Steve Den-Kaat

MSc (Psych) PGDip (ClinPsych) FCCLP

Clinical Psychologist – Clinic Director

Steve is the clinic director and supervisor of the team.  Steve obtained his MSc (psych) from Victoria University of Wellington, with his research in the field of Autism Spectrum Conditions (http://hdl.handle.net/10063/713). He completed his clinical training under the supervision of Professor Tony Attwood, Dr Michelle Garnett and Dr Hui Keow Lim.

Steve is a clinical psychologist who has a keen interest in working with adolescents with complex challenges including: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Steve’s main area of specialty is in the area of Asperger’s Syndrome and autism spectrum conditions.

Steve has provided diagnostic services and therapy in response to varying psychological needs. He has worked alongside children, adolescents and adults across the autism spectrum. In addition, Steve has presented across Australia and internationally in the area of autism spectrum conditions, with a focus on self-Identity and self-esteem.

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Dr Ramona Toscano

BPsych (Hons), DClinPsych, MAPS

Clinical Psychologist – Senior Clinical Consultant Services

Ramona completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) at the University of Malta and a Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University in Sydney. She was awarded the Macquarie University Award for Academic Excellence in 2018. Ramona’s doctoral research focused on the assessment of anxiety in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032718328362?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720324733?dgcid=coauthor

During her early career, Ramona worked primarily with children and adolescents with autism and their families. Her work involved the design and implementation of Early Intervention programs, behavioural support, parent training and consultation with school and multidisciplinary teams. Ramona went on to expand her knowledge and experience in working with autistic individuals across all ages, with a continued primary focus on working with young children and adolescents.

Through her doctorate training and clinical work, Ramona gained considerable experience conducting assessments and providing treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in young people. She is skilled in providing individual and group treatment for children, adolescents and adults experiencing a range of difficulties and presentations including anxiety, depression, autism and AD/HD. Ramona is also a trained and registered facilitator for the following programs: Circle Of Security® Parenting (COSP), Social Stencil Program, Secret Agent Society (SAS).

Ramona is passionate about helping individuals lead healthy and fulfilling lives and is committed to utilising evidence based, scientifically effective treatments, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-based CBT. She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, is a Board-Approved Supervisor and an Adjunct Fellow for Macquarie University.

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Jennifer Ma

BPsych (Hons), MClinPsych, MAPS

Clinical Psychologist

Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Psychology with first class honours at the University of Sydney, and a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney. She previously assisted to develop an online unit of study on emotional intelligence at the University of Sydney to enhance students’ ability to apply emotional, social and cognitive skills to manage everyday situations. During her clinical training, Jennifer completed placements at the UTS Psychology Clinic, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic, and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Osteoarthritis and Chronic Care Program Outpatient Clinic. In addition to individual therapy, she also has a keen interest in running group programs. Jennifer is a trained facilitator of a social skills program, the Secret Agent Society, and is experienced in running the PEERS program and Transition to High School workshops.

Jennifer has worked with individuals across the lifespan and is passionate about creating a safe space and helping her clients to recognise their strengths and navigate life’s complexities. In particular, she has experience working with and values every opportunity to support clients on the autism spectrum and with other neurodevelopmental conditions with anxiety, executive functioning and interpersonal difficulties. She appreciates that every individual is an expert in their own life, and strives to collaborate with her clients to provide tailored, evidence-based interventions. She integrates the following therapeutic approaches into her sessions: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. At Diverse Minds, Jennifer enjoys her work in providing assessments and early psychological support for our younger generations, so they have the best chance to lead safe, healthy and meaningful lives.

 

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Claudia Roche

BPsych (Hons), BHumanSc, M.ClinPsych, MAPS

Clinical Psychologist

Claudia completed a Bachelor of Human Sciences with the Bachelor of Psychology (honours) at Macquarie University and a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology, Sydney. During her clinical training, Claudia has completed placements at the UTS Psychology Clinic, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic and Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital.

Throughout her training, she has worked with individuals across all ages to provide evidence-based treatment to a range of presentations. She has experience working across early intervention, group and individual therapy with children, young people and adults and has experience in working with a range of presentations including anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD and intellectual disability. She has a particular interest in providing trauma-informed, evidence-based care to children/young people and their families who are neurodivergent and may be experiencing anxiety disorders, behavioural difficulties, emotion dysregulation and depression. Claudia takes a strength-based, team-based approach when working with her clients. She also enjoys implementing comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments and supporting families as they navigate this process.

Claudia aims to create a safe and comfortable environment, where clients can feel heard, supported and motivated to address their concerns. She integrates the following therapeutic approaches into her sessions: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). She has also completed training in neurodiversity affirming EMDR and is a trained Secret Agent Society (SAS) and Social Stencil facilitator. Claudia particularly enjoys delivering evidence-based therapeutic skills in a collaborative and tailored way to ensure clients get the most out of their sessions.

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Madeleine Makinson

BScience (Psychology) (Hons), M.ClinPsych, MAPS

Clinical Psychologist

Madeleine is a Clinical Psychologist with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with first class honours from the Australian National University and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University.

Before beginning her clinical training, Madeleine worked as a disability support worker at a social enterprise, where she supported individuals with disabilities in developing employment, social, and self-advocacy skills.

Throughout her training, Madeleine completed placements at the Macquarie University Psychology Clinic, Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic, and the Concord Centre for Mental Health, where she worked within an inpatient unit. She also worked in research at the Centre for Emotional Health, conducting diagnostic assessments of anxiety disorders in children aged 7 to 12.

She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan and is committed to providing evidence-based, individualised care. Her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Madeleine has a particular interest in working with children, adolescents, and young adults, especially in the areas of Autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability. At Diverse Minds, she takes a collaborative, creative, and compassionate approach, aiming to empower clients to make meaningful and lasting change in their lives.

 

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Rivqa Rafael

MClinPsych, BPsychSc, BPsych(Hons), MAPS

Registered Psychologist/Clinical Psychology Registrar

Rivqa is a neurodivergent psychologist who completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and her undergraduate psychology studies at the University of New England, where she earned first-class honours. During her training, she completed placements at the UTS Psychology Clinic, the Albion Centre and Diverse Minds Psychology Clinic. Rivqa has supported with clients with issues relating to ADHD, autism, intellectual disability, gender and sexual identities, health psychology, and mental health challenges including depression, anxiety and bipolar moods. Her current PhD research, also at UTS, focuses on strengths-based support for adults with ADHD.

In individual and group therapy, Rivqa strives to provide neuroaffirming, person-centred and evidence-based support to adolescents and adults, while recognising that each client’s context, goals, strengths and challenges are unique. Additionally, she aims to provide trauma-informed care that accounts for the effects of sensory, interpersonal, systemic and other complex traumas. She is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Schema Therapy, and integrates these modalities into sessions based on client needs and preferences. She is also a trained Tuning into Teens facilitator, and has experience running the PEERS program.

 

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Lucas Knight

BPsychSc (Hons)

Registered Psychologist

Lucas holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) from the University of New South Wales and completed his Master of Professional Psychology through the Department of Education’s School Psychology Scholarship Program at the University of Wollongong.

Lucas has experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults with a range of developmental and mental health concerns, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression. Previously working as a school psychologist, he collaborated closely with clients, their families, and school staff to develop tailored strategies that support wellbeing and personal growth. He now brings this collaborative approach to his private practice work with clients across the lifespan.

Lucas draws from his training in evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. He is passionate about helping clients of all ages gain insight, build resilience, and feel empowered within their environments.

Known for his warm, reflective, and client-centred style, Lucas brings creativity, connection, and curiosity to his therapeutic relationships, aiming to foster a supportive and collaborative space for clients and their families.

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Julie Sipina

Clinic Manager

Julie is a busy mother of three who is very passionate about the health industry, having  owned and operated her own Medical Supplies business for many years where she refined her skills for health administration. She is well travelled and worked in Europe and Asia in Corporate and Executive Assistant roles for a number of years.

Her interests revolve around her family and she enjoys meditation, pilates, travel and entertaining with friends.

Julie is a warm, calm and understanding  person, who is always willing to listen and help with any challenges that may arise either with clients or personnel within the clinic. Julie looks forward to welcoming you at the Clinic and assisting you with any questions you might have.

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Rebecca Ross

Personal Assistant

Rebecca is an energetic mother of 3 active boys who enjoys being engaged and busy. Having studied and practised law for many years, Rebecca has embraced a change that allows her to work within a field that gives individuals and families access to services that can make a real difference to their lives. While her 3 boys keep her very busy with various weekend sporting activities, in her spare time she enjoys exploring the great outdoors and engaging with friends. Rebecca is always ready and willing to listen.

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Kate Sinha

Receptionist/Personal Assistant

Kate is an active mother of two great boys who enjoys leading a balanced life.  She enjoyed a long career in advertising working within Australia and England before taking a hiatus to raise her boys.  She has welcomed the opportunity of returning to the workforce and into an industry that cares about providing the best support for individuals and families.  Kate has a keen interest in gardening and long nature walks with her high spirited and affectionate Labrador, Rocket.

Kate is here to make your visit to the clinic a helpful and pleasurable experience.

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