Psychology

Psychologists help people to manage many common issues, such as stress, anger, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, depression, learning difficulties, family communication, behaviour problems, and developmental disorders. 

Clinical Psychologists also have specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of complex mental health problems such as major depressive disorder, severe anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and personality disorders.

New Ability Health provides diagnostic assessment and treatment for a wide range of mental health, developmental and learning difficulties including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, Learning Difficulties, and Mental Health disorders 

Please see our Psychology Assessments section for more details on our diagnostic assessments, or read below to find out about our treatment services. 

At New Ability Health our psychologists are all fully qualified clinical psychologists with many years of experience. All of our Clinical Psychologists are Members of the Psychology Board of Australia, and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Taking charge of your mental health can be a big step. At New Ability Health we can help you work out where to start, and support you through your journey. 

Clinical Psychologist

PhD, MPsyc (Clin), BA(Psyc)(Hons) MAPS FCCLP

Dr Steve is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working with adults, children and teenagers, treating a wide range of issues, from common life stressors through to severe mental illness. Stephen has worked across a range of mental health settings, including hospitals, community health centres and private practices. 

Stephen has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, having worked for over 10 years for local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, treating young people with severe and complex mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, anxiety disorders, attachment disorders and pervasive developmental disorders.

Stephen has also worked extensively with adults, working for many years in private psychology practices in the area. Stephen has a particular interest in anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorders. Stephen is trained in a range of psychological therapy techniques, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). 

Stephen is a Psychology Board of Australia accredited supervisor for all forms of supervision in psychology. Stephen is well-recognised in the Newcastle area, providing supervision to other psychologists, lecturing and teaching postgraduate students, and providing clinical leadership to staff across a range of services.

Stephen has also held several leadership and senior management roles in local psychology services, and can provide coaching / mentoring for other professionals aiming to develop their efficiency and effectiveness. 

Stephen has a keen research interest, particularly in the area of bipolar disorder, and has published a number of research studies in this field, funded by national research grant schemes. Stephen is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists and was an invited reviewer for the recent APS publication “Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Mental Disorders”. 

Dr Stephen's books are currently closed to all new clients.

Registered Psychologist

BPsyc

Assoc MAPS

Jasmine is a registered psychologist with over 9 years of mental health experience, working as a mental health support worker and now a psychologist. She is passionate about assisting people of all ages to recognise their strengths and cope better with life’s challenges.

Jasmine can assess and diagnose intellectual disabilities, specific learning disorders (e.g. dyslexia) ADHD, Autism, plus more. Jasmine can help with a range of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, complex trauma, and neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD and Autism.

Jasmine takes an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing on a range of evidence-based techniques to suit the individual, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). She has an interest in somatic therapies including eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

When not at work Jasmine enjoys travelling, being in nature, patting dogs, making music, and spending time with friends and family. Jasmine is of New Zealand Māori heritage and is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Jasmine works from Monday - Wednesday at New Ability Health, and on every second Thursday. If you would like to book an appointment with Jasmine, call 02 4926 9813 or email reception@newabilityhealth.com.au.

Provisional Psychologist

PhD, MPsyc (Prof), BA (Psyc)(Hons), Provisionally Registered Psychologist

Dr Renate is a provisionally registered psychologist with experience working with clients across the lifespan with presentations including obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, adjustment disorder, and anxiety amongst others. Renate is using various approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy, and Acceptance Commitment modalities and is currently finalising her training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). 

Renate completed her PhD in Science in Germany and is holding an academic position at The University of Newcastle. She has more than 15 years’ experience in mental health research, particularly focusing on psychotic disorders, which involved working in different settings, including hospitals. In this regard, Renate is publishing within the field of neuroscience, neuroimaging, and mental health, particularly schizophrenia. As a scientist practitioner, Renate’s conceptualisation draws upon multiple sources of information. She enjoys counselling that acknowledges individual - and importantly - cultural diversity.

Renate works on Thursdays at New Ability Health. If you would like to book an appointment with Renate, call 02 4926 9813 or email reception@newabilityhealth.com.au.

Provisional Psychologist

MProfPsyc, BPsychological Science (Hons), BA 

Caroline is a provisionally registered psychologist working with clients across the lifespan. She offers evidence-based treatments, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  Caroline incorporates animal-assisted therapy into her practice, teaming up with her Golden Retriever, Maple, to create a warm and welcoming environment for clients. Her areas of interest include OCD, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and the perinatal period.

Currently  pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Newcastle,  Caroline's research integrates clinical and neuroscience perspectives.  Her main research explores the interplay of sleep, mental health,  cognition, and brain health. Caroline also researches how  dog-assisted-therapy may assist in stressful situations. 

Caroline will be working at New Ability Health every Wednesday and Thursday. If you would like to book an appointment with Caroline, call 02 4926 9813 or email reception@newabilityhealth.com.au 

Clinical Psychologist

MPsyc (Clin), BPsychological Science (Hons), BA

Ashryn is a clinical psychologist with experience working with clients across the lifespan. She has worked closely with children and families, adults and diverse cultural groups including in rural and remote settings and with people from LGBTQIA+ communities.

Ashryn has worked across a range of service environments. She has worked in mental health and paediatric units, at emergency departments, in community mental health care centres and for national government-funded mental health care foundations. Ashryn has experience working with clients with a range of mental health presentations, from all walks of life.

Ashryn currently works at New Ability Health each Monday, and her books are currently closed for new clients.

Fees

A standard clinical psychology consultation is $245. The cost of a standard consultation with one of our registered psychologists is $200. Our fee for a standard consultation with a provisional psychologist is $100. Diagnostic and learning assessments, supervision or coaching will have different fees. For your convenience we can accept cash, direct deposits, credit card and debit card payments.

Medicare Rebates 

If referred by your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician under “Better Access to Mental Health Care” (also known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan) you will be entitled to a medicare rebate which covers a portion of the appointment fee, although you will still be required to pay a ‘gap’ fee. 

Your rebate can be deposited directly back into your bank account immediately following payment of your appointment fee.

As of July 2024, clients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate of $141.85 for clinical psychology appointments, and $96.65 for registered psychology appointments. There are no Medicare rebates for provisional psychology. 

If claiming under medicare you are eligible for 6 sessions to start with and then a further 4 once your GP has reviewed your progress (maximum 10 sessions per calendar year). 

Private Health Insurance 

Our staff are registered with most major health funds. Please check with your private health insurance provider to see if you are eligible to claim for psychological services. We do not have HICAPS available in-house at New Ability Health. Private health claims must be made separately by each client. 

Workcover and Insurance 

Our psychologists are registered with Workcover Australia. If you are referred by a GP and this is approved by Workcover Australia, then the assessment, treatment and related report fees are covered by Insurance companies. 

National Disability Insurance Scheme 

We are also a registered NDIS provider. Click below to download our NDIS Participant Intake Form, and please send all referrals through to reception@newabilityhealth.com.au once completed.

Pre-appointment assessment and consent forms

Please come 10 minutes earlier for your first appointment. We will ask you to fill in some forms about your current mental health, to get your consent about treatment, and to check your permission for us to talk with your doctor or other professionals. 

First appointment 

In your first appointment we will get to know you, discuss the issues you would like help with, review your current mental health, and come up with a treatment plan and some first steps for working on your goals.

Report to your referring doctor

If you have been referred by a doctor, we will write to your doctor after your first appointment (with your permission), to inform them of the assessment results and treatment plan. 

Diagnostic Reports

If you are coming for a diagnostic assessment and report, our staff will discuss with you beforehand, about the number of appointments required, and the costs involved. 

Requests for other reports

We can only provide treatment related reports. We are not able to provide independent medico-legal assessment in regards to psychological injury or criminal matters. Because our service is focused on treatment, we cannot be independent and impartial witnesses for the court if we have developed a treatment relationship with you. We also do not collect the extensive information required required for these requests. 

We may be able to provide support letters, for example; special consideration letters for school, or letters for Centrelink. We are happy to provide these to existing clients. Please note these requests require additional time to complete and therefore will be charged for at the psychologists’ hourly rate.