Meet the team

Melissa is the founder and Managing Director at United Minds and has worked tirelessly to build the service to what it is today.  Melissa is also an experienced registered psychologist at UMCS with training in Community Psychology and over 20 years experience in counselling and therapy. 

Melissa's postgraduate research was on relationship quality in the transition to parenthood and the mediating impact of social support through social media. Working only with adults 18 years and older, Melissa has an interest in working in peri and postnatal care, neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, addiction, relationships and identity, and trauma. Melissa offers a range of psychological therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-informed therapy.

Outside of her work at United Minds, Melissa is a busy mum to 5 little humans.

Priscilla (she/her) works with individuals aged 8 and above for both assessment and therapeutic counselling. She has experience and interest in working with a variety of presentations, including mood and anxiety disorders, complex trauma, learning difficulties, and neurodevelopmental conditions. She is trained in completing diagnostic assessments for autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties.  

Priscilla aims to provide a warm and affirming therapeutic space where all identities are welcome. She tailors her treatment approach to the client's needs by drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).Priscilla speaks English and Bahasa Indonesia.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading novels, playing trivia, and going out for a nice meal.

Shelley (she/her) is a clinical psychologist and board approved supervisor who has been working at United Minds Community Services since 2018.
  Shelley works with clients aged 3 and above. Shelley has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent people and those who are experiencing OCD or specific anxiety disorders.

She has experience working with a variety of presentations including depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, OCD, chronic pain, grief and loss, trauma, ASD and ADHD.Shelley likes to work collaboratively with the intend that the therapeutic work reflects each client’s individual goals. She aims to create a warm and respectful environment for all clients. Shelley incorporates a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy and Schema Therapy.

In her spare time Shelley enjoys baking sugary treats as well as going to see live music and theatre.

Jessica is clinical psychologist and board approved supervisor who has been working at United Minds Community Services since 2018.

Jessica works primarily with children and adolescents and their families. Jessica has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent individuals and is trained in completing diagnostic assessments for autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties.  She also has experience providing therapy for young people with a range of different mental health presentations. Jessica takes a holistic and neurodiversity-affirming approach to treatment and incorporates therapy modalities including CBT, play therapy, ACT, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, and parent-child interaction.

Outside of her work at United Minds Jess enjoys travelling, musical theatre, cooking, skiing, and playing soccer.

Adrian is a Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar who has been working at United Minds Community Services since 2021. Adrian has previously worked at La Trobe University where he taught into the Psychology program. He also completed a PhD investigating the role of serotonin in social behaviour, anxiety and sleep, and published scientific research in the field of psychology and neuroscience.

Adrian primarily conducts assessments with children, adolescents and adults. He has a particular interest in neurodevelopmental presentations and is extensively trained in conducting diagnostic assessments. Adrian’s goals are to provide clients with a comprehensive understanding of their cognition, and to help implement strategies that can address challenges that manifest at home, school and/or work. Adrian also offers psychological therapy practicing upon a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework.

In his spare time, Adrian enjoys following multiple sports and spending time with family and friends.

Andrew is a Clinical Psychologist with experience in both the private and public sector, and has been with United Minds since 2020.

Andrew works 1-on-1 with clients aged 18 years and over, using a flexible approach, with a range of therapy styles to suit the individual’s needs, and encourages feedback and collaboration. Andrew believes you’re the expert of your life, and he can bring his psychology knowledge and expertise, to work together with you to help you achieve your goals, work through life challenges, and live a happier and more fulfilling life.

Andrew utilises various treatment approaches including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).

Andrew’s area of practice includes (but not limited to): Anxiety, Depression, specific Anxiety Disorders and Phobias, OCD, Stress Management, Self-Esteem difficulties, Chronic Pain, Grief and Loss, Trauma and PTSD, Relationship Issues, and Life Transitions and Adjustments.

Outside of work Andrew enjoys doing woodwork, gardening, and walks in the park with his Labrador puppy.

Dita is a registered psychologist with over 10 years’ experience in counselling. She works with adults using evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness and compassion-based interventions.

Areas of practice include: Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, Stress Management, Life Transitions, Chronic Pain, Chronic Health Conditions. Dita has a particular interest in women’s health and supporting women during periods of change and adjustments, such as the perinatal and midlife periods.

Kristin is a registered psychologist and an associate member of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists (CEDP). Kristin enjoys supporting a range of individuals across the lifespan including children (aged 3 years and over), adolescents, adults, and older adults. Kristin has a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent individuals and their supporters. Kristin’s varied experience in community settings (family violence, addiction, mental health, disability), private practice and school settings (primary and secondary) helps her further understand how an individual’s life experiences intersect and impact wellbeing.

Kristin also teaches psychology at a tertiary level and has previously worked in clinical research settings (autism research, mental health research, sleep research). She has published research related to children’s experience of family violence and has presented workshops to allied health professionals on topics such as ADHD and supporting young carers of individuals who have mental ill health. Kristin also conducts cognitive, educational, and diagnostic assessments. Kristin views assessment as an opportunity to help develop a framework to support an individual to understand their experiences and communicate their needs and strengths to others.

Kristin works from a strength-based perspective and her work is informed by a range of evidence-based techniques including (but not limited to) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), CBT-E, Motivational interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Kristin's passions outside of work include listening to music and connecting to animals.

Amy works with young people and adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties and stressors. She works with a range of issues including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, trauma, personality, relationships, addiction, and forensic. Amy prioritises establishing a safe therapeutic space and collaborating with clients to achieve meaningful treatment goals. She provides a personalised and evidence-based approach, drawing from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Schema Therapy. Amy is a generally registered Psychologist and is currently completing her registrar program for clinical endorsement. Her postgraduate research explored Forest Therapy as a complement to traditional approaches.   Amy's days at United Minds are Mondays and Fridays.

Mei (she/her) has experience in the provision of therapeutic counselling and assessment in private practice and educational settings. Mei works with individuals aged 3 and above using a combination of evidence-based therapies, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as her guiding principles. She adopts a playful and fun approach to therapy.

Outside of work, Mei enjoys dining out, travelling, and playing video games.

Watch this space

Isabella is a registered psychologist and identifies as autistic. Isabella works with those from 6+ years old and has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent individuals.

Isabella focuses on creating a safe space for all humans, and utilises a client-centred, neuro-affirming and trauma informed approach to support and help individuals flourish. Isabella aims to have every neurodivergent individual feel safe and comfortable enough to drop masking and support the growth of a unique identity. Isabella is also trained in completing assessments for autism, ADHD and learning difficulties, and incorporates various strength based, therapeutic approaches such as CBT, ACT, play-based therapy, and polyvagal theory.

In her spare time Isabella enjoys reading, crocheting, cooking, and hanging out with her two ragdoll cats Daisy and Lulu.

Dani is a generally registered Psychologist with a passion for working with clients across the lifespan, including children, adolescents and adults with a range of presentations such as (but not limited to), mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, behavioural difficulties, neurodevelopmental conditions, school refusal, and trauma-related disorders.

Dani is trained in completing diagnostic assessments for autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties and draws on a range of treatment modalities that cater to her clients needs and presenting problems such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Dani aims to engage with clients authentically and collaboratively, offering an empathetic, vibrant, and respectful therapeutic approach. She encourages self-awareness, self-understanding, and self-motivation and aims to ensure that the treatment modalities offered are responsive to the clients needs and goals.

Outside of work Dani enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading and playing with her two adorable corgis.

Watch this space

Watch this space