Meet our Psychologists
Vanessa Launer
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Developmental Disabilities)
Drawing upon holistic and evidence-based practices, Vanessa uses a range of therapeutic approaches to inform her work with children, teenagers, and adults. She places importance on establishing a trusting relationship so as to impact positive outcomes for her clients.
Vanessa highly values social justice principles, believing that access to quality care and support is everyone’s right, and this belief has been reflected in her extensive history of working with those living with disability and disadvantage. Vanessa’s work is also influenced by diverse areas, such neurobiology, self-compassion, eastern philosophy, environmentalism and sustainability.
Vanessa tends to like things on the quirky side, whether that is the music, fun, food, movies, clothes, jewellery, hobbies and other interests that she enjoys. Most weekends you will find Vanessa working in the garden, browsing through op shops, at a vintage market, or spending time with family and friends.
Graeme Van Tongerloo
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Biochemistry
Enriched through a diversity of professional and personal experiences, Graeme incorporates each into his eclectic approach to compliment the skills of those with whom he works. He greatly values the need we all have to be understood and appreciated as unique and thus require compassionate, individualised support.
Graeme provides evidence-based clinical psychology services to children, teens, adults, couples and families in a variety of settings and covers a broad range of issues.
Graeme’s optimism, genuineness and sense of humour are integral to his practice. When not at work, Graeme is usually to be found freewheeling on some sort of adventure, ideally of the mountainous variety.
Kylie Agnew
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation
Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement
Kylie is a psychologist equally comfortable working in the therapy room or using the outdoors as a therapy space. She provides evidence-based treatment for a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, stress, grief, and interpersonal difficulties. She also works in skill and capacity building for those experiencing challenges related to disability. Kylie is passionate about growing a person's resources to achieve therapeutic outcomes as well as progressing the utility of adventure therapy in responding to the wellbeing needs of children, young people, and adults.
Kylie has experience working with a wide range of clients, but predominately with older children, adolescents, and young adults. She is very comfortable working with neurodiverse and transgender clients. Kylie has previously worked as a Safari Leader in East Africa, a Teacher, and with local charity, Operation Flinders Foundation, before she became a psychologist. These unique experiences assist her to easily build rapport. Her eclectic professional journey, along with Kylie's friendly relaxed personality, helps clients (and their support people) feel comfortable in their psychology sessions.
When not at work, Kylie tries to keep her own sense of adventure alive by developing her surfing and rock-climbing skills and keeps busy looking after her 2 sons, 3 chickens, and 4 ducks. Lucky her Italian partner is a great cook, as he helps maintain the carbohydrate intake for her energetic family.
Justine Whitham
Justine Whitham
Doctor of Philosophy (Paediatrics)
Masters of Psychology (Clinical)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology)
Justine is a clinical psychologist with 19 years of experience, having worked in various research, government, education, and private practice settings. She draws upon a range of evidence-based modalities to support the mental health and wellbeing of children, teens, and adults; with a particular interest in incorporating nature into her therapeutic work.
Justine fosters a safe and welcoming space for her clients to explore and build on their strengths and develop skills that enable growth and change. She takes a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach and brings curiosity, empathy, and a sense of playfulness to her practice.
Outside of work, you may find Justine exploring new places in the great outdoors, keeping active with her family, or escaping into a good book.
Lauren Zannettino
Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Lauren is a Registered Psychologist who values empathy, authenticity, accountability, and trust. She believes these factors are integral in cultivating durable therapeutic relationships with her clients. Alongside her warm and friendly personality, Lauren creates a non-judgmental space for her clients to freely express themselves. Lauren utilises an integrative evidence-based approach to inform her work with children, adolescents, and adults. She personalises each of her sessions to best support her clients.
Lauren has had previous experience working in disability mentoring, leading group-based educational training sessions with people with disabilities, and providing therapy for young people aiming to gain or maintain work. Lauren particularly enjoys and has skills in connecting with neurodivergent clients – especially those with ADHD and autism.
When Lauren is not at work, you might hear her singing, see her walking her dogs and soaking up the sun, or smell whatever she is cooking up in the kitchen for her family and friends.
Mel Grover
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Graduate Diploma Psychology (Advanced)
Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma
General Registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA
Mel is a Registered Psychologist who highly values connection and relationship as essential in her work with people. She adopts a warm, casual approach and feels that it is important to view each client as an unique individual with exclusive needs.
Mel is very interested in supporting people to identify what is most important to them in life so that they can develop skills to lead a life more in line with their values. With extensive knowledge and experience in the impact of trauma, she is particularly passionate about supporting people to work through traumatic experiences with the use of a range of therapeutic approaches that encompass the mind and body. Mel also has experience providing support to people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, grief, interpersonal difficulties and a range of other mental health conditions.
Mel is passionate about working with clients using a number of evidence-based and creative approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
Mel is committed to meeting clients where they are at and developing a supportive treatment plan best suited to them. She predominantly works with adolescents and adults and is welcoming of all clients, including those who are neurodivergent, from the LGBTQIA+ community and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
When not at work, Mel can be found walking her two dogs, searching through second hand and vintage shops for something dusty and interesting; or spending time with her family and friends.