Our Qualified Sydney
Psychologists & Therapists
With an experienced team of psychologists and therapists, the aim of Mind Connect Psychology is to help you achieve profound and lasting change. Our team are all fully qualified and professionally registered, conducting all services with a warm, compassionate and professional approach. We ensure your experience with us is always comfortable, confidential and safe.
Deepika (Dee) is a development-driven Registered Psychologist with holistic approaches and has over 17 years of professional involvement in the betterment of her clients across geographies.
Her passion towards the field helped her complete her Master degree in Psychology with specialisation in Clinical Psychology. She trained to be a developmental child therapist and started a school in India for children with special needs. She had opportunities to serve children and their families across geographies, continents and cultures, before she permanently moved to Australia.
She has specialised interests and experience in assessment and treatment planning for complex ASD presentation, ADHD, and related behavioural conditions. Her other proficiencies lie in the eclectic treatment of anxiety and related disorders, as well as social-emotional regulation. Dee uses a range of intervention modalities rooted in Play therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focussed Therapy with a strong focus on behavioural considerations. Dee’s strong focus on cultural implications on a client’s presentation has been a strongpoint in her therapeutic work.
Dee is multilingual, fluent in five Indian languages other than English making her communicate effectively, be culturally sensitive and establish rapport very quickly with families.
Dee is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, is a member of Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australia Play Therapy Association (APTA).
Paul is a registered psychologist with extensive experience in education. He works mainly with adults (18+) and is committed to collaborating closely with his clients to foster a caring and effective therapeutic relationship.
Paul has been trained in and uses a range of evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing. Working attentively with the client, he integrates elements of cognitive, behavioural, experiential and psychodynamic approaches to develop self-compassion, flexibility and resilience.
Paul is also a certified Focusing-Oriented therapist, a person-centred approach that values the client’s uniqueness, gently guiding them to learn from and trust their own lived experience. He is passionately dedicated to professional development and learning, and takes a keen interest in emerging research to ensure his clients receive the optimal support they deserve.
Paul completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of Wollongong and his Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Charles Sturt University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and was awarded the Dean’s Medal from the University of Western Sydney.
Paul is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, and a NESA accredited teacher.
Kirsten is a registered psychologist with a Masters in Professional Psychology and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Macquarie University. She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and is a member of Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI).
Kirsten is known for her friendly, calm, and collaborative approach. She works closely with her clients to meet their individual goals. Kirsten creates a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.
She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She is skilled in trauma-informed care, complex case management, crisis intervention, and recovery-oriented therapy. Kirsten has worked with NSW Health, the Australian Defence Force, and community organisations across Sydney.
She is experienced in supporting people with anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-esteem, adjustment issues, and stress management. She also supports people with OCD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.
Kirsten works with clients aged 16+. Outside of work you will find her at the gym, socialising, or discovering art and food.
As a Play Therapist…
Natalie is a registered Play Therapist who completed her Masters of Play Therapy at Deakin University and a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Counseling at the University of Notre Dame. She is a member of the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association and mainly works with families and children who have neurological disorders such as Autism, development disorders including Developmental Delays or Intellectual Disabilities, and those experiencing trauma, anxiety and depression.
Natalie’s therapeutic approach involves using play as a means of helping individuals, especially children, to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to work through emotional and behavioural difficulties. She may also encourage the child to engage in imaginative play, such as storytelling or role-playing, to help them process their experiences and develop coping skills. This is part of her humanistic-child centred approach to allow the child to express their inner-world.
For information about play therapy, read more at Kids Connect and Play.
As a Couples and Family Therapist…
With extensive experience in couples therapy, Natalie specialises in helping partners reconnect, communicate effectively, and strengthen their emotional bond using the Gottman Method. Grounded in over four decades of research, this evidence-based approach allows her to guide couples through proven strategies that foster deeper understanding, resolve conflict constructively, and rebuild trust.
Natalie offers a compassionate, structured, and results-oriented space where real change is experienced. She works alongside couples who are experienceing communication challenges, navigating life transitions, and seeking to enhance an already strong relationship.
Natalie has worked at several non-for-profit organisations providing counselling to individuals, couples, children and families who have experienced domestic and family violence, high conflict separation, mental health challenges and addiction. She has experience in facilitating multiple parenting and children’s groups such as Circle of Security, Tuning into Kids, Keeping Kids in Mind, Emotion Coaching, Wrapped in Angels and Mindfulness program.
Child and Family
Natasha has extensive knowledge and experience in working with children, adolescent and their families with a variety of emotional, behavioural and life transitions. Natasha enjoys working with younger children (3 – 6 years), primary school aged children (7 – 12 years), and their parents/carers.
Her counselling style is warm, curious and playful and her aim in working with children and their families is to enhance and foster connectiveness, create safety, elicit hope and build a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Natasha’s preferred way of practice with children is through expressive therapies including Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Sand and Symbols Therapy and Psychosomatic informed practices. She is also informed by attachment theory, trauma-informed therapies, psychosomatic psychotherapy, and systems approaches to working with parents and their children.
For information about play therapy, learn more at Kids Connect and Play.
Natasha is a trained facilitator in the following parenting programs: Bring Up Great Kids, Circle of Security Parenting, and Emotional Coaching (123 Magic). She is also currently completing her certification in Theraplay.
Natasha finds happiness in the chaos of raising her three children, getting up early in the morning to go for a run, buying too many books that she will not have the time to read, dancing like no one is watching and time with new and old friends.
Couple Therapy
As a dedicated couples counsellor, Natasha is passionate about helping partners reconnect and rebuild the deep, authentic connection that lies at the heart of ever fulfilling relationship.
With several years’ experience in relationship counselling and specialised training in evidence-based approaches—including Emotionally Focused Therapy and The Gottman Method—Natasha supports couples in navigating communication challenges, healing emotional wounds, and transforming conflict into opportunities for growth.
Her passion for couples therapy began with a personal insight: every relationship has its own unique narrative, full of both struggles and untapped potential. She believes that every couple deserves a safe, empathetic space where both partners can feel heard and understood. By tailoring her approach to the distinct dynamics of each relationship, Natasha helps couples uncover new strengths, rebuild trust, and foster a lasting connection grounded in mutual respect and genuine empathy.
Natasha creates and nurtures a non-judgmental environment, where vulnerability is met with compassion and support. Whether you’re facing recurring conflicts, feeling emotionally disconnected, or simply looking to deepen your connection, her goal is to guide you both toward a future where open communicationg, collaborative problem-solving, and shared joy are at the core of your partnership.
If you’re ready to embark on a journey toward greater intimacy and resilience in your relationship, Natasha invites you to take that first step—together.
Fox Smith is a registered psychotherapist/counsellor who focuses on how a client’s life has shaped their unique view of the world. This is the professional curiosity which motivates her to work with a diverse range of clients and across various life stages.
Fox supports clients experiencing adjustments, transitions, and changes—whether resulting from personal decisions or unexpected life events. She also works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, illness, bullying, and
loneliness, and to make sense of these challenges. Fox also has a special interest in supporting all people and family members in the journey of gender, sexuality and personal expression, and has received training from ACON and Headspace to support the specific mental health needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Fox’s therapeutic approach is Humanistic, and includes training in Existential Psychotherapy and Philosophy, Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Fox guides clients toward increased self-compassion, resourcefulness, and meaningful introspection to facilitate positive changes in emotions, thoughts, actions, and behaviours.
Emily is a registered psychologist who strives to provide person-centred care to clients. Emily aims to create a safe, non-judgemental space for clients to share their difficulties and feel empowered to use their strengths, experiences, and supports to experience a meaningful life.
Emily has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, gender diverse clients, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. Emily utilises a range of evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Family Based Therapy.
Emily has a strong interest in providing psychological support to individuals experiencing eating and feeding disorders. She has a strong passion for working with children and adolescents. Emily has experience providing cognitive, educational and behavioural assessments.
Emily completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canberra. She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Emily is currently undertaking a psychology registrar program for clinical endorsement.
Ages: Children, Adolescents & Adults
Maria works with people belonging from a diverse range of social and cultural backgrounds. She has offered solutions to different age groups including children, adolescents and adults. She specialises in Emotional Wellbeing- stabilising emotions, complex interpersonal trauma, depressive symptoms, chronic stress, adjustment disorders, social anxiety, self-doubt and self-worth, developing and maintaining healthy relationships.
Maria believes in resolving conflict and cultivating healthy thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviours to improve people’s quality of life. She is also equipped to offer families with the needed support and evidence-based strategies that may help them manage parenting and family conflict.
Maria uses variety of modalities while applying therapeutic framework of evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gestalt and humanistic approaches to Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and Principles of Mindfulness.
Maria shares this ideology across her practice, that is, “Happiness is not just a place, but also a process. Happiness is an ongoing process of fresh challenges, and it takes the right attitudes and activities to continue to be happy.” This philosophy underpins her work as she is passionate about actively listening without judgement, to equip people during their ongoing journey of achieving their treatment goals.
Treatment Areas: Assessment, Autism, Challenging behaviours, Developmental Delays, Emotion regulation, Anxiety, Resilience, Complex Trauma, Depression, Stabilising Emotions, Grief/Loss, Loneliness/Isolation, Parenting, PTSD, Post-/Peri-natal Depression, Relationship issues, Self Harm, Self-doubt / Self-worth issues, Separation & Divorce, Unemployment & mental Health, Youth life issues.
Meagan is a dedicated and compassionate psychologist with a wealth of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She is deeply client-focused, ensuring that each individual receives personalised care tailored to their unique needs.
She employs evidence-based interventions to support her clients in achieving their mental health goals. She places a strong emphasis on fostering a therapeutic relationship built on trust, understanding, and empathy. This approach helps create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and emotions.
Meagan has a comprehensive understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals and families. Her expertise in this area allows her to provide effective and sensitive care, guiding clients through the healing process with compassion and skill.
She utilises evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing, and Schema Therapy.
Meagan is a registered Psychologist who completed her education at The University of Sydney and is approved by the Psychology Board of Australia to provide supervision to registered and provisional psychologists. She is currently undertaking her Masters studies in Clinical Psychology.
Mary is a registered psychologist and clinical psychology registrar with a passion for supporting and working with school-aged children, adolescents and adults.
She adopts a client-centred approach, fostering a therapeutic and supportive relationship. Mary’s holistic approach involves a thorough assessment, to understand each client’s history including their cultural and belief systems. Together with the client, she develops a personalised treatment plan that promotes self-awareness, identifies individual strengths, and implements effective strategies. Through this shared therapeutic journey, clients are empowered to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
She has extensive experience in managing various mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, adjustments and PTSD, self-worth issues, perinatal mental health, grief and loss, cultural issues, trauma, perinatal concerns, life challenges and overall mental wellness. She employs a range of evidence-based techniques including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Narrative Therapy, and Schema Therapy.
When working with children, Mary incorporates positive attachment parenting concepts from the Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) and emotion coaching from Tuning into Kids (TIK). As a qualified facilitator of COSP and TIK, she enjoys working with parents in individual and group settings to enhance their confidence in parenting.
Mary is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She completed her studies at The University of Sydney and ACAP University College. With a keen interest in evidence-based interventions, she is currently undertaking her registrar program in Clinical Psychology.
Dani is a warm and compassionate person who welcomes everyone through the Mind Connect doors with a smile. She has a keen interest in working with and supporting mental health and wellbeing, and this is supported through her current tertiary studies in psychology.
Dani understands that the process of reaching out for support may be challenging and works to create a safe environment so everyone feels appreciated and understood. She is happy to connect and answer your questions, and looks forward to getting to know each and every one of our clients. In her down time, she enjoys a coastal walk with her dog, and working on one of her art projects.
