meet our team

Melbourne psychology team

Our Psychologists are all highly trained, experienced, professional and friendly. We’re trained in a range of different evidenced-based therapies. We use therapies that have been proven effective for improving mental health, wellbeing, learning and development, and we tailor our services to your needs.

How to choose the right Psychologist

Many people see a psychologist, but it may feel hard to know who is right for you. Here are some pointers to help:

  • Anyone can call themselves a ‘counsellor’, ‘therapist’ or ‘psychotherapist’ without any formal training. So make sure you see a Psychologist who is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This ensures that they have been appropriately trained. It also means the psychologist is legally and ethically accountable for treating you appropriately.
  • All registered psychologists have achieved the training required to be called a ‘General Psychologist’. Some do additional training to become ‘Endorsed’ Psychologists. These are more specialised areas, such as Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational and Developmental Psychology, or Forensic Psychology.
  • Ask friends and your GP for recommendations.
  • We have included bios of all the psychologists at Catalyst Psychology below. You can read through each one to see who is experienced with the problems you want help with, and who offers therapies you think would work for you.
  • While a psychologist should ideally be well trained and experienced, the most important thing is they’re a good fit for you. Find someone you feel a good connection to, can talk to easily and openly, and feel comfortable with.
  • After a few sessions, you should feel you’re on the right track and getting feedback. Speak to your psychologist if you don’t think your sessions are helpful or they aren’t the right fit for you. You can always change track in therapy or change psychologist – they won’t be offended. Psychologists know they can’t be a good fit for everyone.

Our Team at Catalyst Psychology

Dr Kirsty Hildebrandt

Dr Kirsty Hildebrandt

Director, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor

Anna Earl

Ms Anna Earl

Educational & Developmental Psychology Registrar

Ms Sheida Badiee

Consultant Counselling Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor

Ms Chiara McDowell

Consultant Psychologist

Ms Jenna Miller

(Currently on Maternity Leave)
Educational and Developmental Psychologist

Faith Thavaneswaran

Faith Thavaneswaran

General Psychologist

Tharushi Witharanag

Ms Tharushi Witharanage

Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar

Ms Tania Saad

Receptionist and Administration Officer

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Ready to make an appointment, or have any questions? Call us on 0468 637 413 and we can help.

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Dr Kirsty Hildebrandt

Director & Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Endorsed In Clinical Psychology And Board-Approved Supervisor
B.B.Sc. (Hons). D. Psych (Clinical). MACPA.

For 23 years I have been  working with people of all ages to help them improve their psychological health. I originally trained as a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, and still love helping children, young people and their parents.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in a wide range of excellent services. I’ve worked in Public Mental Health, Secondary Schools, Hospitals, Community Health, and Learning Difficulties Services in both Australia and the UK.

I began supervising Psychologists, Registrar Psychiatrists and other Allied Health Practitioners in 2004. I very much enjoy training and supervising, and am pleased to still be doing this in Private Practice.
I work flexibly with a strong connection to my clients, to help them improve their mental health, well-being, relationships and lives. I enjoy enabling people to be happier and calmer; to meet their goals in life and achieve more; to learn and develop better; and to have better relationships. I work with:

  • Children (4yrs +)
  • Adolescents
  • Young Adults
  • Parents with depression, anxiety adjustment and stress, parenting/carer issues, family issues, separation and divorce
  • OCD in children, adolescents
  • Anxiety in children, adolescents
  • Phobias
  • Health-related issues, including Chronic Illness and Somatic issues (medically unexplained symptoms)
  • Parenting and family management
  • Bereavement, loss and separation

I love providing formal assessments of neurodevelopmental and learning disorders, such as ADHD, Autism, and Specific Learning Disorders. Assisting clients with these conditions and their parents is a passion of mine.
I focus on helping people using scientifically proven therapies including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapies.

I am endorsed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) as a Clinical Psychologist and an Endorsed Supervisor of other Psychologists. I am also a member of the Australian Clinical Psychologists Association.

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Dr Kirsty Hildebrandt
Linkedin
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Ms Anna Earl

Educational & Developmental Psychology Registrar

I was an IT professional and teacher’s aide before changing careers to become a Psychologist. I have a Master’s Degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology from Monash University. I am enthusiastic about helping children, adolescents and their carers to better understand themselves and their needs. I love working with my clients to assist them improve their quality of life. 

I use evidenced-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Parenting Training, and emotion-focused and trauma-informed orientations in my clinical work. I see clients for therapy and for formal assessment of learning difficulties, neurodiversity, and for general assessment of cognitive and academic level.

  • Children 3yrs +
  • Adolescents
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and Phobias
  • OCD
  • Adjustment
  • Relationship issues (peer and family)
  • Social Skills Training
  • Studying issues
  • Bullying
  • Parenting support
  • Somatic Symptoms
  • Behavioural problems
  • Divorce, separation and loss
  • Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Specific Learning Difficulties, Mild ID etc
  • Formal Assessment of neurodiversity, learning difficulties, cognition and educational attainment. E.g., Autism, ADHD, Specific Learning Difficulties etc.

I am a member of the Australian Psychological Society and am registered with AHPRA as a General Psychologist.

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Anna Earl
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Sheida Badiee

Consultant Counselling Psychologist
Endorsed in Counselling Psychology and Board-Approved Supervisor
B.A. (Behavioural Science, Hons), M. Psych (Counselling). 

I have 12 years of experience in counselling adolescents and adults, to help them improve their relationships, their wellbeing and their mood. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and assisting them through challenging circumstances. I have been designing and providing training for many years, as well as supervising other Psychologists, and really enjoy this work. Helping students improve their study skills has been a particular focus, especially at my time at Swinburne University Student Counselling.

I use a number of evidenced-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotion Focussed Therapy, and social and study skills training.

  • Adolescents (13yrs +)
  • Adults
  • Adjustment
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Stress
  • Studying issues and study skills
  • Bereavement, grief and loss
  • Relationship issues (peer, partner, family)
  • Self-harm and suicidal ideation
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Domestic violence
  • Workplace issues
  • Body image and eating issues

I am endorsed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) in Counselling Psychology and am a Board-Approved Supervisor. See the AHPRA Register of Health Practitioners.

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Chiara McDowell

Consultant Psychologist
B.Psych (Hons), M. Psych (Edu), MAAP

I’m a passionate Psychologist, focussed on providing high quality and meaningful assessments of learning, development, ability and attainment. I enjoy conducting psychological assessments in schools and at Catalyst Psychology. I also teach and supervise other psychologists on conducting formal psychology assessments.

I work with Children (6yrs+), Adolescents, Young Adults and Adults.

I have experience in conducting assessments of:

  • Learning Ability, including Cognition/Intelligence
  • Educational Attainment
    Intellectual Disability
    Specific Learning Disorders (eg., Dyslexia, Dysgraphia etc)
  • Giftedness
  • Developmental Disorders, including ADHD
  • Special Consideration for Department of Education Exams and Tasks (VCE)

I use a number of standardised psychological assessment tools, including the WISC-V, WIAS-IV, and WIAT-III. Many of these tools are administered on iPads.

I am a member of the Australian Association for Psychologists and registered with AHPRA as a General Psychologist.

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Jenna Miller

Educational and Developmental Psychologist
B.A, Adv Dip (Psych), M. Psych (Edu and Dev), MAPS

Jenna is a warm, collaborative and engaging therapist, passionate about working with and supporting people across the lifespan (childhood through to adulthood). Jenna completed her training with a Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University, and has several years of experience working in primary schools and private practice. 

Jenna has a particular interest in working with children, adolescents and families to provide psychological support on a range of issues, including mental health and developmental challenges. Jenna uses a strengths-based, person-centred approach to help find ways to best support families and clients reach their potential. Jenna is also passionate about applying a neurodiversity affirming lens to her work, while using a variety of evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to achieve desired outcomes.

Jenna has extensive assessment experience, helping to identify various mental health, behavioural, and developmental neuro-types including Specific Learning Disorders such as Dyslexia, Autism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Jenna enjoys providing ongoing support to clients and their families after an assessment or diagnosis, particularly working collaboratively with clients, parents, and teachers to help best support her clients across settings.

  • Children 3yrs +
  • Adolescents
  • Young Adults
  • Adults (up to 65 yrs)
  • Autism and Developmental Disorders
  • ADHD
  • Mild ID
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • OCD
  • Adjustment
  • Relationship issues (peer and family)
  • Bullying
  • Parenting
  • Learning Difficulties
  • Giftedness
  • Somatic Symptoms
  • Behavioural problems
  • Divorce, separation and
  • Studying issues
  • Assessments of Learning Ability (including Cognition/Intelligence), Educational Attainment, Specific Learning Disorders, Giftedness and Developmental Disorders (ADHD, Autism etc)
  • NDIS Self-Funding and NDIS Plan-Managing clients

I am a member of the Australian Psychological Society and am registered with AHPRA as an Educational & Developmental Psychologist.

Make Appointment
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Faith Thavaneswaran

General Psychologist
B.Psych Sci (Hons)

Faith is an engaging and passionate Psychologist, who is committed to providing clients with high quality, evidenced-based psychology treatment. She is compassionate, respectful and collaborative with clients and their families. Faith has a number of years’ experience working at headspace, Relationships Australia, not-for-profit youth services and private practice.

Faith’s professional special interest is working with children, young people and their families with a range of needs. Also, she has a special interest in working with neurodiverse clients. She is able to help with a range of mental health, behavioural, relationship and developmental issues.

Faith uses a range of evidenced-based psychological therapies to improve the outcomes of her clients. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness Therapy, and psychoeducation. She has completed additional training in Tuning Into Teens parents program, Trans and Gender Diverse Youth Inclusive Practice, Rainbow Tick Training, and Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity Training. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and is registered with AHPRA as a General Psychologist.

  • Children 5yrs +
  • Adolescents
  • Young Adults
  • Autism and Developmental Disorders
  • ADHD
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • OCD
  • Adjustment
  • Relationship issues (peer and family)
  • School refusal
  • Bullying
  • Parenting
  • Learning Difficulties
  • Behavioural problems
  • Divorce, separation and
  • NDIS Self-Funding and NDIS Plan-Managing clients
  • Medicare clients
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Faith Thavaneswaran
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Tharushi (Rushi) Witharanage

Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar 
B.PsychSc, Grad Dip (Prof Psych), MPsych (Ed & Dev).

I trained in psychology at Monash University, where I learnt a broad range of psychological skills and therapies, especially in working with children, teens and their families. I gained experiencing in general psychology and paediatric psychology before starting with Catalyst. I have a passion for helping people improve their mood and functioning in everyday life. I also enjoy helping people cope with disability and life adjustments, with a special interest in assisting girls on the Autism Spectrum and cross-cultural psychology. My experience involves providing psychological services in Sinhalese and assisting families and caregivers. My training has provided me with extensive experience in assessing learning, cognition, development, and educational ability and attainment. I have an empathic and person-centred therapy style, and am fun and creative with children.

I use a number of evidenced-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Play-based Therapy.

  • Children 3yrs +
  • Adolescents
  • Young Adults
  • Autism and Developmental Disorders
  • ADHD
  • Mild ID
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Phobias
  • OCD
  • Adjustment
  • Relationship issues (peer and family)
  • Bullying
  • Parenting
  • Learning Difficulties
  • Giftedness
  • Somatic Symptoms
  • Behavioural problems
  • Divorce, separation and loss
  • Studying issues
  • Assessments of Learning Ability (including Cognition/Intelligence), Educational Attainment, Specific Learning Disorders, Giftedness and Developmental Disorders (ADHD, Autism etc)
  • NDIS Self-Funding and NDIS Plan-Managing clients

I am a member of the Australian Psychological Society and am registered with AHPRA as a General Psychologist. See the AHPRA Register of Health Practitioners.

Make Appointment
Linkedin
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Ms Tania Saad

Receptionist and Administration Officer

Tania is our friendly, professional and highly organised Receptionist and Administration Officer. She has been working in Allied Health practices for 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge about the practicalities of seeing a Psychologist.

She will be your first point of contact with Catalyst Psychology. She will take some of your details and note the issues you want help with. She will also explain rebates, funding streams and billing procedures. Tania will book a series of appointments for you with one of our Psychologists, or direct you to other services if we can’t help. Tania keeps any information you share with her confidential. 

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