Meet the Team
Feel to Heal Leadership
Nicola Cohen
Director and Clinical Psychologist
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
My name is Nicola.
I work with children, adolescents, and their families in addition to young adults. I pride myself on my openness, relatability, and ability to make clients feel safe, validated, and heard. As my clients know, one of my favourite sayings is ‘you can’t heal it, until you feel it’ and from this, Feel to Heal Psychology was born. As an avid Harry Potter fan, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to use the beautiful reference of Fawkes, a phoenix, to represent this practice. This is because my very essence as a psychologist is to support my clients to rise up from their difficulties, and look inwards to feel and process their emotions to become the best version of themselves.
I have a special interest in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, in addition to trauma, parenting support, infertility, and ante and postnatal anxiety and depression. I am trained to utilise a range of evidence-based therapies including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour informed therapy (DBT), in addition to some schema therapy work and I am also a trained EMDR therapist. Ultimately though, I am an eclectic practitioner, meaning I will draw from various modalities depending on the needs of the client.
Outside of work, I am a wife and mum of three beautiful children and two wonderful fur babies. We love spending time as a family and with friends, travelling, adventuring outdoors, are board games and movie nerds, and I also love curling up with a book and a cup of tea!
Nicola is currently on maternity leave until Nov 2024.
Congratulations Nicola and Dylan!!
Charlie Cohen
Therapy Dog
Charlie is an 9 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the cutest colleague I could ask for!
While his favourite working past time is to sleep (and snore!), he is a very tuned in pup who always knows when clients need a cuddle and can make even the hardest times feel that little bit more manageable.
Charlie is currently on “Bro-ternity” leave until Nov 2024.
Dylan Cohen
Owner and Business Manager
Hi there, my name is Dylan.
I’m the face you will never see, working hard behind the scenes ensuring the practice is functioning and all our psychologists are happy! While psychology and business management are not typically my forte, I love working with our clients and psychologists to ensure the “family” of Feel to Heal Psychology is well looked after.
Outside of Feel to Heal, I work as an Engineering Consultant, have 5 beautiful children (3 human and 2 fur), and enjoy helping some good friends with their own businesses.
Stepfh Collier
Practice Manager
Hi there, I am Stepfh.
I am the Practice Manager at Feel to Heal Psychology. I will be the face to greet you as you walk in the door and don’t mind if you need to reach out to confirm things, I will always come back as quickly as I can. With a lot of administrative and management experience in GP, Specialist and Psychology practices. Having worked with practices on Policies, Procedures and Accreditation, I strive for the best standards in care from your first enquiry and will always try and make you feel welcome. I am a mother of a wonderful 4-year-old boy and a 12-year-old sausage dog, I am a wife, a daughter and strength enthusiast who has qualified for national competitions. I am often in the gym, or a play centre or doing adventure walks with my son and husband.
Admin Team
Maddy Towill
Receptionist
Hi, I’m Maddy!
My role at Feel to Heal is Receptionist. You will see me at the front desk or chat with me on the phone/email in the afternoons, Monday through Wednesday.
Outside of Feel to Heal, I am a cat mum to my baby Stormi, an avid crocheter, and a student working my way through a Bachelor of Psychological Science. I have a keen interest in behavioural psychology and hope to become a clinical psychologist myself one day!
My goal is to assist clients as best I can by ensuring the start, end, and everything in the middle of your journey with us is as stress-free and welcoming as possible.
I look forward to chatting with you!
Rose Taylor
Receptionist
Hi! My name is Rose.
I’m part of the reception team at Feel to Heal. You’ll see me at the front desk on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I’m here to make you feel at home and welcome with us.
Outside of my work at Feel to Heal I’m a psychology student and I aim to work towards becoming a clinical psychologist. Before beginning my studies I worked as a dressage coach and Pilates instructor for equestrians. Through my work as a coach I realised my real passion was helping people overcome their challenges which led me to my current studies.
Lauren Jespersen
Receptionist
Hi, I’m Lauren!
You can find me at the front desk at Feel to Heal, welcoming you in and answering any questions you may have! I come from a psychology and social work background and am here to make you feel welcome.
When we chat, you might notice my funny accent… I’m Canadian, born and raised! I moved to Australia over 6 years ago and after many adventures around the country, I have landed in Canberra with my partner.
Outside of Feel to Heal, you’ll find me either in the mountains or the coast camping, hiking, biking and exploring.
I looking forward to meeting you and helping in any way that I can J
Psychologists
Leah Rackemann
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Jaimee Forster
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Nakiya Xyrakis
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Hello! I’m Nakiya (like Nikita without the T).
At Feel to Heal, I work therapeutically with adults and teens, and also offer cognitive assessments for people of all ages. I am passionate about creating inclusive and respectful therapeutic spaces, and I like to take a strength-based and collaborative approach with each client.
I have particular interest in working with anxiety, stress, self-confidence, trauma, and supporting members of the LGBTQI+ community. I have training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and I am an accredited Cool Kids facilitator and Circle of Security (Parenting) program facilitator. I am also a qualified yoga instructor and will often draw from this to include mindfulness and self-compassion approaches within therapy.
Outside of work I’ll likely be on the yoga mat, hanging out with my dog Baxter, enjoying delicious food and chats with friends, or trying to keep up with the entire RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise!
Caitlin Starink
Registered Psychologist
BA, BPsychSc(Hons)
Hi! My name is Caitlin.
I’m a generally registered psychologist with a strong and personal passion for supporting and working with neurospicy children, adolescents and their families. My background has primarily been in helping neurosparkly clients navigate a range of common co-morbidities such as anxiety and mood dysregulation. This starts with the belief that neurodiversity is just a difference with it’s own strengths, not something that wrong or bad or needs to be fixed.
Often we find that an environment the person is situated in is not currently suited or supportive of their needs and I love working with families and young people to develop supportive strategies that help empower them and help them grow the skills they need. In an age appropriate way, I aim to help clients and their carers develop an understanding of themselves and a acceptance of all aspects of who they are, their unique strengths and gifts. Whilst developing those skills to help them navigate the ‘seas of life’ with all it’s ups and downs.
Therapy is not a one-size-fits all, and with this in mind I aim to tailor the therapeutic approach to the individual client needs and preferences. Depending on what the core issues impacting the client are therapy may incorporate aspects of CBT, ACT, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy or IPT (areas I am currently furthering my education in).
Emily Denny
Registered Psychologist
BPsych(Hons)
Hey there! My name is Emily
I am currently working through the provisional psychology (4+2) internship pathway. My role at Feel to Heal is to provide therapeutic and psychological support to my clients. I have a special interest in the Autism Spectrum and working with children and young adults. My goal is to provide a safe and warm environment for my clients, so they may feel comfortable and supported.
Outside of the practice, you’ll find me hanging with my cat (Nimbus), reading, or spending time with my siblings.
Caragh Palmer
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Hey there, I’m Caragh!
At Feel to Heal, I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I have a particular interest in emotional dysregulation, interpersonal/relationship difficulties, self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, and supporting members of the LGBTQI+ community.
Primarily, my therapeutic approach is informed by dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). I also draw on other evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to ultimately tailor the therapeutic experience to the specific needs of each client. I am committed to creating a warm and non-judgemental space with an emphasis on cultivating a strong therapeutic relationship. I also work as a certified yoga instructor and will often integrate mindfulness and somatic practices into my therapeutic approach.
Outside of work, you’ll find me enjoying my own yoga practice, exploring the outdoors, traveling, or spending quality time with friends!
Beau Sullivan
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BSocSc, GDipPsych, BScPsych(Hons)
Hi, I’m Beau!
At Feel to Heal, I work therapeutically with adults and teens, and offer cognitive assessments for people of all ages. I believe in tailoring treatment plans collaboratively with my clients, ensuring a flexible, non-judgemental, and empathetic approach that addresses their specific needs.
I have a particular interest in working with borderline personality disorder, emotion dysregulation, depression, and anxiety. I am trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. My aim is to support clients to feel validated and skilfully engage in effective coping behaviours that enhance their overall well-being and help them achieve their life worth living goals.
Outside the therapy room, if I’m not finishing the last bits of my PhD in Clinical Psychology, I’m probably hanging with my dogs Bruce and Morty, lifting weights in the gym, doing some bouldering, or spending time with friends.
Mackenzie Sternbeck-Rutter
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Hi, I’m Mackenzie!
At Feel to Heal, I work therapeutically with young people and adults. I’m passionate about providing a warm and safe space for clients to explore their experiences and develop coping strategies tailored to their unique needs. I also have experience with and aim to provide a secure and collaborative environment for neurodivergent, LGBTQUIAP+, and First Nations people.
I have a particular interest in helping clients navigate the complexities of trauma, anxiety, depression, and anger. I have training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). I am an accredited Confident Carers and Cooperative Kids (CCCK) facilitator and have facilitated group therapies for families with children with anxiety and autism.
Outside of Feel to Heal, I enjoy swimming in the ocean, re-watching the same TV shows, and spending time with family.
Thomas Pearson
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
MClinPsych
Hi there, I’m Thomas,
At Feel to Heal, my practice aims to support meaningful change in the lives of the people I work with. I work hard to create a space where people feel heard and understood. My focus is on fostering new understandings, cultivating skills, and instilling confidence to confront significant life challenges. I work with clients from a range of backgrounds, with specific interest in anxiety, depression, stress, emotional, and interpersonal dysregulation. I work to integrate a diverse range of therapeutic approaches where appropriate, including cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), ensuring a flexible and personalized approach.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my two young children, glassblowing, painting, cooking, and undertaking various gardening projects.
Hannah Black
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
BPsych(Hons), MClinPsych
Hi, I’m Hannah!
At Feel to Heal, I predominantly work with children and adolescents. I aim to support young people and their families with difficulties such as depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, adjustment/stress and body image concerns. I’m passionate about building strong and trusting alliances with young people and allowing them to feel safe and heard.
I use a variety of evidence-based therapies, depending on the needs of each person. My approach is primarily based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), but I also incorporate aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour informed Therapy (DBT). I frequently use play, humour and creativity as I believe these tools allow young people to engage with therapy in a strengths-based way.
Outside the office, you’ll find me baking, camping, hiking and listening to music or podcasts.
Location
Deakin, ACT 2600