Our Therapy and Assessment Team

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Hi - I'm Mikaela (she/her).

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo (Not taking new clients)

I am the founder and director of Care For Your Mind.  

I work from an interpersonal and trauma informed framework to ensure collaborative client-therapist practice. 

I enjoy working with clients who have complex presentations, and have varied experience working with trauma and dissociative related disorders, chronic pain, and somatic disturbances across the developmental life span. 

I also enjoy and have experience working with LGBTQIA+ community, first nations folk and neurodivergent clients. 

Previously, I have worked in the not for profit and private sector as a Psychotherapist working in both acute crisis settings, in addition to providing ongoing therapeutic counselling. I have also worked in short term residential trauma treatment with children, young people and their families where in clinic models of care have been ineffective in the treatment of trauma. 

I have additional training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) , Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment focused psychotherapy and sensorimotor interventions, although I draw from varied modalities based on what is presenting for you to meet you where you are at. 

I believe in the strength of the therapeutic relationship being the driver of longitudinal change, and believe that meaningful change occurs through long-term engagement in therapy to truly make a difference in how one orientates in the world. 

When I am not in the clinic, you will often find me teaching the next generation of counsellors and psychotherapists. 

I hold clinical registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).  

Hi - I'm Michelle (she/her). 

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo 

I’m an art therapist and social worker. My area of interest is in the space of trauma, using art making and other expressive outlets, including movement, music and creative writing to support recovery.

I have experience working with individuals and groups across the developmental life span. My clinical approach is influenced by feminist theory, client-centered approaches, and strength-based frameworks.

I have an interest in childhood and lifespan development, attachment, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+ issues, diverse experiences of disability, and abuse/trauma care and recovery. 

I provide counselling and the delivery of focussed psychosocial and psychological interventions to children, young people, their families and adults. This includes individual counselling, dyad (parent/child) counselling and therapeutic group work.

I believe that you are the expert in your healing journey. Though, we can always use someone to walk beside us, at least some of the way.

I hold registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). 

Hi - I'm Irene (she/her).  

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo 

I’m an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), with over a decade of experience across mental health, statutory child and family services, and higher education. Over the years, I’ve held leadership roles within federally funded public health organisations, where I coordinated national suicide prevention, intervention, and post-intervention services, and supported healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.

My practice is tailored to your needs and focused on enhancing your wellbeing. I provide a compassionate, safe space where you can speak openly, explore what matters most, and move at your own pace. With a gentle yet focused approach, I integrate evidenced-based therapies and personalised support to help you build insight, resilience, and meaningful change.

I work across the lifespan, with a particular focus on supporting adolescents, adults, couples, and families with a range of life challenges, including relationship issues, trauma, grief, emotional overwhelm, work issues and major transitions or identity shifts.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to helping people deepen their self-understanding, heal from emotional wounds, and build more authentic and fulfilling relationships—with themselves and with others.

I hold a Bachelor of Management, a Master of Social Science, and a Master of Social Work. 

Hi - I'm Anna (she/her).

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo 

I am a registered Art Therapist. I have worked as an educator and as a therapeutic art facilitator for over 20 years, working in varied community, clinical and educational settings. 

My love of working as an art teacher and community worker led me to completing my Masters of Art Therapy. 

My work is trauma informed and person centred. This means I work in ways to find out what is important to you and the range of skills and knowledge you have in tackling problems. I collaborate with people, using art materials and processes, to build upon this experience and what you hold precious in your life. 

I work with a range of approaches including body focussed and trauma informed practices. 

Hi - I'm Katrina or Kat (she/her).  

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo + Castlemaine (Assessments only)

I am a provisional psychologist in my final year of training to become a registered psychologist. I completed my Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at La Trobe University and my Master of Professional Psychology at the Institute of Social Neuroscience.

I enjoy all areas of psychology; however, I have a particular interest in conducting cognitive and learning assessments for children and young people. 

Hi - I’m Lucy (she/her). 

I am the Intake & Client Support Coordinator here at Care For Your Mind. 

I have completed a double degree in Psychology and Criminology, in addition to previously working as a disability support worker with complex client presentations to provide support in relation to socialisation, engagement, and implementing recommendations from allied health professionals to support clients to engage more meaningfully in everyday life. 

I am your first point of contact when you reach out to our clinic and I am here to help you with any questions you may have to ensure the therapeutic process can be as supportive as possible. 

I conduct initial intake and/or developmental history appointments to ensure that you are placed with the therapist who is the best fit for you.