Meet Our Psychologists

Psychologists at Ahead Psychology:

• Have at least 6 years of university training with many more years of experience
• Are fully registered with the Psychologists Board of Australia (PBA)
• Practice within the Psychologists Board of Australia Code of Ethics
• Undertake a Psychologists Board of Australia  approved program of continuing professional development
• Hold Professional Indemnity Insurance

Psychologists’ Profiles

Michelle McBride PGDip Psych MA Assoc MAPS

Michelle McBride has been a registered psychologist in Queensland for 20 years. She has extensive experience working with adults and adolescents experiencing a wide range of psychological problems including:

• Anxiety disorders

• Depression

• Stress management

• Substance use disorders

• Grief and loss

• Relationship issues

• Parenting strategies

• Managing lifestyle changes due to chronic medical conditions

• Weight management issues

• Sleep disorders

Michelle’s area of special interest and developed expertise is in the treatment of anxiety disorders using mindfulness-based counselling approaches. She is also experienced in the use of motivation enhancement strategies to assist people seeking personal coaching to achieve specific personal goals.

 

Ian Kershaw BAHons (Psych) Assoc MAPS

Ian Kershaw is a registered psychologist who has worked for over 10 years with children, adults, couples and families. He has experience providing treatment for a broad range of psychological problems including:

• Anxiety disorders

• Depression

• Anger management

• Family relationships

• Parenting strategies

• Phobias

• Relationship difficulties

• Couples and marital counselling

• Self-esteem and self-worth issues

• Stress management

• Weight management

• Workplace issues

Ian’s area of special interest is in relationship counselling. In particular he has expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and assisting people to develop more effective communication skills that contribute to better relationships. He has experience working with a range of different relationships including couples, family relationships and relationships based in the workplace.

 

Renae Kurth BAHons (Psych) Assoc MAPS

Renae Kurth is a registered psychologist who has worked for over 10 years with children, adolescents and adults. She has experience providing treatment for a broad range of psychological problems including:

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Stress management

• Grief and loss

• Relationship issues

• Life-stage changes

Renae’s area of special interest and developed expertise is in the treatment of children and adolescents experiencing mental health, emotional and behavioural problems in the following areas:

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Adjustment difficulties

• Oppositional and challenging behaviour

• Aspergers

Renae also works with parents to assist them to use effective parenting strategies to manage their child’s emotional or behavioural problems and is an accredited Triple P provider (Positive Parenting Program).

 

Justine Evans B Psych (Hons) Assoc MAPS

Justine Evans is a registered psychologist who has experience in working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, both individually and in groups, with a wide variety of psychological, emotional and behavioural problems including:

• Depression

• Eating Disorders

• Anxiety Disorders

• Grief and Loss

• Adjustment to Major Life Changes (such as divorce, the loss of a loved one)

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Anger Management and Emotion Regulation Difficulties

• Chronic Pain

• Stress Management

Her area of special interest and expertise is working with people who have experienced trauma across the life span, including physical and sexual abuse. She has a particular interest in mindfulness and acceptance-based therapy approaches to the treatment of emotional and psychological difficulties especially to difficulties related to self-esteem, depressive and anxiety disorders in adults.

Justine also has a special interest in the use of Clinical Hypnosis during therapy for the management of chronic pain and the treatment of anxiety and depression. She is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology.

 

Amy Kelly BA, BSc, PGDip Psych

Amy Kelly is a registered psychologist with varied experience working with children, adolescents and adults experiencing a wide range of psychological problems including:

• Anxiety disorders

• Depression

• Learning disorders

• Asperger’s syndrome

• Psychosis

• Substance use disorders

• Relationship issues

• Career counselling

• Parenting strategies

• Adjustment disorders

Amy’s area of special interest and developed expertise is in the area of perinatal psychology, counselling pregnant women and new parents. She is also experienced in the assessment and treatment of children with learning difficulties, ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome. She is currently completing her Masters of Clinical Psychology.

 

Cassandra Dunn PG Dip Psych M Psych (Clinical) MAPS

Cassandra is a Registered Psychologist with experience working with adults, children and adolescents in a variety of settings. She has experience in treating a range of psychological problems including:

• anxiety

• depression

• obsessive compulsive disorder

• grief and loss

• adjustment difficulties

• stress management

• parenting difficulties

Cassandra has particular interest and expertise in working with women during pregnancy and postpartum to help minimise their risk of post-natal depression and enhance their relationships with their infant, partner and other family members during the adjustment to parenthood.

She primarily uses mindfulness and acceptance based therapies in her work with clients. She is trained in the MAP Time-In® protocol, which is an 8-week mindfulness and attachment based program for parents of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Cassandra also has a Master of Applied Science (Coaching Psychology) and is an experienced Life Coach and Executive Coach. She therefore has particular interest and expertise in positive psychology and coaching psychology including goal-setting, motivational interviewing and values clarification.