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. She is trained in assessment tools such as the WISC/WIAT/ ADOS/ ADIR and Griffiths Developmental assessment.

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 , Thursdays & Fridays in Bondi Junction and Wednesdays 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.

Dr Georgina Barnes

Dr Georgina is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist, registered with APHRA. She has extensive public and private sector experience in providing psychological assessment and treatment for children, adolescents and families. Georgina has particular passion and expertise in working with neurodivergent young people, their parents and wider systems. She has a special interest in providing adapted psychological interventions for autistic children and adolescents who experience co-occurring emotional regulation difficulties. She has also been involved in developing and evaluating adapted group interventions for parents/carers of children with autism and intellectual disabilities who exhibit distressed behaviours.

Georgina has training and experience in treating a range of mental health symptoms and conditions across the lifespan, including anxiety and mood disorders, self-harm and psychosis. She has experience in providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) informed practice, and evidence-based parent interventions such as The Incredible Years (IY) and Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) programmes. Georgina is highly trained and experienced in conducting developmental and psychometric evaluations to assess for autism, ADHD and specific learning disorders.

Georgina has delivered teaching and training to postgraduate students and clinicians in the UK, including on topics such as how to adapt evidence-based psychological interventions for autistic clients. Georgina remains active in clinical research and has published in a number of peer reviewed journals over the past decade. Georgina holds affiliation with the Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney and continues to be involved with clinical research projects in both the UK and Australia.

Personal information

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psychology – University of Sussex, UK
• Master of Science (MSc) in Mental Health Studies – King’s College London, UK
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) – King’s College London, UK
• Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with Clinical Psychology endorsement.

Hanna Ough

Hanna is a registered psychologist and is currently working towards endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Queensland.

Hanna is a warm, collaborative and creative psychologist who values building a strong therapeutic relationship with clients from all walks of life. She has experience working across the lifespan in various settings, including schools, hospitals, private practice and university clinics.

She particularly enjoys working with children, adolescents, families and young adults in areas including: anxiety, depression, mood concerns, academic stress, perfectionism, emotional dysregulation (including anger), social and relationship difficulties, self-esteem and identity, and racism and cultural issues.

Hanna values helping individuals not only work through their challenges but also work with the many strengths that they bring. She enjoys working collaboratively with parents and schools to support the needs of children and adolescents.

Hanna draws from evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy to tailor treatment to each individual. She is an accredited facilitator of the standard group Triple P and also draws from Circle of Security frameworks. She is fluent in Korean and welcomes clients of all backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.

Personal Information:

• Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Queensland)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (University of Melbourne)
• Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)

Hanna is available to consult on a Tuesday and Friday. She is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen.

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 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. 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 is not currently taking on new clients and will be returning from mat leave in 2025.

Nicola Dillenbeck

Nicola is a Registered Psychologist who has a 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 9 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 has a particular interest in working with the LGBTQIA+  providing gender affirming care, providing care and support for children and adolescents with body image concerns and supporting adolescents with depression and/or anxiety.

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 general psychologist.

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 and 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. She also has a Masters of Professional Psychology.  Madeleine is currently completing a Master of  Clinical 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 and is trained in the Cool Kids Anxiety management program. 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  (Graduated 2023)
• Masters of Clinical Psychology – Macquarie University (Current)

Madeleine consults in Bondi Junction on Tuesdays and Fridays and is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen.

Natalie Parsa

Natalie is a mature, passionate, empathetic non-judgemental counsellor and practitioner 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 12 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, obsessive compulsive disorder, specific phobias, emotion regulation, mood, and neurodevelopmental disorders. She has experience working with complex presentations including risk and comorbid disorders. Natalie has a keen interest in supporting neurodivergent populations, using a client-led, strengths based, fun and collaborative framework. She provides parent interventions including emotion coaching, with specific experience in pathological demand avoidance (PDA) presentations and emotion regulation challenges.

 Natalie is trained in delivering cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and emotion regulation strategies; and enjoys working both in groups and with individual young people and their families. Natalie is passionate about assessment and delivers assessment, diagnosis, and clinical report writing including the Connors 4, BASC-3, ASRS, WISC-V, and WIAT-III, RCADS SCAS, the DASSY.

 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”.

Personal information

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

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

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.

Peta currently works on a Wednesday in Earlwood.

Anna Jodan

Anna is a Provisional Psychologist registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Anna has completed her undergraduate Psychology degrees with Monash University and postgraduate Master of Professional Psychology at Macquarie University. Anna is enthusiastic, warm and passionate about helping children achieve their potential and develop positive coping skills as well as supporting the family system to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.

Prior to her journey into Psychology, Anna earned a Bachelor of Medical Sciences followed by a Master in Neuroscience. This allows her to adequately practice with a science-practitioner mindset. Additionally, with ten years of experience as a junior school drama teacher, Anna brings a fun, engaging, and creative side to her psychological practice.

Anna has been working with a variety of presentations, including emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety-related disorders, behavioural management, parenting style management and neuro-developmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD. Anna is trained in providing therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and the Cool Kids Anxiety Program for children and teens. Anna looks forward to meeting new clients and adapting her knowledge into an individualised approach to each client’s needs and goals.

Personal Information:

• Bachelor of Medical Sciences (University of Sydney)
• Master of Brain and Mind Sciences (University of Sydney)
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Monash University)
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced (Honours Class 1) (Monash University)
• Master of Professional Psychology (Macquarie University)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Anna works Thursdays and Saturdays from Earlwood and is under the supervision of Dr Simonne Cohen