Mind Potential Psychology: About Us, and our Team

Clinical Psychologist / Clinic Director

Dr Danielle Mccarthy

Sometimes life can throw us a curveball and we need assistance to help us through. If you’re an adolescent or adult and you could use a little support, book an appointment with Danielle today.

• Adults
• Adolescents
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress Management
• Post-natal Depression & Anxiety
• Grief and Loss
• PTSD and Trauma
• Body Image Concerns

Psychologist

Graeme Rawson

Graeme worked for Child and Youth Mental Health services for 6 years from 1999, specializing in working with adolescents and young people. Graeme commenced private psychological practice in 2000, and has worked in private practice exclusively since 2006 where his clinical training and background allow him to work successfully with a broad range of clients and presenting difficulties. Graeme provides Psychological therapy based on the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model.

Graeme sees his role as a psychologist as being able to assist clients to identify those areas in which they are not happy with and not functioning as well as they could be – whether physically (doing), emotively (feeling), and/or cognitively (thinking) and then provide strategies and guidance for doing this differently … better, making life a little simpler.

• Adults
• Adolescents
• Anxiety disorders
• Issues with coping and stress management
• Self Esteem
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Phobias
• Workplace stress/Burnout
• Life Transitions
• CBT
• Workcover
• DVA
• NDIS self or plan managed

Psychologist

Michael Pastorello

Michael uses a flexible client centred approach to help people find their own pathway to improving mental health and well-being. He believes in the importance of creating a safe place and a genuine therapeutic relationship for clients to grow. Michael has completed a Master of Psychology at the University of Queensland and has experience working with individuals’ experiencing depression and anxiety, life change, and those that just need some support in their day-to-day lives.

Michael is familiar with a variety of evidence-based psychological interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing and psychological skills training. He also has experience in sport, exercise, and performance psychology settings and can work with elite and amateur athletes in improving well-being, performance, sport enjoyment, and managing burnout/mental recovery.

• Adults
• Adolescents (16+)
• Mood Disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Stress Management
• Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
• Mindfulness
• Work/life balance, burnout
• Career and/or life dissatisfaction
• Chronic pain
• Dependence/substance abuse
• Pain and/or injury management
• Psychological skill training
• Performance psychology
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
• Substance Use

Clinical Psychologist

Nicola Mitchell

Nicola offers a warm, supportive and compassionate space for people experiencing emotional and/or mental health difficulties.

Nicola has 18 years experience as a psychologist and has had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients this time including people of varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and presenting difficulties. Nicola holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Honours in Psychology and Master of Clinical Psychology.

Whilst Nicola can assist with a range of issues, she is particularly interested in working with adolescents and adults to assist with difficulties including anxiety disorders, trauma and complex trauma, adjustment, grief, and loss, eating disorders, and body image concerns.

Nicola provides a range of evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-based therapies, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Schema Therapy. Nicola will work collaboratively with you to work out what will be the right approach for you.

Nicola is also a Board Approved Supervisor and is very passionate about supervising and supporting early career psychologists to grow in their competence and confidence in the role.

Nicola can assist with:

• Children (10 years and up), adolescents, adults, older adults
• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Adjustment difficulties
• Grief and loss
• Trauma-related disorders and problems (PTSD, complex trauma)
• Eating disorders and body image concerns
• Substance use problems
• Chronic pain and/or adjustment to injury
• Psychosis
• Clinical supervision (Board Approved Supervisor)

Psychologist

Sian Carr

Sian moved from the UK to the Sunshine Coast in 2022. Before Australia, she completed a Psychology with Sociology Bachelor’s degree and Clinical Psychology Master’s degree. She’s spent many years working for the British National Health Service in both community and inpatient settings, providing therapy for people experiencing acute and chronic distress.

She specialises in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), supporting people of all ages. She also delivers assessments for ADHD, Autism and cognitive functioning.

Areas of interest:

• Emotion regulation
• Improving communication
• Anxiety and panic
• OCD
• Stress management and burn out
• Dissociation
• Self-harm/ suicidality (DBT skills)
• Low self-esteem and inner critic (CFT)
• Depression/ low motivation 
• Insomnia/ sleep problems (CBT-i)
• ADHD symptoms
• Autism awareness
• Cognitive functioning; examining memory, reading, writing and mathematical skills 

Psychologist

Melanie Williams

Melanie is passionate about helping people live happy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.  She brings a warm and engaging nature to her practice and genuinely seeks to understand her clients and support them to become their best selves.

Working from a client-centred approach, Melanie draws on evidence-based therapies that best meet her client’s needs. Melanie works with clients across the lifespan, from children 7+ years through to adulthood, supporting them to reach their therapeutic goals. She also has experience within the Disability Sector developing Positive Behaviour Support Plans that focus on improving individuals’ quality of life.

Melanie is a registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

• Adults
• Adolescents/Children
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress management
• Interpersonal difficulties (individual counselling)
• Emotion regulation
• Communication/assertiveness
• Adjustment difficulties
• Self-Esteem
• Grief & Loss

Psychologist

Nick Branderpeetz

Since 2010, Nicholas has assisted individuals, couples, teams, and leaders through a variety of counselling, coaching, and consulting roles. Prior to working as a Psychologist in private practice, Nicholas managed the mental health and wellbeing service at James Cook University Brisbane. Nick has also worked as an employment consultant and team leader in employment services for people with mental health conditions and disabilities.

• Managing mood, stress, anger, anxiety & depression
• Dating, relationships & separation
• Healthy living – sleep, diet, exercise
• ADHD, organisation & motivation
• Substance use, sexual issues & self-control
• Self-esteem & assertion
• Understanding personality
• Boys & men’s issues
• Disabilities, illness & return-to-work
• Career development & performance
• Organisational management & employee wellbeing
• Motivational interviewing
• Solution-focused brief therapy
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy
• Acceptance & commitment therapy
• Attachment-based and perinatal-informed therapy
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).

Psychologist

Alana Eggins

Alana provides a safe, accepting, and non-judgemental space where clients can explore their concerns and challenges with confidence. She believes that every individual has the capacity for growth and meaningful change and feels privileged to support clients on their unique journey.

Passionate about working with neurodevelopmental differences, including Autism and ADHD, Alana offers therapy for individuals aged 5 and above, as well as neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and learning assessments. She takes a holistic and evidence-based approach, integrating creativity and play to make therapy engaging and effective.

With a background in managing behavioural challenges in schools and working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, Alana values collaboration and ensures therapy is tailored to each person’s needs. A graduate of the University of Queensland (UQ), she is committed to helping clients build confidence, resilience, and well-being in all areas of life.

Alana is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

• Children (5+)
• Adolescents
• Adults
• Autism and ADHD Assessments (Children & Adults)
• Cognitive and Learning assessments
• Emotional regulation & Interoception
• Self-esteem
• School-related challenges (school refusal, peer relationships)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Neurodivergence
• Stress management
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Psychologist

Barbara Haddon

Dr Barbara Haddon has been a Registered Psychologist since 1997, holding Bachelor of Arts and Honours degrees in Psychology and a Doctorate in Organisational Psychology. She is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia and Medicare and is an Assure Employee Assistance Program accredited Psychologist.

Barbara takes a compassionate, practical, evidence-based, client-centred and solution-focused approach in her practice, focusing on facilitating adult clients’ personal and professional development. As an integrative Psychologist, Barbara draws on Cognitive Behavioural and Acceptance and Commitment therapy frameworks, including mindfulness-based strategies and Focused Acceptance and Commitment therapy where brief intervention is appropriate. She takes the view that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to the therapeutic experience and uses theories and different models to create a framework that values each modality and each Client uniquely.

Barbara can help with:

• Adults (18 years +)
• Anxiety
• Depression and low mood/emotional dysregulation
• Stress management/burnout
• Work-life balance
• Managing career and life transitions and adjustment to life’s challenges
• Low self-confidence and self-esteem
• Perfectionism
• Women’s health – managing chronic conditions, such as endometriosis
• Improving sleep habits
• Improving interpersonal relationships

Psychologist

Laurie Lumsden

Laurie brings a lifetime of diverse psychological practice firmly anchoring his work with people in the practical realities of everyday life. His work spans several decades from young offenders, to community development work in Central Australia, to international development work in PNG, policy and service development work in alcohol and drugs, organisational development training and development, redundancy management in Queensland Health, health promotion work in public health, military service and psychology, university coaching and skills training in Ireland, and more recently running his own private counselling practice in Brisbane. He is now semi-retired here on the Sunshine Coast.

He holds a PhD in Psychology, is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, and is a Registered Psychologist with AHPRA.

• Men
• Depression, anxiety, and stress.
• Retirement and ageing.
• Academic reading, writing and exam performance.
• Psychological reactions to critical incidents.
• Domestic violence

Psychologist

Kerstin Goellner

Kerstin is a registered psychologist and trained EMDR practitioner. She is passionate about providing a non-judgemental, culturally-sensitive, warm and empowering space for self-discovery and growth. Kerstin has a special interest in supporting adolescents and adults with a history of adverse childhood experiences, family-of-origin and attachment difficulties, as well as single incident trauma.

Kerstin uses a range of evidence-based and body-oriented treatment modalities and will collaboratively work with you to find the right approach:

• Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic Experiencing (SE)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques
• Schema Therapy

Some areas Kerstin is able to provide support and guidance for include:

• Adolescents
• Adults
• (Complex) Trauma and PTSD
• Anxiety and phobias
• Depression and mood disorders
• Grief and loss
• Chronic pain
• Stress management
• Life transitions
• (Peri) Menopause
• Return to work from injury or illness

Registered Counsellor

Sharon van Oers

Sharon is a compassionate counsellor who brings a rich blend of experience to her practice. With a background in clinical nutrition and prior experience in NSW Health, including mental health services, Sharon offers a holistic understanding of wellness. She focuses on being fully present and gently holding space, creating a safe environment for healing and growth.

Sharon tailors her methods to meet you where you are, delivering sessions with sensitivity, focus, and encouragement. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed by emotions, or seeking change, Sharon offers a supportive space to explore your challenges and work towards greater fulfilment.

With a special focus on women’s health, Sharon supports clients experiencing PMS, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), perimenopause, post-menopause, and other hormonal challenges. Sharon’s warm and soul-focused approach helps you navigate your personal journey.

Working with adolescents and adults, offering support for:

• Anxiety and Depression
• Building Healthy Relationships
• Grief and Loss
• Emotion Regulation
• Life Transitions
• Midlife Changes
• Self-Esteem and Personal Growth
• Sleep and Insomnia
• Stress and Burnout
• Women’s Health

Approaches:

• Compassion-Focused Therapy
• Expressive Therapies
• Mind-Body Integration
• Person-Centred Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy

Provisional Psychologist

Louise Read

Louise, a Provisional Psychologist with prior experience as a Counsellor, frequently employs a client-centered methodology, placing trust in clients’ inherent insights while offering guidance. She instructs Circle of Security principles and employs Sandtray therapy techniques. As a parent of four children, Louise empathizes with the difficulties of parenting and is passionate about aiding fellow parents in overcoming challenges, drawing from personal experiences and evidence-based interventions.

• Children/Adolescents/Adults
• Parents and soon-to-be parents
• Families
• Circle of Security (0-5 years)
• Incredible Years (0-12 years)
• Sandplay therapy
• Mindfulness
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Depression and mood disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Trauma
• Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT)
• Narrative Therapy
• Expressive Therapies

Psychologist/ Psychotherapist

Emanuele Latino

After an initial career in organisational psychology in Europe, Emanuele acquired a Master in Relational Intervention in Emergency Contexts. He participated in numerous missions in Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya and Swaziland.

Those experiences led to an increased interest the treatment of Psychological Trauma. Since then Emanuele has acquired a Master in Gestalt Therapy and specialised in Somatosensory psychotherapy. For few years has worked as a Program Director in a retreat that helps people struggling with their Mental Health, using a Biopsychosocial approach.

At present, he is teaching Counselling at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Works with adults, adolescents, couples and families.

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma (PTSD, C-PTSD)
• Substance misuse / addictions
• Grief and Loss
• Dissociative states / Psychosis
• Relational struggles
• Existential angst

Psychologist

Georgia Harper

Chances are, if you’re here, you’re searching for something: help with change, support through life’s challenges, hope, or perhaps a compassionate, non-judgemental ear. Georgia aims to understand you, and uses her two decades of experience to offer individualised, evidence-based interventions using a range of therapeutic modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT).

She works with adults, adolescents (16+) and couples.

Areas of interest include:

• Depression
• Bipolar affective disorder (psychosocial interventions)
• Anxiety disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Peri and post-natal mental health
• ADHD (not diagnosis)
• Autism (not diagnosis)
• Sensory issues
• Couples and relationships
• Chronic/persistent pain
• Weight management
• Binge eating symptoms
• Body image and body dysmorphia
• Chronic health conditions (e.g., life-limiting illness, oncology, CKD, hypermobility spectrum disorders, POTS, diabetes)
• Grief and loss
• Adjustment (including injury and disability)
• Stress and burnout
• Sexual orientation (questioning, adjusting, interpersonal issues etc.)
• Performance psychology (e.g., sports, creative industries, career) and coaching (e.g., finding meaning and purpose, pursuing valued goal/s, overcoming procrastination)

Psychologist

Dr Jayson Tatnell

Jayson is a psychologist who completed his DPsych (Health) at the University of Southern Queensland in 2008. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and a Fellow of the APS College of Health Psychologists.

With over 18 years’ experience in community mental health, cancer care, persistent pain management and weight management, Jayson has a particular interest in helping individuals improve their health and wellbeing by overcoming obstacles to maintaining healthy behaviour change. His practice incorporates strengths-based and solution-oriented approaches, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), clinical hypnosis and Motivational Enhancement Therapy.

Areas of Specialty:

• Depression, Anxiety and Adjustment Disorders
• Weight Concerns
• Persistent Pain Management
• Stress Management
• Grief and Loss
• Alcohol and Tobacco Use
• Medication Adherence
• Sleep

Psychologist

Patrick O’Brien

Patrick is a Registered Psychologist, recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. He has been practising as a psychologist since 2006. The focus his work is to:

• Support and journey with people through challenges and difficulties they are experiencing.
• Help meet the increasing need people have for deeper meaning and purpose in their lives.

Each person Patrick works with is accepted, listened to and guided, to foster greater personal insight and growth. Patrick has been lucky to experience many different people and cultures, to work in different roles and industries, and to have wonderful support through his own challenges and difficulties. A key learning for him has been that no one is perfect and nor should we try to be. However, it is possible for everyone to access their own unique potential – especially when receiving good psychological support through challenges and difficulties.

Patrick has developed skills in cognitive-behavioural therapy, solutions-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and narrative therapy. In recent years, he have undertaken skills development in somatic (body-based) therapy and Jungian psychotherapy. He finds these particularly helpful for people experiencing persistent psychological difficulties and suffering.

Patrick welcomes adults who have a clinical diagnosis or those who have become stuck by difficulties that hold them back from living a full life, including:

• Trauma (developmental, relationships, PTSD)
• Depression and Anxiety
• Anger issues
• Diminished satisfaction and engagement in life
• Leadership challenges
• Work and career issues

Psychologist

Stephanie Price

Stephanie is a warm, caring and compassionate psychologist with a strong focus on supporting personal growth. She helps to create a judgement-free, open, therapeutic environment. She uses evidence-based models of therapy including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-focused Therapy.

Stephanie is currently completing her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is investigating the application of a cutting-edge therapy – flash technique on PTSD and trauma using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Stephanie has advanced training in flash technique, a new therapy described as pleasant and effective when treating trauma memories.

Stephanie has experience working with adolescents 16 years and up and has a special interest in working with adults, women’s mental health and trauma.

• Adults
• Adolescents (16 years and up)
• Specialising in Trauma
• Relationship difficulties
• Grief and loss
• Confidence and low self esteem
• Work or school-related stress
• Bullying and harassment
• Personal and professional coaching
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Advanced eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Advanced flash technique
• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Reconsolidation Therapy

Clinical Psychologist

Derek McLellan

Derek is a compassionate psychologist dedicated to supporting individuals across the lifespan, from children aged 5 and above to adulthood. With experience in working with a range of concerns such as anxiety, trauma, depression, and stress, Derek aims to create a therapeutic environment that is empathic, non-judgmental, and collaborative. His therapeutic approach is centred on creating a safe and validating space where clients feel comfortable exploring their concerns. Derek is committed to helping clients reduce distress and achieve lasting positive change.

Derek has a special interest in working with anxiety and trauma. He is an accredited EMDR practitioner, having completed training with the EMDR institute, and holds full membership with the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).

• Adults
• Adolescents
• Children (5+ years)
• Anxiety (Generalised, Social, Separation, Selective Mutism, Specific Phobias, Agoraphobia)
• Trauma and PTSD
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Stress Management
• Emotional Regulation
• CBT and EMDR

Psychologist

Bridget O’Brien

Bridget is a psychologist who completed a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University, Melbourne. Bridget has experience providing therapy and assessment services to children and adolescents in private and school settings. Bridget is passionate about creating a warm, supportive and non-judgmental environment for clients to work towards their therapeutic goals.

Areas Bridget can provide support in include:

• Children (5+)
• Adolescents
• Cognitive and academic assessments
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotional regulation
• Self-esteem
• School-related challenges (school refusal, peer relationships)
• Cognitive behaviour therapy

Psychologist

Julie Bignill

Julie is a registered psychologist who works collaboratively with adults and adolescents to support their mental health and overall well-being. Her approach is holistic and person-centred, ensuring that each client receives care tailored to their individual journey.

With extensive experience in treating depressive disorders, anxiety and panic disorders, trauma related disorders (PTSD and Complex Trauma), substance use problems, grief and loss, and stress-related challenges, Julie draws on evidence-based therapies to empower lasting change. These include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Mindfulness-based Therapies
• Motivational Interviewing
• Interpersonal Therapy

Julie believes that healing begins with a strong therapeutic alliance and genuine understanding. Whether you’re navigating life’s complexities or working through specific challenges, she is committed to walking beside you — helping you build resilience, find clarity, and move toward a healthier, more balanced life.

Clinical Psychologist

Breanna Holden

Breanna works from a place of acceptance, providing a safe and non-judgemental space, allowing her clients to explore their concerns that may be preventing them from living a meaningful life. She believes that change is possible for everyone and feels privileged to be able to work alongside her clients on their unique journey.

Breanna has provided psychological intervention in private practice, employee assistance programs, inpatient settings and non-government
organisations. Breanna has a special interest in supporting mothers in the post-natal period.

• Adults
• Anxiety Disorders
• PTSD
• Depression
• Perinatal and Postnatal mental health
• Self-esteem
• Adjustment difficulties
• Stress management
• Grief and Loss
• Workplace stress/burnout
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Schema Therapy
• Compassion focused intervention
• Mindfulness

Psychologist

Tyson Cooke

Tyson is a skilled and compassionate psychologist who offers a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to share and explore their experiences. He is experienced in providing evidence-based support and assessment services for individuals across the lifespan in a number of settings, ranging from public health to non-governmental organisations. Tyson is particularly passionate in the space of neurodiversity and trauma, tailoring support that aims to celebrate the natural variation in our brains whilst recognising the unique challenges faced by the neurodivergent population.

Tyson began practicing as a psychologist in 2022 and completed a Master of Clinical Psychology through the University of Southern Queensland in 2025. He is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi).

Tyson is interested in providing support in the following areas:

• Adults
• Neurodivergence
• LGBTIQA+
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress and burnout
• Adjusting to change and life transitions
• Self-Esteem
• Perfectionism
• Grief and loss

Tyson provides support via the following evidence-based treatment modalities:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Schema Therapy
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness

Psychologist

Sarah Rose

Sarah is a warm empathic registered psychologist whose life experiences led to a career in psychology. She enjoys working with a range of clients  providing a safe, non-judgemental space where growth and engagement combine to empower the client.

Sarah has experience working in school settings and workplace rehabilitation, with special interests in performance and sport psychology, ecopsychology, creative therapies, trauma, neurodiversity, parenting and supporting people through stress-related times.

Sarah believes in a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing, utilising different modalities that align with an individuals goals and thought processes.