Darwin Psychologist Jenna Richard
Psych Plus Services provides ethical and professional mental health services in the areas of:
Psych Plus Services recognises that health and healing requires psychology plus other factors, other people and other services. We consider it a privilege to journey with our clients and value the importance of the therapeutic relationship. We are committed to understanding the unique experience of each client and tailoring treatment to meet their goals. We look for opportunities to partner with others who can support our clients to achieve their goals.
Psych Plus Services seeks to offer respect to all people regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, faith, ethnicity, culture or worldview.
Psych Plus Services acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, and continuing connection to kin, community, country and waters. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by endeavouring to provide services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
PhD(Health Sciences)
BPsych(Hons)
* Gottman Seven Principles
– Leader
Languages: English and Italian
Available: Tue, Wed, Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
PhD (Psychology)
MPsych
BClin Psych
Languages: English and Persian (Farsi)
Available: Wed (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MPsych (Clin)
BPsych(Hons)
Languages: English, Romanian and Hebrew
Available: Mon-Thur (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MPsych(Clin) - Student Placement
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons)
Languages: English and Spanish
Available: Tue, Thur, Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MPsych(Clin) - Student Placement
Bachelor of Psychology (Hons)
Bachelor Psychological Science
Bachelor of Social Work (Norway)
Languages: English and Norwegian
Available: Mon, Thur, Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
Master of Play Therapy
Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies
Diploma Psychology
Languages: English and Sinhalese
Available: Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat (face to face in Darwin for 3-12 year olds)
Bachelor of Social Work
* Tuning In To Kids – Facilitator
* Tuning In To Teens – Facilitator
* Seasons For Growth – Facilitator
Languages: English
Available: Tue, Wed Fri (telehealth only)
Available: 8:30am-4pm ACST Monday to Friday
Available: Monday to Friday
Jenna has experience working with a diverse range of people in a wide variety of contexts, from capital cities, rural regions, and very remote Aboriginal communities, plus amazing seasons living and travelling overseas. Jenna has called the NT home since 2011 and has enjoyed learning Australian Kriol, about Top End cultures, and getting involved in the local community.
Jenna has been a registered Psychologist since 2005 and returned to university in 2018 to do further training to become a Clinical Psychologist. She has a holistic approach to health which considers biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors, including worldview, beliefs, relationships, roles, and community. Jenna's clinical approach is evidence based, trauma informed, client centred, compassionate, collaborative, and informed by a range of therapeutic approaches, including but not limited to CBT. Jenna believes effective therapy leads to increased self-awareness, new skills, and contributes to making lives and relationships healthier and more meaningful. Jenna considers it is a privilege to journey with people through the seasons and challenges they face, and she seeks to contribute hope, support, and skills for growth, change and increased resilience.
When she’s not working, Jenna enjoys being active and outdoors, time with family, friends and animals, or watching movies to relax.
Ester grew up in Humpty Doo after her family relocated from Italy as missionaries, when she was 8 years old. She has grown to love Darwin and its relaxed atmosphere, the nature, the sunsets, and the opportunities it offers.
Ester has studied, trained and worked locally. She completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at CDU followed by a PhD, before taking time off from work and study to raise a large family. After some time in human resources and chaplaincy roles, Ester started work in clinical practice with Psych Plus Services in 2020.
Ester is a compassionate and dedicated Psychologist who prefers a non-pathologising approach to mental health. She particularly enjoys working with adults and couples who present with a wide range of concerns such as depression, anxiety and relationship issues, as well as less well-defined difficulties that are part and parcel of being human. Drawing from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioural and humanistic approaches, Ester brings a unique blend of empathy, straightforwardness and humour to helping people navigate life's difficulties and discover their own paths forward.
Outside the therapy room, Ester enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and op-shop shopping.
Sara started working in clinical practice 10 years prior to moving to Australia in 2016. She completed a PhD in 2020 at Queensland University of Technology and presently holds a registration as a Provisional Psychologist with AHPRA. Sara also works an instructor in Psychology and coordinates the Psychology Honours Course at CDU.
Sara employs different modalities and implements various psychological assessments and interventions to help clients and empower them with coping strategies to mitigate further harm. Integrating her overseas clinical expertise with her teaching experience enhances her ability to deliver psychological assessments and interventions for clients across diverse age ranges, cultures, and backgrounds.
Sara is bilingual, speaking English and Farsi (Persian). Her special interest is mental health of migrants and individuals with challenging life experiences.
Maria and her family have made Darwin their home since 2015. Having grown up overseas, Maria understands the challenges and complexities of cross-cultural living. After personally experiencing the benefits of therapy, Maria was motivated to train as a Psychologist herself and completed her
Bachelor of Psychology and Honours overseas. Maria is a Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar who seeks to make a positive impact in the community.
Maria has experience working with clients across the lifespan from diverse cultural backgrounds, with different presenting issues, as well as with clients in the suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention areas. Maria has a particular interest in working with first responders, chronic mental health problems, and older aged individuals. Maria is passionate about helping people navigate the challenges of life, find meaning, and live the kind of life they envision for themselves.
Maria is multilingual, speaking English, Hebrew, and Romanian. She likes to use humour and be authentic and genuine in the therapy process. In her spare time, she enjoys reading science-fiction, learning about space, and exploring the outdoors.
Rachael is a Provisional Psychologist in her final year of the Master of Clinical Psychology at CDU and currently undertaking a Student Placement with Psych Plus Services. Rachael is also a Physiotherapist and previously worked in private practice for four years.
Rachael comes to psychology after practicing as a Physiotherapist, having developed a keen interest in the psychological drivers of chronic pain presentations and workplace health issues. Rachael uses her background in physical health to conceptualise client mental health holistically and through a biopsychosocial lens. Rachael also has a keen interest in psychological issues that affect young women, such as safe and healthy relationships, body image issues and eating disorders.
In her spare time Rachael enjoys nature and the outdoors, running, birdwatching and 4WDing.
Born in Norway, Lise spent her childhood travelling and living in various countries and cultures. Her multicultural upbringing fostered her interest in different cultures and their impact on mental health.
With a degree in social work from Norway, Lise worked in child protection and disability services before moving to Australia. Since 2010 Lise has called Darwin home, and in 2022 she completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science and Honours at CDU. Lise is a Provisional Psychologist in her final year of the Master of Clinical Psychology at CDU and currently undertaking a Student Placement with Psych Plus Services. Lise has a keen interest in trauma and its effects. Her experience working with children and adolescents in Norway’s child protection system informs her traumainformed practice to create a safe space for her clients.
When she’s not immersed in her studies or clinical practice, Lise enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and going for long walks.
Lauren is a lover of the Territory and was a resident of Darwin for ten years, only recently relocating
to Sydney where she continues to provide therapy through telehealth.
Lauren is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and has worked with Psych Plus Services since
June 2021. Prior to that she worked for headspace in their Early Psychosis Program as a Mental
Health Clinician and Family Worker, and in various other counselling settings including schools and
family services. Lauren draws from a range of therapeutic approaches including but not limited to
CBT and is currently studying Bowen Family Systems Theory to expand her understanding of and
ability to work with the family as an emotional unit. Lauren has also taken biblical counselling
subjects with the Christian Counselling Education Foundation and is interested in supporting people
to see their lives through a faith lens. Alongside providing therapy to a broad variety of mental health
issues, Lauren also enjoys walking alongside people as they explore their family of origin, and
equipping and empowering parents to lead and support their families using parenting programs such
as Tuning into Kids and Tuning into Teens to inform that work.
Outside of work Lauren enjoys the outdoors, sport, time with family and reading books.
Manisha De Zilwa – Registered Play Therapist
Manisha believes in utilising children’s natural language of play to help them overcome difficulties and thrive on their healing journey. Manisha’s approach to working with children involves creating a safe, playful space for them to freely be their own unique, authentic selves. A space that allows feelings like anger, fear, frustration, sadness, and grief to emerge and be processed, so that healing and growth can begin.
Manisha is a Registered Play Therapist with Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). Her education includes a Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies and Master of Play Therapy from Charles Darwin University, Australia. With over 12 years of working with families and children in the Territory, Manisha is passionate about improving children and adolescents' lives with culturally responsive and high-quality therapeutic support.
Manisha moved from Sri Lanka to Darwin in 2009 to pursue further studies and has since made Darwin her home. When Manisha is not doing play therapy you will find her drinking tea, playing and having fun with her three children, or watching movies with her husband.
