Meet our Psychologists and Social Workers
Vanessa Launer
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Developmental Disabilities)
Drawing upon holistic and evidence-based practices, Vanessa uses a range of therapeutic approaches to inform her work with children, teenagers, and adults. She places importance on establishing a trusting relationship so as to impact positive outcomes for her clients.
Vanessa highly values social justice principles, believing that access to quality care and support is everyone’s right, and this belief has been reflected in her extensive history of working with those living with disability and disadvantage. Vanessa’s work is also influenced by diverse areas, such neurobiology, self-compassion, eastern philosophy, environmentalism and sustainability.
Vanessa tends to like things on the quirky side, whether that is the music, fun, food, movies, clothes, jewellery, hobbies and other interests that she enjoys. Most weekends you will find Vanessa working in the garden, browsing through op shops, at a vintage market, or spending time with family and friends.
Click here to learn more about our Psychology services or book an appointment with Vanessa.
Graeme Van Tongerloo
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Biochemistry
Enriched through a diversity of professional and personal experiences, Graeme incorporates each into his eclectic approach to compliment the skills of those with whom he works. He greatly values the need we all have to be understood and appreciated as unique and thus require compassionate, individualised support.
Graeme provides evidence-based clinical psychology services to children, teens, adults, couples and families in a variety of settings and covers a broad range of issues.
Graeme’s optimism, genuineness and sense of humour are integral to his practice. When not at work, Graeme can often be found adventuring in the company of canines, crashing around on two wheels or immersed with an artistic instrument in hand.
Click here to learn more about our Psychology services or book an appointment with Graeme.
Kylie Agnew
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation
Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement
Kylie is a psychologist equally comfortable working in the therapy room or using the outdoors as a therapy space. She provides evidence-based treatment for a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, stress, grief, and interpersonal difficulties. She also works in skill and capacity building for those experiencing challenges related to disability. Kylie is passionate about growing a person's resources to achieve therapeutic outcomes as well as progressing the utility of adventure therapy in responding to the wellbeing needs of children, young people, and adults.
Kylie has experience working with a wide range of clients, but predominately with older children, adolescents, and young adults. She is very comfortable working with neurodiverse and transgender clients. Kylie has previously worked as a Safari Leader in East Africa, a Teacher, and with local charity, Operation Flinders Foundation, before she became a psychologist. These unique experiences assist her to easily build rapport. Her eclectic professional journey, along with Kylie's friendly relaxed personality, helps clients (and their support people) feel comfortable in their psychology sessions.
When not at work, Kylie tries to keep her own sense of adventure alive by developing her surfing and rock-climbing skills and keeps busy looking after her 2 sons, 3 chickens, and 4 ducks. Lucky her Italian partner is a great cook, as he helps maintain the carbohydrate intake for her energetic family.
Mandy Flint
Master of Social Work
Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Diploma Transpersonal Art Therapy
Certificate IV of Training and Assessment
Mandy is a Mental Health Social Worker with over 17 years experience in the social welfare field. Adopting a warm and playful approach, Mandy values connection, safety and self determination, which she views as essential in her work with children, adolescents and adults. Mandy’s practice is informed by trauma responsive practice, neuroscience and social justice. She is also interested in the somatic impacts of distress and trauma and incorporates evidence based body movement and relaxation techniques into her practice.
With extensive knowledge and experience in the impact of trauma, she is particularly passionate about supporting people to work through traumatic experiences with the use of a range of therapeutic approaches including self compassion, EMDR, mindfulness, play and creative therapies. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and art therapy.
When not at work Mandy enjoys connecting with nature, spending time with family and friends and dabbling in art based exploration.
Click here to learn more about our Psychology services or book an appointment with Mandy.
Trecia Spowart
Graduate Diploma in Narrative Therapy
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and English Literature)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Trecia is a Registered Psychologist and an accredited Circle of Security facilitator. She enjoys working therapeutically with people of all ages and has worked across a wide range of demographics and diverse cultures and populations, including working in schools. When working with children and young people, Trecia takes a family/attachment focused approach and believes that working with parents/caregivers is important, as she wants to support the enduring relationships and environments in with children and young people grow and develop.
Trecia prefers to use evidence-based interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness Approaches, Play Therapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Family Therapy, Attachment Focused Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy, and updates her clinical knowledge within these areas frequently. Trecia believes in altering her therapeutic approach to meet the needs of the client, preferring to work with the client in a team-approach, which includes honouring their expertise. Additionally, Trecia likes to work collaboratively with other people and services involved with her clients to achieve better outcomes.
When not at work, Trecia enjoys being in nature, loves the company of animals (well, maybe not snakes), bushwalking, and being with friends and family. Trecia loves anything to do with the arts. Watching movies is one of her favourite pastimes, as is live theatre, music, and dance. Sleep-ins are high on Trecia’s agenda of self-care, as are walking meditations and sensory strolls.
Monique Girardo
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Monique is a Registered Psychologist who highly values the importance of empathy and connection. She believes that supportive, trusting relationships are essential to wellbeing and each individual deserves to feel supported and accepted. Monique feels privileged to be able to develop connections with a diverse range of clients and focuses on creating a safe space for all clients to feel safe and supported.
Monique maximises her ability to use flexible evidence informed strategies that best meet the need of the client. Adopting a warm and gentle approach, Monique aims to support clients to grow their self-esteem and self-determination. After having previous experience as a support worker, Monique has strong skills in connecting with neurodiverse clients – particularly with autism.
When she’s not at work, you can find Monique going for a walk, exploring nature or sitting outside enjoying a nice cup of coffee.
Ciara Merrifield
Master of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts (Counselling Skills and Psychotherapy Studies)
Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma
Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy and Systems Theory.
Informed by an eclectic mix of evidence-based approaches, Ciara uses her natural kindness and compassion to form trusting relationships with the children, young people, adults and families that she works with. Naturally curious, she values the client’s unique experience and takes their lead when facilitating their desired goals.
Using a warm and playful approach, Ciara’s practice is informed by social justice, neurobiology, knowledge of the impacts of trauma, and environmental considerations. This is underpinned by skills in the use of several therapy modalities including EMDR, systems therapy, narrative practice, and family therapy. She is also interested in the somatic impacts of distress / mental health concerns and will incorporate body movement and relaxation techniques that are based in the science of our nervous systems into her practice.
An adventurous girl with a love of nature, when Ciara is not at work you can normally find her scuba diving or hiking in the beautiful Adelaide Hills and beyond. She also enjoys mindfulness and yoga practice. Overall, she values her family, friends and community and so enjoys a good bar-b or shared meal.
Click here to learn more about our Psychology services or book an appointment with Ciara.
Lauren Zannettino
Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Lauren is a Provisional Psychologist who values empathy, authenticity, accountability, and trust. She believes these factors are integral in cultivating durable therapeutic relationships with her clients. Alongside her warm and friendly personality, Lauren creates a non-judgmental space for her clients to freely express themselves. Lauren utilises an integrative and eclectic evidence-based approach to inform her work with children, adolescents, and adults. She personalises each of her sessions to best support her clients.
Lauren has had previous experience working in disability mentoring, leading group-based educational training sessions with people with disabilities, and providing therapy for young people aiming to gain or maintain work. Lauren particularly enjoys and has skills in connecting with neurodiverse clients – especially those with ADHD and autism
When Lauren is not at work, you might hear her singing, see her walking her dogs and soaking up the sun, or smell whatever she is cooking up in the kitchen for her family and friends.
Mel Grover
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Graduate Diploma Psychology (Advanced)
Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma
General Registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA
Mel is a Registered Psychologist who highly values connection and relationship as essential in her work with people. She adopts a warm approach and feels that it is important to view each client as an unique individual with exclusive needs.
With extensive knowledge and experience in the impact of trauma, she is particularly passionate about supporting people to work through traumatic experiences with the use of a range of therapeutic approaches that encompass the mind and body. Mel is also very interested in supporting people to identify what is important to them in life so that they can develop skills to lead a life more in line with their values.
Mel is particularly passionate about working with clients using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as other evidenced-based and creative approaches. Ultimately, Mel is committed to meeting clients where they are at and developing a supportive treatment plan best suited to them.
When not at work, Mel can be found walking her two dogs, searching through second hand and vintage shops for something dusty and interesting; or spending time with her family and friends.