Lena Johnston

Psychologist

Lena see's clients across the lifespan – children, adolescents, families, adults, and the elderly. Her areas of interest are anxiety, depression, mood disorders, grief and loss, trauma, child-parent bonding, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, stress, pain management, work-related concerns, OCD and other challenges. 

She was born in Germany and migrated to the Northern Rivers 17 years ago. She is well known for creating a warm and supportive environment, embedded in care, compassion, respect, and patience. Her approach is holistic and person-centred.

Lena utilises a wide-range of evidence-based therapies including but not limited to: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.   

Sessions are available in English and German.

Lena is a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi).

Dr. Christine Ellisdon

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Christine works with older adolescents, adults and couples. She has special interests in treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma, relationship issues and self-worth/self-esteem issues. She also has extensive experience in treating grief and loss and adjustment issues and enjoys supporting people through life transitions and spiritual growth.

Christine believes that true psychological therapy is about healing not just symptom reduction. Her approach is collaborative and supportive and invites people to identify and explore the barriers effecting their daily functioning and preventing them from living a fulfilling life.  Christine’s approach aims to empower people through increased insight and understanding while also providing opportunities to develop alternative ways of responding to the difficulties they are experiencing and relating to themselves and others.

Christine uses an integrative approach to tailor therapy to the needs of the person in a manner that honours their inner wisdom and capacity for healing. She is respectful of individual differences while recognising the innate qualities each person possesses.  Christine is experienced and trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Emotion Focused Couples Therapy. She is registered as an endorsed Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a Medicare provider and holds full membership with the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

For further information please go to www.alignedpsychology.com.au

Dana Ben-Israel

Clinical Psychologist

Dana is a registered clinical psychologist with over 12 years of experience working across both public and private sectors.  Dana sees clients (18 years and over) with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties ranging from low mood, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties and grief.

Dana specialises in perinatal psychology working with clients in the various stages of their journey to and through parenthood including planning, conception, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. This can involve supporting bereaved parents experiencing grief and loss after miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death.

Dana uses a holistic approach based on a shared understanding of her client’s difficulties and their desire for change. Dana works from an attachment perspective that explores how client’s patterns of interacting and experiencing their world is rooted in their early childhood and repeated throughout their lives. She supports clients to flourish by cultivating a compassionate relationship with themselves and others and feel empowered to prevent their histories repeating in their current lives and relationships.

Dana is skilled and experienced in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Mindfulness-based practice, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. She holds clinical psychologist registration with Australian Psychology Board and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Centre for Perinatal Psychology.

To find out more or to contact Dana visit: www.dbipsychology.com.

Cassandra Gist

Consultant Psychologist

• Psychology assessments (all ages)

• Psychological Therapy (children and adolescents)

Cassandra has a special interest in clinical assessments investigating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and specific learning disorders. Additionally, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, behavioural, and trauma are special areas of focus for Cassandra.

Cassandra’s experience as a school psychologist and private practitioner fosters a more detailed interaction between parent, child and school to assist with behavioural and learning issues. Cassandra sees the value in communicating between GP, psychiatrist, paediatrician, family members, allied health team, and the school to create a more holistic approach to therapy.

Cassandra’s experience in evidenced-based therapies includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (TF-CBT), and cognitive behaviour therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E).

Cassandra is a registered provider for Medicare, Workcover Insurance (NSW), and NDIS services. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, is endorsed as a Health Psychologist, and is a Member of Australian ADHD Professionals Association.

To find out more about Cassandra visit www://balancingminds.com.au

Jen Pen

Psych-K® International Facilitator & Coach

Passionate about human development, neuroscience and relational design, Jen specialises in intuitively revealing and transforming limiting beliefs, unwanted behaviours, thought systems & symptoms within the human interior.  Jen helps people break free from family dynamics, societal conditioning and external influences that inhibit positive living, success and wellbeing.  Jens mission is to empower singles, couples and families to rewrite their stories and design the lives they desire and deserve.

Offering individual sessions and three unique coaching programs;

The Repairenting Project - for conscious people unconsciously messing things up. A transformational repair and restoration of relationships with our parents/caregivers, children, partners & loved ones and most importantly ourselves!

Interior Re-Design - designing a life from the inside out! Created as a powerful tool to gain clarity and aid positive change in areas of career, finances, home-life, health & wellbeing and more!

Mental Wealth - discover, invest-in and grow your self worth. In this nurturing program we shift mental & physical depression, negative self talk, fear, anxiety and unworthiness.  Dismantling generational money trauma, reclaiming your freedom and securing your future success.

Jen is available in-person and online and offers one on one sessions as well as coaching for couples, organisations and families.