Steve Den-Kaat

MSc (Psych) PGDip (ClinPsych) FCCLP

Clinical Psychologist – Clinic Director

Steve is the clinic director and supervisor of the team.  Steve obtained his MSc (psych) from Victoria University of Wellington, with his research in the field of Autism Spectrum Conditions (http://hdl.handle.net/10063/713). He completed his clinical training under the supervision of Professor Tony Attwood, Dr Michelle Garnett and Dr Hui Keow Lim.

Steve is a clinical psychologist who has a keen interest in working with adolescents with complex challenges including: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Steve’s main area of specialty is in the area of Asperger’s Syndrome and autism spectrum conditions.

Steve has provided diagnostic services and therapy in response to varying psychological needs. He has worked alongside children, adolescents and adults across the autism spectrum. In addition, Steve has presented across Australia and internationally in the area of autism spectrum conditions, with a focus on self-Identity and self-esteem.

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Dr Ramona Toscano Callus

BPsych (Hons), DClinPsych, MAPS

Clinical Psychologist – Clinic Director Child Services

Ramona completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) at the University of Malta and a Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney. She was awarded the Macquarie University Award for Academic Excellence in 2018. Ramona’s doctoral research focused on the assessment of anxiety in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032718328362?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720324733?dgcid=coauthor

During her early career, Ramona worked primarily with children and adolescents with autism and their families. Her work involved the design and implementation of Early Intervention programs, behavioural support, parent training and consultation with school and multidisciplinary teams. Ramona went on to expand her knowledge and experience in working with autistic individuals across all ages, with a continued primary focus on working with young children and adolescents.

Through her doctorate training and clinical work, Ramona gained considerable experience conducting assessments and providing treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in young people. She is skilled in providing individual and group treatment for children, adolescents and adults experiencing a range of difficulties and presentations including anxiety, depression, autism and AD/HD. Ramona is also a trained and registered facilitator for the following programs: Circle Of Security® Parenting (COSP), Social Stencil Program, Secret Agent Society (SAS).

Ramona is passionate about helping individuals lead healthy and fulfilling lives and is committed to utilising evidence based, scientifically effective treatments, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-based CBT. She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, is a Board-Approved Supervisor and an Adjunct Fellow for Macquarie University.

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Chloe Oen

BA (Psych/Hlth), PGD (Psych), MPsych (Ed&Dev), MAPS

Educational & Developmental Psychologist

Chloe has a Masters degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology, which she completed through Monash University in Melbourne. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Psychology and Health as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology.

During her early career Chloe worked in early intervention, working with children and adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, intellectual impairments, and related diagnoses. During this time Chloe also worked for a foundation focusing on helping all children have the ability to play and access the community around them. 

Chloe utilises evidence-based treatment including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Mindfulness based therapies. Chloe has a particular interest in developmental delay and mental health in children and adolescents. She also enjoys implementing comprehensive educational and neurodevelopmental assessments and being able to support and empower individuals and families during the process. Chloe is a trained Registered Circle Of Security® Parenting (COSP) facilitator, and Secret Agent Society (SAS) facilitator.

Chloe aims for sessions to be collaborative, fun, and motivating, and that her clients feel safe, and heard. She hopes to work with clients within their system and assist them to lead meaningful lives in line with what is most important to them.

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Sofia Neves

MPsych (Clin), MAPS

Clinical Psychologist

Sofia completed her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. She is a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement, both in Portugal and with the Australian Board (AHPRA). She is also a member of the Australian Psychologists Association (APS) and is a Psychologists Board Approved Clinical Supervisor. She has had extensive training and over twenty-five years’ experience in multiple settings, including assessments and specific treatment for neurodiverse adolescents and adult clients.

Sofia provides individual, parent, and couples therapy, working with clients with a range of complex and challenging presentations such as difficulties regulating strong emotions, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, social skills difficulties, attachment-related issues, trauma-related emotional difficulties, self-harm, significant relationship issues and personality difficulties.
Sofia is committed to forming a collaborative therapeutic relationship, working side-by-side with clients to gain a shared understanding of the client’s situation. She is passionate about strengthening client’s own reflective thinking and capabilities, while also offering new learning and skills, to help clients overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. She thoroughly enjoys working with young people, adults and couples, and is dedicated in supporting clients developing the ability to regulate strong emotional reactions and discover new choices that can make life feel better.

She has a warm compassionate manner and is dedicated to using current solution focused, evidence-based treatments that help her clients develop skills and resources that enhance wellbeing. In her sessions, she incorporates scientifically proven frameworks that offer effective and practical skill learning, particularly Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (e.g. distress tolerance, emotional regulation skills), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (e.g. acceptance strategies, mindfulness, core value identification), and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (e.g. cognitive challenging, behavioural activation, relaxation, problem solving).

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Jennifer Ma

BPsych (Hons), MClinPsych, MAPS

Clinical Psychologist

Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Psychology with first class honours at the University of Sydney, and a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney. She previously assisted to develop an online unit of study on emotional intelligence at the University of Sydney to enhance students’ ability to apply emotional, social and cognitive skills to manage everyday situations. During her clinical training, Jennifer completed placements at the UTS Psychology Clinic, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic, and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Osteoarthritis and Chronic Care Program Outpatient Clinic. In addition to individual therapy, she also has a keen interest in running group programs. Jennifer is a trained facilitator of a social skills program, the Secret Agent Society, and is experienced in running the PEERS program and Transition to High School workshops.

Jennifer has worked with individuals across the lifespan and is passionate about creating a safe space and helping her clients to recognise their strengths and navigate life’s complexities. In particular, she has experience working with and values every opportunity to support clients on the autism spectrum and with other neurodevelopmental conditions with anxiety, executive functioning and interpersonal difficulties. She appreciates that every individual is an expert in their own life, and strives to collaborate with her clients to provide tailored, evidence-based interventions. She integrates the following therapeutic approaches into her sessions: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. At Diverse Minds, Jennifer enjoys her work in providing assessments and early psychological support for our younger generations, so they have the best chance to lead safe, healthy and meaningful lives.

 

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Claudia Roche

BPsych (Hons), BHumanSc, M.ClinPsych, MAPS

Registered Psychologist
Clinical Psychology Registrar

Claudia completed a Bachelor of Human Sciences with the Bachelor of Psychology (honours) at Macquarie University and a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology, Sydney. During her clinical training, Claudia has completed placements at the UTS Psychology Clinic, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic and Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital.

Throughout her training, she has worked with individuals across all ages to provide evidence-based treatment to a range of presentations. She has experience working across early intervention, group and individual therapy with children, young people and adults and has experience in working with a range of presentations including anxiety, depression, autism and AD/HD.

Claudia aims to create a safe and comfortable environment, where clients can feel heard, supported and motivated to address their concerns and meet their personal goals. She integrates the following therapeutic approaches into her sessions: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). She has also completed training in neurodiversity affirming EMDR and is a trained Social Stencil facilitator. Claudia particularly enjoys delivering evidence-based therapeutic skills in a collaborative and tailored way to ensure clients get the most out of their sessions.

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Esther Lee

BPsycSc, BSocSci (Psych)(Hons), MPsych (Clinical), MAPS

Registered Psychologist
Clinical Psychology Registrar

Esther completed her Masters of Clinical Psychology at the University of New England (UNE). Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) on an Honours Scholarship, and her honours project was published as part of a wider study on developing a psychometric screener for pregnancy-related anxiety (https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001110).

During her clinical training, Esther completed placements at the UNE Clinical School, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic, and Tamworth Community Health with paediatric psychology. Esther has had experience liaising with other health professionals, schools, and providing early intervention for children on the autism spectrum. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan, providing evidence-based interventions drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, and parent training in behaviour management. She is particularly interested in working with children and adults experiencing anxiety.

Esther is a warm and sensitive psychologist, who strives to fulfil the privileged part she plays in individuals’ lives with integrity and compassion. She values collaboration, and loves to see clients feel empowered.

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Madeleine Makinson

BScience (Psychology) (Hons)

Registered Psychologist

Madeleine completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Hons) with first class honours at the Australian National University in Canberra and a Master of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. Prior to commencing her clinical training, Madeleine worked as a disability support worker at a social enterprise supporting individuals with disabilities moving towards open employment. In this role she helped individuals to build employment, social and self-advocacy skills. Madeleine has also worked in a research capacity at the Centre for Emotional Health, conducting diagnostic assessments of anxiety disorders in children aged 7-12.

During her clinical training, Madeleine completed placements at the Macquarie University Psychology Clinic, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic, and is currently completing her final placement at the Concord Centre for Mental Health within an inpatient unit. Madeleine has worked with individuals across a range of ages and backgrounds and endeavours to deliver evidence-based interventions that are best suited to individuals’ needs. This includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Madeleine enjoys working with children, adolescents and young adults, and has an interest in Autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and intellectual disability. At Diverse Minds, Madeleine enjoys taking a collaborative, creative and warm approach with clients to empower them to create meaningful change in their own lives.

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Julie Sipina

Clinic Manager

Julie is a busy mother of three who is very passionate about the health industry, having  owned and operated her own Medical Supplies business for many years where she refined her skills for health administration. She is well travelled and worked in Europe and Asia in Corporate and Executive Assistant roles for a number of years.

Her interests revolve around her family and she enjoys meditation, pilates, travel and entertaining with friends.

Julie is a warm, calm and understanding  person, who is always willing to listen and help with any challenges that may arise either with clients or personnel within the clinic. Julie looks forward to welcoming you at the Clinic and assisting you with any questions you might have.

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Rebecca Ross

Personal Assistant

Rebecca is an energetic mother of 3 active boys who enjoys being engaged and busy. Having studied and practised law for many years, Rebecca has embraced a change that allows her to work within a field that gives individuals and families access to services that can make a real difference to their lives. While her 3 boys keep her very busy with various weekend sporting activities, in her spare time she enjoys exploring the great outdoors and engaging with friends. Rebecca is always ready and willing to listen.

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Kate Sinha

Receptionist/Personal Assistant

Kate is an active mother of two great boys who enjoys leading a balanced life.  She enjoyed a long career in advertising working within Australia and England before taking a hiatus to raise her boys.  She has welcomed the opportunity of returning to the workforce and into an industry that cares about providing the best support for individuals and families.  Kate has a keen interest in gardening and long nature walks with her high spirited and affectionate Labrador, Rocket.

Kate is here to make your visit to the clinic a helpful and pleasurable experience.