Meet our Practitioners.

Dr Amy Bloxham

Practice Director and Psychologist

Amy holds a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology. Amy has worked internationally both in the UK and in Australia. She brings over 16 years of clinical experience in mental health services and has been a qualified Psychologist for 14 years. 

Prior to working in private practice in the Northern Rivers NSW, Amy specialised in acute mental health services for Queensland Health and previous to that, she worked in Harley Therapy, London and various roles within the NHS.  

Amy prides herself on being able to engage and develop therapeutic relationships with those from varying backgrounds, economic, spiritual and cultural experiences. Amy is open to working with those who identify as LGBTQI+. 

Amy practices within an integrative framework, incorporating evidence based techniques such as Compassion Focussed Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Psychodynamic ideas. She has a continued interest in pursuing and developing her skills in other diverse areas and thus draws upon other modalities such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and other mindfulness based approaches. 

Amy has worked with a large spectrum of client difficulties, ranging from mild to the more complex. The length of therapy that has been offered has ranged from short to longer-term therapy dependent on client need and the approach undertaken. Amy particularly values a long term approach whereby a client is able to hold onto the importance of their weekly therapy space and what it means for them.

Amy very much values a collaborative therapeutic relationship and using the therapeutic relationship to enable change. She aims to gently enable you to explore, process and engage with distress to ultimately feel more of a sense of understanding, feel more in control and start to adjust to your life journey in a way that feels more soothed, fulfilled and whole.

Amy offers a warm welcome and admires you taking that courageous step in making the first appointment to explore the distress you are going through. 

Amy is located at our Kingscliff practice.

Approach

•     Humanistic/person centred

•  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

•     Psychodynamic

•     Compassion Focussed Therapy (Trans-diagnostic approach)

•     Mentalisation

•     Interpersonal

•     Attachment/relational

• EMDR

 Areas of interest

• Abuse, addiction, anger, anxiety/stress, depression, dissociative disorders, Eating, Family, Grief/loss, Identity, Mood, Obsessive Compulsive disorders, Personality disorders, Relationships, Psychosis, Peri/post natal, Phobias, Sleep concerns, Somatic, Trauma, Transition to parenthood

• Young people 16+ and adults.

• Perinatal non-directive counselling (Medicare registered practitioner)

• Process group therapy

Accreditations

• BSc Psychology (Honours) 2001.

• DPsychCoun (Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology) 2009.

• Fully registered as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA).

• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

• Registered with Medicare and Private Health Funds.

• International - registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Psychological Society (BPS)

• EMDR therapist

• Fee $250 per 50 min session

• Fee $360 per 75 min EMDR processing session

Jess Sutton

Clinical Psychologist

Jess is a Clinical Psychologist with over seven years experience on the Gold Coast specialising in acute and chronic mental health services in the community and with individuals experiencing mental health crisis in the hospital setting. Jess has worked with individuals from many walks of life with mild to complex presentations. 

Jess appreciates that taking the step to see a psychologist can be daunting for some, she hopes to ease any concerns about this through her warm, empathetic and open therapeutic style. She places value in creating a space where you feel heard, safe, and comfortable to share about yourself and your challenges. In this space Jess uses a collaborative approach to achieve your goals, enable change and also learn about you as a person. Including your values, strengths and areas you wish to build upon. 

In session Jess will encourage you to reflect, explore, discover, learn and try new ways of thinking and being. Jess has training and experience in various forms of therapy and draws on the most relevant aspects of these for each client’s unique goals and needs. She will share strategies and tools to help you recognise, understand and manage any discomfort in order to overcome obstacles now and in the future.

Jess is looking forward to meeting with you and supporting you on your journey of self discovery and change at a pace that is individual to you.

Jess is located at our Kingscliff practice.

Approach

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

• Strengths Based Therapy

• Positive Psychology

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy

• Trauma informed care

• Schema therapy 

• the Suicide Prevention Strategy 

• Project Air Strategy for treatment of personality disorders 

• EMDR

 Areas of interest

• Mood concerns including anxiety and depression, Bipolar and Psychotic disorders, Life transition, Resilience building, Stress management, General Relationship / interpersonal difficulties, Trauma, Sleep difficulties, Grief and loss, Personality disorders, Impulse control difficulties - including addiction, self harm, suicidality, anger. 

• Adults 18+

Accreditations

• Fully registered Psychologist with Clinical endorsement with the Psychology Board of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA).

• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

• Registered with Medicare.

• EMDR therapist

• Fee $240 per 50 minute session.

Kathleen Mckinnon

Clinical Psychologist

Kathleen completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours and Master of Clinical Psychology at Griffith University. Kathleen is a registered Clinical Psychologist with experience supporting clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including acute and inpatient mental health, education, and private practice.

She is passionate about providing a safe space where clients can explore their experiences with curiosity and compassion, fostering personal growth and greater contentment in life. Kathleen understands that starting therapy can feel daunting and takes a warm, collaborative, and empathic approach to help clients feel supported and understood.

Kathleen believes therapy works best when it honours each person’s individuality. She tailors her approach to each client’s unique story and goals, drawing on a range of evidence-based tools to create a process that feels authentic, collaborative, and meaningful. As a trained EMDR therapist, Kathleen finds EMDR to be a powerful and compassionate approach for helping clients work through trauma and other forms of psychological distress.

Kathleen has a particular interest in attachment, neurodiversity, and trauma. Her research has explored the role of adult attachment style and mindfulness in emotion regulation, as well as the impact of colonisation and intergenerational trauma on the developmental outcomes of First Nations children. She believes we are shaped by the interaction between our innate nature and the environments we grow within, and that understanding this relationship can foster self-compassion, healing, and growth.

Kathleen is based at our Kingscliff practice.

Approach

• Humanistic/person centred

• Attachment/relational

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Imagery Rescripting for childhood trauma

• Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Mindfulness and relaxation

• Positive psychology. 

  Areas of interest

• Anxiety disorders, depression and mood disorders, neurodiversity, trauma, relationship and interpersonal difficulties, parenting, self-esteem, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, stress management, and resilience building

• Adults 18+

  Accreditations

• Fully registered Psychologist with Clinical endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA).

• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS).

• Registered with Medicare.

• EMDR therapist.

• Fee $220 per 50 minute session.

Kimberley Strachan-Regan

Registered Psychologist and Clinical Psychology registrar.

Kimberley completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Griffith University, a Postgraduate Diploma of Psychological Science at Bond University, and a Master of Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Social Neuroscience. She is currently completing a PhD at the University of Southern Queensland.

Kimberley works from a psychodynamic and relational foundation, with a focus on understanding the deeper patterns and relational experiences that shape how people feel, think, and live. Her approach is trauma-informed and integrative, drawing on ACT, DBT, and other evidence-based frameworks where these complement the relational work.

Kimberley has specialist training in eating disorders, holding an ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician credential and training in CBT-E and Maudsley-Based Family Therapy (FBT). Kimberley incorporates a Health At Every Size (HAES) and weight-neutral approach into all eating disorder work.

Kimberley adopts a warm, empathetic, and client-centred approach, creating a safe and supportive space where individuals feel comfortable exploring their concerns. She tailors her therapeutic methods to meet each client’s unique needs.

Kimberley is particularly passionate about empowering women, fostering self-compassion, and helping clients navigate complex challenges including trauma-related difficulties. She is deeply committed to guiding individuals towards healing, resilience, and personal growth, supporting them in overcoming obstacles and building meaningful, fulfilling lives. Her compassionate and collaborative style ensures that clients feel heard, understood, and supported throughout their therapeutic journey.

Kimberley is based at our Kingscliff practice.

Approach

• Psychodynamic / Relational

• Trauma-Informed

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Eating disorder therapies: CBT-E and Maudsley-Based Family Therapy (FBT) with a HAES approach

Areas of interest

• Trauma and PTSD/CPTSD, Anxiety disorders, depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Eating disorders and body image, Life transitions and adjustment, Perinatal mental health, Neurodivergent clients including those with autism and ADHD, and offers neurodevelopmental assessments.

• Young people 14 + and Adults

  Accreditations

• Registered as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA).

• Member of the Australian Psychological Society and Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)

• Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI)

• The Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) Credentialed Clinician.

• Registered with Medicare

• $200 per 50 minute session

• $220 per 50 minutes for clients coming under a Eating Disorder Care Plan.

Donna Ogston

Registered Psychologist

Donna is a Registered Psychologist with more than 6 years experience, currently undertaking a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Southern Queensland. She has experience supporting adults across a variety of settings, including private practice, community services, and aged care, and works with individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, and complex life stressors.

Donna brings a calm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to therapy. She recognises that reaching out for support can feel like a significant step and strives to create a safe, respectful environment where clients feel heard, understood, and supported. Her work focuses on helping individuals develop a deeper understanding of their experiences, reconnect with their strengths, and build practical strategies that support wellbeing and meaningful change.

Donna tailors therapy to the unique needs, experiences, and goals of each client. Her approach is trauma-informed and emphasises developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and supporting individuals to reconnect with their sense of resilience and wellbeing.

She has a particular interest in trauma recovery, parts-based approaches, neurodiversity, and supporting older adults. Donna understands that trauma can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including thoughts, emotions, relationships, and physical experiences. She works gently and collaboratively, prioritising the development of safety and stability before exploring difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable for each individual.

Donna has a strong interest in working with neurodivergent adults, including autistic individuals and those with attention or sensory differences. She takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach that recognises and values the unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences neurodivergent people bring. She also welcomes individuals who may be exploring or recognising aspects of neurodivergence in themselves and would like support in understanding these experiences, regardless of whether they are seeking a formal diagnostic assessment.

Donna particularly enjoys working with older adults and values the depth of life experience they bring to therapy. She aims to provide a respectful and supportive space where individuals can reflect on life transitions, process past experiences, and continue to grow, adapt, and find meaning at any stage of life.

Donna is based in our Kingscliff practice and via Telehealth 

Approach

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Internal Family Systems informed therapy (parts work)

• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT informed)

• Solution Focused Brief Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

• Mindfulness and strengths-based approaches

  Areas of interest

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression, Neurodiversity, life transitions and adjustment, relationship and interpersonal difficulties, stress and burnout, self-development and resilience, older persons mental health, personal growth and wellbeing

  Adults 18+

  Accreditations

• Fully registered as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA)

• Associate Member – Australian Psychological Society (APS)

• Member – EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)

• Registered with Medicare

• Fee $220 per 50 minute appointment

Barbara Wasilewski

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

Barbara is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 20 years of extensive experience supporting adults across community, acute mental health services, and private practice settings. She is passionate about helping individuals regain a sense of stability, confidence, and direction in their lives.

Barbara has a particular interest in trauma-informed therapy and works with clients who have experienced complex or overwhelming life events. Barbara is familiar with supporting individuals who have experienced immense, overwhelming distress at some of the darker points of their lives. As well as supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, workplace stress, grief, and relationship difficulties. Her therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based modalities including EMDR-informed therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based strategies.

Barbara aims to create a safe, compassionate, and collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, understood, and supported. She recognises that each person’s experiences are unique and works at a pace that feels safe and manageable for the individual.

She has extensive experience supporting adults with workplace injuries and stress, life transitions, burnout, grief and loss, and long-standing patterns shaped by earlier life experiences. Barbara also works with individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about how to move forward.

When working with young people, Barbara focuses on creating a safe and respectful therapeutic space where they feel genuinely heard. Barbara takes a developmentally informed approach, helping adolescents better understand their emotional responses, manage distress, and navigate challenges related to identity, relationships, and school pressures. Barbara integrates practical skill-building with trauma-informed care, supporting young people to strengthen emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence as they move through important stages of development.

Originally from Poland, Barbara speaks Polish and has significant experience working with migrants and culturally diverse clients. She understands the challenges that can accompany migration, including identity shifts, family separation, and adapting to a new cultural environment.

For clients who wish to integrate their faith into therapy, Barbara can also provide counselling respectfully incorporating spiritual and religious values into the therapeutic process when appropriate.

Barbara’s style is warm, practical, and collaborative. She focuses not only on understanding the difficulties clients face, but also on helping them develop the skills and tools needed to move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

She also has extensive experience providing Telehealth therapy, creating a supportive and engaging space where clients can comfortably discuss sensitive issues from the privacy of their own home.

Barbara believes that meaningful change is possible at any stage of life and is committed to supporting clients as they work towards greater wellbeing, clarity, and resilience.

Barbara offers Telehealth appointments only. 

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers:

When seeking mental health support, many people first think of psychologists. However, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) offer a comparable level of clinical expertise and therapeutic care.

 AMHSWs are highly trained professionals who specialise in mental health. In addition to a social work qualification, an AMHSW completes extensive training in areas such as counselling, psychotherapy, and mental health treatment. After acquiring significant clinical experience, they are eligible for accreditation through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

This accreditation recognises advanced skills in mental health practice and qualifies AMHSWs to provide services under Medicare, offering clients access to rebates similar to those available when seeing a psychologist.

Like psychologists, AMHSWs are trained in a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and trauma-focused therapies. Many also specialise in working with particular populations or issues, such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or relationship difficulties.

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers bring a holistic, client-centred approach to care, integrating psychological insight with a deep understanding of social and environmental factors that affect wellbeing. They are an excellent option for individuals seeking high-quality, professional mental health support.

Approach

• CBT

• ACT

• Mindfulness

• Solution Focused Therapy

• EMDR

• Trauma informed care

 Areas of interest

• Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety and panic, Depression, Burnout, Grief and loss, Workplace stress and psychological injury, Emotional regulation and stress management, Self-esteem and identity issues, Life transitions and adjustment.

• Adolescents 13+

• Adults

Accreditations

• Fully registered Social Worker with Australian Association of Social Workers

• Credentialed Mental Health Social Worker

• Registered with Medicare

• EMDR therapist

• Fee $200 per 50 minute Telehealth session

Brenton McIntyre

Practice Director and Consultant Mental Health Nurse

Brenton completed his Bachelor of General Nursing and certificate in Mental Health Nursing in 1998. Brenton has 30 years of extensive experience of working with clients in various settings in Australia and Internationally; including peri-natal mental health, Community Mental Health (Team Manager and case manager), HIV specialist MH service, advice and consultation to primary care services, Liaison Psychiatry, and Crisis Mental Health care on the Gold Coast (co-responder to police and QAS).

Brenton exemplifies compassion, empathy, and dedication in his role, forming deep, caring therapeutic relationships with clients. His approach is rooted in person-centred care, ensuring that each individual feels seen, heard, and understood. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, he empowers clients to share their experiences and challenges openly.

An empathic listener, Brenton understands the profound impact of mental health struggles on a person's life. He offers unwavering support and validation, recognising the unique journey of each client. Through active listening and thoughtful communication, he builds trust and rapport, creating a foundation for effective therapeutic relationships.

Recovery-focused, Brenton collaborates with clients to develop personalised therapy plans that prioritise their strengths, goals, and aspirations. Brenton advocates for a holistic approach, integrating medical, psychological, and social aspects of care. By promoting self-advocacy and resilience, he inspires hope and encourages clients to take an active role in their recovery journey.

In every interaction, Brenton demonstrates patience, kindness, and respect, acknowledging the inherent dignity and worth of each person. Brentons dedication to compassionate care ensures that clients feel supported, understood, and empowered on their path to mental well-being.

Brenton is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse (CMHN). CMHN’s are nurses who have extensive postgraduate training and experience in the field of mental health. It is a specialised branch of nursing with a focus on the care of people with mental health concerns. CMHN’s work with their clients to promote psychological well-being and emotional health and physical well-being. Working with their clients to understand their mental health concerns, to learn how to manage and monitor their symptoms and be aware of what can exacerbate their mental health concern.

Brenton is based at our Kingscliff practice.

Approach

• Humanistic/person centred

• Bio-psycho-social

• Recovery focused

• Motivational Interviewing

• Systemic

• Trauma informed care

• Stengths-based intervention

• EMDR 

  Areas of interest

• Addictions, peri-natal, crisis mental health, personality disorders, somatic disorders, eating disorders, depression, trauma, suicidality, anger, anxiety, HIV, self harm, LGBTQI+.

• Mental health triage and assessment, care planning and interventions

• Therapeutic support for medically managed consumers

• Care coordination

• Relapse prevention

• Supporting young people and adults in crisis

• Integrated healthcare, collaboration and communication

• Mental health promotion and prevention.

• Medication management,

• Physical health management

• Psychosocial interventions including skills training and coping enhancement

• Young people 16+ and Adults

  Accreditations

• Fully registered Mental Health Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of the Australian Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA)

• Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with Australian College of Mental Health Nurses

• Registered with Medicare

• EMDR therapist in training (reduced session rate applicable)

• Fee $160 per 50 minute session