Our Psychologists

Dr Simonne Cohen

Simonne is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist with both private and public sector experience in providing assessments and therapy for children, adolescents and their families. Simonne is the Founder and Principal Psychologist at Nature & Nurture Child Psychologists.  Simonne provides a fun and energetic approach to therapy, and is passionate about helping children reach their full potential improving the lives of children and adolescents. She enjoys working collaboratively with parents, teachers and other professionals to ensure the child’s wellbeing and needs are constantly met.

She works as a general clinician but has a passion in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Simonne completed her PhD through collaboration between Harvard University in the USA and Monash University in Australia, where she is investigated the relationship between sleep and behaviour in children and adolescents with autism.Whilst she has a specific interest and deep knowledge in treating sleep disorders in children with severe behavioural difficulties, Simonne is experienced at assessing, diagnosing and treating a wide range of childhood difficulties including developmental, learning, emotional, behavioural, and attention difficulties.

In particular, Simonne is experienced in treating a range of childhood disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional behaviour, emotion regulation difficulties, sleep difficulties, trichotillomania, anger management and social skills difficulties. She is also experienced in conducting psychometric assessments to assess for Autism, ADHD, learning difficulties and giftedness.Simonne is skilled in a range of therapeutic techniques and parenting programs. She has had experience providing individual, group and family-based interventions and has training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Parent Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT).  Simonne is also trained in other evidence based programs such as “Triple P Parenting”, “Secret Agent Society”, “Tuning into Kids” and the “Cool Kids” anxiety program.

Personal Information:

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honors class 1) (UNSW)
• Masters of Clinical Psychology (Honors) (UNSW)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) (Monash University/ Harvard Medical School)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society
• Board Approved Psychology Supervisor

Simonne is currently available on Tuesdays & Friday in Bondi Junction and Wednesdays & Thursdays in Earlwood.

Caitlin Lord

Caitlin is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist with experience and a passion for helping children and adolescents build coping skills and achieve goals, and uplifting their support systems.

Caitlin provides specialised assessment and tailored intervention plans and recommendations for a variety of presentations, including Autism Spectrum differences, ADHD and ODD, specific learning challenges, intellectual disabilities, and giftedness, as well as emotional diagnoses. She endeavours to take an affirming approach to neurodiversity, helping families advocate for their child, and understand and celebrate their unique qualities. She aims to help children, adolescents, and their support systems make informed decisions with how they interact with the world around them.

Caitlin is trained in evidence-based therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Caitlin also has training in evidence-based frameworks including the DNA-V model (ACT and positive psychology), Mindfulness, Superflex, and the Zones of Regulation. Caitlin offers individual and group-based interventions using these frameworks and techniques to identify a child’s strengths, and support them through challenges including social-communication and social skills difficulties, anxiety, depression, and anger, and challenges with problem-solving and flexible thinking.

Caitlin also facilitates a number of group programs. She is a trained provider of the Secret Agent Society group program, including the new digital format. She has created, and facilitates a preschool small-group program, and a Kindy holiday workshop for children with social/emotional challenges. Caitlin also facilitates a Superflex Holiday Workshop for primary-school children for children who need support with social problem-solving.

Caitlin also offers parenting sessions using frameworks including Parent Child Interaction Therapy, Collaborative Proactive Solutions, and Positive Behaviour Support. Caitlin takes a holistic approach to interventions, including understanding attachment dynamics, and the impact of life events on a child’s development. Caitlin strives to ensure parents she works with receive compassion, empathy, and flexibility when supporting their children through their development.

Caitlin obtained a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Macquarie University and a Masters of Clinical Psychology from the Australian College of Applied Psychology. She is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She is a registered service provider under the Australian Government’s Better Outcomes for Mental Health Care program (Medicare).

Personal Information:

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours Class 2:1) (Macquarie University)
• Masters of Clinical Psychology (ACAP)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Caitlin is available to consult with clients on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Julie Van

Julie is a Clinical Psychology Registrar who provides a warm, person-centred, and collaborative approach to therapy. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive space for all individuals and endeavours to work with the unique needs of each individual to support them towards meaningful change.

Julie has experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in community, research, and private practice settings. She has a particular focus on working with young people experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, social and adjustment-related challenges, and emotional regulation difficulties. Julie draws from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). She also has experience in delivering the Cool Kids/Chilled Anxiety program following her work at the Centre for Emotional Health Clinic at Macquarie University, where she supported children and their families in managing a range of anxiety disorders. Additionally, Julie has trained to conduct comprehensive psychometric assessments for ADHD and autism.

Julie has completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University and holds a Bachelor of Advanced Science (majoring in psychology with First Class Honours and neuroscience) from the University of New South Wales. She is a registered psychologist currently undertaking the registrar program for endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.

Personal information:

• Master of Clinical Psychology (Macquarie University)
• Bachelor of Advanced Science, majoring in psychology and neuroscience (Honours Class 1) (UNSW)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
• Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
• Member of the Australian Association for CBT (AACBT)

Julie is available to consult on a Wednesday and Thursday from February 2023. She is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen.

Sharon Han

Sharon is a warm and engaging Educational and Developmental Psychologist with a unique combination of expertise: a decade of experience as a teacher coupled with years of providing support to children, young people and their families as a school psychologist. Sharon additionally has experience as a behaviour support practitioner, behaviour therapist and test administrator of psychometric assessments including WISC-V and WIAT-III.

 Sharon’s approach is person-centred, collaborative and values-driven. She meets young people where they are by taking time to explore their unique strengths, challenges, goals and personal values. Sharon encourages young people to engage actively in their work together and guides them to learn and apply practical strategies in their everyday lives. She often works closely with parents/caregivers, teachers, and other professionals to ensure comprehensive support.

 In her practice, Sharon draws flexibly from a range of evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and the Situational Analysis Framework.

 Sharon has experience working with children and young people with a wide range of presentations including anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation, interpersonal difficulties, emotional regulation difficulties, disordered eating, and grief and loss. She has a special interest in supporting young people with anxiety including social anxiety and separation anxiety.

 Personal information:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology (University of Victoria, NZ)
• Master of Educational Psychology (Honours Class 1) (Massey University, NZ)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (Massey University, NZ)
• Graduate Diploma in Psychology (University of Auckland, NZ)

Sharon consults after hours on Thursdays (via Zoom)  and Saturdays.

Peta Wakulicz

Peta is a Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar who has experience in the assessment and diagnosis of a range of neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders affecting children and adolescents. Peta is particularly passionate about improving the outcomes of young people experiencing difficulties with their learning, social engagement, mood and self-regulation. She provides comprehensive assessments of the cognitive, psychological, emotional and behavioural functioning of the young person, with input from their families, teachers and other health professionals.

Peta is trained in providing targeted assessments for intellectual developmental disorders, global developmental delay, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, specific learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and anxiety disorders. She also has experience more broadly looking at identifying areas of strength and weakness within a young person’s profile, with the aim of providing personalised, evidence-based strategies and opportunities for intervention and treatment to support positive wellbeing and development.

In addition to private practice, Peta is also currently working in public healthcare at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead as part of multidisciplinary teams providing comprehensive assessments to young people with complex medical histories, experiences of trauma and adverse childhood events, and those with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She is involved in workshops and seminars raising awareness of common developmental disorders and the long-term impacts of these on the young person. During her studies, Peta worked in health education as a Lecturer at the University of Sydney. Peta is also author to several journal publications focused on her research into neurodevelopment, cognition and mental health. Peta is a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and is currently undertaking the registrar program for endorsement as a Clinical Neuropsychologist

Personal information:

• Bachelor of Science with first class honours in Neuroscience (University of Sydney).
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced; Monash University)
• Master of Clinical Neuropsychology (with Academic Excellence; Macquarie University).
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), College of Clinical Neuropsychologists, secretary of the Australian Paediatric Neuropsychology Research Network (APNRN),  Neurodevelopment Interest Group and a member of the Developmental Assessment Advisory Group to the NSW Government.

Madeleine Urquhart

Madeleine is a Provisional Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Madeleine obtained a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Macquarie University, graduating with first class honours. Madeleine is currently completing a Master of Professional Psychology through Macquarie Uni and is working towards general registration. Madeleine is passionate about helping children develop positive coping skills and supporting the family system.

Madeleine is interested in anxiety-related disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioural management, and parenting style management. Madeleine employs evidence-based frameworks and techniques to create individualised treatment plans. Madeleine is trained in providing therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Madeleine also runs the Lego Club, a social skills program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Personal Information:

•  Bachelor of Psychology (Honours Class 1), Macquarie University.
•  MA, Professional Psychology – Macquarie University

Madeleine consults in the clinic on Thursdays and Saturdays and is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen.  She is the primary facilitator of the Lego therapy program.

Natalie Parsa

Natalie is a mature, passionate, empathetic non-judgemental counsellor who strives to help young people gain insight into their cognitions and support changes in thinking, emotions, and behaviour. Natalie engages a scientist practitioner mindset to all assessment and intervention protocols, adhering to the highest professional standards, demonstrating integrity, reflection, and accountability. Natalie has been collaboratively working with young people for the past 10 years, both in groups and individually, using emotion coaching, therapeutic modalities, critical thinking, facilitation, and play-based techniques to assist in optimising their potential.

 Natalie has experience in working with young people with anxiety, specific phobias, emotion regulation, mood, and neurodevelopmental disorders, and is passionate about assessment. Natalie has worked at the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University delivering assessments as well as flexibly delivering the Cool Kids manualised program to cater for child and family characteristics. Natalie has worked with children in a group setting at Resilience in Kids, providing psychoeducation, play and drama techniques, and mindfulness to help children develop resilience coping skills in dealing with daily “tricky stuff”.

 Natalie is trained in delivering cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and emotion regulation strategies; and enjoys working both in groups and with individual young people and their families.

Personal information

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours First Class; Macquarie University)
• Master of Professional Psychology (Macquarie University)
• Member of the Australian Psychology Society (MAPS)

Natalie consults on a Monday in the clinic. She is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen.

Nicola Dillenbeck

Nicola is a Provisional Psychologist who has warm, trusting and collaborative relationship with her clients. She is passionate about supporting young people and their families to overcome any difficulties they face to help foster a rich and fulfilling life.

Nicola has worked in the mental health sector for the last 8 years across a range of populations and in varying job roles. She has particular experience working with the LGBTQIA+ population and disordered eating and has worked supporting clients with a range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression and drug and alcohol misuse.

Nicola uses a range of evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  Her approach is client centred ensuring all clients receive a service that is tailored to their individual needs, history, and goals.

Nicola is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) as a provisional psychologist and has completed her Master of Professional Psychology at Macquarie University.

Personal Information:

• Master of Professional Psychology (Macquarie University)
• B.A. (Psychology, Gender Studies)
• Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
• Associate Member of the Australian Psychology Society (APS)

Nicola consults via Tele-health on a Wednesdays from Jan 2023 and is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen.