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.
MPsych(Clin)
GradDipDivinity
PostGradDipPsych
BA(Psych)
* AHPRA Psychology Board Approved Supervisor
* Mental Health First Aid Australia – Instructor
* Gottman Seven Principles
– Leader
* National BPD Training Strategy
– Trainer
Languages: English and Australian Kriol
Available: Mon-Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
PhD(Health Sciences)
BPsych(Hons)
* Gottman Seven Principles
– Leader
Languages: English and Italian
Available: Tue, Wed, Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
Bachelor of Social Work
* Tuning In To Kids – Facilitator
* Tuning In To Teens – Facilitator
* Seasons For Growth – Facilitator
Languages: English
Available: Thur- Fri (telehealth and face to face in Sydney)
PhD(Psychology)
MPsych
BClinPsych
Languages: English and Persian (Farsi)
Available: Fri (telehealth)
MPsych(Clin)
BPsych( Hons)
* CBTi Level 1 Practitioner
Languages: English, Romanian and Hebrew
Available: Mon-Wed, Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MClinPsych(postregistration)
GradCert(Forensic Mental Health)
BPsych(Hons)(Graduate)
BPsychSci
BBusiness(HR Management)
Languages: English
Available: Mon-Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MPsych(Clin)
BPsych(Hons)
BPsychStudies
GradCert(Teaching and Learning)
BMechEngineering(Hons)
Languages: English
Available: Tue-Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MPsych(Clin)
BPsychSci(Hons)
BPhysiotherapy
Languages: English and Spanish
Available: Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
MPsych(Clin) - current
BPsych(Hons)
Languages: English
Available: Tue-Fri (telehealth and face to face in Darwin)
Available:
9-5pm ACST Tues-Fri
Available:
8:30am-4.30pm ACST Mon-Fri
Available:
8:30am-4.30pm ACST Mon-Fri
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 emotion focused 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.
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.
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.
Claire hails from Far North Queensland and has enjoyed the tropical climate of Darwin since 2019. She is a generally registered psychologist, recently completed a Master of Clinical Psychology (post-registration).
Claire has previously worked in Corrections, Youth Justice, Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. She has experience working with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults and elderly clients. Claire values the unique challenges and opportunities of different life stages.
Claire understands it can take courage to book an appointment with a therapist and hopes her easy-going and warm manner will put people at ease. She is dedicated to working closely with individuals to gain insight into their experiences and current challenges, and collaborates to achieve their hopes and goals together.
In her spare time Claire likes going out for coffee, catching up with family and friends, and trying to keep her indoor plants alive!
Micah grew up in rural Darwin and loves the relaxed and adventurous lifestyle that the NT has to offer. After working as an engineer for many years, Micah realised that his real passion was helping people live rich and meaningful lives despite life’s challenges.
Micah is a registered psychologist with clinical experiences including being a Lifeline volunteer, working at the CDU Wellness Centre, and the Cancer Care Ward at the Royal Darwin Hospital. As a result, Micah has experience working with people with a wide range of challenges, including suicidal thoughts, chronic stress, anxiety, depression and grief, and has been trained in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy).
Micah’s other experiences include being a family support worker, emergency services volunteer and running Indigenous community outreach programs, which have helped him connect with people from many different life journeys.
When not working, Micah enjoys camping, multi-day hikes and sunsets at the Darwin Sailing Club.
Rachael is a Psychologist and also a Physiotherapist.
Rachael came 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.
Nicholas was born and raised in Sydney, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology. Nicholas left for the Darwin sunshine in 2024 to complete his Master’s in Clinical Psychology.
After several years of experience working with adolescents in boarding school settings, and as a mental health support worker for individuals with acute personality disorders, Nicholas hopes to bring his sincerity and enthusiasm into his clinical work.
As a Provisional Psychologist, Nicholas has experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to a diverse range of clients across the lifespan at the CDU Wellness Centre. Nicholas has also delivered therapeutic support to adolescents in Youth Detention, where he developed an understanding and appreciation for working with Indigenous Australians.
Nicholas strives to support individuals who have experienced traumatic life challenges develop a sense of hope and understanding and believes that everyone has the right to lead a meaningful life.
In his spare time Nicholas loves playing guitar, watching movies and laughing with friends and family.