Our Team

General Psychologist and Co-Director

Masters of Clinical Neuropsychology
MPsychClinNeuro, MAPS

Elaine's interests lies in assessment and interventions. She is well versed in various assessments including cognitive, ADHD, Autism, educational, vocational and comprehensive cognitive assessments to aid in diagnosis, intervention and identify support needs. 

Aside from assessments, Elaine also has experience working with clients across the lifespan who present with various difficulties including developmental delays, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning delays, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioural difficulties, and trauma. 

Elaine uses a wide range of therapy approaches depending on the need of the client. Common approaches include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, as well as elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy (ST). Elaine aims to provide clients a safe space to explore their values, thought and behaviour patterns to help clients achieve their goals.

Elaine's work days 

Keilor: Tuesday and every 2nd Friday

Sunbury: every 2nd Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

Clinical Psychologist and Co-Director

Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), MAPS

Maria has special interests in working with trauma, neurodivergence, personality disorders, rapid mood changes and anxiety. She is also particularly interested in conducting assessments, including assessing for ADHD, autism, specific learning disorders (colloquially known as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia), and conducting cognitive, educational and vocational assessments.

Maria works with both couples and individuals across the lifespan, from young children right through to adulthood. Maria most commonly uses Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Maria aims to create a non-judgemental space for all clients to achieve their therapeutic goals. Maria has completed a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, therefore providing further competencies in multiple areas of psychological treatment and assessments across the lifespan.

Maria's work days (Keilor): Monday (assessments only), Wednesday-Friday (assessments and therapy).

General Psychologist

Masters of Professional Psychology

Natalie enjoys conducting all types of assessments, including cognitive, educational, and neurodevelopmental assessments. Natalie has extensive experience in conducting child and adult autism assessments and strives to provide both assessments and therapy from a neurodiversity affirming perspective.

Therapeutically, Natalie has experience working with clients of all ages and is particularly passionate about working with adolescents and adults, tailoring interventions to the individual to improve their wellbeing and help them reach their goals. Natalie’s approach focuses on ensuring clients feel comfortable, supported, and respected, while working collaboratively with them to facilitate growth and change. Natalie has a particular interest in working with anxiety disorders and phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and tic disorders.

Natalie has experience in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and has a special interest in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Natalie has also previously worked within a primary school setting providing assessments, counselling, and running emotion regulation groups.

Outside her clinical work. Natalie has conducted research into the use of a technique called neurofeedback as a brain-training treatment for ADHD and is currently conducting research involving brain imaging in schizophrenia at Melbourne University. 

Natalie’s work days (Keilor): Every second Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (telehealth only). 

General Psychologist

Masters of Professional Psychology

Ben has a particular interest in treating emotional dysregulation, sleep and adjustment difficulties and anxiety disorders. As a therapist, Ben aims to provide a place of trust and warmth where clients can feel safe to achieve their therapeutic goals free of judgment. He seeks to work collaboratively with clients to help mitigate the unique, personal, social, and occupational difficulties they experience. 

Ben has worked providing support to people with varied life experiences and ages. Ben has experience working with neurodiverse children and families in group settings to reach their social and emotional regulation goals. He also has experience in providing group and individual treatment for clients with insomnia. 

Ben is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Depending on the client's needs and values he may use approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy. Ben also has training and experience providing educational and cognitive assessments. 

Ben’s work days (Keilor): Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Provisional Psychologist

Masters of Professional Psychology

Bella is a provisional psychologist who is completing her sixth-year internship at The Shire Psychology. She brings a compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy, creating a safe and judgement-free space for clients to share their experiences. 

Bella is particularly interested in working with people who are experiencing anxiety. She also possesses a theoretical interest in eating behaviour. Bella tends to integrate evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her practice, tailoring her approach to individual needs. Bella is also trained in behavioural and cognitive assessments, and is passionate about working with clients of all ages. Her passion for this field of work is largely inspired by fulfilling volunteer experiences working with children, teenagers, and older adults in educational and community settings. 

Outside of work, Bella enjoys reading, running with her dog, watching movies and spending time with loved ones.

Bella’s work days (Keilor): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (school visits/in-clinic).

Provisional Psychologist

Masters of Science, Majoring in Psychology (NZ)

Nav is a provisional psychologist currently completing her internship year at The Shire Psychology. She completed a Master of Science (majoring in Psychology) in New Zealand, and is presently on the path towards obtaining general registration. Nav has experience in working with individuals across the life span presenting with anxiety (including social anxiety), mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder), neurodivergence (including both autism and ADHD), amongst a number of other presentations. Nav has a particular interest in working with autism and eating disorders. Nav also enjoys completing assessments, and has extensive experience in conducting autism and ADHD assessments for both children and adults. 

Nav prioritises establishing a comforting, inclusive, non-judgemental and secure atmosphere for her clients. Her primary aim is to engage in collaborative efforts with clients to facilitate the achievement of their goals. Her approach is anchored in evidence-based practices, with a particular interest in cognitive behavioural therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.  

Nav's work days: Thursday and Friday (Telehealth only).