Cherished Minds Practitioners

Kellie has been working in the field for over 19 years and has a strong background in working with youth and their families to provide comprehensive and individualised support in areas including anger management, anxiety, parent support, learning and cognition, depression and neurodevelopmental assessment. She has an extensive background in implementing early intervention programs for children with developmental delays such as Autism and has a special interest in working with children who have more complex learning needs.

Kellie created Cherished Minds from a strong value system and desire to provide a safe and happy place for clients and their families to talk about their struggles, share their successes and learn how to improve their overall health and well-being through creating long lasting change in their lives.

Kristy is a registered psychologist with 19 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and adults providing short-term therapy, support, consultation and specialist assessments.

Kristy has worked as a psychologist in Australia and the United Kingdom and has enjoyed working with patients of different ages and backgrounds. She has a broad range of experience and expertise in a variety of settings and has worked with a wide range of clinical presentations. These include anxiety, depression, risk management, interpersonal issues, anger and aggression, neurodevelopmental assessment and parenting support.

Kristy has a particular passion for helping those who find it hard to access formal therapy and believes that everyone has a right to feel heard.

Jelena speaks four languages including English, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian and she arrived as a refugee with her family back in 1999.  

Jelena’s passion since the beginning of her career has been developmental and educational psychology. Jelena has extensive experience in early intervention and assessment. Jelena has facilitated paediatrics clinics in partnership with NSW area Health across Liverpool, Bankstown, Campbelltown and Alexandria areas for over 6 years.

In her work with Cherished minds clinic, she works with children, young people and parents, with special interest in trauma and assessment and management of ADHD. In particular Jelena’s interest lies in working with parents dealing with anxiety or stress surrounding raising a family, particularly one with an additional needs child. She is experienced in working with parents who have ADHD, depression and anxiety and at the same time are parenting a child with special needs, in particular children with autism, ADHD and mood disorders.

Jelena completed her Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Western Sydney, followed by Diploma in Applied Psychology postgraduate degree at Macquarie University.

 In 2016 she completed Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (lecturer, University of New York, Prague) focusing on Theoretical and Clinical Psychoanalysis. Jelena’s style of therapy is kind but firm, meaning that expectations and goals are clear, with great support towards the client to reach their potential.

Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of Newcastle
Diploma of Applied Hypnosis, College of Medical Hypnosis

Anil has 27 years’ experience as a psychologist. He completed his psychology degree from the University of Newcastle. Anil has experience working in NSW Health in both Mental Health and Community Health. In the Community Health setting, Anil worked in Child and Family teams and has much experience and a special interest in this area of psychology.

While he works in a thoroughly professional and ethical manner, he engages well with clients and is quick to develop rapport and establish a connection with people that enhances the therapy process.

Anil is a popular psychologist amongst his peers and his warm nature and sense of humour make him the perfect choice as a counsellor. He understands very well the experiences people have on their journey through life and he can help add clarity to situations based not only on evidence-based theory, but through practical experience as well.

Bachelor of Psychology, University of Western Sydney

Victoria is a warm and empathetic clinician with a strong passion in working with children of all ages, supporting them with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. She has experience working in clinic settings as well as in numerous schools across Sydney, in a way that is evidence-based yet also tailored to the individual. Victoria also has extensive experience in administering psychometric assessments and facilitating group programs for social skills (3+ years) and anxiety management.

Victoria has a special interest in early intervention, working with children with developmental delays such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is trained in ABA therapy and is able to guide parents with strategies to achieving expected milestones in learning, behaviour and play. She is skilled in working with varying levels of expressive language including non-verbal children, and is able to support development in functional communication.

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Western Sydney University
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) – Monash University

Nikki has experience counselling clients with a range of presentations such as anxiety, depression, social skills difficulties, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioural difficulties, and relationship difficulties. Nikki is experienced with assessments including cognitive assessments (i.e., WISC, WPPSI) and academic assessments (i.e., WIAT). She also has an interest in the assessment of ADHD.

Nikki is experienced in providing cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to clients with depression and anxiety. She enjoys using techniques such as thought-challenging and exposure stepladders to help people with these difficulties. She is also trained in the Cool Kids anxiety program and runs this as a group or individualised program.

Nikki has a particular interest in ADHD and enjoys helping families of a person with ADHD. Nikki uses her knowledge about ADHD to inform families of the different ways that ADHD minds work, accommodations that can be provided at school, and strategies that can be used in the home.

Nikki enjoys working with children, teens, and young adults. She prides herself on her warm, friendly nature and takes time to properly get to know her clients and their parents. Nikki enjoys listening to her clients and empowering them to reach their goals through creative and evidence-based techniques.

Bachelor of Psychology, University of Western Sydney

Graduate Diploma in Relationship Counselling, Australian Institute of Relationship Studies

Yen is a highly skilled and compassionate psychologist with a broad range of experience and expertise in various settings. With a commitment to providing exceptional care, she has worked with individuals across diverse clinical presentations, including anxiety, depression, interpersonal issues, anger, and aggression. Fluent in Vietnamese, she is able to provide counselling services in both English and Vietnamese, ensuring effective communication and cultural sensitivity.

One of Yen’s passions lies in working with children who face challenges related to anxiety and behavioural difficulties. Her experience in this area has equipped her with a deep understanding of how to effectively collaborate with parents. In her practice, Yen has successfully counselled children dealing with a wide range of presentations. She has helped children and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, social skills difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, anger management problems, behavioural issues, and relationship difficulties. Driven by her commitment to comprehensive care, she goes beyond counselling, offering a range of cognitive and academic assessments.

Yen also offers adult psychological counselling services focusing on managing depression and anxiety. Her passion for helping individuals navigate these challenges is evident in her empathetic and personalized approach, which empowers clients to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.”

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science

Coco is bilingual in English and Mandarin, enabling her to effectively connect with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

She is passionate about assisting children, adolescents, and young adults navigating challenges such as anxiety including selective mutism, depression, emotional dysregulation, and social skills difficulties. Coco empowers her clients to understand and manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours through compassionate, person-centred care that respects each individual’s unique journey. Drawing from a wealth of knowledge and life experiences, she is committed to guiding young individuals through their personal journeys with empathy and understanding.

Coco continually enhances her expertise through ongoing supervision and professional development. She is committed to employing evidence-based assessments and interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to help young people and their families improve their mental well-being and achieve positive outcomes in life.

Bachelor of Arts Psychology
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology
Master of Professional Psychology
Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy

Jessica’s experience includes working with Children and Young People, in foster care, residential care, new mothers in residential care and with parents of Children and Young People to assist with therapy outcomes.

Using a variety of therapeutic evidence-based modalities, Jessica has worked with complex adolescent trauma from a trauma-informed-care approach; in particular those from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. Furthermore, she has provided positive behaviour support for Children and Young People presenting with challenging behaviours, short-term primary intervention for depression and anxiety, and psychoeducation groups to Children, Young People and mothers.

Working and advocating with the Young Persons system such as their family, school or other practitioners is something Jessica is passionate about and believes to be an essential part of therapy.