Sarah is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and is passionate about supporting clients to create meaningful and lasting change in their lives. Her clinical experience spans both public and private health settings, supporting clients with a broad range of psychological concerns. Sarah has a special interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Sarah’s therapeutic approach is warm and collaborative, using evidence-based treatments sensitive to individuals’ needs. Known for her authenticity and compassion, she places great importance on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for effective therapy. Sarah uses exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the leading treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders, alongside other evidence-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), schema therapy, self-compassion, neuropsychotherapy and virtual reality exposure therapy. Her integrative style allows her to work with both the immediate symptoms and the deeper patterns that keep clients stuck, helping them move towards long-term wellbeing.
Sarah is also the Director of the Adelaide Anxiety & Phobia Clinic, a practice dedicated to the treatment of OCD and anxiety-related conditions. For more information visit Adelaide Anxiety and Phobia clinic.
Uggie, our much-loved therapy dog, will be in the consulting room with you at your appointment with Sarah if you are comfortable with dogs.
Sarah is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and is passionate about supporting clients to create meaningful and lasting change in their lives. Her clinical experience spans both public and private health settings, supporting clients with a broad range of psychological concerns. Sarah has a special interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Sarah’s therapeutic approach is warm and collaborative, using evidence-based treatments sensitive to individuals’ needs. Known for her authenticity and compassion, she places great importance on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for effective therapy. Sarah uses exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the leading treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders, alongside other evidence-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), schema therapy, self-compassion, neuropsychotherapy and virtual reality exposure therapy. Her integrative style allows her to work with both the immediate symptoms and the deeper patterns that keep clients stuck, helping them move towards long-term wellbeing.
Sarah is also the Director of the Adelaide Anxiety & Phobia Clinic, a practice dedicated to the treatment of OCD and anxiety-related conditions. For more information visit Adelaide Anxiety and Phobia clinic.
Uggie, our much-loved therapy dog, will be in the consulting room with you at your appointment with Sarah if you are comfortable with dogs.
Uggie is an eleven year old black Labrador and has been trained by the Royal Society for the Blind. Uggie has beautiful qualities. He’s very calm, gentle and friendly. He loves meeting new people, pats and cuddles. He also likes to snooze in his comfy corner of the room! Uggie is a valued member of the team here at Sheppard Psychology.
For adult clients (18+ years)
Generalised Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Health anxiety
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Depression
Stress management
Life transition & adjustment difficulties
Self-esteem and self-development
Sleep difficulties/insomnia
Registered Clinical Psychologist and Supervisor, Psychology Board of Australia
Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA).
Professional Member, International OCD Foundation
CBTi Practitioner, Australasian Sleep Association
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Kirsty is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and a deep passion for supporting individuals affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, generalised anxiety, agoraphobia, health anxiety, specific phobias, and panic disorder.
She adopts a personalised and collaborative approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique experiences, goals, and challenges. Kirsty provides cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with a strong focus on exposure and response prevention (ERP) - the gold-standard treatment for OCD and anxiety. When appropriate, she thoughtfully integrates other evidence-based approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), virtual reality therapy, and schema therapy.
Her integrative style not only addresses immediate symptoms but also works to uncover deeper underlying patterns, supporting meaningful and lasting change.
Known for her warmth, authenticity, and compassion, Kirsty places strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for healing and personal growth. She is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and stays up to date with the latest research and clinical advances in the treatment of OCD and anxiety-related conditions.
Kirsty has worked across hospital, public, and private mental health settings, gaining broad clinical experience in diverse care environments. She has held positions in internationally recognised clinical programs, where she delivered specialised interventions for individuals with complex and high-acuity mental health concerns.
Kirsty welcomes new clients and is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic space where individuals can work through challenges, build confidence, and achieve meaningful progress.
Kirsty is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and a deep passion for supporting individuals affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, generalised anxiety, agoraphobia, health anxiety, specific phobias, and panic disorder.
She adopts a personalised and collaborative approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique experiences, goals, and challenges. Kirsty provides cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with a strong focus on exposure and response prevention (ERP) - the gold-standard treatment for OCD and anxiety. When appropriate, she thoughtfully integrates other evidence-based approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), virtual reality therapy, and schema therapy.
Her integrative style not only addresses immediate symptoms but also works to uncover deeper underlying patterns, supporting meaningful and lasting change.
Known for her warmth, authenticity, and compassion, Kirsty places strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for healing and personal growth. She is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and stays up to date with the latest research and clinical advances in the treatment of OCD and anxiety-related conditions.
Kirsty has worked across hospital, public, and private mental health settings, gaining broad clinical experience in diverse care environments. She has held positions in internationally recognised clinical programs, where she delivered specialised interventions for individuals with complex and high-acuity mental health concerns.
Kirsty welcomes new clients and is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic space where individuals can work through challenges, build confidence, and achieve meaningful progress.
For adult clients (18+ years)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Social anxiety
Generalised anxiety
Agoraphobia
Health Anxiety
Specific phobias
Panic disorder
Stress management
Interpersonal difficulties
Life transitions and adjustment challanges
Perfectionism and self-esteem concerns
Sleep difficulties
Registered Clinical Psychologist and Supervisor, Psychology Board of Australia
Member, Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
Fellow, APS College of Clinical Psychologists (FCCLP)
Accredited Practitioner, Australian and New Zealand Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ANZACAT)
Professional Member, International OCD Foundation
Availability (drop down box)Tuesdays (in-person or telehealth) and Thursdays (telehealth only).
Marina is a warm and compassionate psychologist who has worked in public mental health and private practice settings for over 10 years. Marina works with adolescents and adults and has experience with a wide range of issues including depression, trauma related issues, anxiety and stress, relationship problems, adjustment issues, perfectionism, grief and loss issues as well as problems faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Marina’s approach to therapy is gentle and collaborative and she aims to create a safe, open, nonjudgmental space to help understand her client’s needs and work towards their goals. Marina helps clients build on their strengths, experiences and skills to support them to overcome challenges and foster growth and lasting change.
Her practice is grounded in evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) while also drawing on principles from compassion focused therapy, trauma informed therapy, schema therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. With a background in the arts, Marina also values creativity as a pathway to deeper self-understanding and meaning.
Marina has a special interest in treating trauma presentations :
Trauma isn’t just about what happened - it’s about how it made you feel and how it changed your sense of safety, trust, or control.
You can think of trauma as the emotional wound left behind when something overwhelming or deeply upsetting happens. Sometimes it’s one major event (like a car crash, assault or loss), but it can also come from repeated experiences over time (like childhood neglect, emotional abuse, ongoing stress or feeling unsafe for a long time).
Feeling anxious, easily startled, or constantly on edge
Flashbacks or intrusive memories
Avoiding people, places, or situations
Numbness, disconnection, or shutting down
Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe
Mood swings, anger or irritability
Deep shame, guilt, or self-blame
Feeling like something is “wrong” but not knowing why
Trauma isn’t just about what happened - it’s about how it made you feel and how it changed your sense of safety, trust, or control.
These reactions are not flaws or weaknesses - they’re survival responses. Your nervous system is doing its best to protect you, even when the danger is no longer present.
Understand how trauma affects your mind and body
Learn grounding skills to feel more in control and safer in your body
Rebuild trust in self and others, develop boundaries to protect yourself
Shift harmful beliefs that may have developed from the trauma such as letting go of shame and self blame
Regain a sense of safety, calm, meaning and self-worth
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Somatic and body-based techniques
Regain a sense of safety, calm, meaning and self-worth
Because healing isn’t about “just moving on” or “getting over it” It’s about finally feeling like you again - safe, supported, and stronger.
Whether you’ve recently gone through something painful or have been carrying past experiences for a long time, we’re here to help you feel safe, supported, and empowered in your healing journey.
Marina is a warm and compassionate psychologist who has worked in public mental health and private practice settings for over 10 years. Marina works with adolescents and adults and has experience with a wide range of issues including depression, trauma related issues, anxiety and stress, relationship problems, adjustment issues, perfectionism, grief and loss issues as well as problems faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Marina’s approach to therapy is gentle and collaborative and she aims to create a safe, open, nonjudgmental space to help understand her client’s needs and work towards their goals. Marina helps clients build on their strengths, experiences and skills to support them to overcome challenges and foster growth and lasting change.
Her practice is grounded in evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) while also drawing on principles from compassion focused therapy, trauma informed therapy, schema therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. With a background in the arts, Marina also values creativity as a pathway to deeper self-understanding and meaning.
Marina has a special interest in treating trauma presentations :
Trauma isn’t just about what happened - it’s about how it made you feel and how it changed your sense of safety, trust, or control.
You can think of trauma as the emotional wound left behind when something overwhelming or deeply upsetting happens. Sometimes it’s one major event (like a car crash, assault or loss), but it can also come from repeated experiences over time (like childhood neglect, emotional abuse, ongoing stress or feeling unsafe for a long time).
Feeling anxious, easily startled, or constantly on edge
Flashbacks or intrusive memories
Avoiding people, places, or situations
Numbness, disconnection, or shutting down
Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe
Mood swings, anger or irritability
Deep shame, guilt, or self-blame
Feeling like something is “wrong” but not knowing why
Trauma isn’t just about what happened - it’s about how it made you feel and how it changed your sense of safety, trust, or control.
These reactions are not flaws or weaknesses - they’re survival responses. Your nervous system is doing its best to protect you, even when the danger is no longer present.
Understand how trauma affects your mind and body
Learn grounding skills to feel more in control and safer in your body
Rebuild trust in self and others, develop boundaries to protect yourself
Shift harmful beliefs that may have developed from the trauma such as letting go of shame and self blame
Regain a sense of safety, calm, meaning and self-worth
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Somatic and body-based techniques
Regain a sense of safety, calm, meaning and self-worth
Because healing isn’t about “just moving on” or “getting over it” It’s about finally feeling like you again - safe, supported, and stronger.
Whether you’ve recently gone through something painful or have been carrying past experiences for a long time, we’re here to help you feel safe, supported, and empowered in your healing journey.
For clients 16+ years old
Trauma presentations
Mood difficulties including depression and bipolar disorder
Relationship, intimacy and interpersonal problems
LGBTQIA, sexuality and identity issues
Emotional and behavioural regulation difficulties
Substance use and addiction issues
Grief and bereavement
Anxiety and stress management
Adjustment to life changes
Adolescent issues
Sleep problems
Chronic fatigue and pain
Motivation, procrastination and perfectionism
Social, interpersonal and communication difficulties
Self esteem, body image and confidence issues
Vocational and workplace issues
Work/Life balance issues
Registered Psychologist, Psychology Board of Australia
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
CBTi Practitioner, Australasian Sleep Association
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Melissa is a Registered Psychologist and an Associate Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). With over 20 years of experience across mental health, education, counselling, and human resource management, she brings a rich and diverse perspective to her work. Melissa is also a casual lecturer at Adelaide University in the Psychology Honours program.
Melissa works with both adolescents and adults, offering tailored support to meet each client’s unique needs. She is deeply committed to client-centred care and believes in the power of a collaborative, trusting therapeutic relationship. Her approach is grounded in empathy, warmth, and genuine compassion, creating a safe, nonjudgemental space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported.
Melissa’s goal is to help individuals achieve personal growth and reach their therapeutic goals at their own pace. She uses evidence-based practices including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and schema therapy to guide meaningful and lasting change.
Melissa is joined in her practice by Ronnie, a four-year-old Golden Retriever and certified therapy dog through See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind.
Melissa is a Registered Psychologist and an Associate Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). With over 20 years of experience across mental health, education, counselling, and human resource management, she brings a rich and diverse perspective to her work. Melissa is also a casual lecturer at Adelaide University in the Psychology Honours program.
Melissa works with both adolescents and adults, offering tailored support to meet each client’s unique needs. She is deeply committed to client-centred care and believes in the power of a collaborative, trusting therapeutic relationship. Her approach is grounded in empathy, warmth, and genuine compassion, creating a safe, nonjudgemental space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported.
Melissa’s goal is to help individuals achieve personal growth and reach their therapeutic goals at their own pace. She uses evidence-based practices including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and schema therapy to guide meaningful and lasting change.
Melissa is joined in her practice by Ronnie, a four-year-old Golden Retriever and certified therapy dog through See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind.
Ronnie is calm, affectionate, and loves people. If you're comfortable with dogs, Ronnie will be present during your sessions with Melissa. He enjoys sitting at your feet, receiving gentle pats, and relaxing nearby - providing a warm and calming presence throughout your appointment.
For clients 16+ years old
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Phobias including Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) and needle phobias
Anxiety (including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety)
Depression
Life transition and adjustment
Perfectionism
Self-esteem
Self-development
Stress management
Career counselling
Study and organisational skills
Grief and bereavement
Registered Psychologist and Clinical Registrar, Psychology Board of Australia
Associate Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA).
Professional Member, International OCD Foundation
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
