Our Approach

Clinical & Forensic Psychologist

M. Psych (Forensic), B. Psych (Honours)

 Gina Lattas is a Clinical & Forensic Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor for Psychologists and Forensic Registrars with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA).

 Gina tailors her treatment to each individual client and uses modalities of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, the Good Lives Model and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy depending on her client's unique presentation. Her professional interests include assessments for Family Court, complex mental health assessments, complex forensic risk assessments, developing and implementing specialist 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 committee member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Central Coast branch, 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).

 Clinical & 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. 

Clinical & Forensic Psychologist

M. Psych (Forensic), B. Psych (Honours)

Kristen is a Clinical & Forensic Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor for Psychologists and Forensic Registrars with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). 

Kristen uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), 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. 

Clinical Psychologist 

B. Psych (Hons), B. A., M. Psych (Clin)  

Sam began his career conducting comprehensive family assessments for Child and Youth Protective Services in the ACT, and has since expanded his practice to include Mental Health Assessments and Single Expert Reports in family law and child protection matters across multiple jurisdictions. Therapeutically, he has worked across a diverse range of settings, including with people who have offended, separated parents, first responders requiring psychological first aid, and trauma survivors. His work also incorporates innovative therapeutic approaches that combine complementary lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, with evidence-based trauma therapies to support recovery. 

From a research perspective, Sam has a particular interest in the relationship between mental health and empathic functioning. More recently, his interests have focused on the psychobiological impact of trauma on developing children, as well as identifying personality characteristics associated with coercive control and intimate partner violence. Sam also has experience conducting pre-sentence reports, risk assessments, and mental health assessments in criminal matters. In the medico-legal sphere, he has provided plaintiff assessment reports for personal injury matters involving medical negligence and workplace injuries for more than 15 years.

Currently completing postgraduate studies in Forensic Psychology towards prospective forensic endorsement, Sam is also a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, ANZAPPL, and Pacifica Congress. These memberships reflect his ongoing commitment to remaining current with research and best practice in the assessment of people who have offended, as well as children, adults, and families.

 Clinical & Forensic Psychologist

M. Psych (Forensic),  B.Sc. Psych (Honours)
 

Sarah is a Clinical & 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). 

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. 

  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.

Behaviour Support Practitioner

B.A. Psych, M. Counselling, Grad.Dip.Psych. (Advanced) , M. Psychology (Health) 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. 

Behaviour Support Practitioner 

& Practice Manager 

BA. (Env. Man. & Anth.), Grad. Cert. Env. Man. & Sust.

Ryan Meader is a Behaviour Support Practitioner and the Practice Manager at Coastal Forensic Psychology. Ryan is passionate about the outdoors and health and has established a charity program that supports wellbeing by connecting people to nature through activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and surfing. He studied Environmental Management and Anthropology at Macquarie University and post-graduate environmental studies at Newcastle University, has completed the Engaging in Positive Behaviour Support Practices Course (Monash) and holds a Cert IV in Outdoor Leadership.

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. 

Behaviour Support Practitioner 

B. Psych (In progress)

Emma is completing her Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Criminology, advancing through the final stages of both degrees and building strong foundational expertise in behavioural science and forensic practice. She is a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner (core), providing person-centred and evidence-based support across diverse client needs.

Emma has experience in both community and forensic settings. As a Behaviour Support Practitioner, she works with individuals presenting with complex behaviours and varied psychosocial needs. Emma has also completed the Engaging in Positive Behaviour Support Practices Course at Monash University

Emma takes a collaborative, strengths-focused approach, supporting clients to build skills, increase independence, and work toward meaningful personal goals. She remains committed to ongoing professional development as she prepares to undertake a Master of Psychology (Forensic).

Admin/Client Support
 

 Corinne is the admin support at Coastal Forensic Psychology and has a background in dermatology medical reception. After living in The Netherlands for four years, she developed a love for travelling, different cultures and experiences. Corinne enjoys walking her dog, Winston, and enjoys the outdoors for her wellbeing. In her free time, she practices Pilates, enjoys cooking and hosting dinners with friends