Meet Our Team
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PRACTICE DIRECTOR
Alison Mynard
Alison has been working in the mental healthcare industry for over 28-years with a depth of experience across many fields. Alison has a focus on Complex Trauma and Comorbid issues. She has facilitated change for many individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety, have a history of trauma, those with drug and alcohol problems, people with family issues and refugees with torture and trauma histories. Alison brings her experience from working in non-government agencies in residential services, drug and alcohol counselling and support, refugee support agencies and in post release support services for young people who are incarcerated.
Alison has been director of Next Door Psychology since 2009. She is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Sensori-Motor Psychotherapy. Alison has a special interest in working with people who have a history of complex trauma and also specialise in forensic and comorbid substance abuse issues. Alison also specialises in assessment and report writing for individuals who may be facing court proceedings and works to understand their complex psychological presentations. Her psychological assessments focus on mental impairment, personality disorders, intellectual impairment assessment, malingering and acquired brain injury that all may be relevant to the legal settings.
Alison is passionate about working with the refugee community in the local area, to provide counselling services and psychological interventions to refugees who have come from very traumatic experiences. She uses interpreters regularly to assist with the process and welcomes a diverse range of cultural backgrounds to the practice.
Clarissa Hartshorne
Clarissa is a registered nurse and trained in mental health assessment and treatment. She works with a range of clients and carries out functional adaptive assessments to assist with NDIS and disability support pension applications. Clarissa can assist with medication reviews and referrals to appropriate medical professionals.
Clarissa also facilitates a English language conversational group with refugees from a range of areas around the world. Clarissa is a problem focused and solution focused therapist who works with people to achieve their goals and identify barriers and overcome them. Clarissa can see people who are funded through NDIS or privately funded. She is a warm and welcoming clinician, who engages her clients to achieve their goals.
MENTAL HEALTHCARE NURSE
Leng Khenglawt
Leng Khenglawt is a registered counsellor with ACA. During her studies, Leng’s focus and practice includes trauma therapy, mental disorders, Christian counselling, working with youth, contemporary issues and grief counselling. Leng is currently studying Master of Counselling. Leng graduated from RMIT with a degree in Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) as well as Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Christian). Leng works closely with the refugee community, particularly the Burmese community. She has worked to dispel the stigma and negative perceptions of mental disorders within the community. Her focus is working with people of all backgrounds and experiences. Leng arrived in Australia as a young refugee, growing up in different cultures has enhanced her worldview, understanding of different backgrounds. Leng has use her many experiences to help each client in the best possible way.
General Psychologist
Leilani Wright
Leilani Wright has extensive experience working with school aged young people and has excellent skills in engaging her clients for improving and addressing their presenting problems. She works with a range of adolescents and adults, from culturally diverse backgrounds. She addresses issues such as school refusal, ADHD, ASD, behavioural issues, anxiety, depression, issues around family separation and learning difficulties. NDIS and private paying clients are welcome. Please contact us directly if you wish to book an appointment with Leilani, who is a great asset to our team.
Austin Campbell
Austin Campbell specialises in assessment and report writing for clients who are incarcerated or on bail in the community. He is an expert in understanding client’s histories and how their psychological issues impact on their lives and he communicates this well in his report writing. He has a wealth of experience in assessment of individuals who present with complex psychological issues. Austin accepts VLA rates and private paying clients.
General Psychologist
Ness Pitts
General Psychologist
Ness focuses on Forensic Assessments and works with individuals in the justice system, or experiencing problems managing their behaviour and anger. She is experienced to faciliate change with her clients to assist emotional regulation and managing interpersonal relationships more effectively.
Aoife Dunne
Aoife works with a range of clients in assessment and counselling. She can conduct forensic assessments and accepts VLA rates and private paying clients. She works with the client to understand their needs, their history and their psychological issues, and works with rehabilitative goals for improvement in their quality of life and functioning. Aoife also is able to engage clients who have drug or alcohol issues, or involvement with Corrections, in order to assist them to reach their goals and work towards improving their mental health.
Provisional Psychologist
Jo - reception manager
Our reception staff will assist clients to make appointments, take payments, and organise billing through the relevant parties, including NDIS and through lawyers. We have friendly and approachable reception staff who are happy to assist on the phone, email or in person at front reception.
Plue - Bicultural Worker
Plue Meh works with the Karenni community within our practice, interpreting and facilitating communication and wellbeing for all of our refugee clients, to help them feel a part of the community and confident in themselves.
