Our staff
Karen Michael
Karen is a registered psychologist with seven years experience. She graduated with an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Sydney, and a Masters degree in Psychology from Macquarie University. Karen meets criteria to deliver both types of approaches outlined by the new Medicare items, entitling clients to rebates from Medicare ranging from $75 to $110 per session. Karen defines her approach to psychological therapy as “individualistic” – tailoring psychological therapy to meet the requirements of each client’s needs, and developed the highly effective, and well-received Know Yourself Program – a course of 10-12 psychological sessions that improve one’s insight into the self, developing the skills to improve life choices, and maintaining a high level of interpersonal and daily functioning.
The Know Yourself Program has seen Karen’s reputation as a psychologist soar, with GPs across Sydney seeking her assistance in intervention (the location of the Clinic branches is a testament to her skills and the success of the program). She is the Principal Psychologist at The Hills Psychology Clinic, and provides assessment/diagnosis and treatment (including the Know Yourself Program, CBT, and psychodynamic psychotherapy) for issues including depression, anxiety, sexual health, eating disorders, substance use/abuse, and general issues of self-confidence/esteem. Karen also provides services for people under Workers Compensation, with 5 years experience liaising with specialists and insurance companies.
Alicia Visser
Alicia is a clinical psychologist with a sound theoretical and practical basis in the area of clinical psychology. Her areas of speciality and interest within the clinical field include the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly panic and agoraphobia; depression; and disorders in the area of health psychology such as pain management and other chronic health-related conditions. Her scholastic achievements have been widely acknowledged within the academic community and she has received several awards including the Deans Merit List 2002-2006, University of Western Sydney University Medal for Outstanding Scholarship in 2005, and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Award in 2004.
She presented her honours research on the role of self-silencing in medically unexplained symptomatology in women at the APS Conference in 2005. Her master’s research focused on the psychosocial needs of adolescent and young adults who have a sibling with cancer and the potential for improvement in current service provision for this population. This research was conducted in conjunction with CanTeen, an organisation that helps young persons living with cancer, as part of nationwide project investigating the psychosocial needs of these young persons. Her involvement in this larger project is ongoing.
Emma Kavanagh
Emma holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and in the final stages of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. She is fully registered with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, ensuring the highest level of practical training and theoretical knowledge for a psychologist. Emma has a wide range of experience in working with children and adults, in public and private settings, both in Australia and overseas, and specialises in the areas of anxiety, mood disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and family issues.
Emma has received specialist training in treating anxiety from the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit (MUARU), which is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for research and treatment of anxiety. Emma is experienced in providing assessment and treatment for various anxiety disorders in children and adults, including social anxiety, generalised anxiety, phobias, mixed anxiety and depression, performance anxiety, and panic disorder.
In her work with adults, Emma has considerable experience in treating relationship difficulties, work and general stress management, psychosis, mood problems, and complex disabilities. In addition to her expertise in the area of childhood anxiety, Emma is also proficient in the treatment of Autism, Asperger’s Disorder and learning difficulties. She has worked extensively with adults in treating parenting difficulties, attachment difficulties (including adults experiencing difficulties stemming from childhood relationships), postnatal depression, and emotional and behavioural concerns in childhood.
Emma is a warm, insightful therapist and is committed to tailoring her therapeutic approach to the needs of each individual client, as well as providing the most up-to-date treatments for her clients.
Penny Christie
Penny holds a Bachelor or Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney, a post graduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Western Sydney, and a Master of Counselling Psychology from Macquarie University. Her primary interests are in women’s mental health issues, specifically in issues concerning fertility, the transition to parenthood, post natal depression, and mother-child attachment in infancy. am also interested in the concept of self-differentiation, particularly as it relates to the mother-daughter relationship, and explored this issue in her masters’ thesis. Other recent research has focussed on representations of masculinity in the mass media.
When working with clients, Penny is flexible in approach, and seeks to use techniques that best meet the needs of the individual. She have a particular interest in Psychodynamic Therapy, but is also comfortable in using more short-term approaches such as Solution-Focussed Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Penny seeks to build a good rapport with the client, creating an atmosphere of trust, safety and acceptance.