Our Team
Our Mission
Experience and Professionalism
Experience and Professionalism
Our psychologists are committed to providing best-practice, evidence-based rehabilitative treatment and assessments to enrich the lives of our clients, strengthen community ties and reduce antisocial behaviours.
Experience and Professionalism
Experience and Professionalism
Experience and Professionalism
Our experienced psychologists provide a nonjudgmental space for clients to work through obstacles to their goals and make positive change.
We welcome all clients.
Philosophy
Experience and Professionalism
Philosophy
Our work is guided by the principles of the Good Lives Model and Risk-Needs-Responsivity Model. We are committed to upholding the ethical standards of our profession and treating each client with dignity and respect.
Gina Lattas
Forensic Psychologist
M. Psych (Forensic), B. Psych (Honours)
Gina Lattas is a Forensic Psychologist and Forensically Endorsed Board Approved Supervisor for Psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA).
Gina uses principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, the Good Lives Model and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in her treatment. Her professional interests include mental health assessments, risk assessments, developing and implementing behaviour support plans for people with complex needs, as well as psychological interventions for the treatment of complex trauma, challenging behaviours, substance use and aggression.
Gina is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), a Fellow of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists, a Member of the Australia New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse (ANZATSA) and a Member of the Australian & New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL).
Kristen Titchener
Forensic Psychologist
M. Psych (Forensic), B. Psych (Honours)
Kristen is a Forensic Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor for Psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). Kristen uses principles of Cognitive behavioural therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialetical Behaviour therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in her treatment approach. Kristen has experience working with both adults and adolescents, including those involved in the criminal justice system. Areas of interest include substance use, disability, complex trauma, offending behaviour, anger and aggression, relationship problems and depression and anxiety.
Kristen has particular experience in working with NDIS participants who have complex support needs. This includes providing therapeutic intervention, developing and implementing behaviour support plans and delivering training to staff working with participants of the NDIS.
Catherine Stipis
Forensic Psychologist
M. Psych (Forensic), B. Psych
Catherine has experience in assessing highly complex forensic and clinical presentations in inpatient, custodial and community settings. She has worked with clients from multicultural backgrounds and across the lifespan. Catherine is skilled at engaging and assessing clients with varying intellectual disabilities, personality disorders, substance abuse and mild, moderate, and severe psychiatric disorders. She is trained and experienced in conducting risk assessments for general recidivism, physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, lone-actor terrorism, and fire-setting.
Her professional expertise is in conducting Psychological and Forensic Assessments. She is warm, open and non-judgmental in her approach to ensure she gets the most from each client during the assessment process.
Catherine is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Fellow of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists.
Dr Christopher Lennings
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
PhD. Psych, M. Psych (Clinical), B. Psych (Honours), D. Clinical Hypnosis
Dr Christopher J. Lennings is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. Clinical interests include risk assessment in civil and criminal matters, the assessment of substance abuse, violent and sexually violent offenders, child protection and parenting assessments, and expert evidence.
He is a Fellow of the Clinical and Forensic Colleges of the Australian Psychology Society, a Member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law, and a Member of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sex Abusers. In 2013 he was awarded an OAM for his services to psychology and the community and in 2014 made a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society.
Carolyn Balnaves
Psychologist/ Organisational Psychologist
M. Psych (Applied), B. Sc. Psych (Honours)
Carolyn is a Psychologist/Organisational Psychologist who has been working with adults, adolescents, couples, families and workplaces for more than 20 years. She provides therapeutic intervention and support for people suffering from a range of mental health conditions including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use, grief and loss as well as those experiencing relationship and workplace issues. She also provides support for individuals and organisations in dealing with trauma, critical incidents, high stress, risk, adjustment and change.
Carolyn employs principles of CBT/ACT, DBT, Schema Therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing and mindfulness, and is also trained in EMDR. She is Medicare, Work Cover and Comcare accredited and is also able to provide mediation, training and coaching across a range of areas including resilience and wellbeing, communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, relationship building, leadership, study and work management.
Kyriann Coates
Psychologist
Grad. Dip. Psych, B. Sc&A-Psych, M. Clinical Psychology (in progress)
Kyriann is a Registered Psychologist currently completing a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults presenting with a range of mental health and behavioural concerns.
Kyriann uses principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy to inform her treatment and takes a collaborative approach including connecting with her client’s support systems to optimise therapeutic outcomes.
Kyriann has experience in developing behaviour support plans, conducting implementation of the plan with clients and providing staff training for those supporting participants on NDIS. Additionally, she has the capacity to conduct various psychological assessments and provide reports.
Kyriann has a particular interest in complex mental health, attachment, personality, trauma, aggression and anger in adults.
Samara Stark
Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
M. Psych (Clinical) awarded with Distinction, B. Arts (Psychology), Grad. Cert. Forensic Psychology, Grad. Dip. Education (Primary), Grad. Dip. Psychological Practice
Samara is a Psychologist (Clinical Registrar) and Board Approved Supervisor. She is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and an Associate Member of APS College of Clinical Psychologists. She has over 20 years of clinical intervention and assessment experience, working with children, young people, adults, and families. Samara has worked in education, private practice, acute mental health, and pain management settings, and held clinical lead roles. Samara is experienced in a range of mental health presentations, along with specialist knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Samara uses a variety of evidence-based approaches, informed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Samara adheres to the scientist-practitioner model, valuing the importance of continued learning. This allows her to bring the latest evidence-based knowledge and practices into the clinical setting.
Ariana Kenny
Psychologist
Post. Grad. Dip. Psych (Forensic), B.A. Psych
Ariana Kenny has a 22 year history of practice across a range of areas. With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Sydney University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Forensic), Ariana has worked across the justice system, Workers Compensation, NDIS, crisis intervention, drug and alcohol concerns, complex trauma, behavioural support, and treatment of a range of conditions from mood disorders, traumatic stress conditions, and addictions, to personality disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder.
Ariana uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. EMDR will be an additional therapeutic modality on offer soon.
Ariana focuses on people over the age of 16 for therapy, though provides support for all ages.
Megan Baker
Psychologist
B. Psych (Honours)
Megan is a Registered Psychologist with experience working with children adolescents and adults in private practice presenting with a range of mental health concerns. Megan also has experience working in the forensic space with adult male violent offenders.
Megan uses principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Megan believes in building a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients in a safe and warm environment to achieve the best outcomes. Megan has experience and capacity to provide psychological assessments, intervention and pre-sentence reports.
Megan has a special interest in violence and aggression, personality and psychological assessments. Megan is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Chad Henney
Behaviour Support Practitioner
M. Prof. Psych (in progress), Grad. Dip. Psych, B.A. (Media)
Chad Henney has a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and is completing a Master of Professional Psychology.
Chad is providing behaviour support to NDIS participants.
Chad has a broad range of professional interests including working in disability, neurodiversity and working with forensic populations.
Chad uses principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, and trauma-informed models of treatment.
Prior to studying psychology, Chad has a professional career of over a decade in broadcast television.
In addition to his work in psychology
Chad is a student member of the Australia Psychological Society (APS) and has been involved in various committees of the APS.
Sarah Dunn
Admin/Client Support
Dip. Counselling, Dip. Yoga Teacher Training and Post. Grad. Yoga Therapy
Sarah Dunn is the admin support for Coastal Forensic Psychology and is also a qualified Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist. It was during her many years working in the busy corporate world that Sarah found the benefits of yoga, particularly in managing the impacts of stress and burnout on the body. Sarah now teaches yoga and meditation classes across the Central Coast. She has a particular interest in managing stress, women’s health, and mental health.
Sharon Mason
Admin/Client Support
Sharon Mason is the admin support on Fridays for Coastal Forensic Psychology and has a history in hospital administration.
Sharon enjoys the benefits of the great outdoors for her internal and external wellbeing, and particularly, loves walking her dog.
Ryan Meader
Practice Manager
BA. (Env. Man. & Anth.), Grad. Cert. Env. Man. & Sust.
Ryan Meader is the practice manager of Coastal Forensic Psychology and the founder of It's Sunny Somewhere. Ryan studied environmental management and anthropology at university and has trained as an outdoor guide. He has set up a program on the Central Coast that aims to help people with their wellbeing by connecting them to nature through hikes, bike rides and surfing.
Ryan has an interest in the connection between health, wellbeing and outdoor activities.
Luna
Woof Woof
Luna enjoys meeting new people of all ages. She is friendly and welcomes everyone into the practice. She will sit with you while you wait for your appointment.
Join our team
Announcement
Exciting new partnership with It's Sunny Somewhere
We are currently developing some new outdoor programs on the Central Coast, check us out!
Everyone Welcome
