Dr Rudi Črnčec
BPsych (Hons), Doctor of Clinical
Psychology
Rudi is the clinical director at PTC and sees clients across the lifespan. He works in the assessment and treatment of psychological difficulties affecting children, adolescents, and their families, including ASD and Tourette syndrome. Rudi also sees adults experiencing a range of challenges, including with relationships, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma. His approach is friendly and built around evidence-based practices, including short- and longer-forms of therapy as may be required.
Rudi is a board approved supervisor and enjoys supervision with clinicians of all career stages. He supervises trainee psychologists at Western Sydney University where he is an Adjunct Fellow. Rudi has around 30 peer-reviewed publications in the mental health literature.
Sarah Mansour
BPsych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Sarah is a clinical psychology registrar who works with children, adolescents, families, and adults. She sees people with a range of presentations - including anxiety, depression, autism (ASD) and ADHD, trauma, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Sarah also conducts intellectual (IQ) and learning assessments across the lifespan.
Sarah has a warm, friendly, and engaging approach to therapy. She is passionate about working collaboratively with her clients to help them connect with their strengths and values, and reach their goals. Sarah draws upon cognitive and behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and other evidence-based approaches in her work. She has previously worked in private practice settings.
Stephen Hewitson
BPsych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Stephen is a clinical psychology registrar who works with children, adolescents, families, and adults. He provides assessment and therapy to people from a range of backgrounds for many of life's difficulties including anxiety, mood disorders, relationship difficulties, stress, and challenging child behaviour. Stephen is compassionate, non-judgemental, authentic, and collaborative in his approach to helping clients. He draws upon a range of evidence-based approaches in his work, including cognitive and behavioural therapy; acceptance and commitment therapy; DBT; schema therapy; and family systems-based approaches.
Stephen has previously worked with families in a university-based children’s anxiety clinic as well as with NDIS participants with physical and/or psychosocial difficulties.
Vikram (Vik) Kulkarni
B.Sc. (Psych), Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons)
Vikram (Vik) is a registered psychologist who has been practicing for a decade. He supports adult and older adolescent clients with anxiety, depression and other mood disorders (including peri-natally), trauma, attachment-related concerns, and workplace and relationship challenges. He has experience in assisting people with gender-dysphoria and LGBTQI+ issues. Vik aides his clients towards a greater understanding of their experiences by creating space to explore the 'why' behind the presenting concerns, and finding solutions to address the root of the issue that are practical and individualised. Vik's approach is warm and nurturing and informed by Schema Therapy, DBT, and CBT.
Vik has worked across diverse settings, including with youth experiencing trauma, in immigration detention, and in private practice. Despite a few more grey hairs, his dedication to assisting his clients find meaning and contentment in their life remains unwavering.
Tom Xia
BPsych (Hons), Master of Rehabilitation Counselling
Tao (Tom) is a registered psychologist with over 7 years experience who works with older children, adolescents, and adults. He sees clients experiencing a range of difficulties, including with mood, anxiety, substance abuse, perfectionism, self-confidence, self-evaluation, and trauma. Tom’s approach to therapy is first to seek to understand how coping mechanisms have arisen during his client’s life, and then to collaboratively develop strategies that better suit the current circumstances. He is passionate about empowering his clients, and pragmatic in drawing on a diversity of therapeutic models, including ACT, DBT, and CBT, which he tailors to his client’s needs.
Tom has previously worked in a variety of disability, rehabilitation, and private practice settings.
Michelle Everett
B.A. (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology, MAPS
Michelle has over thirty years’ experience as a practising psychologist in private practice and with NSW Health. At PTC she sees adults experiencing a range of anxiety, mood and trauma-related disorders. Michelle enjoys working with people navigating the complexity of parenting and family life and has a commitment to working with people who are living with the effects of trauma and abuse. Michelle’s approach to therapy is collaborative, supporting skilled self-management and ensuring that people are making informed choices about evidence-based treatments. Michelle has a particular interest in seeing other health professionals, integrating their professional and personal wisdom to address their presenting issues.
Michelle has been involved in writing and teaching courses in mental health, trauma informed care and treatment of complex trauma for a variety of professional and community audiences. Michelle is a board approved supervisor.
Vanessa Croker
B.Sc. (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Vanessa is a clinical psychologist who sees adults and adolescents experiencing a range of difficulties, including adjustment to stressors, depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. Areas of special interest include trauma and dissociation, personality, relationships and diabetes. Vanessa is kind, practical, good-humoured and flexible in her approach. Her work is guided by evidence-based treatments and attentiveness to her client’s preferences, strengths and values. She understands the importance of social support and is happy to include your key support people if you wished.
Vanessa is a board approved supervisor and supervisor of trainee psychologists at Western Sydney University. She has 13 years experience working in public mental health settings.
Anthony Mackett
B.A.(Psych), B.Psych.Sc. (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Anthony is a clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, adults, and parents. He provides assessment and therapy to people from all walks of life for concerns including trauma, depression, anxiety and stress, relationship difficulties, anger, and challenging child behaviour. Anthony also conducts psychometric assessments, including of intelligence and learning. Anthony is passionate about providing a safe and non-judgemental space for his clients to work on their goals. His approach is authentic, warm, and collaborative, and utilises CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and systems-based approaches.
Anthony has previously worked with families in out-of-home-care, and in forensic and private practice settings. He consults via telehealth at the COVID-19 quarantine hotels.
Jacky Au
BPsych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Jacky is a clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing difficulties across a range of areas - including with mood and emotional regulation, challenging behaviours, and social skills. He also conducts psychometric assessments of intelligence and learning, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic assessments. Particular areas of interest include anxiety, ASD, and ADHD. Jacky is engaging, collaborative, and strengths-focused in his approach, with his work tailored to the specific needs and goals of the young person and their family, and grounded in evidence-based practices.
In addition to private practice experience, Jacky has previously worked as an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapist and within inpatient hospital settings.
Helena Ing
BPsych (Hons), Master of Professional Psychology
Helena is a registered psychologist who is warm, compassionate, and engaging with her clients. She has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and their parents/families, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, behavioural, and relationship difficulties. Helena takes a collaborative and client-centred approach to therapy, and draws upon a range of evidence-based therapeutic styles including CBT and schema therapy. In addition, she conducts psychometric assessments of intelligence, learning, and adaptive functioning.
Helena has previously worked within the NSW Department of Education as a school psychologist, in the youth justice system, and as an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapist.
Katherine Widman
B.A.-Psych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Katherine is a clinical psychologist who joined Penrith Therapy Centre in 2011. Katherine enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. She provides assessment and therapy for a range of psychological and behavioural difficulties that affect children and their families. She also works with adolescents and adults experiencing mood, anxiety and adjustment difficulties.
Katherine has a warm and collaborative approach to therapy. She is committed to providing evidence-based interventions, in particular cognitive behaviour therapy. Katherine has experience working in inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and in working with families with complex needs.
Sijal Ansari
BPsych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Sijal is a clinical psychologist who works with adults, children, and adolescents. She sees clients experiencing anxiety and depression; neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism (ASD) and ADHD; stress/trauma related difficulties; and, long-term mental health and relationship difficulties, including those underpinned by early-life adversity and personality. Sijal also conducts intellectual (IQ), learning, and ASD assessments with clients across the life-span.
Sijal takes a holistic, collaborative, and individualised approach to therapy to help each person harness their strengths and thrive. She has experience using CBT, ACT, DBT, schema therapy and narrative based approaches. Sijal has previously worked in private practice and intensive hospital outpatient settings.
Melissa Vella (née Azzopardi) (on leave)
BPsych (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology
Melissa is a clinical psychologist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, and their families. She provides assessment and therapy for a range of learning, emotional, and behavioural difficulties including anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Areas of interest include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, disruptive behaviour problems, and parenting strategies. Melissa sees adults experiencing mood difficulties and conducts IQ and learning assessments.
Melissa's approach to therapy is warm and empathic, and guided by her client's goals and attachment style. She provides evidence-based interventions including cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness. Melissa has experience working with young people in out-of-home care, and adults in inpatient hospital settings.
Karen Moses (on leave)
B.Soc.Sc. PG Dip. Master of Clinical Psychology
Karen is a clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, families and adults. She sees clients experiencing a range of difficulties, and has particular interest in the management of anxiety and mood disorders including social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. Karen also works with young people who have behavioural and emotional difficulties. Karen's therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative and client-focused, and is guided by evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behaviour therapy.
Karen also oversees the Western Sydney University post-graduate psychology clinic and is a board approved supervisor. She has worked in university settings and conducted and published mental health related research.
We honour and celebrate the many dedicated clinicians and administrators who have worked at PTC over the years, including Necia Merrells. Necia, a compassionate and talented clinician and mentor, founded PTC in 1991, transferred ownership to current management in 2012, and went on to consult at the practice until her retirement in 2021.