Our Therapy and Assessment Team

Mikaela Grant | Director & Psychotherapist

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

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo (Not taking new clients)

I work from a person centred 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 presentations, chronic pain, and somatic disturbances across the developmental life span.

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), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), 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.

My favourite part of my role is... having the privilege of walking alongside clients to navigate and make meaning out of the complex and layered narratives about their lives. I also love that I get to come to work everyday with the incredible team of people Care For Your Mind would not be possible without to ensure everyone who walks through our door is welcomed, feels heard and deeply understood.

When I am not at work you will find me... spending time with my family and friends, hanging out at my local coffee shop, walking, running or spending time cuddling my cats with a good book.

Mikaela works with clients ages 10+

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

Helen Vickers | Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Clinical Family Therapist

Hi – I’m Helen (she/her).

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo + Castlemaine

I am an accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Family Therapist who specialises in helping families heal and reconnect after relational trauma.

My sessions are filled with warmth, humour and authenticity. I take a non-judgmental and collaborative approach to create a safe therapeutic space.

Over the last 15 years, I have worked in the not-for-profit sector supporting children and their families who have experienced trauma, grief and disconnection. I have a strong interest in intergenerational trauma and supporting people to process their experiences and move on with compassion and hope for themselves and others.

I have additional training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

My favourite part of my role is...I love going on a journey with people and seeing the change in the narrative that they tell about themselves and their place in their world. It’s very satisfying seeing people connecting with what is important to them, and then learning to show up in their relationships as their lovable, authentic selves and feel a sense of belonging, safety and peace.

When I am not at work you will find me... filling my cup at live music, musical theatre or comedy gigs, or pottering in my garden with Latte and Ted, my two Golden Retrievers.

Helen works with clients ages 12+

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

Kayla Parry | Psychologist

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

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo

I am a dedicated psychologist committed to providing a safe, warm, and inviting environment. I am passionate about fostering strong therapeutic relationships to help clients achieve their individual needs and enhance their overall mental well-being.

I have experience working across the developmental lifespan within the private sector, addressing a wide range of presentations, including, but not limited to, trauma, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, and life transitions. My approach is client-centred, adapting various therapeutic modalities to meet the unique needs of each individual.

My passions extend to using comprehensive assessments to help clients understand how they individually think, learn, feel, and behave. This includes cognitive and developmental assessments, as well as ADHD and adult autism assessments.

My favourite part of my role is... giving people a space within this world where they can be seen, heard and held to explore and celebrate themselves. To provide words and understanding to experiences and responses. All while exploring the complexities of the human experience! I love exploring passion and each individuals own pieces of the puzzle that goes together to make up who they are as a human being.

When I am not at work you will find me... going on "adventures" with my partner and children even if that's to the supermarket, reading, learning something new, or potentially sleeping.

Kayla works with clients ages 10+

I hold general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Psychologists Board of Australia.

Anna Robb | Art Therapist

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.

My favourite part of my role is...that I get to art with many different people, who all bring their own ideas, creativity, experiences and stories to the room. I feel privileged to witness the moment of insight or self-understanding, when a person finds their inner resources and steps into a deeper understanding of their strengths, hope and positive sense of self, often without words and through their artmaking. I feel honoured to journey alongside people as they explore their experiences, discover their strengths, and deepen their self-understanding.

When I am not at work you will find me... going for walks in the bush, hanging out with family, friends and my dog, eating good food, reading and making art.

Anna works with clients ages 5+

I hold registration with the The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA).

Steph Jackson | Psychotherapist

Hi - I’m Steph (she/her).

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo + Castlemaine

I am a registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist.

I have a passion for person centered counselling, rooted in empathy, authenticity, delicate attention and care.

I aim to gently hold and support clients, attentively tending to a co-created space of safety through empathic listening and attunement. It is an honour for me to journey alongside others and I love offering a warm, non-judgmental presence for clients to just be as they are with no pressure or expectations.

My favourite part of my role is... I love exploring the expansiveness of life with other people and feel incredibly lucky that I get to be so close to someone else’s experience of the world. I enjoy creating safe spaces together where a person can just be themselves without pressure or expectations. Life is very challenging as it is, so I love these moments where purely existing and being exactly as we are is welcome, allowed and enough.

When I am not at work you will find me... getting lost in the garden, swimming in any body of water, doing yin yoga, reading, painting/sewing (any creative hobby I can try), relaxing, listening to music while drinking coffee and cuddling my cat and my dog 1000+ times a day.

Steph works with clients ages 5+

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

Katrina Alford | Provisional Psychologist

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.

My favourite part of my role is... I enjoy creating a safe space for people and watching/being a part of peoples growth. I also love that every day is different and I never know what I'm going to get when working with children and young people, whether it be a dancing battle, UNO, or simply a place for clients to connect.

When I am not at work you will find me...in the winter you will find me snowboarding on my days off or playing footy. In the summer I am typically doing something with my dogs, whether it is paddleboarding with them or lounging around waiting for snow season to start

Kat works with clients ages 3+

I hold provisional registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Psychologists Board of Australia.

Chloe Byrne | Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

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

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo

I am an accredited Mental Health Social Worker with experience in youth mental health, working with a range of presentations including depression, anxiety, PTSD, CPTSD, OCD, personality disorders, eating disorders, interpersonal difficulties, poor self-esteem, grief and loss, substance misuse, Autism and ADHD.

I have specific interest in treatment of PTSD and CPTSD, supporting individuals to regain agency and self-actualisation in their lives following traumatic experiences.

With consideration to individual needs, I draw on a range of evidence-based interventions including psychoeducation, behavioural activation, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure and Response Prevention, Narrative Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Chloe works with clients ages 12+

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

Irene Pearson | Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

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

Clinic Location Availability - Bendigo

Not taking new clients - on maternity leave until May 2026

I am a trauma-informed AASW Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over a decade of experience in mental health, child and family services, and higher education. I specialise in complex trauma, abuse, family dysfunction, mood disorders, grief, and relational difficulties, particularly with high-conflict couples. I have held leadership roles in federally funded public health programs, coordinating national suicide prevention and post-intervention services, and supporting professionals to deliver evidence-based mental health care.

I provide a therapeutic environment grounded in empathy, unconditional acceptance, and clinical integrity. I value genuine connection and respect each person’s autonomy and unique experience, with a clear understanding of how trauma affects agency, emotional regulation, and relationships.

My approach is informed by current evidence-based best practice and tailored to each person’s unique needs and strengths. I integrate cognitive and behavioural therapies, psychodynamic and relational approaches, experiential and emotion-focused models, attachment-informed frameworks, mindfulness-based interventions, and strengths-based perspectives. I also incorporate psychoeducation to support insight, skill development, and collaborative treatment planning.

My favourite part of my role is... walking alongside others during life’s most difficult moments, offering a steady presence, compassion, and hope. I find it incredibly rewarding to support people in making meaning of their circumstances and to witness them feel seen, validated, and cared for - reminded that healing and possibility remain within reach, even when their world feels overwhelming.

When I am not at work you will find me... I enjoy time with my family in our busy household and caring for our aquarium. I recharge by gardening, spending time outdoors whenever possible, and relaxing at home with our furry family members.

Irene works with clients ages 10+

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

Lucy Townsend | Intake & Client Support Coordinator

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 is as supportive as possible.

My favourite part of my role is...I love being able to help people and provide a warm and comforting space when people walk through the door.

When I am not at work you will find me... at pilates or enjoying time with my friends, family and cat Lui.

Latte | Emotional Support Dog

Hi - I’m Latte (She/Her)

I am in the office most days with Helen.

I like to describe myself as a gentle and calming presence, though I am known to snore to keep my energy levels topped up.

I get very excited each morning to come into work, and I am often seen trotting into my office with Helen ready to snooze.

One of my superpowers is picking up on people's emotions and knowing when they need support and reassurance.