How do I book with a clinician?

Each practitioner manages their own bookings. You can visit their website directly from their profile above, or complete the enquiry form below and select the practitioner you’d like to contact.

Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?

You can generally see a psychologist privately without a referral. If you want to access a Medicare rebate, you may need a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. As each practitioner operates independently, please check their individual website or contact them directly for their referral and payment options.

What can a psychologist help with?

Our independent practitioners offer support across a range of areas, including relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress and neurodivergence. Explore the individual clinician profiles above to learn more about their areas of practice and find someone who may suit your needs.

How much does it cost to see a psychologist?

Each practitioner has their own fee, so appointment costs will vary. Please visit their individual website or contact them directly for current fees and payment information.

What days and times are appointments available?

Each practitioner manages their own schedule, so appointment days and times will vary. Please visit their individual website or contact them directly for current availability.

What happens after the two days, can we have follow-up sessions?

Yes. Follow-up sessions are available after your two-day intensive to help you consolidate and maintain the changes you have made.

We're not sure which option suits us — what do we do?

Get in touch and we can help you decide whether a two-day intensive or weekly couples therapy is the better fit for your situation.

Will the two days be too much for me or my partner?

The intensive is structured with breaks and paced to suit you as a couple, so the two days are manageable while still allowing time to go deep.

Is the two day intensive the same as the Art and Science of Love Workshop?

No. The two-day intensive is private couples therapy just for you and your partner, whereas the Art and Science of Love Workshop is an interactive group workshop.

Psychologists Maroochydore | Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic

Psychologist and Clinicians Sunshine Coast

Meet the Clinicians

Meet the independent psychologists and allied health practitioners consulting from Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic and Psychology Suites in Maroochydore.

Each practitioner operates independently and brings their own areas of experience and expertise. Explore our clinicians below to learn more about their services and connect directly with the practitioner who feels right for you.

We're Moving To A New Location

Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic and Psychology Suites is moving to a new location in the heart of Maroochydore.

For now, we’re still consulting from River Suites. During the transition, your clinician will keep you updated and let you know where your upcoming appointments will be held.

Psychologist and Clinicians Consulting Rooms Sunshine Coast

Who We Support

Our independent practitioners offer evidence-based assessment and treatment for couples experiencing relationship distress and individuals seeking support across a range of mental health concerns.

Couples & Relationships

Experiencing relationship distress

Individual Therapy

Support for a range of personal & psychological concerns

Mental Health Support

Trauma
Depression
Anxiety
Grief
Stress

ADHD and Autism

Assessment and diagnosis

Neuro-affirming Care

Supporting neurodivergent individuals

Our Clinicians & Professionals

Get to know the independent psychologists and professionals consulting from our Maroochydore clinic. Explore their areas of practice, experience and services to find a practitioner who suits your needs.

Madonna Hirning

Sunshine Coast Couples Clinic

Clinical Psychologist
Certified Gottman Couples Therapist

Madonna specialises in couples therapy, working with couples experiencing relationship distress, communication and conflict difficulties, infidelity, trauma and neurodiversity within relationships.

She offers:

Evidence-based Couples Therapy Intensives
Weekly couples therapy and online sessions

She is also an experienced presenter of the Gottman Art and Science of Love Workshop.

Madonna works with couples to develop more effective communication and conflict management skills, process painful events, and rebuild connection and intimacy. Individual psychological therapy for relationship issues is also available.

Website

Dr Carly Fay

Clinical Psychologist

Carly has extensive experience working with anxiety, cancer support, stress and burnout, grief and loss, chronic pain and health conditions.

She uses a range of evidence-based therapies including:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Compassion Focused Therapy
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
Schema Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

With a focus on simple, effective tools and strategies - and a generous dose of humour...Carly is passionate about helping people live fuller, more meaningful and courageous lives.

Website

Anna Overell

Clinical Psychologist

Anna works with a range of mental health presentations and has a particular interest in relationship & attachment difficulties, self-esteem, grief & loss, and perinatal mental health.

Anna has been trained in and draws upon, a range of evidence based therapies, including:

Psychodynamic therapy (Self Psychology)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Family Systems Therapies
Narrative Therapy
Mindfulness

Website

Dr Alex Short

Clinical Psychologist

Alex has training and experience in treating young people and adults with a variety of concerns including:

Depression
Anxiety
Post-traumatic Stress
Bipolar disorder
Eating disorders
ADHD
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Alcohol/substance use problems

His primary treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and he is trained in a number of other therapeutic modalities.

Alex tries to find the right balance between providing the most up to date evidence-based therapeutic techniques whilst also providing genuine care and compassion in a warm, safe, and relaxed therapeutic environment.

Website

Clinical Psychologist

Francesca Finelli

Francesca has extensive experience assessing and clinically treating a variety of psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, mood and trauma related disorders.

She approaches treatment with an individually tailored approach, utilising a range of evidence based interventions such as:

CBT
Schema Therapy
ACT
Mindfulness
DBT
Somatic Therapy

She is currently undertaking training in EMDR.

Francesca is particularly interested in assisting individuals to identify and reconstruct unhealthy belief systems stemming from past trauma that impacts behaviour, self-worth and relationships.

Website

Curtis Cavanagh

Clinical Psychologist

Curtis is supporting adolescents and adults with a range of mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns.

He fosters an authentic, collaborative, and evidence-based space, with a particular focus on trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

Curtis is trained in:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

Curtis helps clients develop practical strategies to improve their wellbeing, relationships, work, and everyday functioning. Curtis offers both in-person psychology appointments and telehealth consultations.

Website

Carla Hopper

Clinical Psychologist

Carla provides therapeutic support for range of mental health concerns and disorders that are related to challenges with one's sense of self; with particular interest in:

Social anxiety and other anxiety disorders
Attachment/relationship concerns
Addiction
Perinatal mental health

Carla offers a tailored, integrative therapeutic approach that is guided by attachment-based and psychodynamic frameworks and incorporates skills-based, emotional, behavioural, and somatic frameworks and techniques (ACT, DBT, PVT) as needed.

Website

Melanie Parkes

Clinical Psychologist

Melanie has a warm, down-to-earth, and compassionate approach. She values building authentic therapeutic relationships where clients feel seen, understood, and accepted just as they are.

Melanie is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive space where diversity is embraced. She has a particular interest and expertise in working with Autistic people and ADHDers, helping them better understand, advocate for, and affirm their unique strengths and needs.

She takes a neurodiversity-affirming and strength-based approach, ensuring clients feel empowered and valued.

Melanie welcomes individuals from all cultures and communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community, and is mindful of sensory preferences during sessions to help clients feel comfortable and safe.

Website

Julie Pellas

Clinical Psychologist

Julie is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in working with First Responders and other adults from all walks of life. She has a collaborative approach that allows clients to gain greater clarity and provides strategies that help clients meet their therapy goals.

She treats a wide range of mental health concerns including:

Stress management
Adjustment disorders
Sleep issues
Anxiety and mood disorders
Trauma and PTSD
Grief and loss
Pain management and relationship issues

She also works to address unhelpful coping strategies.

Julie has a strong commitment to evidence-based practise and draws from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) frameworks as well as Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and has also provides Reconsolidation Therapy for people experiencing specific traumatic events.

Julie is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She is also a full member of the Australian Clinical Psychologists Association (ACPA), and the Australian Psychology Association and is a STAP (Supervisor Training and Accreditation Program) accredited supervisor, recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to book with one of our providers?

If you'd like to make contact with one of our independent providers you can contact them through their website or complete the contact form below specifying who you would like to contact and we will direct your enquiry to our team members.