What are Psychology and Clinical Psychology?

Psychology is an academic and applied discipline that involves the scientific study of mental functions and behaviours. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behaviour, while also exploring the physiological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain cognitive functions and behaviours. Psychologists explore concepts such as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenology, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behaviour and interpersonal relationships.

Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development. Central to its practice are psychological assessment and psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists provide psychotherapy, psychological testing, and diagnosis of mental illness. They generally train within four primary theoretical orientations - psychodynamic, humanistic, behaviour therapy/cognitive-behavioural, and systems or family therapy.

Dr Kristie Alcorn
Clinical Psychologist 

Kristie is a Clinical Psychologist and has worked as a psychologist since 2001 across a range of environments including hospitals, private practice, and university settings. Kristie implements evidence-based and best practice interventions to assist clients including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Kristie primarily works with adults. She has experience working with a range of problems including depression; anxiety disorders; adjustment difficulties; posttraumatic stress disorder; grief and loss; chronic medical conditions; relationship difficulties; coping difficulties and stress management. 

Kristie’s special interest and developed expertise is in the treatment women’s issues. More specifically, Kristie is interested in fostering the psychological wellbeing of women and their partners in pregnancy and postpartum and works with the following concerns: Optimising functioning in pregnancy and postpartum; treating psychological difficulties in pregnancy and following childbirth; assisting women following stressful and traumatic birth events; addressing fear associated with childbirth and the birth process; and working on optimal adjustment to parenthood and managing role changes.

Kristie has a PhD in clinical psychology. She is an endorsed Specialist Clinical Psychologist and is registered with Medicare Australia. As a result, Kristie’s clients are able to receive a Medicare rebate for their sessions if they have a GP Mental Health Care Treatment Plan or a Psychiatrist referral.

Kristie is passionate about helping people to feel better emotionally and her clients are treated in a non-judgemental way, with warmth, care and respect. Kristie works collaboratively with clients to help them to achieve their therapy goals.

Michelle Hancock
Psychologist  

Michelle has a Bachelor of Science Honours (Psychology) and a Masters of Psychology ( Counselling) as well as a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis.  With all these qualifications Michelle has quite  diverse areas of expertise including individual and couple counselling, injury management, Psychological counselling for performance management, psychological assessment, stress auditing and meditation.

Mendy Nerallc
Hatha Yoga teacher and Psychologist 

Yoga is a range of lifestyle practices and philosophies which aim to bring calm and balance to the mind and body.  Regular yoga practice not only develops abundant physical strength and flexibility, it promotes well being beyond the body, with subtle or profound effects on how people think and feel. 

Mendy has been attending yoga classes off and on for 12 years, before becoming absolutely smitten about 3 years ago.  Here began a dedication to a regular practice and to completion of her teaching training in 2012 with Kate Pell and Zara Matthews.   Mendy teaches Hatha yoga, which is practiced in most western yoga studios.  In Hatha yoga, the focus is on studying a system of postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and deep relaxation (savasana).  Through these fundamental elements,Mendy's hope is to cultivate in her students a positive relationship with their bodies.  She uses careful sequencing of asanas to enhance particular qualities or energies, and encourages students to bring awareness to each breath, to be mindful of each moment, and to practice with attention and intention.  Self- compassion, gratitude and surrender are themed in her classes. Mendy's classes are suitable for all levels of experience.  She adapts her teaching instruction for those needing more guidance or wanting a stronger practice. Her classes are steady paced to cultivate an inner focus, and careful attention to alignment and breath is encouraged for maximum mind body benefit. Mendy is also a registered psychologist in private practice, and brings this experience to her classes.