Stevie is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist Registrar who joined our team in 2013. Stevie has provided psychological support to the Illawarra community for over a decade, working across the lifespan. In her role as Clinical Lead, Stevie works to support our management team in delivering high quality services across our programs.

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Stevie’s natural therapeutic style is relaxed, conversational and authentic, acknowledging that the person seeking support is the expert of their own experience. Stevie’s approach prioritises safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship and strives to help people feel seen and heard through genuine connection. Stevie is an approved handler for our facility dog, Cooper, and is trained to utilise Cooper within her therapy sessions.

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Stevie with a particular interest in using a neuroaffirming lens to support neurodiverse populations; supporting those who have a history of trauma, attachment disruption and/or adverse life experiences; supervising and supporting those with anxiety presentations. While Stevie adapts and combines different approaches to suit the needs of each individual, her preferred modalities include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Canine-assisted Psychotherapy.

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In her spare time, Stevie enjoys reading, being outside in nature, spending time with animals, videogames and art.

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Stevie works Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Esther is a Clinical Psychologist and Psychology Board-approved supervisor who rejoined our team in 2024 as a Clinical management consultant. Esther has over 10 years’ experience helping people navigate life’s challenges, from anxiety and depression to trauma and grief. She has specialty in psycho-oncology, palliative and end of life care, and bereavement. As a consultant, Esther combines her clinical expertise with a knack for project management to help teams at FSA thrive. She’s all about creating smooth processes and supportive cultures where staff feel effective, valued, and ready to make a difference. Her leadership is characterised by empathy, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for people.

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Esther believes therapy should be a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, supported, and connected with. She’s passionate about empowering people to find their own path to healing, building resilience and hope along the way, and having a little fun in the process. Esther has a special interest in working with anxiety, stress, trauma, grief and loss, and adolescents and young adults. Additionally, people and families dealing with the impact of cancer, from active treatment through to palliative and end-of-life phases and bereavement.

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Esther aims to be warm, flexible, and client-centred. Esther’s all about creating a strong connection with her clients and adapting therapy to fit their needs, always with a compassionate and practical approach. Esther predominately uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic, narrative, and interpersonal neurobiology approaches. As a Psychology Board-approved supervisor, Esther also loves mentoring other mental health professionals, helping them grow their skills while keeping a strong focus on delivering great care.

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Esther enjoys playing piano, walking, swimming, being a coffee connoisseur, and reading. And most things cat-related.

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Esther works Tuesday and Wednesday.

Briana joined our team in 2024 and has degrees in Public Health, Business and Management, and Mental Health which has enabled her to work across a diverse range of industries at a management level. Briana has had roles in workplace health and safety, surf lifesaving, allied health and mental health.

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Briana does this job because she values the profound impact FSA is making across numerous community groups. Knowing that her role contributes to this mission gives her a strong sense of purpose. Briana appreciate that the FSA team consists of a diverse group of professionals. She believes that collaboration is one of the most effective ways to learn and grow.

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Briana is a volunteer surf life saver with over 15 years of service and serve as a Director at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. She also enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

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Briana works Monday to Friday.

Kalynda is a Clinical Psychologist, board approved supervisor and Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) who joined the team in 2022. Prior to this Kalynda was privileged to work with First Nations people and communities in rural and remote NSW. With her dual qualifications, Kalynda has a unique perspective and experience working with eating disorder presentations and supporting people to explore the complex interaction between food and mental health.   

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Kalynda is passionate about working with people to develop a shared understanding of what has prompted them to seek support and empower them to develop and use the skills they already have to support change. She sees change as not simply symptom reduction, but an opportunity for self-awareness and growth. Kalynda enjoys walking alongside people through their own individual journey. Kalynda has a special interest in working with adolescents and young adults presenting with complex trauma, attachment disruptions and trauma, and grief and loss. She also enjoys working with those people experiencing anxiety, and disordered eating behaviours. 

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Kalynda aims to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive. She brings warmth, empathy, authenticity, and curiosity to the space, and acknowledges that the client will always be the expert of their own lives and experiences. She also believes that optimism and humor are always key additions to achieving positive outcomes with those she works with. Kalynda believes in tailoring the therapeutic approach to best suit the needs of the individual or family that she's working with and always with a focus on having strengths-based approach and building strong rapport. Kalynda predominately uses narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). 

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Kalynda enjoys spending time with her dogs, going for walks and spending time with family and friends.  

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Kalynda is currently on maternity leave.

Kristina is a Registered Psychologist and Board approved supervisor who originally joined our team in 2016 and after a break, rejoined the team in 2024. She has a range of experience and has been supporting individuals in the Illawarra for about a decade. Kristina has worked in the areas of occupational rehabilitation, perinatal psychology, inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol support and also in private practice. Kristina has experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families.

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Kristina believes that it is a privilege working alongside people in their journey towards becoming their most authentic selves and has a special interest in providing parent support, working with trauma presentations, supporting autistic clients, and providing parents/carer support.

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Kristina aims to be a relatable, down-to-earth and authentic therapist. Kristina predominately utilises Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), exploring Structural Dissociation (with adults), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT).

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Kristina enjoys engaging in creative activities including painting and drawing, and audiobooks, baking hyper-realistic cakes and spending time in nature with her family and her dog.

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Kristina works Tuesday to Thursday.

Josh is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who joined our team in 2024. He has over 15 years' experience in the acute mental health field including supervision and management roles and working with hospital, outpatient and community organisations.

 

Josh believes the work is knowing that at any given moment you are exactly what your client needs. Your skills, care and expertise become a steppingstone on their journey back to wholeness. Never undervalue your contribution. Josh has a special interest in working with couples, families, and children, systems, crisis, suicide and psychosis. 

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Josh aims to be Person-centred, Strengths-based, and foundationally trauma-informed that is pragmatic, inquisitive and at times paradoxical. Joshua predominately works with Systems Theories: Bowenian, Structural and Strategic Family therapies, Brief Solutions Focused, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Brief Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (B-CBT), and Collaborative Problem Solving. 

 

Josh enjoys golf, painting, biohacking and fitness, being at the beach, AFL football and spending quality time with his family.  

 

Josh works Monday to Friday.

Reshmi is a Clinical Registered Counsellor who joined our team in 2024. Reshmi holds bachelor’s degree in social science and psychology and master’s in counselling. She has worked in the mental health for last 10 years. Reshmi specialise in supporting clients through anxiety, depression and relationship issues. She is dedicated to helping individuals with their life challenges.

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Reshmi enjoys working with clients to helps them develop strategies and life skills to address their issues fostering greater independence and resilience. Effective counselling can significantly reduce symptoms of mental health issues. She find helping others can be fulfilling and rewarding. Reshmi's has a special interest in working with anxiety, depression, stress and with couples.

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Reshmi believes the goal is to empower clients with the tools and insights needed to overcome challenges and improve quality of their lives. Reshmi predominately works with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Solution Focus Therapy.

Reshmi enjoys painting, cooking and watching movies.

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Reshmi works Wednesday to Friday.

Claire joined our team in 2024 and has over five years of experience in the medical industry. Her experience allows her to bring a personal touch to her work, ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment for children and their families.

Claire wants to make a positive impact, whether it's at work or in her personal life. She genuinely enjoys getting to know clients and their families. She would love for you to stop by the reception desk and say hello. She's always happy to chat and wants make you feel welcome.

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Claire loves spending time at the beach with her children and dogs, enjoying the outdoors and relaxing. She also enjoys having coffee with friends, which gives her a chance to socialize and unwind.

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Claire works Monday to Thursday.

Faye is a Registered Counsellor and joined our team in 2024. Faye has degrees in Commerce, Psychology and Counselling, and currently study leadership and management. Outside of FSA, Faye has worked as a senior practitioner and clinical lead across many different mental health settings, including residential care, foster care, private practice and the NDIS.
 

Faye believes that clients are the expert on their own life and they should be placed in the driver's seat along this collaborative journey with their therapist. Faye has a special interest in working with neurodiverse young people, complex trauma and interpersonal difficulties.
 

Faye therapy approach included creative and expressive elements for all age groups. She views the therapist-client relationship as a partnership where both parties work together to achieve positive change. Faye puts emphasis on recognising and respecting the client's cultural background and experiences when interpreting their behavior. Faye’s predominately works from a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Creative Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Play Based Therapy, Art-based & Narrative Therapy approaches.

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Faye enjoys doing Yoga, running and skiing in their spare time.
 

Faye works Monday to Friday.