching clips, and being creative to reinforce new learning or skills. Dobby and I are a certified therapy dog handler team and Animal-assisted therapy, intervention, and activities are incorporated when Dobby is working to support clients with emotional regulation. Dobby enjoys playing tug, showing off her tricks, playing fetch, walks and plenty of pats. Dobby works in a high school 2 days a week as well with me.
Tracey and Dobby are also a team! Dobby is here with us in the clinic some of the time (she has to have some time at home to rest and do doggy things!)
Tracey sees: Older children (8+), Adolescents, Young Adults, Parents and Adults
Tracey can help you with:
- Low mood
- Anxiety and high stress,
- Competition and performance issues
- Family difficulties (e.g. parent separation, conflict at home)
- School and study-related challenges (e.g. goal-setting, study skills, motivation, organisation)
- Friendships and relationships (e.g. managing conflict, repairing relationships)
- Sleep difficulties
- Coping with grief and loss
- Managing anger and frustration
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Parenting practices
- Attachment and relationships
- Personal concerns impacting your parenting (e.g. mental ill-health, post-partum depression and anxiety)
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Balancing self-identity and care with family demands
- Parent separation and conflict
Qualifications:
- Certified with People and Animal Assisted Therapy Services (P.A.A.T.S)
- Professional membership with Animal Therapies Ltd
Dobby
Registered Good Girl
About me as a dog
My top character strengths are play, love of nature and teamwork. I love long slow pats, swimming, kayaking, learning new tricks and playing fetch. I also love camping, road trips my family, my brother Obi (border collie) and cat sisters Buffy and Payden.
About me as a Therapy Dog
Dobby and Tracey have worked together in school as a therapy dog handler team since 2021. Dobby is a certified therapy dog that has attended intensive dog training to work with children and young people. Dobby helps in counselling sessions by building relationships, rapport, and trust. Her presence helps to decrease stress and anxiety during the sessions and can encourage attention and engagement in counselling. Her happy, non-judgmental nature can make it easier for children and young people to discuss their emotions. It is also a very rewarding interaction for clients who enjoy tricks, teaching commands, walking and playing fetch. Dobby enjoys working 2 days a week at school and attends the clinic on Fridays with Tracey.
Just an FYI – Dobby only works with Tracey and only some of the time. We know how many people would love to hang out with Dobby (we sure love hanging out with her!) but unfortunately, she won’t always be available so please keep this in mind when booking an appointment
Dobby sees: anyone who is good with pats
Qualifications
- BPsycSci (Hons)
- BEd (Primary)
- MPsych (Ed & Dev)
Angela Bromfield
Educational and Developmental Psychologist, Registered Teacher
About me as a person
I would describe myself as an outgoing person who is easy to get along with. I have a good sense of humour and love having a laugh! I am originally from Canada and grew up in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia on the Atlantic Ocean. I left Canada in 1998 after completing a psychology and teaching degree to work in London, England as a teacher. I met and married my South African husband in London.
We immigrated to Australia and moved to Melbourne in 2008 where I had my two children and completed further study to work as a psychologist. We decided we wanted warmer weather and that four seasons in one day wasn’t for us. The Queensland weather and lifestyle called to us. We moved to Brisbane in 2014 to join family here with our two children who are now 15 and 11 and haven’t looked back! I have been working as a psychologist since 2012 and have worked in schools and in private practice in Melbourne and Brisbane.
I love spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach, camping, cooking, and baking. I am an animal lover, and we have two Burmese cats (Bailey and Chloe) and have recently added a French Bulldog named Bella to the family who I am obsessed with.
About me as a psychologist
From early on, I knew I wanted to work with children, so my studies have been all focused on achieving this goal. After 9 years in the UK as a teacher, I completed my training at the University of Melbourne to become a psychologist. I think having this understanding of schools and continuing to work in schools in addition to private practice brings me the insight about how to support children well in that environment and understand their needs and challenges. I also have experience in private practice supporting children and adolescents with a variety of mental health concerns and difficulties such as anxiety, depression, coping with grief and loss, anger management, bullying and social skills. In addition to this, I also enjoy supporting parents having difficulties with their children’s behaviour in the home environment. My motto is there is no such thing as a perfect parent, we all need help with this at times. I love seeing parent relationships with their children grow.
When I work with children and adolescents, I like to make them comfortable, so I spend time getting to know them and what they enjoy. I like to build on their strengths and use this in therapy where possible. I feel it is important to validate their feelings and provide the support and understanding they need at the level of development they are at.
I have experience administering cognitive and achievement tests. It provides such valuable insight into a student’s strengths and what they may be struggling with. I can diagnose learning disabilities and giftedness and provide recommendations that can help schools and parents support that student to reach their full potential. I can also diagnose ADHD.
I have training in many evidence-based therapies that I use in my work with children and families including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Child Centred Play Therapy, Solutions Focussed Therapy, and Compassion Focussed Therapy.
Angela sees: Children, Adolescents, Parents and Adults
Angela can help with:
- Anxiety, worries and fears
- Stress
- Low mood
- Friendships and relationships
- Grief and loss
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Parenting practices, home life and support
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Coping with changes/adjustment
- Managing strong emotions e.g. anger
- Teasing or bullying
- School reluctance and refusal
Qualifications
- BPsy
- Specialisation (Clin and Cog Therapy)
- MPPsy
Deborah (Debbie) Green
Psychologist
About me as a person
Positivity, empathy, openness and caring are the words that best describe my personality. I was born in Argentina and moved to Australia in 2014. I speak both English and Spanish (and am happy to use either in my work). I’m married and have 2 young children and a rescue dog. One of the things I enjoy the most is spending time outdoors at the beach or a park with my family and friends.
I love horses and in my younger years, I used to be a showjumper. Nowadays I enjoy a good movie or the challenge of an ‘escape room’ game. I have also recently started rowing, which I quite enjoy. When I am stressed or tired, I like to relax by practising yoga.
Having neurodivergent members in my family, I have first-hand experience with mental health issues from a personal perspective, having gained a whole different perspective, not as a mental health professional but as a parent and partner of someone suffering from mental health problems.
I can be quite passionate about my beliefs, especially those related to mental health.
About me as a psychologist
As a psychologist, I have worked in schools in Australia and overseas, helping young people deal with problems ranging from mild stress to severe anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. In many cases, working not only with the students but also with their families, their teachers and their support networks have been crucial for achieving a successful outcome.
I have also worked as part of a team in a palliative care unit, helping people and their families in their end-of-life journey. Working as a member of a palliative care team involved close collaboration with doctors, psychiatrists and other health professionals.
Through my passion for horses, I had the opportunity to work in equine therapy for several years helping people with different abilities improve their quality of life.
In my practice, I have always preferred a gentle approach and building a relationship with clients in order to, through trust and respect, build the best strategy for everyone. I can be flexible and I’m always open to new challenges. I believe that when I’m working with someone, we form a team together and work towards the goals we have set up. Throughout my practice, I can be quite passionate about mental health and strongly advocate for what I think is fair. I believe in working in close collaboration with GPs, psychiatrists and other professionals when it is necessary and in the best interest of my clients.
I have trained and worked with several evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). I adapt to each person’s needs in their therapy journey. My special interest is in working with neurodivergent teenagers and adults
Debbie sees: Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Adults and Parents.
Debbie can help you with:
- Low mood
- Anxiety and high stress,
- Competition and performance issues
- Family difficulties (e.g. parent separation, conflict at home)
- School and study-related challenges (e.g. goal-setting, study skills, motivation, organisation)
- Friendships and relationships (e.g. managing conflict, repairing relationships)
- Sleep difficulties
- Coping with grief and loss
- Managing anger and frustration
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Parenting practices
- Attachment and relationships
- Personal concerns impacting on your parenting (e.g. mental ill-health, post-partum depression and anxiety)
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Balancing self-identity and care with family demands
- Parent separation and conflict
Qualifications
- BSocSci (Psych)
- BPsych (Hons)
- BEd
- MPsych (Ed & Dev)
Michelle Pullen
Educational and Developmental Psychologist, Registered Teacher
About me as a person
Perhaps it would be best to describe myself using the things I love, value, and enjoy. I love a great pun or ‘dad joke’. I love most animals (and have a healthy respect for the rest). I love trying or learning about new things. For example, as an adult I’ve tried out the violin, gymnastics (and have painfully been reminded I’m no longer a ‘spring chicken’), dance, sewing, and lately have tried gardening and cross stitch. I love the outdoors and am recharged by a good camping trip or bushwalk. I love playing video games and storytelling through table-top role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons) with my friends. Like many of my previous clients, I enjoy anime and I am in awe of the creativity and craftsmanship that goes into a cosplay. Finally, my husband and I are in friendly competition with my brothers and sisters for the favourite aunt and uncle to my many nieces and nephews.
I greatly believe in the inherent worth of every single person and that everyone does the best they can with what they have.
About me as a psychologist
I have worked in primary schools as a school psychologist for the last 11 years after some time spent as a teacher. In my work in schools, I have supported students, their parents, and their teachers in a variety of ways regarding child mental, social, and emotional health. Being both a qualified teacher and an educational and developmental psychologist enables me to provide reasonable and workable suggestions for supporting school-aged clients in the classroom or playground.
My varied interests, warmth, curiosity, patience, playful spirit, and unconditional positive regard for all my clients assist with the building of connection and trust that is necessary for the work we do in session to be effective. Trust with the parents/caregivers is also important. What happens in session is confidential, however, if there are things it would be good for you to know to help your child, I will explore that with them to gain their consent. I know that it is a great privilege to be invited into a family’s confidence to support a child or young person. I take that charge seriously.
In session, children and young people usually prefer to share about their challenges and communicate through play, creative endeavours, or talking. In a session with me, a child or young person may sometimes play a game, explore figurines or toys, create art, complete a worksheet and discussion, do role-plays, listen to music, engage in relaxation or breathing exercises, listen to a story, watch a video, or…they may just like to sit and talk while holding a stuffed animal or toy.
In other words, most commonly the therapeutic strategies I draw from are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT), some elements of Gestalt therapy, and expressive and play therapies. I have experience supporting children and young people with difficulties and disabilities such as children with ADHD, specific learning difficulties and disabilities, language difficulties and disorders, anxiety-based disorders (including selective mutism), and Autism. I also have an interest in trauma-informed practices. Generally, the format and therapy used in each session is guided by the child or young person’s needs and preferences at the time.
Michelle sees: Children, Adolescents, Parents and Adults
Michelle can help with:
- Worries, fears, or stress
- Coping with family changes
- Grief and loss
- Coping with Friendship difficulties (how to choose, make, and keep friends, managing conflict, coping with normal friendship changes over time, repairing relationships).
- Emotional outbursts or meltdowns
- Coping with or managing strong emotions.
- Nightmares or other bedtime or sleep routine difficulties.
- Parenting tips or practices
- Low mood
- Teasing or bullying
- Empathy building/being overly competitive
- School reluctance and refusal
- Organisation skills
- Privacy and child safety skills
- Cybersafety
Qualifications
- BBehavSci
- PostGradDip Psychology
- MEdDev
Emily Locke (nee Coote)
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
About me as a person
I would describe myself as a people person, who loves a good chat, getting to know others, and sharing stories. I grew up in a small South Australian rural community and have been fortunate enough to have had great adventures travelling and studying overseas, before moving interstate for my career (and staying for love!). These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the importance of finding connection and community, as well as the challenges this can bring across one’s lifetime.
I am a mum of two young boys, and while my youngest is just discovering his world, my toddler shows me daily how to truly explore, play and experience things genuinely for the first time. While I would love nothing more than a long brunch, hot coffee, and a weekend of sports, currently my time is spent exploring parks, afternoon walks and bike rides, keeping to the shallow ends of the pool, searching for birds and planes in the sky, and learning all about trucks and dinosaurs.
When I have time to myself, however fleeting at this stage of parenthood, I enjoy catching up with friends and family, developing my new interest in calligraphy, swimming, and cheering on my sporting teams (I am very much looking forward to one day getting back on the netball court). I’m always on the lookout and welcome recommendations for new things to try, places to visit, and movies to watch.
About me as a psychologist
As a psychologist, I find great joy in working with others as they discover their strengths while providing a safe and nurturing space to explore challenges and fears. My counselling style is very personable and non-judgemental, with a kind, empathetic and validating approach. I believe that everyone should feel safe, heard and understood, and feel confident in our working relationship.
My background has seen me support people of all ages, in particular working with young people through school-based roles (School Psychologist & Guidance Counsellor), crisis management, intervention and support (Child and Youth Mental Health Services and disability support) along with roles in rural and remote communities (educational, medical and hospital settings). My extensive work within complex trauma and crisis support has enabled a calm and relational approach when supporting emotion regulation, safety, and help-seeking. In addition, my roles have always reinforced the importance of connection, community, and understanding the whole person.
While I enjoy working across the lifespan, I have found a particular passion for supporting adolescents and young people. I find great satisfaction and reward in fostering wellness, confidence, hope, safety and resilience not only for adolescents, but children transitioning, in- and then out, into adulthood. I am passionate about assisting young people to discover safe and healthy skills to develop emotion regulation, self-identity, respectful relationships, and positive interpersonal communication.
In addition to providing therapeutic support, I have a passion and skillset for psycho-educational assessments (cognitive, learning and ADHD). I like to work closely with individuals, and their families or support people, to understand the presenting concerns, strengths and goals in order to create a comprehensive assessment plan. This includes working with external stakeholders to create a holistic picture of strengths, needs and future considerations to maximise outcomes. I have extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of the educational systems in Queensland, which allows me to advocate for the appropriate learning, vocational, and/or environmental adjustments, supports and/or modifications.
I bring a genuine, compassionate and relational approach to my sessions and enjoy getting to know others’ strengths, challenges, hopes & interests. My practice often draws upon evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution Focused Therapy. I work openly to keep the sessions client-focused, while also acknowledging the vital role others play in support, advocacy, and development.
Emily sees: Older children (10+), Adolescents, Young Adults, Parents and Adults
Emily can help you with:
- Low mood
- Anxiety and high stress,
- Competition and performance issues
- Family difficulties (e.g. parent separation, conflict at home)
- School and study-related challenges (e.g. goal-setting, study skills, motivation, organisation)
- Friendships and relationships (e.g. managing conflict, repairing relationships)
- Sleep difficulties
- Coping with grief and loss
- Managing anger and frustration
- Life and role transitions (e.g. moving to high school, different school or out of school, new job)
- Parenting practices
- Attachment and relationships
- Personal concerns impacting your parenting (e.g. mental ill-health, post-partum depression and anxiety)
- Role transitions as a parent and adjusting to change
- Balancing self-identity and care with family demands
- Parent separation and conflict