Our People
North Sydney
Dr Nikki Johnson
Clinical Psychologist I Director
BA Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical), PhD MACPA, MAPS
(she/her)
Nikki, the founder and co-Director of The Mind Clinic, enjoys working with adults of all ages to improve their emotional wellbeing. To meet her clients' needs and goals, Nikki uses a combination of evidence-based therapeutic approaches based in attachment, trauma and interpersonal frameworks to enhance her client's awareness, understanding and personal growth. Treatment approaches include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness techniques for the treatment of life adjustments, grief, anxiety disorders (including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias) and depressive disorders. To assist people who have experienced trauma and the associated distressing psychological and physical symptoms, Nikki is trained to deliver Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR). Nikki is also qualified to deliver the Circle of Security Parenting Program which is based on the principles of attachment theory. This program can be utilised with parents who have children of any age to effectively improve family relations. Nikki has a Master of Clinical Psychology and PhD in Psychology. Her research, which focused on parental hardiness, child sleep behaviour and the development of emotion regulation has been published in a number of international peer-reviewed journals. Nikki holds a clinical psychology endorsement with the Australian Psychology Board and is a full-member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (MACPA) and Australian Psychological Society (MAPS). Nikki is also an AHPRA Board-approved supervisor in the area of Clinical Psychology. Nikki works face-to-face at the North Sydney Clinic on Wednesdays and Fridays and sees clients via Telehealth on Thursdays.
Kate Blundell
Clinical Psychologist
B PsychSci (Hons), M Psych (Clinical)
(she/her)
Kate is an open and collaborative clinical psychologist with extensive experience and a passion for working with clients across the lifespan. Her goal is to support and help empower clients to most effectively navigate and grow through life’s challenges and inevitable ups and downs. She is genuinely curious about people’s individual stories and what motivates them, to support them on this journey. Kate completed her Master in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University and has experience as a clinical psychologist in a variety of settings including private practice, research, hospitals, and schools. Kate works with adolescents and adults experiencing many different types of issues including anxiety and panic, depression, anger issues, life transitions, workplace and study stress, relationship and communication difficulties, sleeping problems, self-esteem issues, and burnout. Kate provides individually tailored, evidence-based approaches and strategies to assist clients in gaining a better understanding of themselves, their difficulties and developing effective ways to managing and responding to these. She primarily works within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Schema Therapy frameworks. These approaches empower clients to develop a greater understanding of their thoughts, feelings and actions, their impacts, and developing new and helpful ways of responding. Kate is currently on leave and will be returning in mid-2025.
Khiarn Raymond
Clinical Psychologist
BA Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical)
(she/her)
Khiarn is a passionate and thoughtful clinician who works with clients across the lifespan. She has clinical experience working with young people, adults and older adults with anxiety, panic, depression, difficult life changes, burnout grief and loss, addictions, perfectionism, ADHD, postnatal mental health, and trauma. Khiarn applies client-centred therapeutic approaches drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy. She is passionate about empowering her client’s with self-belief and curiosity, to help grow client’s understanding of self, and build their skills to cope, overcome and thrive. Khiarn completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Australian Catholic University and is endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist. Khiarn has worked across a variety of private practice settings (both adult and child) and for an adult psychiatric hospital in Sydney providing individual and group therapy for people struggling with substance abuse, personality and mood disorders. Khiarn works at the North Sydney Clinic on Monday to Wednesday and Friday afternoon.
Duncan Rose
Clinical Psychologist
BA (Hons), GradDip Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical), MACPA
(he/him)
Duncan is a clinically trained psychologist with experience working with clients across the lifespan. Duncan has experience working in both private and public sector roles, including private hospitals, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and Adult Community Mental Health Services. Duncan works from a developmental and relational focussed framework which recognises that how we feel and how we think about ourselves has a lot to do with our life experiences, and in particular our experience of being with others. Using a range of therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Focussed Therapies (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Trauma-Focussed CBT), Family Therapy, and Circle of Security, treatment is tailored to the individual needs of each client. Duncan is experienced in working with a range of presentations including: anxiety (separation anxiety, panic, phobias, social and performance anxiety, perfectionism, and generalised anxiety or excessive worry); trauma, ranging from single incident traumas to complex repeated traumas starting in childhood; depression and low self-esteem; grief and loss, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Duncan also works with children and families experiencing parent-child relationship difficulties as well as childhood onset disorders including ADHD, High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. In additional to clinical work, Duncan is a published researcher in the field of psychological wellbeing after experiencing cancer. Duncan works at the North Sydney Clinic every Tuesday through to Friday, and every second Saturday.
Joelle Kinsella
Clinical Psychologist
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
(she/her)
Joelle is a warm and collaborative psychologist who is passionate about supporting and improving young people’s mental health. She has specialised in Educational and Developmental Psychology and has over 15 years experience working with children, young people and parents. She has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young people as they navigate childhood, adolescence and beyond. Joelle completed her Bachelor degree with University College Dublin, Ireland and her Master’s degree with Monash University, Melbourne. She works from a strengths-based perspective drawing on her clients’ individual abilities to help empower them to make positive changes in their lives. She has worked in the public and independent school systems, at both primary and secondary level, in London, Melbourne and Sydney. Joelle works with children and young people facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, loss, academic stress, perfectionism, relationship difficulties and, social and emotional difficulties. Joelle has also worked at CanTeen evaluating the effectiveness of therapy to support young people who have a parent with cancer. Joelle works from a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing and Schema Therapy. She also has extensive experience conducting cognitive and academic assessments, using standardised tools to help identify any barriers to educational development and academic progress. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA). Joelle works at North Sydney on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Lara Guberman
Clinical Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical), IARPP
(she/her)
Lara has a warm and curious manner as a therapist and aims to create a collaborative relationship with clients, because she believes they are the agents of their own change. Lara uses an integrative model of therapy drawing on evidenced based treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT [looking at our thoughts and behaviours]) and Mindfulness-based therapy (how we feel in the present), in combination with psychodynamic psychotherapy (thinking about our unconscious needs and desires). Lara realises that there is no one size fits all treatment model and therefore adapts her way of working to the individual. Lara’s core therapeutic principles are rooted in existential philosophy, attachment theory and trauma informed models of care. Lara is a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement. She holds a Master of Clinical Psychology and Honours degree in Psychology from Macquarie University. Lara is a member of IARPP and is also a work cover accredited psychologist. Lara sees clients at the North Sydney Clinic on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Andrew Sedger
Clinical Psychologist Registrar
M Clin Psych, M Env Law, BSocSc Psych (Hons), MAPS
(he/him)
Andrew is a mature and motivated psychologist who brings a warm, curious, and calm approach to his work with adults, children, and parents. He draws on evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and narrative therapy to deliver personalised psychological support to each client. He is energised by helping people flourish in work, school, and life. Andrew trained at the Western Sydney University Psychology Clinic, the Royal North Shore Hospital and a private Sydney paediatric clinic. He has experience helping people overcome difficulties with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, work problems, burnout, self-harm, chronic pain, ADHD, ASD and learning difficulties. As a second-career psychologist, Andrew is comfortable engaging with people from all walks of life. Before specialising in psychology, Andrew worked as a communication consultant, helping clients understand, solve, and explain complex issues. Andrew has a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Clinical Psychology and is currently completing a Clinical Psychology registrar program. Andrew also has qualifications in environmental science and law. Andrew works Monday to Wednesday at the North Sydney practice.
Imogen Abba
Clinical Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical), MACPA
(she/her)
Imogen is a warm and open clinical psychologist who works with adolescents, teenagers, and adults. She supports clients to find meaningful change in their lives by enhancing their emotional wellbeing and building resilience in the face of life’s difficulties. During therapy, clients are empowered to better understand what causes and maintains their concerns, and supported to develop the skills to manage them with confidence. Imogen takes a person-focused and flexible treatment approach to fit the needs of each client. She primarily works within the frameworks of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). These are used in the treatment and management of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, life adjustment difficulties, body image concerns, relationship difficulties, sleep issues, social skills difficulties, and study stress. Imogen also supports those with ADHD and Autism, as well as members of the LGBTQI+ community, to manage the specific challenges that face them. Imogen is a clinical psychologist with a Master of Clinical Psychology. She is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) and an associate member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA). Imogen sees clients at the North Sydney Clinic on Mondays and Fridays. In-person and Telehealth options are available.
Simone Chartres
Clinical Psychologist
B Sci (Psych), PG Dip (Psych),M Psych (Clinical)
(she/her)
Simone is a warm and enthusiastic clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with clients across the lifespan. Simone completed her Master in Clinical Psychology at Charles Sturt University and has practiced as a clinical psychologist in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, and schools. Simone is passionate about working collaboratively with adolescents and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, substance dependence, relationship and family difficulties, and perinatal mental health issues. Simone also enjoys working with couples. Simone works with her clients, applying evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Schema Therapy. She ensures that clients develop greater self-awareness, as well as strategies for improving their lives and their relationships. Simone works Wednesday through to Friday at our North Sydney Clinic.
Dr Jasper Duineveld
Clinical Psychologist
BA Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical), PhD
(he/him)
Jasper is a warm, open, and compassionate clinical psychologist. He is curious about people’s life stories and motivations which can help clients gain a better understanding of themselves, their relationships, and their situation. His primary focus in therapy is to create a safe and supportive experience to collaboratively develop effective ways to manage and respond to life’s difficulties and help clients grow. Jasper works with adolescents and adults. He draws on several evidence-based therapeutic approaches depending on his client’s needs including Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness. He treats a range of difficulties including depression, anxiety, stress, life adjustment difficulties, trauma, grief/loss, relational difficulties, and parenting. Jasper has a Masters in Clinical Psychology and is endorsed as a clinical psychologist. He has experience working in hospital, clinics, and private practice settings. In addition to clinical work, Jasper has ongoing involvement with a team of international researchers and has published several peer-reviewed research articles in the areas of motivation, parenting, mindfulness, and general well-being. Jasper can conduct sessions in either English or Dutch and works at the North Sydney Clinic on Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday.
Dr Zoë Wheeler
Registered Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), MSc (Health Psych), PG Dip (Prof Psych), PhD (Dev Psych)
(she/her)
Zoë is a Registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and has a Masters and PhD in Psychology from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. Zoë is passionate about working with parents, teenagers and young adults. In addition to private practice, she has worked in both high schools and primary schools as a School Counselor, in inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and has lectured in Early Childhood at Macquarie University. Zoë has also worked with disadvantaged adolescents and in early intervention supporting families with a child on the Autism Spectrum. At the Mind Clinic, Zoë conducts intellectual (IQ), educational and ADHD assessments, in addition to assessing school readiness. Zoë also has extensive experience treating young people, adolescents and families for behaviour change and mood difficulties, and believes in fostering a strong therapeutic alliance with an empathic, emotion focused approach. Zoë conducts assessments in Rozelle on Thursdays and sees families and clients on Fridays in North Sydney.
Dr Frances Gibson
Educational and Developmental Psychologist, Psychometric Consultant
BSc AppPsychol, MA Coun, PhD
(she/her)
Frances Gibson has over 35 years of professional experience in psychological practice, research, teaching and supervision. She is endorsed for practice in both Educational and Developmental and Counselling Psychology and was the recipient of the 2013 Award of Distinction from the College of Educational and Developmental Psychology. Her practice areas have focused on psychological diagnostic assessment regarding developmental and behavioural difficulties and disorders, as well as giftedness, in young children and learning disabilities in school aged children and adults. For the past six years Frances has supervised Master of Clinical Psychology students in Psychometric Assessment at University of Sydney, as well as, working as a private practitioner. As such, Frances values providing clients with detailed, interpretative assessment reports that are inclusive of individualised recommendations. Frances works as an advisor on all child and adult Psychometric Assessments undertaken at The Mind Clinic.
