Our Team

• 

  Andrew Orenstein

  Director and Clinical Psychologist

  Originally a country boy, Andrew loves to be outside and often spends sessions kicking a footy, flying paper planes, role playing or inventing silly games. This is not to minimise the seriousness of the work he seeks to do.

  Andrew has experience working with severe mental health issues like suicidality, psychosis, and trauma based mental health issues.

  He also works well with people experiencing depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation (especially angry boys), behavioural issues and with those who struggle being resilient.

  Andrew can be seen Monday to Friday at Redstone Psychology.

• 

  Natalie Mercer Thomas

  Psychologist

  Natalie has been working with children and adolescents since 2000. She commenced private practice in 2008 whilst also raising a family.

  Natalie brings warmth and humour to the varied issues facing young people and families. From difficulties managing strong emotions to strengthening family bonds, to more specific mental health and behavioural concerns, Natalie combines careful listening, creativity and a fun approach to therapy. She has extensive experience working with people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and children with attachment related issues.

  Natalie can be seen at Redstone on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

• 

  Alyce Young

  Psychologist

  Alyce is a clinical psychology registrar known for her authentic approach to both therapy and life. She is passionate about helping people shake off the relentless expectations they often have of themselves and the way things ‘should be’ so they can live a life in line with their own values.

  Alyce has worked in a variety of public and private settings including youth mental health, inpatient facilities, and foster care. Recently, she has worked in private practice and developed a passion for long term work with individuals and their family members.

  As a mum to four exceptionally active young boys, Alyce can usually see the humour in things and often uses this in therapy to connect.

  Alyce has completed a Bachelor of Psychology with honours and a Master of Clinical Psychology with Distinction. Alyce also lectures into the Psychology program at the University of Newcastle and supervises provisional psychologists.

  Alyce can be seen at Redstone on a Wednesday and Thursday.

• 

  Chloe Duncan

  Psychologist

  Chloe works with children and adolescents who have experienced developmental challenges, trauma, and adversity. She has a lot of experience supporting parents and caregivers of these young people too, and considers this valuable work. Chloe works with adults with anxiety and depression, and has a keen interest in working with people in the performance and creative arts fields. She has a warm, welcoming, and person-centred approach. She collaborates with people to recognise and build upon their strengths and does so with acceptance and good humour.

  Chloe is a board approved supervisor and welcomes inquiries from those interested in supervision.

  Outside of work she loves spending time with her own family, sewing, DIY projects and music. Don’t be put off by the Kiwi accent, her lack of sports knowledge makes it unlikely any trans-Tasman rivalries will spark up in session.

  Chloe can be found at Redstone Psychology on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

• 

  Jenna Pickard

  Psychologist

  Jenna is kind, empathic and playful in her approach, she aims to ensure that all young people feel safe and welcomed in her presence and that parents/carers feel heard and understood when speaking with her. Jenna loves to bring humour to the session and its likely you will hear her very loud laugh coming from her room.

  Jenna has experience delivering evidence-based interventions to children and young people who have attachment difficulty, history of complex trauma, Anxiety disorders, ADHD and ASD. Her preferred use of therapeutic models including CBT, ACT and Narrative Therapy and her interests include, but are not limited to developing children and young people’s emotions, self-esteem, identity, resilience, and ability to regulate, as well as addressing behavioural difficulties and coping with social challenges.

  One of Jenna’s strengths as a clinician is working with children and families from complex, vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds and she is particularly passionate about working with children in the context of complex trauma, out of home care, attachment, and relationship difficulties. Jenna has trained with Dan Hughes in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and this is her preferred method of intervention when working in this context of trauma. Jenna is also trained in the Circle of Security parenting model.

  Jenna can be seen at Redstone on a Tuesday and Wednesday.

• 

  Joel Wolfgram

  Psychologist

  Joel is passionate about working with young people and brings a sense of fun, humour, and warmth to his sessions. Previously a pre-school educator, and still a big kid at heart, Joel works well with children who experience anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotion and behaviour difficulties, and those who have experienced trauma.

  Joel believes a person’s strengths and interests are powerful tools to use in therapy, and likes to engage in a person’s interests to help them explore and make meaning of their difficulties.

  Joel is an avid fan of sports, especially soccer, basketball, rugby league, AFL, baseball and ice hockey. He also likes to spend time with his young family, cat, and playing video games.

  Joel can be seen on Thursdays at Redstone Psychology.

• 

  Jess Orenstein

  Psychologist

  Jess enjoys working with adults and specialises in addressing a range of challenges including Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, Parenting, Trauma and Anger. Her aim is to create a genuine, inviting and safe space to explore these things. Along with curiosity, humour and warmth, Jess’s therapeutic approach is informed by Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy, ACT and CBT. Outside of her practice she cherishes quality time with friends and family, consumes loads of audiobooks, and enjoys warm weather, good food and bike riding.

  Jess completed a Bachelor of Psychology in 2010 and a Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2015, both at Newcastle University. She is currently completing her endorsement to become a Clinical Psychologist.

  She can be seen here at Redstone on a Tuesday. Her three young kiddos at home keep her busy for the rest of the week.

• 

  Emma Lee

  Psychologist

  Emma is a psychologist who is passionate about working with adults with a range of challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual assault, recovery from childhood abuse, domestic violence, self-esteem, bullying, parenting skills and grief and loss. She has a special interest in working with people who have experienced trauma and are recovering from childhood abuse.

  Emma’s preferred models of counselling are solution focused and narrative approaches, as well as CBT and ACT. She combines these approaches with careful listening, warmth, and wisdom.
   
  Emma is a mother of a large brood. She loves to watch cooking shows and check out new cafes.

  Emma can be seen on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday at Redstone Psychology

• 

  Liam Feeney

  Psychologist

  Having grown up in Newcastle, Liam completed his Bachelor of Psychology at the University of
  Newcastle in 2015. Since then, Liam has worked to support children, adolescents and families on a range of mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma related issues, emotional and behavioural dysregulation and helping families to discover more helpful ways of being.

  Liam is able to utilise a person’s skills, interests and experiences in the application of
  psychological treatments to ensure that their therapeutic experiences are relatable and delivered in a way that works for them.

  In his free time Liam cannot look past a good adventure, from skateboarding and rock climbing to exploring beaches and the Australian bush. His downtime calls for creative outlets, particularly guitar and drawing.

  Liam can be seen Monday to Friday at Redstone.

• 

  Shanelle Van Akerlaken

  Psychologist

  Shanelle is currently on Maternity leave.

  Shanelle is passionate about working creatively and in a fun and engaging way with young children who display a range of presentations including behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, attachment and trauma related presentations, anxiety and depression.

  Shanelle loves working with parents to assist with managing behaviour and growing connection in the parent child relationship. Shanelle is trained in and has facilitated parenting program such as Circle of Security and Tuning in to Kids/Teens.
  Shanelle also has over 6 years experience working in school systems, has trained and supported teachers in managing students social and emotional well-being and has been in school psychologists’ positions.

  Shanelle has a lot of experience running and facilitating group programs and parenting programs and loves incorporating some of these skills in working with children, young people and families on an individual basis.

• 

  Manny Kassiotis

  Therapist/Social Worker

  For more than 20 years Manny has worked in the areas of disability, guardianship, missing persons, child protection, domestic and family violence, and grief and loss both in Australia and in Scotland. Manny has experience working as an individual counsellor, child and family therapist, and group work facilitator.

  Manny works within a human rights, social justice, and child protection framework. He has a particular interest in supporting those affected by bereavement, homicide, and other non-death related grief and loss (separation, divorce, migration, and other life changes).

  Manny endeavours to provide a therapeutic service that is trauma informed, strengths-based, attachment focussed, and acknowledges and validates supporting those affected by ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief. Manny comes to Redstone having most recently worked as a trauma therapist and a bereavement counsellor for children and young people.

  Manny can be seen at Redstone on Monday and Tuesdays.

• 

  Eleanor Britz

  Therapist/Social Worker

  Eleanor is a passionate therapist and social worker who has been working with children and families since 2004. She brings warmth and humility to her listening approach with people and values what each person brings to the problems they face. Eleanor has a wealth of experience working with survivors of trauma and abuse, finding healing and hope through creative therapies. Eleanor has worked with people who have experienced a range of relationship, emotional and mental health difficulties including developmental and attachment concerns. She is equally comfortable working with children, adolescents and families. Fun, joy and hope are an important part of her conversations about serious problems.

  Eleanor can be seen at Redstone Psychology on Mondays and Tuesdays.

• 

  Amelia Rofe

  Provisional Psychologist

  Amelia is a warm and welcoming therapist. She enjoys working with adults to address a broad range of issues including Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Chronic Pain, and Family and Parenting challenges. Amelia’s therapeutic approach is informed by CBT, ACT, Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, and DBT, and she is particularly passionate about supporting people to draw on their strengths and qualities as important tools in navigating challenges throughout life.

  Amelia completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in 2020 and is currently completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Newcastle. When she is not working or studying, Amelia enjoys yoga and spending time outdoors, and with her cat Louis.

  She can be seen here at Redstone on Thursdays face-to-face or via Telehealth appointment.

• 

  James Knox

  Provisional Psychologist

  James brings a curious, enthusiastic and positive approach to helping children, families and adults with a broad range of issues. James is welcoming of all client presentations and is eager to hear the stories of people from all walks of life whilst he is early in his career and developing areas of interest.

  James completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in 2019, a Master of Professional Psychology (2020), and is currently completing his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Newcastle in the area of men's mental health.

  Outside of work and study, James has a passion for triathlon racing and loves any form of exercise or sport.

  James can be seen at Redstone on Monday and Tuesday's.