Meet the Team

Amanda Douglas

Psychologist

Amanda is a compassionate psychologist who enjoys working with individuals from various diverse backgrounds. She is easy-going and can provide a safe space for you to freely share your experiences and emotional burdens.

Amanda can help ground you when things feel chaotic, and she can support you to develop insight and a stronger sense of self. Amanda’s primary interests include working with adults to explore their interpersonal relationships. For example, Amanda has worked with people who have faced feelings of guilt, blame, regret, anger, and uncertainty about relationships and will often use the therapeutic space to build her clients confidence and communication skills. She also enjoys working with individuals to overcome difficulties such as stress, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, and self-esteem issues and has experience working with individuals with trauma and psychotic illnesses.

Amanda embraces several approaches in her work and ultimately ensures a client centred approach. Her areas of practice include interpersonal psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused and mindfulness techniques. Amanda has also worked within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since its beginning stages in 2017. She is a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner who understands the complexities of positive support plans and supporting staff to work with individuals who may present with behaviours of concern. She has also worked within this space to provide intervention and has a thorough understanding of the reporting requirements.

The other things you need to know about Amanda!

She is a coffee lover and is regularly on the hunt for a good latte! Amanda has many interests and among them is her passion for animals, she has a few fur babies of her own and looks forward to a cuddle with them at the end of the day! Outside of this down time, she likes a good adventure and exploring new places or engaging in something a bit thrilling. She has done the 10 thousand ft sky dive drop and is presently learning to rock climb. She believes that having a balance between down time and a bit of adventure is incredibly important.

Professional Memberships

• Australian Association of Psychologist (AAPI)
• Association for positive behaviour support Australia
• The Restraint Reduction Network

Accreditations

• NDIA registered Behaviour Support Practitioner

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Gary Maloney

Psychologist

Gary is empathetic and takes a calm, relaxed, and person-centred approach to meet individual needs. He is passionate about helping people who are struggling and supports individuals to navigate, change and resolve their challenges, so people can live the life they want and as their true and best selves.

Gary is invested in the care of the people he works with and has experience working with individuals from various backgrounds and circumstances. In all of the work he does, he aims to deepen self-awareness, help foster flexibility in thinking, assist in the development of coping and healthy living strategies, empower, encourage positive action and ultimately improve wellbeing and life satisfaction.

Gary adapts to the individual person’s needs from a combination of various evidence-based treatment interventions, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness and Self-compassion, Schema Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Psychotherapy.

Gary is passionate about working with individuals experiencing difficulties with anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem, emotional abuse/ bullying (including what is referred to by some people as “narcissistic abuse” and the associated enabling behaviours of others), injustice, anger and challenging life situations. Gary is also passionate about exploring identity, life and career direction and supporting progress towards goals.

Gary consults at both the Hawthorn and Collingwood clinics.  Call (03) 9416 4994 to book an appointment.

The other things you need to know about Gary!

Gary enjoys conscious and compassionate living, practicing mindfulness, keeping fit and healthy eating. He enjoys spending time in his garden, meditation, nature walks, running, reading, listening to music and watching AFL.

Professional Memberships:

• Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI)

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Hans Kwok

Psychologist

Based in Collingwood, Hans is a warm and nurturing psychologist who is passionate about supporting people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. He is interested in hearing from you and looking closely at all the components to a problem with you. He adapts this collaborative approach to support you in building your understanding of yourself. All the while, ensuring a gentle and non-judgemental environment that ensures you feel safe and secure. He ultimately aims to help others improve their quality of life.

Hans has experience in working with individuals from different age groups, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and has supported people with various issues, including, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social skill difficulties. He also has experience working with psychotic illnesses and can be a stable and grounding presence.

His therapeutic approach is primarily person-centered. Though he will also use a combination of various evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational interviewing, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy.

The other things you need to know about Hans!

Hans enjoys lots of activities outside of work, including playing social soccer and working out at his local gym. He enjoys travelling and trying lots of new things, like different food or appreciating different cultural experiences and traditions.  Aside from this adventurous side, he also enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing by playing video games.

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Sam De Vere

Psychologist

Based in our new Hawthorn clinic, Sam is an empathetic psychologist who strives to create a comfortable and judgement free environment for her clients. She enjoys working with adolescents, young adults and adults, and strongly believes in a collaborative approach.

Sam offers a calm, supportive and sometimes humorous environment as she understands the importance of feeling comfortable and safe when sharing what sometimes can be very vulnerable moments. Sam has experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and understands that therapy is a deeply personal experience. She aims to help people better understand their relationships with others and themselves so to allow for the facilitation of empowerment, healthy coping strategies and positive self-regard.

Sam takes a client-centered approach and adapts the therapeutic space to that of the client’s needs. She practices evidence-based interventions such as Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Included in these practices, Sam values a strength-based underpinning within therapy.

Sam has experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds. She is passionate about working with those who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress (personal, work, school), adjustment problems and mood disorders. Sam has also previously worked with those experiencing emotional abuse and domestic violence.

The other things you need to know about Sam!

Sam is a plant fanatic and is always perusing the bargain bin for plants that she can rehabilitate and then send to a new home which often, funnily enough, ends up being her own. Sam also enjoys listening to true crime podcasts whilst cooking. When she is not on the hunt for new plants Sam can be found planning her next trip and has a passion for all things Roman history related.

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Brittany is part of our Groundwork Psychology team in Hawthorn. As a registered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Brittany enjoys empowering adolescents and adults to reach their full potential in life. She strives to provide a non-judgemental and empathetic understanding of the individual, enabling the safe exploration of presenting concerns to facilitate change. Brittany meets you where you are at, valuing trusting therapeutic relationships that enable self-discovery. Brittany brings experience from working in community based mental health, family and employment services exposing her to diverse populations and groups across the lifespan.

Brittany is passionate about preventative mental health care, recognising the importance of early intervention. Brittany will work with you collaboratively to gain an understanding of maladaptive patterns arising in the context of your study, work or personal life which may contribute to symptoms of depression, anxiety, adjustment, stress or difficulty communicating. She utilises evidence-based interventions building on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), strength based, solution focused and motivational interviewing principles.

A little bit more about Brittany; In her down time, she enjoys cheering on the red and blue at the MCG or seeking unique finds at markets and vintage stores. Brittany likes busting a move at Zumba and trying any new and unique cuisine Melbourne has to offer.

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Anastasia Kioutsoukis

Provisional Psychologist

Based in Collingwood, Anastasia is a welcoming and nurturing psychologist who enjoys being with people. She easily connects with everyone she works with. She provides each person she sees with the space to talk openly and work through any difficulties and issues. She is deeply interested in helping others tell their story and enjoys working with adults from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Anastasia has a keen interest in working with family and relationship dynamics, and looking at the overall working relationships and personal patterns. She likes to explore how the past can affect the future and how we perceive ourselves in the external world. Anastasia further enjoys exploring how our ingrained experiences, traumas and habits manifest and can affect our unmet emotional needs.

Anastasia uses an individual-based therapy depending on your needs. She will use a variety of styles and interventions to help you understand how a mental ill health experience or condition has manifested and will work with you to explore these experiences. Some of the techniques she will use include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Anastasia has previously worked in a NDIS space providing support to adults surrounding issues of identified family trauma and interpersonal conflict. She has also worked with people with Multiple Sclerosis and has an interest in how physical conditions play a part in our mental health.

The other things you need to know about Anastasia!

Anastasia is an avid foodie and thoroughly enjoys exploring new venues in and around Melbourne, whether it be a café or a prime dinner location! She is constantly on the hunt for a good Eggs Benedict and will happily take suggestions. Aside from her love of a good meal, she enjoys spending her time with friends and family.

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Sasha Truehl

Provisional Psychologist

Based in Collingwood, Sasha is a down-to-earth person. She demonstrates this quality with her work by being genuine and engaging in reflection. She works with adults and couples, and her aim is to equip you with the tools you need to take care of your wellbeing.

She takes a strength-based approach to empower you. She has experiences in working with trauma, domestic violence, forensic work, and group behavioural change programs. She can provide psychoeducation and work collaboratively with you in these areas. Sasha also has a keen interest in working with couples. She looks at the conflicts between the couples as the problem and not the individuals. She is adept in communication and conflict resolution. When working with couples, she will help both parties identify triggers and what schemas each person holds. Ultimately, the work she does aims to create new meaning and foster strong relationships.

Sasha draws from a combination of evidence-based treatment interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Self-compassion, Schema, Solution-focused, and Socratic questioning. These are all woven together under Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) umbrella. This is Sasha’s preferred style and focuses on interpersonal conflicts being the source of difficult feelings and works to resolve any internal assumptions that there is something inherently wrong with you.

The other things you need to know about Sasha!

Outside of work she loves any activity on or in the water! She would happily spend hours on a boat and wishes she was a better fisherwoman. Outside of the water, she practices meditation and self-compassion which helps her remain centred. This also helps her to be an attuned listener and you will feel how present she can be with you.

Other things that keep Sasha engaged include her dreams of designing and furnishing her own home. She has quite the passion for interior decorating.

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Rita Di Mauro

Rita is our Practice Manager, and the friendly face who will welcome you into Groundwork Psychology, Collingwood. She can appreciate the initial steps in seeking a psychologist can be difficult and endeavours to help make that process easier. You will often have spoken to her via phone or email before meeting her in person.

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