Our Team

Mind Potential Psychology was established with the aim of delivering high level, evidence-based psychological treatment to individuals across the Sunshine Coast. The Founding Director, Danielle McCarthy, recognised that not only is skill important in treating psychological concerns, but so too is getting the right fit between psychologist and client. This is a very important relationship after all and one that is so crucial to getting right.

Dr Danielle McCarthy

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya Office

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
 

Amber jensen

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya Office

Amber is invested in seeing her clients thrive. She has clinical experience providing evidence-based psychological treatment for most psychological disorders. Amber seeks to understand her clients and work collaboratively with them. Amber completed her training at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and loves the local community. Book an appointment with Amber to help you get back to feeling like yourself.

  • Adults
  • Adolescents/Children
  • Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar)
  • Anxiety Disorders (inc. Generalised Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic)
  • ADHD
  • OCD
  • PTSD and Trauma related
  • Insomnia
  • Eating Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Substance Use
  • WorkCover
  • EAP
  • NDIS – Self or Plan managed
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Meta-Cognitive Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • CBT for insomnia
  • CBT-E (for eating disorders)

Lisa McLean

Psychologist

Birtinya Office

Lisa understands there are some issues and life circumstances that are too difficult to manage on your own. Lisa provides a safe and supportive space where clients can feel heard and understood, and are empowered to create positive change. Lisa has spent over 20 years in the community sector supporting people who have been impacted by interpersonal violence. She has extensive training in mindfulness and compassion based interventions and is currently completing a PhD on compassion-focused therapy for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

  • Adults
  • Adolescents
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Sexual Assault
  • Domestic Violence
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Grief and Loss
  • Compassion-focused Therapy
  • Stress Management
  • Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
  • EAP

Dr Anna Pollock

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya Office

 

Anna has worked internationally with a diverse range of clients and mental health issues; she holds a masters in psychological research and doctorate of clinical psychology from the UK. She enjoys working with adults and couples using a compassionate focussed framework to support clients to manage their difficulties and enable them to move forward with their lives. Anna is also a trained and certified Mediator specialising in the resolution of workplace conflict.

  • Adults
  • Adolescents
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic Pain
  • Grief
  • Couples Therapy (Gottman Method)
  • Mindfulness
  • Workplace Stress
  • WorkCover
  • Stress Management
  • Post-natal Depression & Anxiety
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Madeleine Stoddart

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya Office

Maddie believes that everyone has the strength to overcome life’s obstacles, but sometimes you just need some extra support or a new approach to get there.  She works with all ages using evidence-based therapies and is looking forward to working beside you in your journey to better mental health.

  • Adults
  • Adolescents
  • Phobias
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and Panic
  • Cognitive Assessments and Testing
  • Insomnia
  • ADHD/ASD
  • Sexual assault
  • Body Image Concerns
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Meta Cognitive Therapy (MCT)
  • Mindfulness-based therapy
  • Self-esteem
  • Grief/Loss
  • WorkCover
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Sophia Fitzgerald

Psychologist

Birtinya Office

Sophia is a Registered Psychologist who provides a positive, kind and compassionate space for clients to grow, build resilience and flourish. She has worked across Queensland, Perth and Sydney in a range of private practice, vocational rehabilitation and educational settings.
 
Sophia has a strong interest in mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), holistic wellbeing, positive psychology and coaching psychology. Additionally, Sophia has experience delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal therapy, Psycho-education, Skills training and Relaxation strategies.
 
Sophia’s qualifications include Bachelor of Psychology, a Graduate Diploma of Rehabilitation Science, and she is currently completing Masters of Rehabilitation Counselling though University of Sydney. Sophia enjoys assisting adults in their journey towards living happy, meaningful and fulfilling lives, through exploration of their values, intention and purpose.
 
Sophia has experience in providing evidence-based psychological treatment for a range of concerns including:
 
  • Adults
  • Adolescents
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress Management
  • Anger Management
  • Assertiveness Training
  • Career Support
  • Grief and Loss
  • Life/Personal Coaching
  • Adjustment issues
  • Motivation, Procrastination and Time-management
  • Self-esteem and Self-development
  • Social skills
  • Loneliness and Isolation
  • Adults
  • Children/Adolescents
  • Relationships (Individual counselling)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Performance Management
  • Workplace Stress
  • Workplace Coaching
  • Cancer Support
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Health-related problems
  • Pain Management
  • Physical disability
  • Rehabilitation / Injury Counselling
  • Relaxation
  • Sleep hygiene
  • Fatigue
  • Weight-management
 

Anita Hosking

Psychologist

Birtinya Office

Anita is a Registered Psychologist practicing in psychotherapy since 2009. Recognising the unique individuality of each person, she is passionate about providing an individualised and holistic approach in supporting clients towards improved well-being.

Her therapeutic orientation is predominantly based upon Acceptance and Commitment (ACT). Within this framework Anita tailors creative and solution focussed approaches for individual counselling.  She utilises a range of therapeutic techniques with her clients and draws from a wide range of modalities including Mindfulness; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Interpersonal Therapy; Narrative Therapy; Motivational Interviewing; Vocational Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and more depending on the needs of the client.

Anita is a STAP (Supervisor Training and Accreditation Program) accredited supervisor, recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia.

She has a solid background in working with adult individuals facing life, work, relationship and financial challenges, and those struggling with issues related to depression, anxiety, and stress.  Some of the issues Anita is able to provide support and guidance for include:

  • Adults/Adolescents (16+)
  • Anxiety (general anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety)
  • Depression (including peri-natal or post-natal depression)
  • Work Life Balance (workplace stress, career change, transitions)
  • Peri-natal and Post-natal depression
  • Grief and Loss
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Body image
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Stress
  • Burn out / feeling overwhelmed
  • Career and/or life dissatisfaction
  • (Individual) Relationship Counselling
  • Issues around Sexual and Gender Identity
  • Loss of focus or motivation
  • Career transition – retirement, return to work, career change
  • Return to work from injury or illness
  • Job seeking

Nicole Wannenburg

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya & Moffat Beach Office

Nicole is genuinely passionate about connecting with people on a meaningful level. Her focus is client-directed, allowing a safe space for people to process their own thoughts and emotions. Nicole has a strong interest in interpersonal neurobiology and works with clients in a compassionate and empowering manner. Historically, she has worked with a diverse range of clients in both community and clinical settings. More recently, Nicole has worked for the Royal Flying Doctors, delivering psychological assistance for Indigenous people in remote communities. Her previous work includes working with adolescence at Headspace. Nicole provides a number of evidence-based interventions, to help manage and integrate painful experiences to help foster resilience.

  • Adults
  • Adolescents/Children
  • Families
  • Circle of Security (0-5 years)
  • Depression
  • Peri-natal and Post-natal depression
  • Chronic pain
  • Domestic violence
  • Sexual assault/abuse
  • Body image concerns
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Mood Disorders
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Grief and Loss
  • Substance Use
  • Stress Management
  • Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Expressive Therapies
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Circle of Security
  • Workcover
 

melissa herdy

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya & Moffat Beach Office

Melissa is a Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of experience in counselling across the lifespan. She has worked in a range of settings, starting at Kids Help Line and expanding to disability services, community mental health, private practice and university counselling services (at UTS and QUT). She is a board-approved supervisor and enjoys mentoring early career psychologists.
 

Melissa enjoys making a positive difference in people’s lives by supporting and empowering them to improve their mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing. Having worked for many years with university students, she is well versed in the needs of students as well as university systems. She has significant experience in treating stress, procrastination and perfectionism, sleep disturbance, self esteem issues, mood disorders (such as depression and Bipolar Disorder), anxiety disorders (including excessive worry, OCD, panic attacks, phobias, trauma and psychological injury). She has supported people with eating issues such as Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder.

She also finds satisfaction in supporting people through grief and bereavement, including miscarriage and pregnancy loss.

Melissa has a good understanding of issues relating to military life and the impact of deployments. She enjoys supporting people in adjusting to unexpected life events and medical conditions. She understands the demands and challenges of parenthood and can offer assistance with relationship, parenting and family difficulties.

Melissa uses evidence-based treatments that are tailored to the individual. She draws from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and compassion focused therapy. Her special interests include mindfulness techniques and the intersection between nutrition and mental health.

In her life outside of work, Melissa is a busy partner and mother of two. She tries (sometimes successfully!) to make space to get to the gym, practice yoga and meditate. She loves to travel and be in nature and has trekked the Kokoda Track in PNG and the Overland Track in Tasmania. Melissa has a warm, understanding and calm personality. Her friendly disposition, humour and non-judgemental 

 
  • Adults
  • Adolescents
  • Anxiety Disorders (Generalised Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic, Phobias, Illness Anxiety)
  • Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar)
  • Stress Management
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Grief and Loss
  • Adjustment issues
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Life transitions
  • Health-related problems
  • Trauma
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Compassion-focused Therapy
  • Couples Therapy (Gottman method)
  • Workcover
  • Clinical Supervision

Michael Pastorello

Psychologist

Birtinya & Moffat Beach Office

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
  • 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
 
 

Breanna Holden

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya Office

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
organizations. She has a special interest in working with adults who have had adverse childhood experiences, such as adult survivors of childhood
sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as adults who have experienced a single event trauma. Breanna also has a special interest in supporting mothers in the post-natal period.

 
  • Adults
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • PTSD
  • Complex trauma
  • Depression
  • Perinatal and Postnatal mental health
  • Self-esteem
  • Body Issue concerns
  • 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

Dr. Louise Staines

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya & Moffat Beach Office

Louise is a warm and compassionate clinical psychologist who is committed to a high level of professionalism and collaboration. Louise assists clients with a diverse range of difficulties but has a special interest in providing evidence-based and client-centred treatment for anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive related disorders. She also has a passion for working with adolescents and young adults, assisting them in navigating the transitions into adolescence and adulthood, and in building a strong sense of self-worth, identity, meaning, and purpose in their lives.

 

Louise has over 13 years of experience in working with children, adolescents and adults in public and private settings in both Victoria and Queensland. She has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology and criminology from The University of Melbourne, along with both a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, from Latrobe University.

 

Louise appreciates the courage and commitment it can take to seek help and considers it a great privilege to be trusted in her client’s journeys.

  • Adults (up to 60 years)
  • Adolescents/Children (12+)
  • Anxiety Disorders (Generalised, Social, Panic, Agoraphobia, Separation, Phobias, Health)
  • OCD and related disorders (excl. hoarding)
  • Eating disorders, disordered eating, weight, shape/body image concerns (but excl. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
  • Self-Esteem/Self-Worth/Personal Growth
  • Depression
  • Stress-management
  • Grief and loss
  • Adjustment difficulties
  • Clinical Supervision
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Meta-Cognitive Therapy (MCT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • CBT-E (for eating disorders)
  • Body acceptance, non-dieting, health at every size approach
 
 

Renee Moody

Relationship Counsellor

Moffat Beach Office

Working from a belief that every person has innate value, Renee seeks to work with couples in an empathic and understanding manner. She seeks to journey with people whilst they encounter individual and couple choices associated with any change needed for them to grow, both as individuals and as a couple.
 
Renee uses an integrated framework whilst employing therapeutic interventions that best suit the couple and their situation. She helps couples see that conflict, although often painful, is an opportunity for growth. Renee takes time and care in helping couples to understand the role of conflict in relationships and support them whilst they move forward in a better way of living.

 

 
  • Trust
  • Parenting
  • Grief and Loss
  • Forgiveness
  • Different Forms of Abuse
  • Conflict
  • Affairs
  • Communications
  • Family Relationships
  • Roll perception
  • Marriage
  • Pre-marriage
  • Sexual issues

Lizanle van Biljon

Clinical Psychologist

Birtinya Office

Lizanlé is a compassionate and respectful clinical psychologist who has worked with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and with a variety of age groups. Her warm natured approach enables her clients to feel genuinely supported as they work collaboratively toward reaching therapeutic goals. Alongside her clinical work she has a keen interest in academic research (with a specific focus on wellbeing for older adults).

  • Adults/Older Adults
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mood disorders
  • Post-natal Depression & Anxiety
  • Stress Management
  • Grief and Loss
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Body Image Concerns
  • Substance use
  • Loneliness and Isolation
  • Relationships (Individual counseling)
  • Health-related problems

Support Staff

Tracey Stevens

Client Relationship Officer
Birtinya Office

Tracey is the amazing member of our team who you will most likely have first contact with. Her warm, nurturing and supportive nature will ensure you feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. She is very understanding of the uncertainty that sometimes can surround your first visit and is wonderful at providing guidance on the right Psychologist for you. 

Corinne Olsen

Receptionist
Birtinya & Moffat Beach Office

Corinne is warm, approachable, and all about providing exceptional client care. She creates a welcoming presence in our waiting room and will go above and beyond to ensure you are comfortable and well looked after.

 

Elly Esterhuizen

Receptionist
Birtinya & Moffat Beach Office

Elly is a polite, friendly, and caring person, with a passion for delivering excellent support to all clients and will make you feel welcome.

 

Who We Can Help

Psychologists at Mind Potential Psychology have extensive training and experience working with a broad range of presenting concerns. We are likely to have a psychologist on our team who can assist you. Call us to find out more.

Therapeutic Frameworks

Depending on your specific needs and goals, psychologists at Mind Potential Psychology may utilise skills from one of the following evidence-based frameworks:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
  • Meta Cognitive Therapy (MCT)
  • Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT)

Who We Can Help

  • Child and Adolescent behaviour and emotional functioning
  • Parenting skills
  • Anxiety Disorders and excessive worry
  • Coping with Stress
  • Depression and Mood Disorders
  • ADHD, ASD
  • Stress Management
  • Body Image Concerns and Eating Disorders
  • Pain Management
  • Peri and Post-natal Anxiety & Depression
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Grief and loss
  • Adjusting to change and life transitions
  • Anger
  • Sleep problems
  • Transgender and Gender Diverse
  • Substance Abuse
  • OCD
  • Self-esteem
  • Workcover
  • NDIS
  • Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Insurance, and much more