Our Clinical Psychologists
Deciding who to talk to matters as much as deciding to talk to someone. Every psychologist at Esteem Psychology is a clinical psychologist with substantial experience across public and private healthcare settings, so you can choose a clinician whose training and focus suit the concerns you would like to work on.
What Is a Clinical Psychologist?
All psychologists in Australia are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A clinical psychologist has completed further postgraduate study and supervised practice in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health presentations, and holds an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology. Every psychologist at Esteem Psychology is a clinical psychologist.
Meet Our Clinicians
Ailie O'Flaherty, Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Psych), MA Psych (Clin), MAPS. With more than 25 years of experience, Ailie works with adults and adolescents across depression, anxiety, school refusal, trauma, workplace stress and relationship difficulties, and works alongside return to work providers, EAP services, school counsellors and GPs. Trained in cognitive behaviour therapy, EMDR, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy and mindfulness.
Alex Provost, Clinical Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), M Clin Psych, PhD, MAPS. Alex works with children, families and adults across depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, stress, compulsions, addictions and eating difficulties, in a collaborative and person-centred way that follows the goals you bring. Trained in cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Brendon Knott, Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Psych), MA Psych (Clin). Brendon has more than 25 years of experience across the public and private sectors and works with adults and older adolescents across a broad range of presentations, with a focus on moving away from patterns that are no longer working and towards directions that feel more meaningful. He works from contextual approaches, particularly acceptance and commitment therapy, in a non-judgemental and non-pathologising way.
Sam Wolfe, Clinical Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), D Psych (Clin), MAPS. With more than 13 years of experience, Sam works with teenagers and adults experiencing anxiety and depression, grief and loss, trauma, interpersonal difficulties and substance use concerns. Trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational and solution-focused approaches.
Belinda Edwards, Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Psych), MAppPsych, M Psych (Clin), MAPS. Belinda has more than 27 years of experience, including a senior government executive role in child protection, and works with children, young people, adults and families across depression, anxiety, complicated grief, PTSD, parenting challenges, and the effects of stress and trauma, with substantial experience in childhood and complex trauma and dissociation. Trained in EMDR, cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing. Belinda also completes cognitive and adaptive functioning assessments for NDIS access, school supports and developmental planning, and provides clinical supervision.
Dr Liz Ditton, Clinical Psychologist
PhD, MA Psych (Clin), BA (Psych). Liz has more than 25 years in mental health and wellbeing and works with adults, particularly people in demanding careers including healthcare and other caring roles. She works with stress, burnout and emotional fatigue, career uncertainty, anxiety, depression, life-stage transitions, and menopause and midlife change, using acceptance and commitment therapy and psychological flexibility.
Not Sure Who to Book With?
A short list to help you narrow it down:
- For a child, adolescent or the whole family: Alex Provost, Belinda Edwards or Ailie O’Flaherty
- For anxiety, depression or grief as an adult: Ailie O’Flaherty, Sam Wolfe, Alex Provost, Belinda Edwards, Brendon Knott or Liz Ditton. Sam Wolfe and Brendon Knott see adults and older adolescents.
- For trauma, PTSD or EMDR: Belinda Edwards, Ailie O’Flaherty or Brendon Knott
- For stress, burnout or a career or life-stage transition: Liz Ditton
- For menopause/perimenopause: Liz Ditton or Ailie O’Flaherty
- For cognitive and adaptive functioning assessments, including NDIS access: Belinda Edwards
- For clinical supervision as a psychologist or provisional psychologist: Belinda Edwards, Brendon Knott or Ailie O’Flaherty. See our Clinical Supervision page for more.
If none of that is clear cut, that is completely normal. Call us on (02) 4926 4198 or send a booking enquiry and we will talk it through with you.
Book With One of Our Clinical Psychologists
You do not need a referral to book. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, a Medicare rebate may be available. Appointments are available in person in Newcastle and by telehealth, with some evening and Saturday sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which psychologist I see?
Yes. You can request a particular clinician when you book online or make an enquiry. If that clinician does not have availability in the timeframe you need, we will let you know who else works in the same area.
What if it is not the right fit?
It happens, and it is worth saying so. Fit between a person and their psychologist matters, and you are welcome to ask to see someone else in the practice. Just let us know and we will arrange it.
Are all your psychologists clinical psychologists?
Yes. Every psychologist at Esteem Psychology is registered with AHPRA and holds an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology.
Do your clinicians offer telehealth?
Yes. All of our clinical psychologists offer appointments by secure video or telephone, as well as in person at our Hunter Street rooms in Newcastle.
Which clinicians are accepting new clients?
Availability changes from week to week. The online booking system shows current appointment times for each clinician, or you can call us on (02) 4926 4198 and we will tell you who has the soonest availability.
Book An Appointment Online
Choose a time that suits you through our online booking system, or send us an enquiry and we will come back to you with the next available appointments.