Mums Matter

Dr Hana Guo - Clinical Psychologist: Maternity Leave

B.Sc Hon Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology, Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, MAPS

Dr Hana Guo is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  She is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). In 2016, she completed her doctorate focusing on the impact of neurological functioning on symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder amongst children.  Hana has worked with a wide range of population in a variety of settings, ranging from public/private hospitals, community mental health settings and private psychology clinics. She has also completed the University of Sydney Continuing Development Program on Perinatal Mental Health and is dedicated to providing the best care to both mothers and fathers through their challenges in the perinatal period. She is an accredited Circle of Security group facilitator.

Belinda Horton - Mental Health Occupational Therapist: Sunshine

B.App.Sc.(OT), M.Hlth.Sc.(OT), Grad. Dip. F.T., MBA, FIML, CMgr.

Belinda Horton is a registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). For 10 years, she had the great privilege of leading PANDA as Chief Executive Officer, Australia’s specialist perinatal mental health service provider. Leading the development of vital services for Australian women with mental ill-health and their families, including the National Perinatal Depression Helpline was deeply satisfying. Belinda has a broad range of skills and methodologies in each of the areas of perinatal mental health including mental health Occupational Therapy, Family Therapy, attachment, trauma informed practice, grief and loss, cultural competence, parenting transitions and group facilitation. Belinda is completing the Perinatal Mental Health Program at The University of Sydney, and has completed perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE).

Dr Melanie Irons - Provisional Psychologist: Video Conference

Bachelor of Psychology (Hons.,) Masters of Professional Psychology, PhD, MAPS

Dr Melanie Irons is a registered Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and is full member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Mel has experience working with clients across the lifespan, with a particular interest in men's mental health and the perinatal period for new mothers and families. Mel has conducted extensive research as part of her PhD and while working for Monash University, supervising Honours level psychology students. Mel is passionate about ongoing learning and is always striving to increase her knowledge and the different therapy skills she can bring to her clients. Mel is empathic, collaborative, solution-focused, non-judgemental and supportive. Mel also works for an organisational psychology consultancy, and firmly believes that everyone can make changes in their lives to feel better. Mel is completing the Perinatal Mental Health Program at The University of Sydney, and has completed perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE).

Dr Maria Lambrou – Clinical Psychologist: Newport

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Doctor of Clinical Psychology, MAPS

Dr Maria Lambrou is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and is full member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She is passionate about supporting families negotiating difficult circumstances. In 2016 she completed her internship at Austin Health’s Perinatal Mental Health Clinic and Parent Infant Research Institute (PIRI). While there, she worked with mothers, couples, families and mother-infant dyads during the transition to parenthood, and up to two years post-partum. Maria also has experience working with adults aged 18 – 65 in range of other public mental health services, including community mental health teams and inpatient settings, and has contributed to a range of research projects. In her psychological work with clients, she utilises a range of evidence-based approaches, and always tailors the experience to each individual client’s unique circumstances, preferences and strengths. Maria has also completed the University of Sydney continuing development program: Perinatal Mental Health.

Alana Pisani - Psychologist: Group Facilitator

B. Psychological Studies (Interpersonal and Organisational), B. Psychological Studies (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), MAPS

Alana Pisani is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Alana has worked and completed placements in public and private hospitals, mother baby units and in community mental health. In these roles Alana has worked with adults who present with a range of issues including mood and anxiety disorders, interpersonal difficulties and stress management. She has also facilitated group programs that support parents experiencing perinatal depression, anxiety, and parenting stress. Alana works collaboratively with her clients using a warm and engaging interpersonal style and assists them in enhancing their wellbeing, overcoming life’s challenges and living their life in accordance with their values. She has completed the University of Sydney continuing development program: Perinatal Mental Health and undertaken perinatal specific training with the Centre for Perinatal Psychology and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE). Alana is an accredited Circle of Security group facilitator.

Melanie Rintoull - Psychologist: Seabrook

B.Arts (Psychology), Grad Dip Psychology, Master of Psychology (Counselling), MAPS

Melanie is a fully registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She has extensive experience working within community mental health and has provided support, counselling and interventions around, mental health, family and relationships, motivation, education and employment issues. Melanie likes to use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy.  Melanie has a strong interest in positive psychology, schema therapy and perinatal psychology and has completed perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and the Perinatal Mental Health Program at The University of Sydney,  

Teresa Sartor - Psychologist: Sydenham and Keilor Downs

B. Science (Psychology and Genetics), Grad. Dip. Applied Psychology, MAPS

Teresa is a fully registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has extensive experience working with issues including stress and anxiety, injury management and rehabilitation, change management, balancing work/life demands and conflict resolution. Teresa’s aim when working with clients is to create a safe and supportive environment where issues can be explored and addressed. Teresa draws upon the foundations of Cognitive Behavioural Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Theory, mindfulness, Coaching and Neuroscience to tailor a plan for each individual. Teresa has a keen interest in perinatal psychology including infertility, pregnancy loss, pregnancy support and transitioning to parenthood and has completed the Perinatal Mental Health Program at The University of Sydney. She has undertake perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE).

Dr Jenna Spink - Clinical Psychologist: Newport

Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Master of Psychology (Health), BSc Applied Psychology,

Jenna is a registered Clinical Psychologist  with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) who completed her training in the UK. Before and after her training she has worked in a variety of different settings both public and private, including hospitals, community centres and schools with a variety of different clients. Through her training she developed an interest in attachment theory and the impact that early life has on future relationships and mental well-being. She has worked with a variety of clients with trauma backgrounds, including developmental trauma and one-off events. She feels passionate about supporting families to be able to get joy from their relationships with each other and in doing so supporting the development of secure attachments. She sees a huge importance in supporting women who are transitioning to a new role as a mother as this can be a difficult and challenging. She also feels passionate about supporting women and families who have difficulty conceiving or have experienced loss. She works in a person-centred way often integrating different approaches to best support that client. She is completing the Perinatal Mental Health Program at The University of Sydney. and has undertaken perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE).

Melinda Sullivan - Psychologist: Maidstone and West Footscray

Grad Dip psychology, B.Psychological Science (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Clinical Family Therapy, Grad Dip Child and Family Nursing, MAPS

Melinda Sullivan is a registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has wide experience working with families as a Psychologist, Midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse. She has previously worked in a number hospital and community settings and enjoys helping mums, dads and children overcome the mental health challenges they experience and form deeper and more fulfilling relationships. Melinda has delivered a number of group programs treating perinatal depression, assisting mothers and fathers in their new parenting roles and fostering attachment between parents and children. She has completed the University of Sydney continuing development program: Perinatal Mental Health and undertaken perinatal specific training with the Royal Children's Hospital, Parent and Infant Research Institute, and the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE). She is an accredited Circle of Security and Baby Makes 3 group facilitator.

Sarah van Ree - Psychologist: Derrimut and Sunshine

B.Arts (Psychology), Grad Dip Psychology, Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental)

Sarah van Ree is a registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  She has worked predominantly in school settings providing counselling and interventions for students and families for issues including, but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, domestic violence, psychosis, personality disorders, low self-esteem and social skills. Her placement at the Developmental Disability Clinic of Monash Medical Centre saw her support families adjusting to the diagnosis of disability in their child and included parent-child therapy. Sarah has contributed to published research in the field of Educational and Developmental Psychology. Sarah has also completed the University of Sydney continuing development program: Perinatal Mental Health and undertaken perinatal specific training with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)..

Jo Willis - Psychotherapist/Mental Health Social Worker: Altona

B.Social Work, Grad Cert Alcohol and other drugs, Master of Counselling and Human Services, AASW

Jo Willis is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW), with an extensive history of working with issues relating to parenting, anxiety depression, relationship issues, grief and loss, health, trauma and PTSD. She practices using a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness and Emotion Focused Therapy. She has a back ground in Social Work and working with addictions. More recently has studied Integrative Health to support the whole person and not just the mind. She tailors her approach to the individual person to support them with their identified goals for treatment. She is completing the University of Sydney continuing development program: Perinatal Mental Health, and perinatal specific training with Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)

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Carrie Skinner - Administration Support and Bookings Coordinator

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Carrie is dedicated to supporting our clients and our team of clinicians. She may be in contact with you to coordinate your bookings and will return your call if you leave us a voicemail.  She is available to answer any questions you may have or put you in touch with the right person.