OUR PSYCHOLOGISTS
Ms Kylie O'Brien
Director
Consultant Clinical Psychologist BA (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), MAPS, FCCLP.
Consultant Clinical Psychologist BA (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), MAPS, FCCLP.
Kylie O’Brien is a seasoned clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience specializing in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and illness. Her extensive expertise encompasses cognitive-behavioural therapy, EMDR, EMDR 2.0, and attachment-based EMDR, complemented by a background in organizational psychology.
Drawing on her dual proficiency in both organisational and clinical psychology she understands the complex dynamics of management structures, adeptly addressing conflict and bullying in the workplace and fostering the development of healthy workplace cultures.
Passionate about exploring the intricacies of the human mind within familial, cultural, and collective contexts, Kylie collaborates with individuals to cultivate insight into their unique human experiences. Her approach integrates evidence-based science, understanding human physiology, and considering the contextual environments—be it organizational or familial.
Kylie emphasizes that unhelpful thinking isn't inherent; understanding our cognitions and the roots of our emotions empowers individuals to navigate life complexities. Whether guiding individuals through trauma treatment, managing anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or illness, or advising on complex organizational and social settings, Kylie's holistic approach is anchored in evidenced based science and gold standard treatment modalities.
Notably, Kylie is actively involved as a clinician in the Swinburne University clinical trial for Psilocybin treatment-resistant Depression, showcasing her commitment to advancing innovative therapeutic approaches. Beyond her clinical achievements, she co-founded the APS Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Interest group and served as the Chairperson of the North Coast APS branch for four years.
Fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and endorsed in clinical psychology, Kylie O’Brien stands as a dedicated professional contributing significantly to the field of psychology (REG. #: PSY0000985722).
Mr Phil Borrack
Psychologist BA Soc Sci, G. Dip (Psych) PG Dip Psych.
Phil has worked in the field of human services since 1990, involved in the areas of disability services, out-of-home care services, rehabilitation, including pain and injury management, and Workers Compensation claims, and adult and adolescent mental health. Phil has worked as a psychologist since 2015, covering a broad range of clinical presenting issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, depression and stress; trauma, suicidality and self-harm, and drug and alcohol issues. Phil also assists people to work through common challenges such as relationship and communication difficulties, sleeping problems, self-esteem issues, and burnout.
Phil draws from a range of evidence -based modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma related symptoms, Brief Solution Focussed Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness. Phil is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (REG #: PSY0001956807). BA Soc Sci, G. Dip (Psych) PG Dip Psych. Member AAP Inc.
Aina Martin
Psychologist B.A, Dip. Ed. PG Counselling, M.Ed, MAAPi
Aina is a psychologist who has devoted her entire career to supporting others in their life challenges.
She uses her knowledge and life experiences to connect with, listen to and understand her client’s needs and feelings. And then work with them to develop skills which improve wellbeing and resilience .
Aina’s focus is on helping clients of all ages to develop practical and life enhancing skills, through brief solution focused therapeutic interventions, to ensure they are better equipped to deal with their daily challenges. She is also skilled in the assessment of 6 to 16-year-olds - Cognitive, Functional, Emotional and Behavioural.
Aina is a psychologist with extensive experience working with children and adolescents with developmental, behavioural, emotional and learning difficulties. She specialises in helping support children and adolescents experiencing distress, causing disturbed functioning and behaviour.
Aina has had 20 years of experience as a School Counsellor and Psychologist. She has also worked as a NDIS registered Behaviour Support Practitioner, supporting children and adults with disabilities.
Robyn Jones
Psychologist BSc (Psych), GradDipPsychSc, BPsychSc (Hons), PhD Candidate, MAPS
After two decades of working in mental health Robyn has gained extensive experience in many areas. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Psychology), a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science, and a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). Robyn is currently completing a PhD research project in Psychology, which is her third research project.
In addition to working in private practice, Robyn has worked as a School Counsellor in four different local primary schools, with one of them being one of the highest needs schools in the area, based within a low socio-economic population and a local indigenous community. In this school, with support from the principal and staff, she was able to reduce the major incidents from 10-12 a week to almost none for more than two years, as well as navigate the school and its community through a major natural disaster where a lot of the families and staff were severely impacted.
Robyn very much enjoys working as a psychologist with all different types of people of all ages and culture. She finds it an enriching joy to be able to support people to make changes in their lives (no matter the age or background) and for them to let go of the burdens they may have been carrying and the challenges they may have faced, so they can begin to truly flourish.
She works from a combined approach of strength-based techniques, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Additionally, when working with children and young people Robyn incorporates these into play based activities.
Robyn is experienced in supporting clients to deal with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, FASD, friendship/relationship issues, parenting, parental separation, family issues, parental suicide, complex trauma, domestic violence, grief, school refusal, shyness/timidness, emotional regulation, increased confidence, capacity building, social skills development, personal development, and more.
You will find Robyn to be very down to earth, accessible, and approachable. She has an embracing warmth and holding presence. Robyn is masterful in offering a quality of space where people feel safe and can let go. She brings a practical light-heartedness to sessions, and it is evident in interactions with Robyn that she loves being with and around people.
(Reg. #: PSY0002489321)
In addition to working in private practice, Robyn has worked as a School Counsellor in four different local primary schools, with one of them being one of the highest needs schools in the area, based within a low socio-economic population and a local indigenous community. In this school, with support from the principal and staff, she was able to reduce the major incidents from 10-12 a week to almost none for more than two years, as well as navigate the school and its community through a major natural disaster where a lot of the families and staff were severely impacted.
Robyn very much enjoys working as a psychologist with all different types of people of all ages and culture. She finds it an enriching joy to be able to support people to make changes in their lives (no matter the age or background) and for them to let go of the burdens they may have been carrying and the challenges they may have faced, so they can begin to truly flourish.
She works from a combined approach of strength-based techniques, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Additionally, when working with children and young people Robyn incorporates these into play based activities.
Robyn is experienced in supporting clients to deal with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, FASD, friendship/relationship issues, parenting, parental separation, family issues, parental suicide, complex trauma, domestic violence, grief, school refusal, shyness/timidness, emotional regulation, increased confidence, capacity building, social skills development, personal development, and more.
You will find Robyn to be very down to earth, accessible, and approachable. She has an embracing warmth and holding presence. Robyn is masterful in offering a quality of space where people feel safe and can let go. She brings a practical light-heartedness to sessions, and it is evident in interactions with Robyn that she loves being with and around people.
(Reg. #: PSY0002489321)
Ms Claire Lehmann
Clinical Psychologist BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), MAPS. MAACBT, FCCLP.
Claire is a Clinical Psychologist working with adult clients. She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of New England and has published her research into memory assessment with older adults. Over her career Claire has worked with adults, adolescents, and children in private practice and in rural public health units, and for the past decade she has had a busy and fulfilling private practice in the Northern Rivers.
Claire uses a cognitive-behavioural approach to treatment, which means that therapy is supportive and focussed on developing understanding and insight, and practical skills for living and thriving. She values creating a warm and supportive therapeutic relationship with her clients and working collaboratively with their health care team. She is interested in working with clients with anxiety and panic disorders, depression and mood disorders, difficulties adjusting to significant change, including trauma, grief, and loss, maternal mental health, and mental health issues related to menopause.
Claire is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT), and a fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. She holds full registration as an endorsed psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Mr Eric Van den Bossche
Consultant Clinical Psychologist BA (Hons); GDipEdPsych; MSocSc (Criminology); MPsychol (Clinical) MAPS, FCCLP
Eric has been practicing as a Clinical Psychologist in the Northern Rivers since 2013. Prior to that Eric was working as the Discipline Senior of Psychology for a regional public mental health service in Victoria and General Psychologist in Sydney in adult mental health and forensic services as well as private practice. He relocated from Phillip Island Victoria to the Northern Rivers to pursue his family’s dream of a life on the beach somewhere warm!
Eric has advanced training in the treatment of Adults suffering from long-term Depression and complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He also has extensive experience working with individuals who have a Personality Disorder and major mental illness including Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder. Indeed, he continues to work in the local mental health service providing psychological services in an acute inpatient hospital setting.
Other areas of specialty include: the assessment and management re-offending risk; the assessment of complex mental health presentations for diagnostic clarification; psycho-education and skills development for carers of a person with a mental illness; and he has conducted and published research in the areas of re-offending risk and non-suicidal self-injury. Eric has been trained in and practices Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Eric also provides post-graduate psychology student supervision and clinical supervision to registered psychologists, clinical psychologists and registrar clinical psychologists seeking admission into the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society. He is a registered provider for Work Cover NSW and Medicare.
Eric is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. He holds full registration as an Endorsed Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (Reg. #: PSY0001124347).
Estelle Anthony
Clinical Psychologist
BPsychSci, BPsychSci (Hons), MClinPsych, AMACPA. PSY0002168953
BPsychSci, BPsychSci (Hons), MClinPsych, AMACPA. PSY0002168953
Estelle is a Clinical Psychologist who works with adolescents and adults. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New South Wales and her postgraduate studies at the University of Sydney. Estelle has experience working in both public and private mental health settings. She provides treatment and support for a range of presentations, including, depression, anxiety disorders, stress, behavioural issues, interpersonal difficulties, and chronic pain. Estelle is committed to making positive change in the lives of her clients, while taking a warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach. She is experienced in a range of evidence-based interventions to assist her clients in achieving their goals, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Estelle also conducts psychometric assessments of attention, learning, and cognitive function, and provides strategies for difficulties associated with ADHD and learning disorders.
Vanessa Dantas
Registered Psychologist BPsych (Hons), MAPS, MAAPi
Vanessa Dantas is a Registered Psychologist with over 12 years of experience working with adults across different countries and cultures. She has worked in clinical and community settings and has also lectured on Phenomenological Psychology. Her approach is deeply influenced by Gestalt Therapy, Phenomenological Psychopathology, Existential and Psychoanalytic theories, alongside CBT and mindfulness-based practices. She prioritises lived experience over diagnosis, creating a therapeutic space that is open, supportive, and exploratory, fostering self-awareness and meaningful change.
Vanessa is committed to both alleviating psychological distress and supporting clients in developing greater self-awareness and the ability to make more intentional choices in their lives. Whether seeking short-term support during a difficult time or engaging in long-term therapy to explore deeper patterns, she strives to offer an environment that is safe, grounding, and transformative.
Vanessa is experienced in supporting adults experiencing anxiety and panic, depression and emotional exhaustion, trauma (including complex and relational trauma), psychosomatic symptoms, stress-related difficulties, perfectionism, difficulties with boundaries, low self-esteem, and self-criticism. She also works with identity and existential concerns, relationship and attachment difficulties, grief, burnout, and adjustment to major life changes. Vanessa has a particular interest in working with cross-cultural experiences, loss of direction, and the search for meaning and connection.
Dedicated to inclusive and culturally responsive therapy, Vanessa honours each client’s unique background, including gender, race, social class, ability, sexual orientation, culture, and migration experiences. She provides therapy in English and Portuguese, both in person and via Telehealth. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI), and the Victorian Association of Gestalt Practitioners (VAGP). Rebates are available through Medicare (with a valid Mental Health Care Plan) and NDIS (self and plan-managed clients).
Rooms Available
Rooms available for lease for an Independent Adult and or Child / Adolescent Psychologist to work within a well-established and thriving private practice in Ballina, Northern NSW.
We are seeking both an independent Adult and a Child and Adolescent Psychologist to join our caring and supportive team of experienced psychologists to provide assessment and treatment to patients referred to our clinic. There is a high demand for psychology services in the North Coast. This is a room lease arrangement, whereby we provide the referrals and virtual office admin; we do not take a percentage of your earnings.
