Southside Clinical Psychology

OUR TEAM

We are a team of experienced and caring Clinical Psychologists and Psychologists, committed to providing the highest quality psychological assessment and therapy service to our clients. We are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and are Members of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association and / or the Australian Psychological Society. We hold Honours Degrees in Psychology, and have attained or are completing additional postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Psychology. We bring to our practice extensive experience working with adults, adolescents, children, couples and families across a broad range of clinical areas. The practice was established by Leanne Clarke in 2000 and has grown rapidly since this time, receiving a high level of support from local GPs, obstetricians and other health professionals.

CLINIC DIRECTOR

LEANNE CLARKE – Clinical Psychologist
B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin).

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

SAMANTHA MAY - Clinical Psychologist
B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin)

ASSOCIATES

PAULA PANASETIS – Clinical Psychologist
B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin).

NERIDA PALMER - Clinical Psychologist
B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin).

HELEN GUNN – Clinical Psychologist
B A (Hons), M Psych (Clin), RN, RM.

KATY VIDLER – Clinical Psychologist
G Dip Psych, B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin), B A Dip Ed.

VEE KEE CHONG - Clinical Psychologist
B Sc Psych (Hons), M. Psych (Clin)

LOUISE JOHNSON – Clinical Psychologist
B Soc Sc (Hons), M Psych (Clin), D Psych (Clin Psych), B Hlth Sc (Rehab).

CHRISTINA BROCK AM – Clinical Psychologist
MSc, Grad Dip. Psych, Post Grad Dip Psych, M Psych (Clin).

CLARE RANKIN - Clinical Psychologist
B A Psych (Hons), D Clin Psych/MSc

CATHERINE CHUDLEIGH Clinical Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), D Clin Psych/MSc

JONATHAN OSBORNE – Clinical Psychologist
B Sc (Hons), D ClinPsych/Msc

AMELIA WALTER – Psychologist
BA Psych (Hons)

TAMARA KEZELMAN – Clinical Psychologist
B A Psych (Hons), D Clin Psych/MSc

DIANA GRIVAS – Clinical Psychologist
B A Psych (Hons), D Clin Psych/MSc

VINCENT FOGLIATI – Psychologist
B A Psych (Hons)

TRACY BURRELL – Clinical Psychologist
B Sc Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin).

DELYSE HUTCHINSON – Clinical Psychologist
B A/ B Sc  (Hons), M Psych (Clin) / PhD.

LEE TAYLOR – Psychologist
B A Psych (Hons).

LEANNE CLARKE holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of NSW and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Leanne’s work within the public and private health systems has provided her with considerable experience in the assessment and treatment of adults experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, impulse control problems and relationship difficulties. She has also worked across a range of settings providing clinical assessment, therapy and early intervention services for infants, children, adolescents and families experiencing emotional, behavioural and relational problems.

Leanne has a particular interest in perinatal psychology and has worked within a specialised Karitane day stay unit for families experiencing psychological difficulties associated with pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. Leanne has invested considerable expertise into the development of the innovative, specialised perinatal psychology and health services provided within Southside Health. She also provides Hypnobirthing^TM (hypnosis for childbirth) classes for expectant parents.

Leanne provides clinical supervision for clinical psychologists and other health practitioners across a range of clinical areas, including general adult psychology, child and family psychology and perinatal psychology.

Leanne is a Founding Board Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). She is working along with senior members of the profession from leading universities and Southside Clinical Psychologist Samantha May to achieve the missions of ACPA, which include promotion of the highest standards within the profession of clinical psychology in Australia.

SAMANTHA MAY holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the Open University in England, and has completed a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. Samantha worked in the correctional service in England, where she gained extensive experience of risk management and crisis intervention, contributed to the development of suicide and self-harm intervention strategies including training programmes for corrective services staff, and provided assessment and therapy for adults in a prison setting experiencing complex emotional, behavioural, and relational problems.

In Australia Samantha has worked in community and hospital settings, and  has provided assessment and treatment for a range of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, emotion regulation difficulties, behavioural problems, and relationship difficulties, including parent-infant issues. She has a particular interest in longstanding emotion regulation and personality issues. Samantha has worked with individuals, groups, couples, and families, and has experience of working with a range of therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and relational therapy approaches.

Samantha is a Founding Board Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). Samantha is working with Southside Director Leanne Clarke and senior members of the profession from leading universities to achieve the missions of ACPA, which include promotion of the highest standards within the profession of clinical psychology in Australia.

PAULA PANASETIS holds an Honours degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, both from the University of NSW. Paula has worked across a variety of settings in the public health system, providing assessment and treatment services for adults experiencing anxiety, stress, trauma and depression. She has worked with specific groups such as road trauma survivors, women experiencing difficulties during pregnancy and postnatally, and individuals suffering drug and/or alcohol problems. She works withinboth short- and long-term therapy frameworks, including cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and committment therapy, schema therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy.

Paula has a special interest in the perinatal period and is very passionate about supporting women and their familes through pregnancy and in the postnatal period. She has worked as part of an integrated perinatal care program in a local Sydney Hospital and has conducted treatment groups for postnatal depression and anxiety conditions. Paula has also undertaken some study in infant mental health and provides parenting support for early infancy.

Paula has extensive research and evaluation skills and has publications in a range of scientific journals, including Comprehensive Psychiatry, Behaviour Research and Therapy, Journal of Traumatic Stress, Journal of Clinical Psychology and Health Care for Women International. She has co-authored a self-help book for road trauma survivors and was instrumental in developing an educational handbook for mental health disaster response published by NSW Health in 2000. Paula has presented at numerous conferences and has conducted many training workshops and in-services, primarily in the areas of trauma and post-traumatic stress, perinatal issues and patient education. She is a Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA), the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Australian Association of Infant Mental Health Inc. (AAIMHI), the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS) and the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT).

Paula is currently on extended leave.

NERIDA PALMER holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of NSW and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. She is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and a member of the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT). Nerida has worked in both public and private health settings, providing psychological services to adults, adolescents and children. Nerida has experience in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, long-standing personality/self-esteem issues and drug and alcohol problems. She has a particular interest in working with adults with depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues, and with adolescents and their families. She enjoys working within brief therapy modalities as well as providing longer-term therapy for more complex issues. In addition to her work at this practice, Nerida works within a community mental health team providing assessment, psychotherapy and consultation for adults with acute or complex mood, anxiety and psychotic disorders. 

Nerida is currently on maternity leave.

HELEN GUNN holds an Honours degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, both from Macquarie University. She is also a Registered Nurse and Midwife. Helen has worked extensively in women’s health care with experience in both the public and private healthcare sectors. She has provided clinical care in a range of settings including community health services, maternity services, gynaecology, gynaecological and breast cancer, as well as working in the management of women’s health care services. Helen has undertaken psychological research in these clinical areas.

KATY VIDLER holds an Honours degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Prior to working as a clinical psychologist, Katy worked as a primary school teacher in a variety of public and private school settings, and continues to retain her passion for working with children, as well as people of all ages, as a Senior Clinical Psychologist.

Katy works holistically and integratively, with a passion for using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and body-oriented methods in her clinical work, and couples therapy work. Such methods are useful for an extensive range of issues, and have special significance in assisting clients suffering with trauma-based symptoms, including body-based fight/flight and freeze responses. Following completing her university training, Katy has undergone extensive specialty training in the use of mindfulness in psychological interventions and couples therapy work, including the three year professional training in Hakomi Experiential Psychotherapy and the advanced Hakomi relationships training, Experiential Disidentification.

Katy has a passion for experiential learning, and the healing and nurturing capacity of groups. She has developed several mindfulness-based group therapy programs for both primary school children (Calm Kids), HSC students (A Calm & Mindful HSC), and adults (Cultivating Calm) (Please see the relevant links on this website for further information).

In addition to mindfulness, Katy has a keen interest in developmental psychology, perinatal issues, attachment and parenting issues, relationships, the neuroscience of psychotherapy, brain plasticity and interventions that best permit brain-based change, the role of interpersonal relationships in shaping the brain, adjustment to illness and ageing, and end of life stage issues. In her professional work, Katy has provided therapy for couples, and for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, various additional emotional issues, adjustment issues, stress, sleep difficulties, trauma, childhood related trauma, family and relationship issues, self esteem issues, adjustment to pregnancy and parenthood, postnatal depression, bereavement and loss issues, and adjustment to illness and ageing. She has also assisted clients in self-knowledge work, helping them to know and understand themselves better, and make desired changes in their lives.

Katy is also an accredited “Right Use of Power” Facilitator, following completing training in the “Right Use of Power: Ethics for the Helping Professions” program, developed by Cedar Barstow M.Ed.,CHT.

Katy also provides Gendai Reiki Ryoho treatments to clients of Southside
who request this service.

VEE KEE CHONG holds an Honours degree in Psychology from Birmingham University in England, and has completed a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. She has worked with adults individually and in groups, in a range of settings, providing clinical assessment and treatment for trauma, depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss issues, self-esteem issues, eating disorders and relational problems. She has also had specialisation in supporting children, young people and their families with emotional, relational and behavioural difficulties. Vee Kee also has a particular interest in working with adults with early attachment trauma as well as associated difficulties in emotion regulation and relational difficulties. She has also gained experience in non-profit mental health agencies in Australia and in domestic violence agencies in Malaysia.

Vee Kee’s approach is about respect, patience and compassion. She places emphasis on a thorough understanding of the problem, working collaboratively, and helping clients to draw on their natural resources to achieve their individual goals. Vee Kee applies individualised approaches to ensure she provides the best possible care in her assessments and treatments. She has experience in a range of therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, relational based approaches and mindfulness based approaches.

LOUISE JOHNSON holds both a Clinical Masters degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Louise has worked in a range of settings providing clinical assessments and therapy for adults, couples, and adolescents with a variety of presenting issues including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, stress management, anger, and behaviour problems. She also has an interest in childhood anxiety and mood disorders, and has experience conducting group and individual therapy for anxious and depressed children and their parents. Prior to completing her training as a Clinical Psychologist, Louise trained as a Rehabilitation Counselor and for several years worked in both public and private settings assisting people with chronic illness or injury return to productive, fulfilling lives.

Louise has interest and experience in a range of clinical approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Therapies. Louise has presented seminars to other professions to educate them about the benefits of psychological therapy. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (and their Clinical College), and the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

CHRISTINA BROCK AM holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University.  Christina has experience in a variety of clinical settings across New South Wales, which includes providing clinical assessments and therapy for adults, children and couples, who present with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, adjustment disorders, acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Christina has a specific and longstanding interest in individuals’ psychological adjustment to physical illness.  Her masters’ thesis explored the construct of positive growth following the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  Her thesis was presented at the 9th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology in London. In 2001, Christina was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution in setting up a cancer support group for young people with cancer and their carers.

In addition to her work in this practice, Christina works as a Clinical Psychologist in public mental health. She is a Member of the Australian Psychological Association and the Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

CLARE RANKIN holds an Honours degree in Psychology, and a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Masters of Science, both from The University of Sydney. She is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (AMAPS). Clare adopts an integrative and flexible approach to treatment, using a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Psychotherapy. She also uses mindfulness meditation training and dialectical behaviour therapy skills.

Clare has specialised training in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and works with adults who suffer from a range of emotional, behavioural and relational difficulties. She treats a broad range of psychological disorders including (but not limited to) anxiety and mood, eating, somatoform and pain, adjustment and personality. She also specialises in weight loss management. Clare has experience delivering group therapy for the treatment of eating disorders, obesity and substance dependence disorders, and has worked across a range of settings, including private hospital, public, not for profit and community-based treatment facilities.

Clare has a particular interest in working with adult survivors of early-life trauma. She has gained specific expertise in this area working in a trauma-focused residential treatment program for women experiencing difficulty with post-traumatic stress, relationships, emotion management and identity. She has sought specialised training in this area and finds it rewarding to provide longer-term therapy for individuals presenting with these issues.

CATHERINE CHUDLEIGH holds an Honours degree in Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, both from the University of Sydney. Catherine has worked in the UK with adolescents, the homeless and those with chronic mental illness. She has also worked in Sydney with women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. Catherine has practiced in a range of environments, including hospital, private and community settings. She has experience working in health psychology, particularly in psycho-oncology. Catherine has valuable experience working with adolescents and has completed her research in the area of young people with psychosis. She has also published in the area of youth mental health.

JONATHAN OSBORNE holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Wollongong and has completed his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney. He has worked with adults and adolescents in both private and hospital based treatment settings. Jonathan has been trained as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and also has a specific interest in Schema Therapy.

Jonathan has particular experience utilising both cognitive and behavioural therapy modalities in the treatment of individuals suffering from anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety or panic. He has facilitated group based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programs for depression, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, substance dependence and anger/impulse control issues. At Southside Jonathan sees adult and adolescent clients, and currently works with a range of presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, substance use issues, anger and other impulse control or behaviour issues, as well as relationship issues.

Jonathan has provided treatment for war veterans, specifically return service men and women from the Vietnam War and UN Peacekeepers whom are suffering from any number of emotional or behavioural difficulties. The focus of his doctoral research evaluated the relationship between post traumatic stress disorder and dementia in World War II and Korean War veterans.

AMELIA WALTER holds full Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Amelia completed an Honours degree in Psychology at the University of Sydney and is in the final stages of completing the Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science degree at the University of Sydney. Amelia has experience in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults with a range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders and eating disorders. In addition to her individual client work Amelia has a strong interest and expertise in providing group therapy programs. Amelia has a particular interest in anxiety disorders and her doctoral thesis explores the clinical underpinnings of social phobia. Amelia incorporates a range of psychological approaches in her work, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy and Family Therapy.

TAMARA KEZELMAN holds an honours degree in psychology from the University of New South Wales as well as a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Masters of Science from the University of Sydney. Tamara strongly believes in the value of providing an empathic therapeutic space to work through life’s challenges and towards a life of greater health, enrichment and fulfillment. She believes that this is best achieved by taking a contextual and relational approach to psychological wellbeing and thus strives for therapy that is integrative and collaborative in nature. Tamara draws from her expertise in cognitive behaviour therapy, systemic therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy in the therapy process. Tamara is extremely passionate about child, adolescent and family work and has pursued this interest in community, educational and private settings. As such, she has worked extensively with emotional, behavioural and relational difficulties. Tamara is also particularly interested in attachment and the importance of the early years in development and is therefore enthusiastic about perinatal psychology as well as using this understanding to inform her therapy with older age groups. Tamara has also had significant experience in working with adults with various presenting mood and anxiety disorders. She has had specific experience working with children and adults through difficult life transitions, including separation and divorce as well as loss and grief.   DIANA GRIVAS has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology, a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and Masters of Science from the University of Sydney. Diana uses a wide range of treatment approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This allows an individualised, flexible approach to meeting each client’s particular needs. Diana works primarily with adults and adolescents experiencing a range of emotional, behavioural and life challenges. She treats a broad range of psychological disorders including anxiety and mood disorders, eating disorders and health related difficulties. She has worked in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, community based treatment facilities and private practice. Diana has a particular interest in working with adults and adolescents with anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety and social anxiety and she has completed research into the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder. She currently works in a specialised eating disorders program assisting people to overcome a wide range of eating related difficulties and has worked extensively with individual clients with eating disorders. She also has a special interest in working with people facing the challenges of physical health problems and has completed research into the psychological impact of being diagnosed and treated for cancer. Diana adopts a collaborative, holistic approach to her work and encourages clients to bring their own expertise and insight into the therapeutic process. She also focuses on improving overall quality of life, in addition to focusing on resolving current areas of difficulty. VINCENT FOGLIATI holds an Honours degree in Psychology from Macquarie University. He is currently completing a combined PhD/Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. He has experience working with children, adolescents and adults, individually and in groups. He specialises in the clinical assessment and treatment of anxiety, depression and self-esteem issues. Vincent also has considerable experience working with children and adults who have experienced trauma. He has also facilitated group treatment for children and adolescents with anxiety, older adults with depression and anxiety, and individuals living with cancer. Vincent has conducted research on anxiety’s effect on performance, and has been involved in research projects that examined the effects of bullying on psychological outcomes and the effect of cognitive-behavioural treatments on anxiety and depression. Vincent has experience in the use of a range of therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, Narrative Therapy and systems therapy. Vincent is also a trained Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy facilitator.

TRACY BURRELL holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of NSW, and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Tracy brings experience in the treatment of individuals of all ages dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Her personal practice of yoga and meditation has lead her to incorporate techniques such as mindfulness training with individuals motivated to learn more positive ways of coping. She has worked in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, and substance dependence in hospital settings, as well as with adults coping with chronic patterns of interpersonal difficulty related to early childhood trauma. Tracy has a strong interest in providing assessment and therapy services for toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children and their families. She also has expertise in providing therapy for adolescents experiencing emotional and adjustment issues.

Tracy has clinical and research interest in women’s psychological experience of fertility issues and pregnancy. She recently presented a scientific paper at the Australasian Marcé Society for Psychiatric Disorders of Childbearing. In addition to working at Southside Health, she coordinates a research project, in the School of Public Health at the University of NSW, exploring women’s experience of stress while undergoing Assisted Conception treatment.

Tracy will be on maternity leave in 2011

DELYSE HUTCHINSON holds an Honours degree in Psychology from Monash University and a Masters degree and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Delyse has worked in a range of settings providing clinical assessment and therapy for children, adolescents and adults experiencing complex emotional, behavioural and relational problems. She has a strong interest in childhood anxiety and mood disorders, and has experience conducting and supervising group and individual therapy for children experiencing anxiety or depression and their parents. Delyse is also interested in the treatment of eating disorders and has worked with adolescents and adults with eating disorders in both public and hospital settings. Delyse’s doctoral thesis examined developmental risk factors for body image and disordered eating problems in adolescent girls. She also has a strong interest in perinatal psychology, particularly the promotion of healthy parent-infant attachment.

In addition to her clinical work, Delyse works as a Research Fellow at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales conducting research on the relationship between parental alcohol abuse, family functioning and child development. She has numerous publications in both national and international scientific journals and has presented scientific papers at a range of conferences. Delyse is a Fellow of the New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry and a member of both the Australian Psychological Society (and their Clinical College) and the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY).

Delyse is currently on maternity leave

LEE TAYLOR holds an Honours degree in Psychology from Macquarie University and is currently completing the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) degree at Macquarie University. Lee has a particular interest in perinatal psychology. She has experience working with distressed women (and their partners) during pregnancy and postnatally. Lee has experience providing specialised interventions for relationship issues, parent-infant relationship issues, adjustment issues in older siblings, and broader family issues. Lee’s doctoral thesis is examining maternal substance use during pregnancy and the first year of infancy, specifically exploring the impact of maternal substance misuse on maternal mental health and the mother-child relationship, during pregnancy and 12 months post-delivery.

Lee has a strong interest in child and family therapy, particularly childhood anxiety and mood disorders. She has experience working within a specialised child and adolescent anxiety unit providing diagnostic assessment, individual and group therapy to anxious children and their parents. She has a strong commitment to research and has worked on a clinical research project investigating the efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment Intervention for anxious children, and has published in a special issue (Childhood Anxiety) of Pediatric Annals.

Lee has worked in a range of industrial and rehabilitation settings, providing psychological assessment and treatment to adults experiencing physical and / or psychological injury in the workplace, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship difficulties, substance dependence and abuse. In addition, Lee has worked within a specialised Drug and Alcohol Unit treating individuals with alcohol and / or other drug problems. She has conducted many training seminars and workshops, particularly within the areas of critical incident response in the workplace, stress and pain management.

Lee is currently on study leave