RelateWell psychological services operate within a clinical governance framework that safeguards that people receiving mental health treatment obtain safe high-quality care within a safety and high-quality culture.  

Psychologists

A dedicated and specialist team of psychologists matching structured evidence-based interventions to individual's needs and complexities in the clinical delivery of targeted psychological support services to adults, adolescents and children. 

Rebecca Fakhri

Rebecca is registered as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She currently works with a vast range of individuals of different ages and backgrounds and particularly enjoys working with adults and children.  

Rebecca is skilled in current evidence-based therapies and works collaboratively with clients to create a treatment plan that fits their specific needs. She currently works with mild to moderate presentations of mental illness in adults and children, presenting with trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, ADHD and a scope of additional psychological disorders across the lifespan.

Rebecca also has extensive experience in cognitive assessments. Using current psychometric assessments in gaining an awareness and understanding into an individuals inclusive cognitive or else mental health functioning.

Given her interest in working with couples, Rebecca is undertaking training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.  

Rebecca is passionate about human behaviour, recovery and wellbeing. And works with Adolescents 12-17 years; Adults 18-65 years; and Older Adults 65+.

Locations: RelateWell Centre (Coburg)

Charlene Tham

Charlene is a Provisional Psychologist currently undertaking her final year of supervised practice towards full registration as a Psychologist. She currently holds approved registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  

Charlene has worked with a diverse range of clients, from children to adults, including priority cohorts (such as LGBTIQ+ community). The presentations worked with include depression, anxiety, domestic violence, trauma, suicidality, binge eating and intellectual disability. Therapeutic approaches used include CBT, ACT, person-centred, strengths-based and motivational interviewing. 

Charlene is committed to support priority cohorts, including minority and vulnerable populations, in providing mental health support; and promoting positive attitudes to achieve better quality of life and potential. Working with Adolescents 12-17 years; Adults 18-65 years; and Older Adults 65+.

Location: RelateWell Centre, Coburg

Robert Thomson

Robert is registered as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  

Robert has experience treating people who present with mild to moderate mental health challenges, seeing both adult and child clients. He is committed to assist each with their individual issues, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, relationships and trauma, using appropriate evidence-based treatments. Working with Adolescents 12-17 years; Adults 18-65 years; and Older Adults 65+.

Location: Telehealth only

Clinical Psychologist

Laura Taylor

Laura is a Clinical Psychologist and Board Approved Principal Supervisor, registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Laura has worked in a variety of settings including acute and community based public mental health, non-governmental organisations and in private practice. She has experience in working with a wide range of mental health conditions, and with neurodiverse, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Laura works across the lifespan, including with children, adults, couples and families. She is particularly interested in perinatal mental health and early intervention by supporting individuals and families during periods of significant life transition.

Laura also enjoys working with couples and is trained in Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy and has undertaken additional training in Gottman Couples Therapy.

Laura’s approach is both humanistic and pragmatic and she draws on a variety of therapeutic modalities aimed at building a deeper understanding of self and other; and on strengthening communication within relationships.

Location: Coburg

Provisional Psychologists

Provisional psychologists are in their final year towards full registration as a registered psychologist and deliver professional targeted psychological support to children and adults; up-to-date with evidence-based best practice interventions. 

Samantha Stathopoulos

Samantha is a Provisional Psychologist currently undertaking her final year at Cairnmillar Institute towards full registration as a Psychologist. She currently holds approved registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Samantha has worked with a diverse range of clients, from children to adults, developing a wealth of knowledge in therapeutic approaches, ethical matters and psychological practice. She currently works with mild to moderate presentations of mental illness, applying current evidence-based therapies to work collaboratively with clients to create a treatment plan that best fits their specific needs. Therapeutic approaches used include CBT, ACT, Mindfulness-based CBT. Samantha is also skilled in the administration of cognitive assessments in children and adolescents: WISC-V and WAIS-V (children IQ tests, specific learning disorder, intellectual disability, ADHD) . 

Samantha is incredibly passionate about working with a diverse range of people to support and promote more positive life trajectory. And works with Children 12 years and under; Adolescents 12-17 years; Adults 18-65 years; and Older Adults 65+.

Location: RelateWell, Coburg

Helen Davies

Helen is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing her final year of a Masters in Psychology at Cairnmillar Institute. She currently holds approved registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Helen is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space in which to support a diverse range of clients from across the lifespan. She highly values the relationship between the therapist and client, believing that a client-centred, warm and compassionate approach assists in exploring and achieving personal wellbeing and therapy goals.

Helen is passionate about supporting clients during challenging life events, as well as those with anxiety, depression and other mild to moderate mental health concerns. Helen believes that a treatment plan should be unique to each client and will use her knowledge of CBT, ACT, motivational interviewing and the interpersonal model to tailor a plan to the individual’s needs.    

Helen has a particular interest in supporting people postpartum.

Location: RelateWell, Coburg

Samantha Minerds

Sam is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing her final year of a Masters in Psychology at Cairnmillar Institute. She currently holds approved registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Sam is a caring and genuine psychologist who works to establish a secure, accepting environment whilst applying evidence-based approaches to mild to moderate mental health presentations. As she works with her clients to determine their therapy goals and delve into their individual experiences, she values establishing a solid, trustworthy, and cooperative relationship; adjusting her client-centred approaches to each client's unique requirements, challenges, and capabilities. With experience gained over the years in out-of-home care, homeless services, therapeutic housing, disability, family services, transport and case management.

Sam has worked with a diverse range of clients, including people from CALD populations, LBGTIQ+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and women and children escaping family violence. This experience has provided her with invaluable skills in therapeutic crisis intervention, deescalating a crisis, and safety planning, which presents itself in many forms.

Location: RelateWell, Coburg 

Matthew Rock

Matthew is a Provisional Psychologist currently undertaking his sixth year at Cairnmillar Institute. Matthew holds approved registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Location: RelateWell Coburg

Mladena Mitic

Mladena is a Provisional Psychologist currently undertaking fifth year at Cairnmillar Institute. Mladena holds approved registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Location: Belle Vue Park Primary School, Glenroy

Counsellors & Psychotherapists

A dedicated team of counsellors matching structured evidence-based lifespan theories and counselling approaches to individual's needs and complexities in the delivery of counselling support to individuals and couples. 

Madeleine Anbar

Family & Relationship Services (FaRS) Unit Team Leader

Madeleine has graduated with a Masters of Counselling from Monash University and is a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Madeleine has extensive experience working with individuals, couples and families in a wide range of areas, including anxiety, depression, anger-management, self-esteem, stress management, trauma and interpersonal issues.

Madeleine particularly enjoys working with clients in the perinatal space and has a strong focus on the importance of the development and maintenance of healthy relationships between couples and families. 

Madeleine is a registered Circle of Security ParentingTM Facilitator; and is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.  

Locations: RelateWell Centre (Coburg) & Wardens Walk Maternal Child Health Centre (Coburg) 

Colleen Reilly

Colleen Reilly is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Cairnmillar Institute and her Couple and Relationship Studies and Internship at Relationships Australia.

Colleen specialises in working with couple and relationship issues, and also has extensive experience in anxiety and panic disorders; loss and grief; low self-esteem; mild to moderate depression; stress management, and finding purpose and meaning in life. 

Colleen is a trained Emotion Focused Therapist, but depending on the needs of her clients draws from skills-based approaches such as Mindfulness and CBT. She often provides useful practical reading material to broaden the understanding of specific issues for her clients.

Her focus is on being fully present with you, in an empathetic, calming and non-judgmental space.

Colleen is passionate about her work with people and is delighted to be a team member at RelateWell.

Colleen is an Adult Educator / Facilitator of relationship courses at RelateWell; and is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Location: RelateWell Centre Coburg

Supervisor 

Lyndon Medina

MAPS, FCCOUNP; Counselling Psychologist & Psychodramatist

All psychologists and counsellors receive psychological supervision from AHPRA Approved Supervisor Lyndon Medina. 

Lyndon has over 20 years experience in working with young people and families in numerious settings working with trauma, anxiety, depression, personality issues, eating disorders, personal growth and a comprehensive range of life issues over the life span.

Lyndon has been an invaluable member of our team supporting our psychologists and counsellors for over 10 years.

Psychoeducation Relationship Facilitators

Our relationship programs are run by tertiary qualified, experienced adult educators who are either psychologists or counsellors working in the field of couple relationships. They have a comprehensive understanding of evidence-based relationship theory and provide an interactive, insightful learning space for couples.  All trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Colleen Reilly

Colleen is an experienced Counsellor as well as an experienced Adult Educator / Facilitator of relationship courses at RelateWell.

Charlene Tham

Charlene is a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitators.