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About Thriving Minds Psychology

We take a holistic approach to modern psychology services.

We take into consideration your whole experience as a client.

Therapy begins before you walk into our office. It starts from the first point of contact, when you take the first steps to seek the support you deserve. You will be warmly greeting by our friendly client support team who are dedicated to supporting a smooth transition into our practice and therapy.

If you or a loved one have some mental health concerns or if you are unsure if therapy is right for you, we are here to help you

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At Thriving Minds Psychology Clinic, our vision is to redefine the experience of therapy. Moving the therapy experience from clinical and anxiety provoking to calm and welcoming. Distress can thrive in darkness, we aim to provide every human the opportunity to break down barriers, step into the light and THRIVE.

“Our mission is to provide an accessible mental health service in a calm and welcoming environment that is collaborative, professional and dependable for both clients and referrers”

MELISSA JOHNSON, DIRECTOR

Our Clinic Values

Collaborate

We work collaboratively with client and referrers towards a common purpose and shared goals.

BOLD

We embrace change and innovation to help clients, our colleagues and ourselves.

HUMAN

We are authentic in our interactions and communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully.

QUALITY

We provide the best possible outcomes for our clients and take pride in delivering the gold standard in evidence based therapy and quality treatment.

PASSION

We live and breath what we do, live by example and pursue excellence.

INTEGRITY

We are honest and show a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.

A Psychology Practice that redefines the experience of therapy.

Our team of professional and highly skilled practitioners have extensive Counselling and Psychology experience, working with adults, adolescents, children and families.

We also have a wonderful Client Support and Administration Management Team, who provide you with a safe and comfortable experience as you engage in therapy.

Thriving Minds Psychology Clinic provide support options via telephone and zoom if you are unable to attend our practice.

Meet the Thriving Minds Psychology Team

Melissa Johnson

PSYCHOLOGIST/ DIRECTOR/ KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: B Psych, Assoc MAPS

Melissa Johnson, is an experienced clinician and the director of Thriving Minds Psychology Clinic. As a practicing psychologist for over a decade she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Neuroplasticity research. Melissa has time and time again helped clients to grow, develop, and learn to enjoy their life now and strive toward a fulfilling life

Melissa helps clients become aware of their belief systems, unhelpful cognitive strategies and behaviours while creating new ways of thinking and behaviour. This creates new neural pathways which facilitates long term change.

Melissa works with adults and busy professionals experiencing chronic stress and anxiety, burnout and struggling to establish the elusive work life harmony. Her other special interest area is working with families in the perinatal period who are trying to conceive, progressing through pregnancy and adjusting to  a new born baby.

She is passionate about using her skills and experience to educate and inspire and create long term change both in therapy and as a writer and keynote speaker.

Special Interest Areas:

  • jAdult Anxiety and Depression
  • jStress Management and Professional Burnout Prevention
  • jBehaviour change and habit formation.
  • jPerinatal Mental Health

Nikki Horsford

REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST

Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: Ba Psych.Science

Nikki is an experienced clinician and has a particular interest in treating anxiety, depression, low self esteem, lack of self worth and  difficulties in relationship dynamics. 

She has a warm and engaging interactive style and prides herself on establishing excellent rapport with her clients. Nikki utilises Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and helps her clients understand the origins of behaviour and emotions and break free from recurring unhelpful life patterns.

Special Interest Areas:

  • jTransition to adulthood (18-30)
  • jRecurrent unhelpful life patterns
  • j Self awareness
  • jFeelings of emptiness or being lost
  • jSchema development

Lauren Dearlove

Registered Psychologist

Adult and Adolescent (13yrs +) Psychologist

Qualifications: B.Psych (Hons)

Lauren is warm and compassionate in her approach and works collaboratively with her clients to create a space that allows them to feel safe and supported whilst they explore what it is that led them to therapy.

Lauren’s clinical experience extends across a range of presenting conditions including Anxiety and Depression across the lifespan, PTSD, Relationship and Self Esteem issues, Stress, Burnout and Somatic Symptoms. She has experience working with youth and families across a range of private, government and non government settings and currently sees clients 13 years +.

Lauren has a special interest in supporting men, women and children who have experienced trauma, including sexual abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Lauren is a trauma informed therapist and has experience in crisis management as well as long-term intervention and support. She works in a holistic and inclusive way to help individuals understand their experience, nurture and empower them to grow, change and flourish into the most authentic and true selves they can be.

Lauren works from a client-centered perspective and uses a range of evidence-based interventions such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mind Body therapies and mindfulness-based cognitive approaches. Lauren has intentionally developed her skill set in a range of different interventions in order to tailor each person’s treatment to their specific presentation, personality and needs.

Special Interest Areas:

  • jPost Traumatic Stress Disorder including but not exclusive to Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, survivors of domestic violence and veterans.
  • jHolistic Wellbeing
  • jPersonality, Mood and Dissociative Disorders
  • jAnxiety and Stress
  • jAdolescent Mental health issues including Depression, Self Esteem, Body Image, self harm, suicide and interpersonal relationships

Melanie Williams

PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: B.Psych (Hons), Assoc MAPS

Melanie is passionate about helping people live happy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. She has experience working with children, adolescents and adults as both a therapist, and earlier in her career, as a support worker. Melanie has a keen interest in working with clients across the lifespan to manage the difficulties associated with a broad range of mental health challenges. Melanie also has experience in the Disability Sector (NDIS) developing Positive Behaviour Support Plans that have a focus around helping people regulate emotions and improve quality of life.

Melanie has experience delivering various evidence-based therapies and aims to utilise those that best meet her clients’ needs. Melanie brings a warm and engaging nature to her practice and strives to promote the mental health and well-being of her clients.

Melanie is a registered Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Special Interest Areas:

  • jAnxiety and Depression
  • jStress Management
  • jImproving Resilience
  • jSelf-Esteem Concerns
  • jSelf-Harming Behaviours
  • jVocational Difficulties

Gemma Smith

Provisional Psychologist

Child, Adult and Adolescent Psychologist

Qualifications: B.SocSci(Psy); GradDipPsychAdv; Ma.ForMH

Gemma is approachable, genuine and empathetic, and works together with clients to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, behaviours and beliefs. Gemma aims to provide a warm, non-judgmental therapeutic space in which her clients can feel safe and heard.

Gemma believes that effective and long-term change requires therapy to be individualised to each client’s personality, strengths, needs and goals. She takes a collaborative approach, drawing from various evidence-based interventions to assist the client to improve their sense of mental well-being.

Gemma is a Provisional Psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She has previous experience working with children, adolescents and families, and currently sees clients across the lifespan, from children aged 5+ years through to adulthood.

Special Interest Areas:

  • jPerinatal Issues and traumatic birth
  • jSubstance Use
  • jMood Disorders
  • j Interpersonal Relationships
  • jChild and adolescent mental health

Laura Millican

Provisional Psychologist

Child, Adolescent and Adult

Qualifications: B. Psych (Hons)

Drawing on evidence-based therapies and placing significant importance on her therapeutic alliance and collaboration with her clients, Laura works from an empathetic, warm and passionate lens. Her experience volunteering with vulnerable children for non-for-profit organisations and working in the Allied Health sector has led to pursuing her dream career as a Psychologist to address a broad range of mental health concerns in the community. Laura aims to understand an individuals concerns and needs from a whole body perspective, encouraging both mental and physical well-being. With a special interest in child and adolescent mental health, Laura aims to help young people navigate their needs and concerns to optimise growth, well-being and self-confidence.

Laura is a registered Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She currently sees clients across the lifespan, from children aged 5+ years through to adulthood.”

Special Interest Areas:

  • jStress Management
  • jYoung people experiencing developmental and relationship difficulties
  • jAdolescents and young people experiencing self-esteem, body image and eating disorder difficulties
  • j Survivors of childhood sexual assault

Katrina Pitman

Provisional Psychologist (Telehealth)

Across the lifespan – Adult and Senior Adult Focus

Qualifications: BSci(psych), BSocSc(Psych)(Hons), MProfPsych

Prior to gaining her qualifications as a Provisional Psychologist, Katrina worked in hospital settings as a sleep study technician which has led to a passion for helping people by gaining an understanding of their concerns across both the mind and the body. Additionally, Katrina is interested in working with people of all ages and walks of life including those within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Katrina endeavours to bring warmth and understanding to her practice by creating a safe place for people to share their concerns and difficulties. Katrina uses evidence-based therapies which are considered based on the individual concerns of the client, to collaboratively help explore difficult thoughts and emotions, identify client strengths and to create helpful strategies to assist in improving mental health and wellbeing.

Katrina is a registered Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and member of the Australian Psychological Services (APS) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI).

Special Interest Areas:

  • jAdult and Senior Adult Mental Health
  • jRelationship Difficulties and Concerns (Individual and Couples)
  • jSexual health and Wellbeing
  • jSleep Difficulties
  • jMood and Anxiety Related Concerns
  • jStress Management
  • jAttention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Women
  • jGeneral Support and Wellbeing

Karla

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Sabine

SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER

Sabine is one of our Practice Support Team Members who strives to provide our best customer services to our clients. She is currently in her fourth year of studying a Bachelor of Law (Hons)/ Bachelor of Behavioral Psychology and has a true passion for Clinical Psychology.

Sabine is always willing to answer any questions you may have in regards to Medicare rebates, referrals or just any general queries you may have.

Louisa

SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER

Louisa is one of our Practice Support Team Members who strives to best support both our clients and practitioners to the best of her ability. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and Finance and is aiming to one day be a lawyer working to support minorities with access to legal services.

She loves helping people, hearing different stories from clients and building connections with everyone she speaks to.

Interested in a career with Thriving Minds Psychology Clinic on the Sunshine Coast?  Visit our Careers page.

We offer a range of services to provide you with support for your unique needs.

Each of our therapists have different interest, training and therapeutic frameworks which are grounded in evidenced – based interventions. In addition to providing counselling and therapy for clinical disorders, we are passionate about providing coaching and guidance to clients in all aspects of their lives including personal, social and professional to help achieve balanced healthy and fulfilling lifestyles.

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Are you ready to take the next step?

We are dedicated to redefining your experience of therapy. Our client support team is available to support you with questions and enquiries. Booking your appointment is easy, call us on 0428 088 671 or book online by following the link below

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