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. She is a trained provider of the Secret Agent Society group program, including the new digital format. 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 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.

Roanna Chan

Roanna is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist who provides a warm and collaborative space for children and families to explore challenges and develop new skills. She has a particular interest in enriching parent-child relationships and working with the whole family.

 Roanna has experience working with children, teens, and families in assessment and treatment of anxiety (OCD, social anxiety, generalised worry, phobias), depression, emotion regulation, oppositional behaviours, attention and adjustment difficulties. She draws on a variety of techniques, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Roanna has a particular interest in childhood anxiety and runs the ‘Cool Kids for Anxiety’ program after training at Sydney Children’s Hospital. In addition, Roanna is certified to conduct developmental assessments for neuro-diverse populations, including Autism and ADHD.

Roanna also offers individual therapy to older adolescents and parents who may be experiencing their own life stressors such as depression, anxiety or adjustment issues.

Roanna has a Masters of Clinical Psychology from Sydney University as well as a Bachelor of Psychology (First Class Hons) from the University of New South Wales. She has worked at headspace and within NSW Health Community settings. Roanna is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a member of the Australian Clinical Psychologists Association (ACPA).

Personal Information:

• Masters of Clinical Psychology (USYD)
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours Class 1), UNSW
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society

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.

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.

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.

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.

Isaac Dunn

Isaac is a warm and friendly Provisional Psychologist who keeps an empathetic space for children and adolescents to explore difficulties and learn new skills. Isaac takes a collaborative approach and is passionate about helping children and families reach their goals. Isaac is completing the Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Macquarie University.

Isaac has an interest in working with anxiety, social difficulties, and ADHD in groups, as well as supporting parents and teachers. Isaac has trained to deliver comprehensive cognitive assessments for ADHD and learning difficulties and is passionate about group-based work. Isaac runs Lego Club, an affirming social group for autistic children, and is trained in the Secret Agent Society (SAS).

 Isaac has completed training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed practice and is fully registered as a rehabilitation counsellor (MARSC). Isaac has experience working with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and adjustment-related difficulties. He has worked in specialist anxiety services, health and rehabilitation psychology, and with young people and students. Isaac’s current research focuses on providing CBT for various difficulties, including anxiety (generalised worry, OCD, social anxiety, phobias), depression, and emotion regulation.

Personal Information:

• Master of Clinical Psychology Candidate (UTS)
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Macquarie University)
• Full Member of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC)
• Associate Member of the Australian Psychology Society (APS)
• Student Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)

Isaac consults on a Saturday and school holidays.