ABOUT US

WHY USE DARWIN PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES?

We are committed to providing you with an objective and informed assessment of the difficulties you may be facing. Additionally, we aim to provide you with practical assistance and strategies in dealing with your difficulties and we will create an individualised program specific to your needs. We recognise the importance of allowing you time and space to work through issues at your own pace and reinforce that you are in charge of determining the level of intervention you require.


We also offer a comprehensive range of assessments for children, adolescents and adults. Assessments include cognitive functioning, behavioural problems, developmental difficulties and disorders (including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy), learning difficulties (reading and spelling problems, comprehension, expressing ideas) as well as court ordered or family based evaluations. Please see our Assessments section for more details. 

OUR MISSION


To provide psychological services aimed at improving mental health and quality of life and provide comprehensive assessments and treatments for those living in the Territory.

POTENTIAL POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS

IMPROVED SELF ESTEEM

Feeling more at ease with yourself and others

Being more open and honest with your interactions with others

Coping with crowds and improving your social and emotional life

REDUCED ANXIETY

Feeling calmer

Worrying less

Improved sleep patterns

Improved sexual libido

EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES

Learning techniques for dealing with stress evoking events and environments

Learning new behaviours and effective communication skills

Developing a positive and fulfilling lifestyle

MEET OUR TEAM

All of our psychologists are members of Australian Psychological Society and registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)

  • Louise McKenna - Director/Principal Psychologist

    • Nationally Accredited Mediator (The University of Western Australia)

    • Master of International Management (Northern Territory University)

    • Graduate Diploma Psychology (Western Australia Institute of Technology)

    • Bachelor of Applied Science Psychology (Western Australia Institute of Technology)

    • Accredited Triple P Level 5 provider (The University of Queensland)


    Louise is the Director/Principal Psychologist of Darwin Psychology Services.  She has over 38 years of working as a psychologist across the Northern Territory and is committed to delivering quality, individually tailored services, that assist clients to grow and meet their full potential.  


    Louise is trained in a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Grief and Loss Therapy, Schema Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy.  In her spare time Louise enjoys relaxing in her garden and growing her own food.  She also enjoys fishing and camping and the great outdoors lifestyle offered by the Territory.


    Provides for clients through*:

    MHCP referrals

    Private Health

    Insurance providers

    NTG Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

    Private clients


    *Currently not accepting new clients.


  • Carolyn Sant - Psychologist - Durack

    • Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Charles Darwin University (NT)
    • Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours, Charles Darwin University (NT)
    • Master of Professional Psychology, University of New England (NSW) 
    • Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)

    “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” (Lao Tzu)


    Recognising that asking for help can be the hardest part of someone’s journey, yet the first step in healing, Carolyn adopts a warm, empathic, respectful and non-judgemental approach to her clients.  


    Carolyn has a Masters of Professional Psychology from the University of New England and holds an undergraduate and honours degree in psychology from Charles Darwin University. Carolyn’s prior work history includes serving in the Australian Defence Force, working in the financial services industry and in child protection. 


    Carolyn ensures only evidence-based therapies are used and are tailored to clients’ needs, both honouring and recognising a collaborative client-centred approach. Carolyn is trained in a number of therapeutic modalities; including, but not limited to  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Gottman Couples Therapy  and additionally utilises strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and other modalities as appropriate.   

    Carolyn is trained in a number of assessment protocols such as cognitive assessments, ADHD assessments and Autism assessments and uses a range of assessment tools for diagnostic purposes and to monitor the progress of therapeutic interventions. 


    Carolyn likes connecting and working with people across the life span (children, adolescents and  adults), to help achieve healthy and productive lives.  


    Carolyn is a long term Territorian and has called Darwin home, living and working in the Territory whilst raising a family for more than 30 years, and will continue to enjoy all the things the Territory continues to offer.   



  • Natalie Lim - Clinical Psychologist - Durack

    Natalie Lim - Clinical Psychologist


    Bachelor of Psychological Science 

    Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours

    Master of Psychology (Clinical)


    Natalie is a clinical psychologist who works with clients across the lifespan, families and couples, enjoying both therapeutic intervention and assessment work. She has worked with children, adolescent and adult clients experiencing concerns related to depression, anxiety, sleep issues, trauma, adjustment issues, relationship difficulties and life stressors.


    With her range of clinical skills, she aims to build strong therapeutic relationships with all her clients and uses a range of assessment and progress tools to plan, implement and evaluate appropriate interventions for her clients. 


    She is passionate about helping people to access their resilience, to overcome adversity, to build healthy relationships and to practice compassion within themselves. Natalie aims to employ an empathetic and holistic approach to client wellbeing and growth to ensure that each client is supported across all domains and are given the supports they need to continue growing, flourishing and thriving. 


    Natalie draws from a range of therapeutic modalities to deliver tailored therapeutic interventions to clients from diverse backgrounds. She has received training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Gottman Relationship Therapy and Brief Solution-focused therapy. She also draws upon elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness-based therapy to ensure a well-rounded approach to client concerns.


    Outside of therapy, Natalie enjoys expressing herself and playing her stresses away on the piano. She considers herself a social butterfly, but also loves her time alone to take in Darwin’s beautiful sunsets and beaches. 


    Provides for clients through:

    MHCP referrals

    Private Health

    Insurance providers

    NTG Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

    Private clients


  • Brigid O'Bryan - Psychologist - Durack

    Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours (First Class)

    Master of Psychology (Clinical)

    Member of the Australian Psychological Society


    Brigid is a psychologist and clinical registrar who works with children, adolescents and adults of all ages. 


    Brigid is from the Northern Territory and completed all of her studies with Charles Darwin University, graduating in March 2024. During this time her research interests included complex trauma and she gained experience in facilitating a skills-based, complex trauma group therapy program. 


    Brigid has worked with clients across the lifespan and from a variety of diverse backgrounds in the context of both therapeutic intervention and psychological assessment. Brigid is experienced with evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and enjoys working collaboratively with clients to assist them to build resilience, develop strategies, and gain further understanding of their challenges. A holistic, trauma-informed framework informs her approach and sessions are tailored to meet the individual needs of each client. 


    Brigid has a professional interest in working with clients that are experiencing emotional, behavioural and interpersonal difficulties including low mood, anxiety, trauma, eating concerns, and stress and work-related challenges. Her personal interests include getting outdoors and going camping, learning languages, cooking, and spending time with her energetic red heeler. 


    * Clinic Days: Tuesday to Friday 


    Provides for clients through:

    MHCP referrals

    Private health

    NTG Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

    Private clients


  • Margi MacGregor - Psychologist - Durack

    Margi MacGregor - Psychologist - Winnellie 


    Qualifications: 

    • Master of Organisational Psychology

    • Master of Professional Psychology

    • Master of Counselling

    • Diploma of Leadership and Management

    • Diploma of Vocational Education and Training

    • Diploma of Training Design and Development

    • Certificate IV in Career Development

    • Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety

    • Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

    • Certificate in Disaster Mental Health Counselling

    • Certificate in Trauma-informed Coaching

    Licensed Instructor: Standard, Youth and Older Person Mental Health First Aid; Standard Mental Health First Aid Refresher


    Margi is an endorsed organisational psychologist, EMDR practitioner and executive coach who has lived and worked in the NT since 2007. She has a passion for developing psychosocially safe and healthy workplaces through organisational cultural change initiatives, and believes in the importance of high quality Employee Assistance Program services to support clients to resolve concerns relating to their work and family life.


    Margi’s commitment to delivering effective, evidence-based interventions is underpinned by her excellent interpersonal skills, and inclusive cross-cultural collaboration practices. She considers herself a life-long learner, and enjoys quality time with friends and family, exploring the world, and creating connections within her community.




  • Stacey Zhang - Psychologist - TELEHEALTH

    Stacey Zhang 

    Psychologist


    Available by Telehealth 

    Thursday & Friday 


    Stacey is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Stacey holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of New South Wales, and a Master of Professional Psychology from the University of New England. 


    Stacey works with clients across the lifespan to help them manage their psychological difficulties and explore opportunities for growth and development using evidence-based approaches. Stacey has experience in public health, private practice, Lifeline, and with clients from tertiary, secondary, and primary education settings. 


    Using a culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed lens, Stacey provides a combination of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Stacey is also a bilingual practitioner who can provide services in English and Mandarin.


    As a mother of two, Stacey wants to work collaboratively with individuals, families, and carers to manage mental health challenges and promote mental wellness and flourishing.


  • Luke Nox - Clinical Psychology Registrar - Winnellie

    • Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
    • Master of Psychology (Clinical) 
    • APS, Associate Member
    • EMDR Association of Australia, Associate Member
    • International Society of Schema Therapists - Member

    “Depth psychology understands that the goal of life is not happiness, which is only transiently possible anyhow, but meaning, which abides.”

                                                                                James Hollis


    Luke has many years of experience working with behaviours of addiction, and associated mental health concerns. He has worked in both rehab and mental health residential settings and overseen the clinical team at a long-established Northern Territory community services organisation. 


    Luke’s primary interest is psychotherapy across the lifespan, and working across the broad spectrum of trauma from single event, to complex and developmental. Luke is trained in a number of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Schema Therapy.


    Luke has lived in the Territory for over twenty years and played an active role in engaging with and supporting the Territory community. He currently lives in the rural area and his main hobby is relaxing.


  • Hayley Coleman - Psychologist - Winnellie

    • Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
    • Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

    *Available Thursdays for assessment only


    Hayley has lived and worked in the Northern Territory across a range of urban and remote settings since 2019. She has a particular interest in psychological assessment, with a passion for early intervention and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders. 


    Hayley has experience with assessment administration with clients of a range of ages and cultural backgrounds, including young people from remote NT communities. She has experience in assessments to identify Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorders (e.g. dyslexia) and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 


    Hayley loves the warm and outdoor lifestyle that Darwin offers. Outside of work, she spends her time playing sport, exploring the NT’s national parks and playing board games. 


  • Arij Ahmed - Counsellor - Durack

    • Bachelor of Psychological Sciences at Charles Darwin University, NT 
    • Graduate Diploma of Counselling AT University of Southern Queensland, QLD 

    Arij is a Counsellor with a Level 1 membership with the Australian Counselling Association. 


    Over the course of his studies, Arij has been drawn to several therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solutions-focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Humanistic and Existential Therapy.  With a Person-Centred Therapeutic Framework as his foundation, Arij prefers to provide an integrative approach that is tailored to his clients’ individual needs. 


    Arij spent bulk of his childhood in Canada before moving to the Northern Territory. He’s been part of the Territory for over a decade and has grown to embrace the Territorian lifestyle, such as visiting the Night Markets and biking outdoors. 


  • Erica Lucas -Psychologist - Winnellie

    Erica Lucas


    Psychologist


    Bachelor of Psychology (BPSYCH) 

    Member of The Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI)


    Erica is a psychologist with over 12 years clinical experience, working primarily with clients in regional and remote areas of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. She understands the impact that isolation has on people accessing mental health support and subsequently aims to empower clients through building practical strategies for long-term mental, emotional and social wellness. She has a friendly, non-clinical demeanour to help clients engage the therapeutic process.


    Erica enjoys working with those over 16 years of age, to address various mental health concerns including substance use (addiction), depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, anger management and/or relationship difficulties. She has recently completed training in EMDR therapy, which is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and stress-related issues.


    Erica also has recent experience in vocational rehabilitation and has a passion in providing treatment and support to those in roles that may be vulnerable to vicarious trauma, burnout or other psychological injuries. She can provide treatment through EAP and/or work with those subject to the workers compensation process.


    Clinic days: Tuesdays 


    Kylie Wilson                              Lynne Spencer

Practice Manager                       Administration

      Robyn Dowling                                    Sue Butler

Durack Administration                  Administration