Feel calm, connected
& in control

Wise minds make wise decisions

Welcome to Creating Change Psychology. A practice for everyone, supporting adults, adolescents, and children.

Founder1

At Creating Change, we are a little bit different in how we think and approach therapy. Your journey with us is a complete experience; from the moment you speak with our team to book your appointment, right through to the end of your psychology sessions. We take a personalised approach when you visit our practice. A customised treatment plan is created just for you to give you greater confidence, control and connection in your life.

As founder and Principal Clinical Psychologist at Creating Change, it is apparent to me that our vibrant Hills District community is comprised of people with a passion for life. People just like you, determined to reach great heights in the things that matter most. Perhaps it’s wanting a better connection with family, fulfilling your dream for a business or as an entrepreneur, or simply sharing a win with teammates. Big or modest, your goals are achievable. It is my dream to provide the support and resources both you and the community need to thrive.

If you are ready for more, we are here to provide the support and resources you need to succeed.

Rebecca Deane

Adult Therapy

Our adult therapy sessions have several approaches and ways to ensure you receive effective, research based and meaningful therapy.Read More

Kids & Parents

Kids of all ages encounter changes, challenges and stages throughout their childhood that can relate to family, emotions, or learning at school.Read More

Teenagers & Parents

Teenagers encounter changes, challenges and stages throughout their years that can relate to family, emotions, or learning at school.Read More

Child, Adolescent & Adult Testing

Our testing process is comprehensive to ensure you have a clear pathway forward.Read More

Relationship, Marriage & Couples Counselling

Our counsellors will assist you to build stronger and more satisfying relationships and marriages.Read More

Workplace Assistance

Accidents, injuries and workplace stresses can all have a serious impact on your life including your ability to work.Read More

Online Webinars

Creating Change Psychology offers the local community some fantastic online seminars throughout the year.Read More

Join Our Sustainable Change Program

Change is within your reach.

No matter who you are. The Sustainable Change Program uses only proven methods to achieve your desired outcomes.

The program instils resilience and inspiration in children, supports teens to reach their potential, enables adults to thrive and establish cohesive families – and so much more.

  • Create lasting, sustainable change
  • Gain the tools to be confident, calm and in control
  • Learn a new way of thinking and new patterns of behaviour for successful decision-making
  • Live by your own values, create your own environment and set your own agenda for the future
  • Engage, connect and communicate more effectively as a family, with clarity and ease

Why Choose Us

Time to be Heard & Understood
We understand the frustration when you visit a doctor or specialist; you’re in and out so fast you don’t even recall half the things they said. You leave feeling rushed, not listened to & that you’ve wasted your money. We proudly offer an extended 2 hour initial appointment so you are heard, understood and gain clarity right from the start.
Customised Sustainable Change Program
We are called Creating Change for a reason. We don’t believe in coming in and just helping you with where you’re at now, and then sending you on your way. Our whole team feel very strongly about actually helping our clients move forward to a vastly different position than where you may be right now. A long term sustainable change. Join our exclusive “Sustainable Change Program” and become empowered, fulfilled, and gain the support and resources you need to live your best life.
Unparalleled Expertise
Our Clinical Psychologists are experts in their field, and are specifically trained in a range of methods, where research has proven to combat symptoms of mental health. We use a range of therapeutic techniques, whilst also tailoring our sessions to your needs. Our psychologists work together with you as a team, and we welcome your involvement and feedback We want to hear what you have to say to ensure you progress and reach your goals.
Convenience
Creating Change is a no waitlist practice, and we are one of the few practices to offer you extended evening appointments until 9pm. We are also open Saturdays for your convenience, and have easy, accessible parking onsite. Simple access for teenagers to travel here on their own on public transport is available, and we offer a comfortable, warm & safe environment for everyone. Our team ensures the utmost confidentiality with each and every client.
Gold Standard Guarantee
Our approaches are chosen due to their Gold Standard evidence for effectiveness and by working as a team we can progress towards your goals. We can guarantee our full commitment for the length of time it takes to reach them.

Meet our Mental Health Experts

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Rebecca Deane

Director & Principal Clinical Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MPsych (Clinical), MA (Forensic Psych), BA (Psych), MAPS, CCLIN

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MG 0406 Rebecca e15776803328811

Rebecca Deane

Director & Principal Clinical Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MPsych (Clinical), MA (Forensic Psych), BA (Psych), MAPS, CCLIN

KNOW REBECCA

Rebecca Deane is a dedicated Senior Clinical Psychologist, and founder of Creating Change Psychology and Counselling. She is an accomplished therapist excelling in the field of ‘Trauma and Adaption to Change Stemming from Early Life Experiences’. Rebecca’s distinct reputation for rekindling joy in families of Sydney’s Hills District precedes her, as does her compassionate, thorough, resourceful and trustworthy nature.


Rebecca’s Experience & Approach

At the coalface of her clients’ lives, Rebecca works with adolescents and adults of all ages to strengthen their sense of self and build a framework for navigating the trials of life. Supportively, devotedly, she will empower you with the skills and confidence to foster acceptance and remain hopeful for the future.

Bringing warmth, humour, and calm to what can be serious and distressing issues, Rebecca is committed to helping you trust again, adopt new life experiences, and feel content in your independence. She has successfully assisted deeply withdrawn clients achieve the same dramatic results.

Rebecca is also proficient at aligning your potential to your goals. Core to her approach is ensuring you understand the influence of the past while staying focused on developing a sound and stable future.

As a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Creating Change, Rebecca holds a Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Arts (Forensic Psychology), Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), and has extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Her professional experience is impressive: over 25 years in private practice; roles with Wollongong University Clinic, The Forsight Foundation for deaf/blind adults, and Yasmar Juvenile Justice Centre.

Passion

Equally notable is the scope of clinical presentations she treats: weight management and body image issues, anxiety and panic, depression, bipolar disorder, parenting issues, self-harm, suicide, loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, and challenges experienced in relationships and families.


Known For

A landmark in Rebecca’s career has been her instrumental role in establishing the NSW Drug Court Trial Treatment Program in South Western Sydney, renowned for its innovative, evidence-based treatments for adults with drug addictions.


On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Rebecca has flourished interacting with families in her local area through volunteering with Little Athletics NSW, coaching soccer, and participating in local mental health networks. As her children are now young adults she enjoys learning the guitar, CrossFit and being in nature.

Educational Articles by Rebecca

May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears

Nelson Mandela
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Dr Louise Johnson

Senior Clinical Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
DPsych (Clinical), MClinPsych BSocSc (Hons), MAPS, CCLIN

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Dr Louise Johnson

Senior Clinical Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
DPsych (Clinical), MClinPsych BSocSc (Hons), MAPS, CCLIN

KNOW LOUISE

Dr Louise Johnson is a dedicated Senior Clinical Psychologist at Creating Change Psychology and Counselling. As an accomplished therapist, she excels in the field of anxiety and depression. Warm, reliable, respectful, and knowledgeable, Louise earnestly helps individuals and families in Sydney’s Hills District establish full, purposeful lives.

Louise’s Experience & Approach

She works with adolescents and adults of all ages to strengthen their resilience, sense of self, and build a framework for navigating the trials of life. Supportively, dependably, she will empower you with the skills and confidence to foster acceptance and remain hopeful for the future.

Bringing focus, humour and calm to what can be daunting issues, Louise cultivates satisfaction and meaning in life by clarifying what matters to you most, and guiding you to let go of self-defeating thoughts and behaviours. She is appropriately direct when needed.

Louise is also proficient at connecting your potential to your goals. Core to her approach is ensuring you understand the influence of the past while staying focused on developing a sound and stable future.

As a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Creating Change, Louise holds a Doctorate in Psychology (Clinical), Master of Clinical Psychology, Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology (Hons) and a Bachelor of Health Science in Rehabilitation Counselling. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, and has trained with the Black Dog Institute in Repetitive Negative Thinking.

Passion

Louise’s professional experience comprises 18 years in private practice working across broad client demographics. Equally notable is the scope of clinical presentations she treats including anxiety and panic, depression, bipolar disorder, parenting issues, self-harm, chronic illness management, suicide, loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, sleep disorders and challenges experienced in relationships and families.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Louise enjoys connecting with her community by volunteering with the local school and netball club.

Dr Louise’s Appointments

Louise is a devoted therapist at our practice. She is available for appointments on Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Adolescents need freedom to choose, but not so much freedom that they cannot, infact, make a choice.

Erik Erikson
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Gretchen De Martin

Senior Psychologist/Clinical Manager
BPsych BArts (Psych), GradDip Management Practice, MAPS

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Gretchen De Martin

Senior Psychologist/Clinical Manager
BPsych BArts (Psych), GradDip Management Practice, MAPS

KNOW GRETCHEN

Gretchen De Martin is a dedicated Psychologist with a passion for assisting individuals impacted by trauma, anxiety, and supporting senior adults through life transitions. Genuine in nature, Gretchen creates a secure space to ensure you feel heard, and her calm character allows clients to feel safe.

Taking an optimistic and inclusive approach, Gretchen is passionate about the inclusion of all individuals, older adults, and children with disabilities and their siblings in society. Working with people at different stages in their life, Gretchen shows a real dedication to learning about you, your challenges and your life experience, whilst showing respect and appreciation for you as an individual. She values the time with her clients to connect and work as a team, enabling you to feel empowered and live a meaningful life.

Gretchen’s Experience & Approach

Since a teenager, Gretchen was driven to become a Psychologist as a result of seeing the impact mental health issues had on those around her. It was at this young age Gretchen made her decision to devote her life to helping people live the best life they can.  Her broad and trusted expertise includes working with clients who are impacted by trauma, vulnerable to social isolation or exclusion, guiding them to find ways to become more engaged with what is important to them within their life and community setting.

As a Psychologist at Creating Change, Gretchen combines a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) with a Bachelor of Psychology degrees, and a Graduate Diploma in Management Practice. Gretchen incorporates Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy and Exposure Therapy into her sessions, and has undergone training in understanding Dementia.

For 5 years, Gretchen worked in case management which included liaising with mental health workers, housing and homelessness, employers, academics and other community and government organisations, to streamline client servicing and effect change for social impact. Over the years she has also taken on managerial and leadership roles within Disability Employment and Personal Support Services and for Break Thru; an organisation offering mental health, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Disability Employment and youth services.

Known For

Gretchen has a real passion for supporting clients impacted by trauma, furthering her training in “Treating PTSD and Complex Trauma”. A registered Griffiths III user (a developmental assessment tool for children aged 0 to 6 years), Gretchen supports families to understand and achieve goals for their child. Here experience extends to working with adults impacted by PTSD and Complex PTSD, children experiencing anxiety, adults experiencing relationship, work or health stressors, understanding and processing grief & loss, and supporting older adults through life’s changes.

Passion

In addition to supporting parents & children with behavioural challenges and the associated impact of this on siblings, Gretchen has a passion for helping trauma impacted clients find safety within themselves. She also supports older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress disorders, grief & loss, parenting stress and adjustment, as well as supporting women with life’s stressors.

On a Personal Level

Outside of work Gretchen enjoys being in the outdoors at the beach or in the bush, bike riding and reading.

Educational Articles & Videos By Gretchen

Live life as if nobody is watching, and express yourself as if everybody is listening

Nelson Mandela
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Dr Debbie Collaros

Senior Psychologist & Couples Therapist
PhD (Forensic Medicine & Pathology), MPsych (Couns), MPsych (Research), BA AppPsych (Hons), MAPS

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Dr Debbie Collaros

Senior Psychologist & Couples Therapist
PhD (Forensic Medicine & Pathology), MPsych (Couns), MPsych (Research), BA AppPsych (Hons), MAPS

KNOW DEBBIE

Senior Psychologist, Dr Debbie Collaros, is highly successful at helping familial, couple, sibling and collegial relationships thrive. Greek in origin and hailing from South Africa, her considerable experience includes the impact of trauma, affairs, mood disorders and family of origin on relationships. She is also renowned for effectively diagnosing and working with adult ADHD – an accomplishment that has garnered the respect of colleagues in the same field of treatment.

Debbie’s Experience & Approach

Approachable, genuine and humorous, Debbie effortlessly forms a comfortable, therapeutic relationship with clients of diverse ages and cultures. She is primarily committed to helping you restore a healthy sense of self, and to develop, or improve, beneficial relationships built on clear, strong boundaries. Under her guidance, you will gain powerful insights into becoming emotionally independent, stable and content.

Debbie combines a PhD in Forensic Medicine & Pathology, with two Masters in Psychology (Counselling, and Research), and a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science (Honours). She has extensive training in Couples and Family Therapy (including the Gottman Approach), IFS (Internal Family Systems) Complex Trauma, Adult ADHD, Forensic Psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and High Functioning Autism.

Passion

In addition to nurturing families and relationships, she treats a broad range of presentations: anxiety, depression, adult ADHD, adult & childhood trauma, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and high-functioning adults and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum.

Debbie’s trusted expertise draws on over 27 years experience in private practice. She is passionate about the prevention of mental health issues and is enthusiastic about teaching psychoeducation. Debbie features on local radio show Alive 90.5 FM, as well as other Australian radio shows on topics such as ADHD and Forensic Investigation of Fraud. Offering psychoeducation to the Hills District community is of importance to her.

Known For

Gold Winner Badge Most Dedicated Marriage Counsellor Debbie 2022 392x5101 1

Debbie has many accomplishments including running workshops for corporate leaders in forensic psychology focussed on strategic interviewing and deception detection in the investigation of fraud; developing curricula and lecturing on forensic psychology, counselling skills and psychopathology at tertiary institutes in South Africa and Australia. She earnt a recent nomination for an ‘Excellence in Teaching’ award, and presented a paper at the 2017 Australian Counselling Association’s Conference on technology and therapeutic relationship.

Debbie is known for her workshops and talks for couples, parents, teachers and pupils on marriage, parenting with boundaries, sibling rivalry, stress management, technology and hubbly bubbly. She often radio broadcasts on sensitive issues such as xenophobia and male/female marital roles.

She has also won the award for Most Dedicated Marriage & Family Counsellor – NSW in the 2022 Australian Enterprise Awards.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Debbie is a Christian who enjoys interacting with her young adult kids, annoying them with puns and dad jokes, singing, drumming, dancing, attending church, cracking hilarious jokes and witty comments, and playing with baby animals.

Educational Articles By Dr Debbie

The best way to stand your ground in this life, is on your knees

Unknown
Paige Profile Photo FINAL

Paris Gibson

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych, GradDipPsychAd, BArts (Psych), BHumSc (Human Mov), MAPS

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Paige Profile Photo FINAL

Paris Gibson

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych, GradDipPsychAd, BArts (Psych), BHumSc (Human Mov), MAPS

KNOW PARIS

Paris Gibson is a dedicated Psychologist committed to engaging with adults, adolescents, children and their parents, educating them on emotional management techniques to develop healthy coping strategies. Understanding and personable, her approachable nature provides a safe atmosphere for you to explore your barriers and needs. Bringing humour, focus and empowerment to what can be overwhelming issues, Paris devotes herself to you, your story, and your needs. She really takes the time to work through your challenges, focusing on outcomes and goals that are personalised to your situation.

Growing up locally in the area, for Paris, mental health has always stood out as one of the most important parts of a healthy life, and an area that too many people don’t feel fulfilled. Through her own experiences, Paris valued the importance of having someone understand you, and give you the tools you need to manage difficult times. This, along with her interest to explore people and relationships, is what led Paris to the world of Psychology. She has an endless fascination for the mind, and the affect our thoughts and behaviours can have over every part of our life.

Paris’ Experience & Approach

Paris centres her therapy sessions around your goals, providing the guidance and support you need to develop a sustainable, healthier mind. Through her planning approach, Paris is always equipped to make the most of your time together. Her focus is always a collaborative one, and she has a curiosity for learning what is behind your challenges and feelings, and how together you can work towards overcoming them, setting goals for your future.

Paris is inquisitive to find out what your experiences mean to you, taking a client-centred and individualised approach. She evokes openness, making no assumptions, and has a way of ensuring you feel safe and not alone in your struggles.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Paris combines a Master of Professional Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Human Sciences (Human Movement) degrees, with training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Passion

Paris has a real passion for helping the local community, and particularly likes working with adolescents and young people, setting them up with the tools to cope with life’s challenges. She encourages young people to be the best version of themselves, now and into their future, and focuses on building their confidence.

Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: adolescent challenges, parenting, generalised anxiety, depression, social anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, stress management, emotional regulation, OCD, family and interpersonal issues. 

Known For

Paris’ accomplishments include the completion of her thesis which researched the public’s perceived usefulness and happiness of service dogs, compared to pet dogs. This fascinating study explored the public’s opinions of working dogs, which did raise some concerns over them working excessively. The results found that service dogs actually have happier and more useful lives, than pet dogs. Her valued research given to Guide Dogs Australia, enabling them to inform their practices and education to the general public. 

On a Personal Level

Paris loves being in the kitchen – whether it’s baking, cooking, trying new recipes, or eating. She also enjoys travelling and seeing new places, having new experiences, and meeting new people. 

Paris’ Appointments

Paris is a full time therapist and devoted to our practice. She is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Educational Articles/Videos by Paris

Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine

Roy Bennett
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Rebecca El-Helou

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MPsych (Clinical), BPsych (Hons), MAPS

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Rebecca El Helou Profile Photo FINAL 11

Rebecca El-Helou

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MPsych (Clinical), BPsych (Hons), MAPS

KNOW REBECCA

Rebecca El-Helou is an accomplished Psychologist, passionate about changing and making an impact on mental health in the local community. A warm, empathetic presence in her clients’ lives, Rebecca truly has a love for our culturally diverse community. Growing up in Western Sydney, she has become culturally aware and extremely open to a breadth of cultural backgrounds, and learning how this shapes world views.

It was apparent from a young age that Rebecca was the person others would confide in times of distress. This felt very natural and became a personal strength, leading her to pursue a career in mental health. Relatable and compassionate, Rebecca always remains open minded and focussed on every individuals specific needs and goals.

Rebecca’s Experience & Approach

Rebecca’s approach is one that is non-judgemental and collaborative. She is very warm and understanding in her sessions, and likes to work as a team together with you to reach your goals. She is a hands on therapist including drawing and writing, practicing skills through role play and exposure tasks as part of her sessions. Rebecca has been involved in extensive research projects over the years, and has volunteered for community aphasia support groups. 

Her experience extends to working with children who presented a range of emotional and social development concerns, where she provided evidence-based treatments and worked collaboratively with parents to deliver the most effective outcomes for their specific family circumstances. Further research throughout Rebecca’s postgraduate studies aimed to improve social and emotional outcomes for brain injury patients, particularly for stroke survivors.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Rebecca combines a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Clinical Psychology degrees, and is currently in the final stages of completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness techniques and Academic and Cognitive Assessments for children and teenagers.

Passion

Rebecca has a real passion and appreciation to work together with people of all ages; including children, adolescents and adults, with an appreciation for elderly adults and their adjustment to life’s limitations. Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: older adults, brain injuries (e.g. stroke), stress management, sleep disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety, depression, improving communication and confidence, anxiety and depression management for those with cognitive impairment, emotional regulation and anger management, grief & loss, self-esteem, social anxiety and panic disorders.

Known For

Rebecca’s accomplishments include conducting Event Related Potential (ERP) studies, to examine neurophysiological sex differences in empathy, and to identify neural markers of psychosis in young people with trauma. The research aims to improve the identification and treatment of mood disorders in stroke survivors, and she has recently published a paper in the Disability & Rehabilitation Journal on Development of the “Kalmer” Relaxation Intervention: Co-design with Stroke Survivors with Aphasia (a language and communication based disability). 

In the final stages of completion, her Doctoral thesis aims to improve the identification and treatment of mood disorders in stroke survivors, including survivors with moderate to severe cognitive and communication deficits.  

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Rebecca loves reading classical literature and writes her own short stories. She also sees herself as a big foodie, and enjoys fine dining with friends, as well as running her own clinical related Psychoeducation Instagram page. 

Rebecca’s Appointments

Rebecca is a devoted therapist at our practice, and is available for appointments on Mondays and alternate Tuesdays & Saturdays.

Expert Articles by Rebecca

In the depths of winter I discovered within me, an invincible summer

Albert Camus
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Dr Kylie Hutchings Mangion

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
B PsychSc (Hons), GradDip PsychSc, DEdu MEdTech, BTeach (PAVE), BLearningDes, MAPS

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Dr Kylie Hutchings Mangion

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
B PsychSc (Hons), GradDip PsychSc, DEdu MEdTech, BTeach (PAVE), BLearningDes, MAPS

KNOW KYLIE

Dr Kylie Hutchings Mangion is a highly educated Psychologist who takes the time to understand challenges adolescents and adults face, focusing on real solutions to assist you to move forward. Flexible and person centred, Kylie recognises within both personal and professional environments there is room to cultivate knowledge and the ability to understand your choices. Together, she will navigate you through the ‘how’ to take the next step and invest your energy wisely, as she believes this is critical to living a much healthier and happier life.

With a former career in Tertiary Education, training and development for over 30 years, Kylie has focused on instructional development from a cognitive performance perspective, aspiring her to give university students the opportunity to succeed in their chosen fields through academic support and direction. 

Kylie’s individual life experiences shaped her in shifting her career path towards Psychology, expanding her capacity to continue to help others beyond the educational space. She has an innate desire to help individuals gain clarity and accept themselves, building strength to ensure you experience personal growth independently.

Kylie’s Experience & Approach

Kylie’s approach is collaborative centring her sessions around your challenges, and solutions to overcome what’s hindering you. Her own interests have guided her to form a genuine appreciation of people’s distresses, where she can make a real difference in individual’s lives.

Her experience has extended to support those during trying times of Infertility, Organ Donation, Transplants, Chronic Renal Failure, living with Dialysis, Cancer, Anxiety, Depression as well as adolescents faced with making career decisions and navigating university for the first time.
In particular, young adults entering university whilst managing personal relationships and career pressure, carries new levels of stress. Kylie also has experience with older adults and the changes they face moving into later life.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Kylie combines a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degrees, with extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, EMDR Therapy and Schema Therapy. Her former education qualifications include a Doctor of Education, Master of Educational Technology, Bachelor of Teaching (PAVE) and Bachelor of Learning Design degrees, certifying her extensive understanding of adolescents and young adult distresses. She is also informed in Imagery Rescripting and CBT for Paediatric OCD.

Passion

Kylie has a real passion in supporting those with Trauma, Anxiety & Stress related concerns. Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: Personality Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Phobias, PTSD, Mood Disorders including Depression & Bipolar, trauma, Delusional Disorder, Psychosis Disorders, substance and medication induced Psychosis, older adults, adolescent & young adult career & personal challenges. 

Known For

Kylie’s accomplishments include her Doctoral Research on how humans process information, in particular from a mental workload perspective. She explored the range of dimensions learning involves, measured brain activity whilst conducting learning tasks, and discovered that information can be presented differently, depending on how effectively it is processed. Strategies were discovered that reduced mental workload and improved cognitive efficiency and performance.

Her research extends to the focus on the predictors of psychopathological decluttering behaviour including vulnerabilities, sense of coherence, intolerance to uncertainty and OCPD for her Honours Thesis. Kylie has also explored the opposite end of the Hoarding Spectrum and the predictors of decluttering, such as vulnerability factors, Sense of Coherence, Intolerance to Uncertainty and OCPD.


On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Kylie enjoys experiencing different cultures – people, food and travelling with her family.

Dr Kylie’s Appointments

Kylie is a full time devoted therapist at our practice. She is available for appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, alternate Mondays & Saturdays.

Educational Articles By Dr Kylie

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations

Author Unknown
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Rickii Lotsaris

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BSci in Psych (Hons), MAPS

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Rickii NEW Profile Photo White Background

Rickii Lotsaris

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BSci in Psych (Hons), MAPS

KNOW RICKII

Rickii Lotsaris is an accomplished Psychologist with a passion for guiding children, adolescents, parents and individuals to find the right balance in their life. Compassionate and understanding, her bubbly nature creates a secure space for you to share your concerns, and explore ways to become the best version of yourself. Creatively, Rickii’s expertise includes working with children for over 8 years in a teaching space, instilling motivation techniques and working with primary and high school age groups on a variety of academic challenges.

Rickii felt from a young age that she always wanted to help people, and she has a real passion to guide individuals to find their own unique life balance. She ensures all her therapy sessions are tailored to your own situation and that she will remain with you right throughout your journey of change. How the mind works, emotions and memory fascinates her, and she is highly empathetic to those that struggle to cope with their emotions. She places a real emphasis on acknowledging her clients, overcoming that struggle and mastering the changes long term. 

Rickii’s Experience & Approach

Taking a collaborative approach, Rickii places a real emphasis on teamwork, ensuring you always have a voice. It is through this collaboration there is an agreement between you and her, where both parties are accountable and feedback is encouraged.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Rickii holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours), with extensive training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, Behavioural Activation for depression, time management and social exposure. Her results speak volumes as she actively progresses teenagers through challenging school times, assisting them to maintain motivation and feel proud of their achievements. She spent 4 years as a study motivator using mindfulness techniques and skills to teach students to study smarter, not harder. This encouraged them to feel less stressed and clearer heading into exams. Equally, Rickii has also conducted research across many topics, including; the memory capacity of adults to understand their ability to think critically about asking open-ended questions; and researching police interviewing techniques and case files for a potential wrongful conviction.

Passion

A successful coach of children and teenagers in sporting and dance related endeavours, Rickii collaboratively works with children and their parents to manage the pressure, stress, and expectations that come with extracurricular activities. She also has an extreme appreciation for research within this field and how it informs therapeutic practice. Her passion extends to body image concerns, eating disorders, and general health and wellbeing in adults and children, working with you to develop a positive mindset. Dedicated and attentive in her manner Rickii will give complete focus, taking the time to build rapport to work through your challenges.

Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, body image concerns, eating disorders, sport anxiety & pressure, exam stress, sleep hygiene, OCD, motivation, friendship and relationship challenges, career planning, self-esteem, self-harm, behavioural challenges, anger and learning difficulties.

Known For

Rickii’s accomplishments include the completion of her first-class honours’ thesis on memory for repeated events of domestic violence, where she researched how memory can be improved, so witnesses can appear more credible in court. A victim’s believability in court is hindered when they become confused between each violent event. She discovered first-hand that if the witness can focus on the uniqueness of each event, then they’ll have better memory for that specific event. Her findings proved that when isolating the specific event, memory confusion is avoided. 

On a Personal Level

Rickii is an avid classical ballet dancer, and enjoys swimming and reading in the sun, spending time with family, and trying new restaurants with friends. She identifies herself as a real “foodie”!


Rickii’s Appointments

Rickii is devoted to our practice as a full-time therapist and is exclusively available for appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Educational Articles/Videos by Rickii

We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust the sails and direct the movements of our ship so that it stays on course

Thomas S. Monson
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Samira Wiemer

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych, BPsychSci (Hons), DipCouns, MAPS

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Samira Profile Photo FINAL1

Samira Wiemer

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych, BPsychSci (Hons), DipCouns, MAPS

KNOW SAMIRA

Samira Wiemer is a diverse Psychologist, passionate about supporting individuals through life transitions, multicultural and family challenges, to bring happiness and fulfilment into their life.

Warm & genuine in nature, Samira believes that sometimes, particularly when facing a challenging situation, all that is needed is understanding, encouragement, support and acceptance. Ensuring clients can focus and have greater clarity to allow them to make small changes in their life, is important to her. She wants clients to experience substantial improvements first-hand and see how this can positively affect their future.

Raised in a multicultural family in Chicago USA, Samira developed an appreciation for psychology in her teenage years. After travelling, moving to Australia and starting a family, she became more determined to become a psychologist. Her personal experience raising five young men and witnessing other parents’ struggles gave her a real empathy for women’s mental health struggles, and her desire to help others evolved. 

Samira’s Experience & Approach

Curious and attentive in her sessions, Samira ensures she creates a non-judgemental space for you to have a voice. She takes a collaborative approach, likes to work as a team and is solution focused. Believing everyone is entitled to a fulfilling and rewarding life, her sessions are open, providing a safe place for clients to open up away from the busyness of everyday life.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Samira combines a Master of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degrees, with a Diploma of Counselling. Her training includes Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and has studied how parental burnout affects couple’s relationships.

Passion

Samira has a particular interest in women’s issues, parenting support, and navigating adolescents through their teenage years. As a result of her upbringing, she has a unique perspective on religion, and the optimism in her sessions is infectious.

Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: stress, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, life transitions, parenting, family relationships, adolescent issues, culturally sensitive issues, mixed culture families and emotional regulation.

Known For

Samira’s accomplishments include her research project on the effects of parental burnout on a couple’s relationship. Through her research she discovered that parental stress is linked to adult and child functioning, the quality of parent-child relationships and the parental relationship. It was concluded that that the best way to support parents is through ongoing research and providing psychoeducation.

Samira has recently published the manuscript “Spread Too Thin”: Parent’s Experiences of Burnout During COVID-19 in Australia” with the Journal of Family Relations. The manuscript examined the impact of COVID-19 on parents both quantitatively and qualitatively. The outcome was that parents reported increased stress and a loss of coping mechanisms during lockdown, and this commonly led to negative outcomes. Parents struggled to cope with the additional responsibilities and the reductions to resources created by COVID-19 restrictions.

On a Personal Level

Samira loves the outdoors – both coastal and bushwalking. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and good food.

Samira’s Appointments

Samira is a devoted therapist at our practice. She is available for appointments on Wednesdays, Fridays & alternate Tuesdays & Saturdays.

It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change 

Queen Elizabeth II
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Lana Jaff

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BPsych (Hons), MAPS

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Lana Jaff

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BPsych (Hons), MAPS

Lana Jaff is a diverse Psychologist, passionate about the importance of people’s mental health & wellbeing, and how early intervention can really help to overcome and prevent some of life’s challenges.

Genuine and understanding, Lana is extremely client driven, focusing on you and your needs. Her compassionate nature puts you at ease right from the start, as Lana ensures she is always approachable, no matter what your individual circumstances. Her sessions are personally tailored, as you discover together as a team what works best for you and your future.

Lana grew up in the Kurdistan region, and has long had a curiosity to understand the human mind. This curiosity led her to read about Sigmund Frued in her high school years, and further investigate and pursue a professional career in psychology and mental health. Besides English, Lana is fluent in Kurdish (Sorani), and is culturally cognisant to Farsi, and Arabic speaking backgrounds.

Lana’s Experience & Approach

Lana’s approach is one that is attentive, and collaborative. She shares a safe and trustworthy environment in her sessions, so you feel assured and comfortable.

Her experience has extended to coaching young people on their professional and personal lives, based on scientific methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychology. Through her coaching she improved habits related to behaviour change, emotional management, as well as finding and leveraging signature strengths.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Lana holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree, and has worked closely with university students to maximise their potential by building emotional intelligence and wellbeing management skills, through digital interventions. 

Passion

Lana has a real passion to understand human behaviour, and how to flourish despite adversity. She appreciates working with people of all ages, including children, adolescents & adults. Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: stress management, sleep disorders, anxiety, OCD, depression, behavioural challenges, emotional regulation and anger, trauma, grief & loss, alcohol and drug dependencies, body image issues, self-esteem, and panic disorders.

Known For

Lana’s accomplishments include joining a government advisory committee of community members & professionals, where she raised recommendations on how to better support the mental health of small businesses and business people. Her outlook delivered insights and opinions across a variety of mental health/small business roundtables, as well as delivering recommendations on how the government could best support small businesses to reduce mental health stigma. She encouraged insight to allow small businesses to build capabilities and self manage their mental health; to integrate mental health into their businesses; and to mitigate risks associated with poor mental health.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Lana takes time out in nature with activities such as hiking and camping. She also enjoys swimming and yoga.

Lana’s Appointments

Lana is a devoted therapist at our practice and is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays.

Educational Articles/Videos By Lana

What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.

Glenn Close
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Romana Ali

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych BPsych (Hons) MAPS

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Romana Ali

Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych BPsych (Hons) MAPS

KNOW Romana

Romana Ali is an accomplished Psychologist, passionate about fostering empowerment within individuals so they can maximise their potential, gain confidence in themselves and be the driver of change in their own lives. Encouraging and genuine in nature, Romana believes with the right tools, encouragement, and support, change is achievable for everyone.

Romana felt inspired to pursue a career in psychology from a young age and is an avid promoter of de-stigmatising mental health. Always feeling like she was drawn towards helping people, Romana found growing up that in return, those around her were also drawn to her caring, supportive nature. Mental health is extremely important to Romana and her own experiences have shaped her kind and warm persona. She feels grateful to be in a position where she has access to education to provide much needed support to the community.

Romana’s Experience & Approach

Romana’s therapy approach is one that is collaborative, attentive and client focused. Life is constantly changing and evolving, and she believes so should therapy. Through her bubbly personality, her clients feel understood and heard, free from judgement. Her strength is the ability to match her own interactions with the clients, and adapt to any situation and different interaction styles. She places a focus on ensuring her clients feel safe and comfortable.

As an experienced Psychologist at Creating Change, Romana combines a Master of Professional Psychology with a Bachelor in Psychology (honours) degrees, with training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness.

Passion

Romana enjoys treating all ages from children through to adults, with a particular interest in supporting adolescents and young adults trying to find their way in life. Her experience extends to working with those working through stressful situations such as life transitions, and has a keen interest in how it affects our overall functioning.

Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorders, OCD, Perfectionism, life transitions, interpersonal issues, school/university stress, life stress and workplace issues.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Romana enjoys playing soccer and has a true passion for everything sports and fitness. She loves music and dancing, as well as spending quality time with friends and family.

Romana’s Appointments

Romana is a devoted therapist at our practice, and is available for appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Everything can be taken from a man, but the last of the human freedoms: to choose one’s attitudes in any given set of circumstances

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Carolyn Innes

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
B PsychStudies (Hons), B SocSci, GradDip PsychStudies, DipCommServices (Welfare), MAPS

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Carolyn Innes

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
B PsychStudies (Hons), B SocSci, GradDip PsychStudies, DipCommServices (Welfare), MAPS

KNOW CAROLYN

Carolyn Innes is a diverse Provisional Psychologist, passionate about working collaboratively with vulnerable individuals experiencing difficulties in their life. Kind & empathetic, Carolyn ensures she takes the time to listen and understand your needs so you feel heard, and she believes transparency is important for the client-therapist relationship to work.

With a background in social welfare and over 20 years’ experience in child protection, Carolyn is extremely sensitive in her sessions, respecting individual differences and experiences. Her warm and compassionate nature makes you feel at ease when you first meet her.

For 13 years, Carolyn worked on a tri-agency team investigating child abuse matters. This encompassed conducting investigative interviews of young people and providing crisis counselling and support to families and caregivers. This responsibility enabled her to connect very deeply and her interest to provide individualised therapy (rather than crisis and short-term support) continued to grow. Being able to support clients to effectively manage adverse and traumatic experiences became her focus, and she found meaning through returning to university to expand her career within psychology.

Carolyn’s Experience & Approach

Carolyn’s approach to her sessions is very attentive and centred around you and your journey. She brings a relatable & approachable presence into therapy, enabling you to feel comfortable and optimistic about the future. She evokes openness with her friendly manner and has a way of ensuring you feel safe and not alone.

As an experienced Counsellor at Creating Change, Carolyn combines a Bachelor of Social Science with both a Graduate Diploma and a Bachelor in Psychological Studies (Honours), and a Diploma in Community Services (Welfare). She is trauma informed with training in with training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness.

Passion

Carolyn has a real passion for helping families work through their challenges and provides immeasurable support for parents managing children. Her experience has extended to support clients who have suffered childhood traumatic events and safeguard their vulnerabilities.

Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: childhood & adult trauma, depression, anxiety, family and parenting concerns (including behavioural issues, attachment issues, conflict), alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and aggression, emotional regulation, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, personality disorders, PTSD, stress management, self-harm and body image issues.

Known For

Carolyn’s accomplishments include the completion of her honours’ thesis about young adults with depression. Her research encompassed the impact of stress and rumination (brooding and reflection) on depression severity in young adults, who experienced both clinical symptoms and non-clinical symptoms of depression. The results found that young adults have higher levels of stress and brooding when experiencing non-clinical symptoms of depression, whereas individuals experience higher levels of brooding, reflection and stress when experiencing clinical symptoms of depression.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Carolyn likes spending time with her loved ones, and enjoys relaxing with some yoga and reading.

Carolyn’s Appointments

Carolyn is a full time devoted therapist at our practice. She is available for appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and alternate Thursday evenings/Saturdays.

I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail

Maslow AH
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Daniel Alevras

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BPsych (Hons) MAPS

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Daniel Alevras

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BPsych (Hons) MAPS

Know Daniel

Daniel Alevras is an accomplished Provisional Psychologist, passionate about assisting individuals to combat and overcome challenges that hold them back from becoming their best self. Empathetic and compassionate in nature, Daniel believes that with some patience and elbow grease, concerns and goals you believe are unachievable can turn around. Daniel aims to bring that “feeling” you get when overcoming a challenge to all his clients, enabling you to progress and have a sense of achievement. You will instantly feel Daniel’s relaxed demeanour in session, as he genuinely takes the time to listen to your needs and provide actions to work towards improvement and change.

Daniel grew up within a Greek family in Sydney’s west, and from his primary school years he had a keen interest in understanding why people do the things they do. What motivates people to make choices and take certain actions, and why do people react differently to situations? These were the questions that led him down the path of psychology, to understand the brain and what makes us all act and behave in different ways.

Daniel’s Experience & Approach

Daniel has a formal yet approachable manner, and whilst he brings a calm and easy going presence to his sessions, he continually puts in place structure and guidelines to ensure therapy is focused on progress and the client’s needs.

As an experienced Provisional Psychologist at Creating Change, Daniel holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and has training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and uses the Adversity Behavioural Consequences (ABC) method in sessions to help clients visualise their thought patterns. He encourages the implementation of diary use or entry journals to assist in documenting your thoughts and behaviours, to see your own improvement over time.

Passion

Daniel ensures that all his clients work towards overcoming their concerns to be the best person they can be. He has a particular interest in video game addiction and online obsession, and wants to develop his research on the link between addiction and depression based on the length of time individuals spend on video games.

Supporting adults, teenagers and children, Daniel’s level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations he treats: addiction, online video gaming obsession, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Known For

Daniel has worked with the elderly, supporting them through community service at Mayflower Retirement Village. He has gained experience in return-to-work rehabilitation where he supported those from varying cultures across all age groups with disabilities, illnesses and injury to recovery at work, and achieving independence at home within their workplace and community.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level Daniel enjoys music and playing the piano. He is self-taught on the keyboard, is a huge fan of NRL Footy, and on occasion uses his skills as a touch football referee.

Daniel’s Appointments

Daniel is a full time devoted therapist at our practice and is available for appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Mondays and Saturdays.

Good better best, never let it rest, till your good is better and your better best.

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Camilla Pihl

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MPsych (Clinical) pursuing BPsychSc (Hons) MAPS

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Camilla Pihl

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MPsych (Clinical) pursuing BPsychSc (Hons) MAPS

KNOW CAMILLA

Camilla Pihl is a dedicated Provisional Psychologist with a passion for helping others navigate life’s challenges as they surface. Empathetic and understanding, her compassionate approach makes you feel seen and heard, providing a safe and non-judgmental space for you to share your concerns. Camilla values her attentiveness, believing it takes courage to share personal matters, and that everyone in life can benefit from therapy.

Growing up in Norway and moving to Sydney to pursue psychology, Camilla had to rebuild her life and connections, shaping the person and psychologist she is today. There’s always been a deep passion to help others, and she is of the belief that seeking support and someone to talk to is important in life. Creating trust and being that ‘someone’ you can rely on is central to her sessions, as she tailors therapy to your specific needs and circumstances.

Camilla’s Experience & Approach

Taking a client-focused and holistic approach, Camilla acknowledges your feelings and personal situation to work together at your own pace. Building rapport and adapting to your personal needs, Camilla believes active listening and validation are key factors in creating a strong therapeutic relationship. Throughout her sessions, Camilla will help you gain insight into your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. She will assist you in developing problem-solving skills and coping strategies according to your needs, and work together to set personalised, realistic, and achievable goals. As an experienced Provisional Psychologist at Creating Change, Camilla is currently pursuing a Master of Clinical Psychology, and combines this with a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degrees.

Passion

Camilla has a passion for working with couples, families, adults, adolescents and children, and believes that with the right tools and support, anyone can overcome their concerns and become the best version of themselves. Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: eating disorders, self-esteem and body image concerns, family and relationship challenges, anxiety, stress, depression and interpersonal issues.

Known For

Camilla’s accomplishments include working with children, adolescents and adults across a wide range of mental health concerns and disabilities, where she supported clients to work towards their goals. Her travels led her to experience living in Zimbabwe with homeless teenagers and children who required schooling support, where she gained insight into the mental, physical and financial challenges people faced. This strengthened her desire to help those in need and provide them with the knowledge and skills to cope with life’s challenges.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level Camilla enjoys hiking and sports-related activities, and has been active in volleyball and rock-climbing. She enjoys quality time with her loved ones, and is a big animal lover (who is always willing to help stray pets), as well as travelling, experiencing new places, food, culture and live music.

Camilla’s Appointments

Camilla is a devoted therapist at our practice and is available for appointments on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall

Nelson Mandela
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Rebecca Malcolm

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BPsych (Hons) MProfPsych

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Rebecca Malcolm

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
BPsych (Hons) MProfPsych

Know REBECCA

Rebecca is a spirited Provisional Psychologist driven by a passion for helping individuals unlock their potential and achieve positive transformations in their lives. Rebecca’s journey from a fitness professional to a passionate psychologist is marked by her commitment to helping individuals unlock their potential, change their mindset, and live fulfilling lives.

Hailing from Western Sydney and deeply immersed in sports from a young age, Rebecca’s tenure in the fitness industry showcased firsthand the mental health benefits of physical activity. Her personal journey of breaking self-imposed limitations inspired her to pursue psychology, aiming to empower others to believe in themselves and make life-altering changes.

REBECCA’s Experience & Approach

Rebecca approaches therapy with an open mind, seeing the world in shades of grey rather than black and white. Her supportive yet firm style encourages clients to overcome challenges. She strives to create an atmosphere where clients feel as if they are chatting with a good friend, fostering comfort, vulnerability, and the assurance of non-judgment, warmth, and understanding.

Passion

Having spent over 10 years in the fitness industry, Rebecca advocates for the mental health benefits of physical activity. Her personal journey of breaking free from self-imposed constraints inspired her to pursue psychology, driven by a desire to empower others to believe in themselves and live extraordinary lives.

Known For

Rebecca specialises in sport performance, self-esteem/image, anxiety, body image, motivation, and phobias. She thrives on working with individuals motivated to make positive changes and put in the effort to transform their lives.


Rebecca excels in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), using its methods to address mental health concerns by identifying negative thought patterns. Her expertise allows her to target issues like anxiety and self-esteem, guiding clients toward healthier thinking. Her personal use of mindfulness adds depth to her approach, aiding stress management and emotional awareness. Rebecca combines these skills to create a supportive environment for clients’ growth and well-being.

On a Personal Level

Outside of her professional life, Rebecca finds joy in working out and playing netball. Her love for dogs is evident, as she owns two Rottweilers who are her pride and joy. Traveling and a keen interest in World War II and the Holocaust reflect her diverse range of personal passions.

REBECCA’S APPOINTMENTS

Bec is a devoted therapist at our practice and is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.

Roy T. Bennett
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Karen Smith

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych, MBA, GradDipPsychSc Adv, GradDipPsych, DipCouns, MAPS

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Karen Smith

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych, MBA, GradDipPsychSc Adv, GradDipPsych, DipCouns, MAPS

Know KAREN

Karen is a dedicated Provisional Psychologist, passionate about navigating life’s challenges together with her clients, helping you to feel confident to tackle any difficulties you may face. Warm & compassionate, Karen ensures you feel heard within the therapy room, and provides a calm environment where you feel safe to share your story.

Karen was drawn to the world of psychology by an aspiration to not only help people, but more importantly work alongside you to build your skills. Her goal is for you to feel equipped to cope with your problems and face life with confidence. With a background of over 25 years’ experience in corporate food manufacturing, Karen draws on strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills to ensure you receive a thorough assessment and tailored treatment plan.

KAREN’s Experience & Approach

Karen provides a friendly atmosphere in her sessions, which is led by the client, ensuring you feel heard and the time to share your challenges. She prides herself on providing evidence-based strategies that are tailored to your specific needs, supporting you to find avenues for personal growth.

As an experienced Provisional Psychologist at Creating Change, Karen combines a Master of Professional Psychology, a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (Advanced), a Graduate Diploma of Psychology, a Diploma of Counselling, and an MBA. Her training includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – Eating Disorders (CBT-E), Maudsley Family Therapy, and providing a range of assessments for children, adolescents, and adults.

Passion

Karen has a real passion for helping adolescents, adults, and families cope with life’s unexpected challenges. She has a particular interest in supporting females with peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms, and has assisted teenagers and young adults with body image and self-esteem issues, as well treating eating disorders. Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment disorders, ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, body image disorders, teenage changes, workplace and relationships issues, family breakdowns and mental health changes during menopause.

Known For

Karen is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED), National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC), and the Australian Menopause Society (AMS).

Her accomplishments include the completion of her honours’ thesis which investigated contributing factors to “baby-brain” (brain fog, memory disturbances, forgetfulness) during pregnancy. Working memory in particular is one area of cognitive functioning most often self-reported by pregnant women to be perceived to deteriorate during pregnancy. The study specifically investigated if self-reported anxiety symptoms are associated with changes to working memory performance during pregnancy. The results found that being anxious whilst pregnant did not affect working memory accuracy compared to a control group.

Karen’s research for her Master’s degree investigated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in alleviating depression symptoms and improving quality of life among individuals diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The results found that CBT reduced symptoms of depression, improving an individual’s quality of life.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Karen likes to spend time with family and friends, and she helps to puppy raise guide dogs for NSW Guide Dogs.

KAREN’S APPOINTMENTS

Karens is a full time devoted therapist at our practice. She is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Maybe everyone can live beyond what they are capable of – Markus Zusak

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Nicole Douglas

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych BPsychSc (Hons) GradDipPsych

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Nicole Douglas

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MProfPsych BPsychSc (Hons) GradDipPsych

Know NICOLE

Nicole is a compassionate and dedicated Psychologist with a profound commitment to guiding individuals through their mental health journeys with warmth, dignity, and respect. Originally from Sydney, Nic has travelled and studied abroad extensively. Nicole’s curiosity about people’s struggles and the universal need for understanding led her to pursue psychology. With a background in the TV and Film industry, spanning close to a decade, Nicole realised her true passion lay in holding empathetic space for distressed individuals, leading her to pursue a career in psychology to better serve those in need.

NICOLE’s Experience & Approach

Nicole fosters a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard and understood. Her approach is collaborative and understanding, often employing humour to strengthen the therapeutic alliance. She aims to set achievable goals with clients, ensuring a comfortable pace while maintaining treatment objectives. Trained in CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing, Nicole integrates evidence-based techniques to tailor treatments to individual needs.

Passion

Nicole is passionate about addressing depression, anxiety, social anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, history of sexual assault, and body image issues. Her genuine curiosity about the human condition and universal need for support fuels her dedication to being a compassionate listener and ally for her clients.

Known For

Nicole’s training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing demonstrate her dedication to staying abreast of evidence-based practices. Her expertise in these modalities allows her to tailor interventions effectively to address individual client needs.

Nicole’s accomplishments not only reside in her professional endeavors but also in her dedication to understanding the human experience, advocating for mental health support, and fostering holistic well-being through her diverse skill set and unwavering compassion.

On a Personal Level

Outside her professional life, she finds solace in yoga, indulges in light fiction, and enjoys exploring creative outlets like ceramics and painting.

NICOLE’S APPOINTMENTS

Nicole is a devoted therapist at our practice and is available for appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves

Viktor E. Frankl
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Tara Murali

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MClinPsy (pursuing) BPsych (Hons)

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Tara Murali

Provisional Psychologist Bella Vista, Sydney
MClinPsy (pursuing) BPsych (Hons)

Tara Murali is a dedicated Provisional Psychologist with a genuine commitment and aspiration to positively make an impact on people’s daily mental health hurdles. Warm & compassionate in nature, Tara is culturally diverse and experienced in building relationships with families from diverse backgrounds. This has helped Tara deeply understand cross-cultural differences, and she encourages clients with these challenges to develop skills in order to foster feelings of trust and safety.

Personable and grounded in her sessions, Tara creates a non-judgmental space for you to vent your challenges, and discover a clearer pathway forward together as a team. Hailing originally from Adelaide, Tara’s strong attachment to her South Indian roots led her to pursue a career in psychology. Observing the limited diversity of mental health therapists available, as well as the barriers to seek help in her local community, this had significant influence and drew Tara towards wanting to help others.

TARA’s Experience & Approach

Tara approaches therapy with flexibility, warmth, and a touch of fun. Her primary focus is on building a strong client-therapist relationship, grounded in trust, open communication, empathy, and kindness. Creativity plays a pivotal role in her sessions, making the exploration of your concerns engaging and insightful. The non-judgmental environment she creates fosters a sense of safety so you feel comfortable to move through your therapy sessions as a team.

Passion

Tara is passionate in supporting those with anxiety disorders across all age groups, as well as child and adolescent trauma, multicultural family dynamics, and working with neurodivergent children. Tara finds particular inspiration in helping open-minded and motivated clients progress with their mental health, to a place where they feel equipped to tackle life independently. Her level of expertise is evident in the broad range of presentations she treats: anxiety, social anxiety, depression, multi-cultural issues, sleep hygiene and family issues. 

Known For

Tara is an avid volunteer and has a real commitment to help others. Her diverse volunteer experience includes crisis support at Lifeline, youth ambassadorship at Headspace, and working with migrant and refugee communities in South Australia. The valuable skills and connection she gained from volunteering equipped her to assess risk, and foster safe environments for varied communities.

On a Personal Level

On a personal level, Tara enjoys spending time with friends, engaging in netball, AFL and tennis, exploring Sydney’s food scene, basking in the beach and sunshine, hiking, and immersing herself in cultural activities like theatre, live music, and comedy shows.

TARA’S APPOINTMENTS

Tara is a devoted therapist at our practice and is available for appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Clinical Psychology Excellence

Expert Advice

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Your local and professional Hills Psychologists.

Supporting the greater Sydney area with adult psychology, teen & child psychology, learning assessments, couples & marriage counselling.

Contact us

P: 02 8883 3185

Opening hours

Monday – Thursday8:00AM – 9:00PM
Friday8:00AM – 5:00PM
Alternate Saturdays8:00AM – 3:00PM

Address

Sky City Building B, Level 1, Suite 110
20 Lexington Drive
Bella Vista NSW 2153

Map directions

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