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
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
M. Psych (Forensic), B. Psych (Honours)
Gina Lattas is a Clinical & Forensic Psychologist and 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.
Sarah Brann
Forensic Psychologist
M. Psych (Forensic), B.Sc. Psych (Honours)
Sarah is a Forensic Psychologist and Forensically Endorsed Board Approved Supervisor with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Sarah is available for face-to-face and video-based appointments.
Sarah is skilled in conducting a range of forensic risk assessments, and has expertise writing psychological reports to inform various courts and bodies in civil and criminal matters. She also develops NDIS Behaviour Support Plans (BSP) for a range of complex behaviours. Sarah specialises in assessment and treatment of violent and sexually harmful behaviour, trauma, substance abuse and mental health issues.
Sarah utilises a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Schema Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
Sarah is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS), a Fellow of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists (FCFP), a Member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL) and the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse (ANZATSA). She is an Associate Member with the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
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.
Megan also provides EMDR.
Kate O’Sullivan
Behaviour Support Practitioner
M. ClinNeuropsych (in progress), B. Psych (Honours)
Kate graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - First Class, in 2023, and is currently undertaking a Master of Clinical Neuropsychology.
Kate is a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner (core). Kate has a keen interest in working with people with acquired brain injuries, dementias, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Kate has a diverse working history including tutoring students with learning and neurodevelopmental disorders, working with children and their families who are in the foster care system, and providing in-home and community support to individuals with Acquired Brain Injuries. Kate employs a person-centred approach to empower individuals to live their best life, whatever this may mean for them.
Kate holds numerous certificates and short courses including a Statement of Attainment in Identify and Respond to Children and Young People at Risk, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training, Mental Health First Aid and Safety intervention Training. Kate has recently applied for her Provisional Psychology Registration through AHPRA.
Tom Merchant
Psychologist
Grad. Dip. Psych. Adv., Grad. Dip. Rehab. Couns., B. Arts (Psych)
Tom is a Registered Psychologist. Tom has experience supporting people in various therapeutic settings, including vocational/rehabilitation settings, school, out-of-home-care and other community organisations.
Tom draws on a number of evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused therapy and trauma-informed care to support individuals in a kind and accepting manner.
Tom has worked with clients right across the lifespan and with various presenting needs, such as mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, drug and alcohol issues, behavioural challenges, grief and loss and vocational counselling. He is experienced in psychological assessment and report writing within a range of contexts.
Elenja O'Neill
Behaviour Support Practitioner & Counsellor
B.A. Psych, M. Counselling, Grad.Dip.Psych. (Advanced) (in progress)
Elenja has a Master of Counselling and is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). Elenja is offering Positive Behaviour Support and counselling to NDIS participants, and draws on her person-centered and strengths-based counselling skills to best support her clients.
Elenja has a range of professional interests including working with children, young families, neurodiverse individuals, and those living with disability. Additionally, Elenja has a keen interest in perinatal mental health, with an ongoing passion for working with mothers and babies. Elenja's practice is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care, ensuring her clients’ unique life experiences are acknowledged throughout the behaviour support and counselling processes.
Elenja uses principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and mindfulness in her approach, and provides a warm and non-judgmental environment for her clients. Additionally, Elenja utilises her love of the arts in her therapeutic work, understanding the positive roles music and movement can have in behaviour support.
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
We're partnered with It's Sunny Somewhere
It's Sunny Somewhere provides 1:1 and group skill development sessions and guided outdoor activities. If interested, check out more details on the link below.
Everyone Welcome
