Our Clinicians

Joseph Kahn

Joseph Kahn

Joseph is a provisional psychologist who provides a warm and client centred approach dedicated to supporting clients feel heard and work towards meaningful growth.

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Cristian Acciarito

Cristian Acciarito

Cristian has experience working with a variety of presentations and has worked with adults and adolescents on issues including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, resilience, assertiveness, coping, sleep issues, drug and alcohol issues, and addictive behaviours.

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Alesksei Santino Alegre

Aleksei Santino Alegre

Santi Alegre is a Provisional Psychologist with an interest in research areas related to Nonsuicidal Self Injury (NSSi).

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Alex Bahar-Fuchs

A/Prof. Alex Bahar-Fuchs

Alex is an experienced clinician and researcher who is particularly passionate about healthy cognitive ageing, and the treatment of people with or at risk of dementia.

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Aurélia Balpe

Aurelia is an AHPRA-registered provisional psychologist and a Master of Clinical Psychology candidate, with a professional background spanning psychotherapy, executive coaching, organisational consulting and international humanitarian assistance.

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Terry Bartholomew

Dr Terence Bartholomew

Terry sees adults and couples. He has experience working with relationship/work/psycho-legal difficulties and transitions, family challenges, depression, trauma, identity struggles, men’s issues, self-harm, psychosis and substance use/addiction.

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Mohini Bhalla

Mohini Bhalla

Mohini is known for her calm, respectful approach and her ability to build safe, supportive therapeutic relationships that help clients feel understood and comfortable during the therapeutic process.

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Corinne Burt

Corinne offers a warm, empathetic, and client-centred approach, working collaboratively with clients to build on their strengths and values to create meaningful, lasting change aligned with their goals.

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Chorky Cheung

Chorky is a registered psychologist who is passionate about supporting individuals across the lifespan, with a special heart for supporting children, adolescents, and their families.

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Michael Clarke

Dr Michael Clarke

Michael is a Clinical Psychologist with a commitment to helping people find contentment and happiness within themselves. Michael is compassionate and understanding and is very supportive of his clients.

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Georgina Cowell

Georgina is a registered provisional psychologist currently completing her Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology). With a background in social work and peer support, she seeks to support those through strength-based and trauma informed practice

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James Donnelly

Dr James Donnelly

Dr Donnelly earned his Master’s and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Human Development with extensive training in psychotherapy, developmental disabilities, dementia and neuropsychology at Vanderbilt University.

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Michelle Doolan

Michelle Doolan

Michelle is a Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Family Therapist who works with children, adults, couples, and families.  Michelle tailors her approach and supports clients to connect with their strengths as they work towards their goals.

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Kiarra Earle

Kiarra is an AHPRA-registered Provisional Psychologist with a particular interest in neurodiversity, trauma, and personality-related disorders.

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Mitzi Fersch

Mitzi Fersch

Mitzi is a provisional psychologist with experience in people‑centred and organisational settings. She aims to create a supportive space where clients feel comfortable, heard, and able to work toward meaningful change.

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Ariane Gavin

Ari Gavin

Ari creates a warm, safe, and judgement-free environment, often incorporating humour into the therapeutic space while following a strengths-based approach.

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Jason Geraghty

Jason is a Registered Psychologist who believes that learning is a continuous process throughout life.

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Jennifer Green

Jennifer Green

Jennifer is a provisionally registered psychologist, currently completing her Master of Professional Psychology. She is passionate about providing the best care to a diverse range of people and helping them achieve their mental health goals.

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Tamara Halliburton

Tamara Halliburton

With a background in counselling, Tamara seeks to support clients by taking a holistic approach to develop a sense of relational safety, knowledge of self, acceptance and self-compassion, and empowerment.

 

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Kathleen Hare

Kat is a provisional psychologist whose naturally warm and curious demeanour helps to create a welcoming, collaborative, and non-judgmental environment.

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Param Joshi

Param is an ACA registered Counsellor, having experience as a therapist for 5-years across various institutions such as private clinic, university and hospital, and is currently the Co-Ordinator for placement students at Cairnmillar Institute.

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Raman Kahlon

Raman Kahlon

Raman is a Provisional Psychologist whose personal and professional journey reflects resilience, cultural awareness, and a strong commitment to helping others.

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Margaret Karafilowska

Margaret (Malgorzata) Karafilowska

Margaret works collaboratively with her clients to achieve realistic and meaningful life changes and goals. She is committed to helping people find a sense of acceptance and meaning, for themselves and their relationships, within a client-centered approach.

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Dr Archana Kaur

Archana is a Clinical Psychologist and AHPRA Board Approved Supervisor. She has experience working with people of all ages from children to older adults.

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Bree Kelly

Bree is passionate about helping clients to build a greater sense of peace and wellbeing, enhance their functioning, and move toward a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.

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Min Li

Min Li

Min is an Educational and Developmental endorsed psychologist and provides supervision for registrar programs.

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Arlene Liew

Arlene is a thoughtful and collaborative practitioner who values understanding what matters most to each client.

 

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Zoe Lock

Zoe has experience working with people through life’s continuum, from birth as a midwife, through to death as a palliative care nurse. She has a particular interest in ‘life-transitions’ and supporting people through their journey into the deep mystery of the unknown ahead of us.

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Rianna Miguel

Rianna Miguel

Rianna is an AHPRA-registered provisional psychologist who provides empathetic, evidence-based support and works collaboratively with clients to create meaningful change.

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Callum Mintzis

Callum believes each individual already possess an innate capacity for healing and change. He is currently completing his Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy and is interested in combining evidence-based models with body-mind integrative practices.

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Kate Myers

Kate’s focus is to create a non-judgemental and welcoming space, whilst meeting clients where they are at in their therapy journey.

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Theo Naidoo

Theo Naidoo is a Clinical Psychologist and Deputy Director of Clinical Services.

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Matthew Nissambaum

Matthew Nissenbaum

Matthew Nissenbaum is a registered psychologist who has worked with individuals from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds.

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Julia Parsonson

Dr Julia Parsonson

Julia Parsonson is an educational and developmental psychologist and board-approved supervisor. Julia is passionate about inclusive practice. She works from a neurodiversity affirming perspective and has a particular interest in ADHD.

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Eliza Ross-Smith

Eliza is completing a Master’s in Psychotherapy and Counselling. She aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for people to explore their experiences and concerns.

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Melisa Sahin

Melisa is a provisional psychologist currently completing a Master of Professional Psychology, with a background in people-focused roles across organisational settings.

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Dr Joseph Sakdalan

Dr Joseph Sakdalan

Dr Joseph Sakdalan is an AHPRA Registered Psychologist with endorsements in clinical psychology, counselling psychology and clinical neuropsychology. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists.

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Madhavi Sharma

Madhavi Sharma

Madhavi Sharma is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing her Master of Professional Psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute. She has experience working across educational, community, and healthcare settings, supporting individuals across the lifespan.

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Anindita Singh

Anindita Singh is a Registered Psychologist and Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) candidate at Cairnmillar Institute, bringing over five years of diverse clinical experience across public mental health, private practice, and military settings.

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Melissa Siu

Dr Melissa Siu

Melissa has worked in both public hospital and private practice settings for over 20 years.  She enjoys working with individuals and conducting group therapy.

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Imogene Smith

Dr Imogene Smith

Imogene is an AHPRA registered clinical psychologist. She works to create a safe space for clients by being compassionate, trauma-informed and neuro-affirming.

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Zoe Starnawski

Zoe Starnawski

Zoe is a provisional psychologist completing the AHPRA Overseas Transition Programme at Cairnmillar, having originally trained as a counselling psychologist in the UK. She provides individual therapy for adults.

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Sophie Tendler

Sophie is a provisional psychologist who strives to create a therapeutic space that is warm, safe, non-judgmental, respectful, and collaborative.

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Sarah Teperman

Sarah fosters a warm, non-judgmental environment and works collaboratively with clients to identify their therapy goals and strengths. This approach supports clients in making meaningful changes and living a life aligned with their values.

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Leah Torrens-Witherow

Leah is completing a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy and has a background in psychological science, criminology, and speech pathology

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Jane Urbanik

Jane is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy and is a Level 2 member of the Australian Counselling Association.

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Liisa Vurma

Liisa is a counsellor-in-training who joined our clinic in September 2024. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree.

 

 

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Rina Williams

Rina Williams

Rina is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (PACFA) who provides a compassionate, client-centred approach to counselling. She values inclusivity and works collaboratively with clients to create a safe space for meaningful and lasting change.

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Neil Wilson

Neil Wilson

Neil is an experienced psychologist who has worked in clinical and private settings over the past decade. He works collaboratively with his clients to create realistic goals for treatment.

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Ningyuan Yao Ning

Ningyuan Yao

Ningyuan is committed to creating a warm, respectful, and non-judgmental environment where people feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions.

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Adam Ziger

Adam Ziger

Adam is a provisional psychologist completing his Master of Professional Psychology at The Cairnmillar Institute. He brings a warm, curious, person-centred approach to his work, supporting clients to feel heard and work towards meaningful change.

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Crisis Numbers

Emergency Services 000 24 hours/7 days a week. Call this number in emergency situations when immediate police, fire or ambulance assistance is required.
Lifeline 13 11 14 Lifeline is available 24 hours a day to listen, without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or longs to be heard.
SuicideLine Victoria 1300 651 251 SuicideLine Victoria is a 24/7 telehealth provider that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Victoria.
MensLine Australia 1300 789 978 24 hours/7 days a week. MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime..
Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292 5 pm–9 am/7 days. Victims/survivors of past and recent sexual assault.
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 24/7 Telephone counselling service for people aged between 5 and 25.
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636 24 hours/7 days a week. Call, online chat and online forums.
Safe Steps 1800 015 188 Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre. Providing specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.
13YARN 13 92 76 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 13YARN is the first national service of its kind for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis. They offer a confidential one-on-one over the phone yarning opportunity and support with a trained Lifeline Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

Aboriginal flagTorres Strait Islanders flag

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which The Cairnmillar Institute is located, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We also extend these respects to any First Nations peoples engaging with these materials, and our services

Sometimes in life there’s lots of things goin’ on that can be hard and trying, or easy and happy, but my artwork gives me strength to see out the bad times. This is my Country before colonisation. The lines are like a map representing how our people shaped the Country with their spiritual connections told in songs and stories. The blue water and the red oxide land show my journey line with places I’ve stopped along the way. The small linear patches of dots are all the different mobs and families around Country. The brown patterns and shapes are mountain ridges and waterholes representing time past. The diamond patterns are from patterns on our old shields. Their colours represent connection to culture and the red dirt and many coloured sands that make up our beautiful Country. The group of Elders sitting with their spears are telling stories of Bunjil the eagle, our Creator, and passing down their knowledge of tracking and hunting. The goannas are my Ancestors watching, mesmerised, over their Country and culture.

Ash Thomas Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri people There's a Lot Goin' On, 2025

Sometimes in life there’s lots of things goin’ on that can be hard and trying, or easy and happy, but my artwork gives me strength to see out the bad times. This is my Country before colonisation. The lines are like a map representing how our people shaped the Country with their spiritual connections told in songs and stories. The blue water and the red oxide land show my journey line with places I’ve stopped along the way. The small linear patches of dots are all the different mobs and families around Country. The brown patterns and shapes are mountain ridges and waterholes representing time past. The diamond patterns are from patterns on our old shields. Their colours represent connection to culture and the red dirt and many coloured sands that make up our beautiful Country. The group of Elders sitting with their spears are telling stories of Bunjil the eagle, our Creator, and passing down their knowledge of tracking and hunting. The goannas are my Ancestors watching, mesmerised, over their Country and culture.

Torch logo 1 CMYK

This artwork was created through The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation that provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.