MEET OUR TEAM
Our team is made up of psychologists and social workers with varying ages and clinical interests. This means that we can always match you with a therapist who is best suited to your needs and preferences. All of our psychologists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and our social workers are registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Our services are available through Medicare, DVA, NDIS, WorkCover, Victims Assist, and private referrals/insurance agencies.
Dr Rachel Gleave,
BPsych(Hons), PhD(Clinical psychology)
Clinical Psychologist
Clinic Director
With 18 years of experience as a psychologist, Dr Rachel Gleave has worked in various settings, including private practice, university clinics, and public and private hospital systems. She adopts a compassionate and friendly approach towards her clients, focusing on building rapport and creating an enjoyable therapeutic environment. Rachel uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, mindfulness and compassion-based therapies, eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), and internal family systems (IFS) approaches. She provides therapy to both adult and adolescent clients, with a particular interest in treating trauma-related disorders. Rachel collaborates with clients to help them build insight, identify feelings and core needs, and develop coping skills to overcome unwanted behaviour patterns. She places significant emphasis on educating and empowering her clients to understand how the brain and mind function. Recently, Rachel has started incorporating Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) into her practice, training her therapy dogs, Hadley and Noa (female Golden Retriever x Poodles). Studies have shown that the human-animal bond can have a positive effect on both adults and children in psychotherapy. Animals offer unconditional love and support, which can increase the engagement and rapport between therapist and client. Research also suggests that incorporating animals into therapy can reduce anxiety, increase relaxation, and improve communication during sessions.
BPsych(Hons), PhD(Clinical psychology)
Clinical Psychologist
Clinic Director
With 18 years of experience as a psychologist, Dr Rachel Gleave has worked in various settings, including private practice, university clinics, and public and private hospital systems. She adopts a compassionate and friendly approach towards her clients, focusing on building rapport and creating an enjoyable therapeutic environment. Rachel uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, mindfulness and compassion-based therapies, eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), and internal family systems (IFS) approaches. She provides therapy to both adult and adolescent clients, with a particular interest in treating trauma-related disorders. Rachel collaborates with clients to help them build insight, identify feelings and core needs, and develop coping skills to overcome unwanted behaviour patterns. She places significant emphasis on educating and empowering her clients to understand how the brain and mind function. Recently, Rachel has started incorporating Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) into her practice, training her therapy dogs, Hadley and Noa (female Golden Retriever x Poodles). Studies have shown that the human-animal bond can have a positive effect on both adults and children in psychotherapy. Animals offer unconditional love and support, which can increase the engagement and rapport between therapist and client. Research also suggests that incorporating animals into therapy can reduce anxiety, increase relaxation, and improve communication during sessions.
Rachel's Phd: An Electrophysiological Investigation of Emotional Attention and Memory Biases in Depression: The Role of Working Memory Inhibitory Control Deficits. - Gleave_2015_02Thesis.pdf (5.146Mb)
Rachel's Publications (maiden name: Rachel Dati)
Dati, R. A., Cutmore, T., & Shum, D. (2012). Event-Related Potential (ERP) Indices of Emotional Biases in Depression: The Role of Working Memory Inhibitory Control Deficits. In G. Andrews and D. Newmann (Eds.). Beyond the lab: applications of cognitive research in memory and learning. Nova Science Publishers, Inc, New York. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=25613
Dati, R. A., Cutmore, T., & Shum, D. (2009). The viability of a non-deceptive variant of the object cue P300-guilty knowledge test (P300-GKT). Journal of Clinical EEG & Neuroscience, 40(1), 200. http://books.google.com.au/books/about/The_Viability_of_a_Passive_Event_related.html?id=lK_RSAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending quality time with her family. She strives to balance her responsibilities as a psychologist, business owner and director, and a parent to two young children. She has a passion for animals, yoga, and she loves to indulge in delicious food at Cairns Rusty Markets, especially Anne's Vietnamese Caphe.
Rachel's Publications (maiden name: Rachel Dati)
Dati, R. A., Cutmore, T., & Shum, D. (2012). Event-Related Potential (ERP) Indices of Emotional Biases in Depression: The Role of Working Memory Inhibitory Control Deficits. In G. Andrews and D. Newmann (Eds.). Beyond the lab: applications of cognitive research in memory and learning. Nova Science Publishers, Inc, New York. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=25613
Dati, R. A., Cutmore, T., & Shum, D. (2009). The viability of a non-deceptive variant of the object cue P300-guilty knowledge test (P300-GKT). Journal of Clinical EEG & Neuroscience, 40(1), 200. http://books.google.com.au/books/about/The_Viability_of_a_Passive_Event_related.html?id=lK_RSAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending quality time with her family. She strives to balance her responsibilities as a psychologist, business owner and director, and a parent to two young children. She has a passion for animals, yoga, and she loves to indulge in delicious food at Cairns Rusty Markets, especially Anne's Vietnamese Caphe.
Jodi Nilsson
B(Psychology), Masters (Clinical Psychology)
Clinical Psychologist
Jodi is a Clinical Psychologist with an interest in delivering psychological therapy in a culturally and locally relevant way for her clients. Her focus is on adapting therapy to ensure that the clients own experience and context is considered when working together. She has an interest in strengths-based and affirming practice, particularly for marginalised groups. Jodi attained her degree in psychology from James Cook University, and her honours and Clinical Masters at The University of Tasmania. She has other university qualifications including Anthropology, and Professional Writing, but her lifelong love has always been seeking to understand the human condition and adapting psychological therapy to the needs of remote and regional Australia Jodi has also trained and worked in oncology and remote and rural practice. Most recently Jodi has been providing training and supervision services for psychologists, with an emphasis on training therapists in increasing client satisfaction and outcomes. She also provides therapy for health care workers and mental health workers, or ‘therapy for therapists’. She is also focussing on better adapting psychological approaches for males.
Jodi also enjoys working with complex clients who have found previous therapy unhelpful, to assist in clarifying diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
Jodi is a warm, empathic therapist who is passionate about providing the highest level of care to her community and assisting others to do the same.
Treatment modalities Jodi works with include
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Attachment-based family therapy and Attachment informed therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Compassion focussed Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Jodi also has training in trauma focussed CBT, Schema therapy, family therapy and relationship counselling.
Jodi has extensive experience working with:
• Anxiety disorders
• ASD with a focus on Neuro-diverse affirming care
• Complex co-occurring presentations with background trauma
• Cross-cultural psychology
• Grief and loss
• Interpersonal and family difficulties
• LGBTIQA+ affirming practice
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders
• PTSD
• Substance misuse
In her spare time Jodi does lots of family stuff and likes swimming and fishing on the reef, although she would like to note that it is the boating she likes more than the fishing should anyone wish to talk about fishing at length . She wishes she could read more, but hopes to be able to do that when she is old.
B(Psychology), Masters (Clinical Psychology)
Clinical Psychologist
Jodi is a Clinical Psychologist with an interest in delivering psychological therapy in a culturally and locally relevant way for her clients. Her focus is on adapting therapy to ensure that the clients own experience and context is considered when working together. She has an interest in strengths-based and affirming practice, particularly for marginalised groups. Jodi attained her degree in psychology from James Cook University, and her honours and Clinical Masters at The University of Tasmania. She has other university qualifications including Anthropology, and Professional Writing, but her lifelong love has always been seeking to understand the human condition and adapting psychological therapy to the needs of remote and regional Australia Jodi has also trained and worked in oncology and remote and rural practice. Most recently Jodi has been providing training and supervision services for psychologists, with an emphasis on training therapists in increasing client satisfaction and outcomes. She also provides therapy for health care workers and mental health workers, or ‘therapy for therapists’. She is also focussing on better adapting psychological approaches for males.
Jodi also enjoys working with complex clients who have found previous therapy unhelpful, to assist in clarifying diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
Jodi is a warm, empathic therapist who is passionate about providing the highest level of care to her community and assisting others to do the same.
Treatment modalities Jodi works with include
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Attachment-based family therapy and Attachment informed therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Compassion focussed Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Jodi also has training in trauma focussed CBT, Schema therapy, family therapy and relationship counselling.
Jodi has extensive experience working with:
• Anxiety disorders
• ASD with a focus on Neuro-diverse affirming care
• Complex co-occurring presentations with background trauma
• Cross-cultural psychology
• Grief and loss
• Interpersonal and family difficulties
• LGBTIQA+ affirming practice
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders
• PTSD
• Substance misuse
In her spare time Jodi does lots of family stuff and likes swimming and fishing on the reef, although she would like to note that it is the boating she likes more than the fishing should anyone wish to talk about fishing at length . She wishes she could read more, but hopes to be able to do that when she is old.
Jane Bolton-Bound
BA Edu | BPsych (Hons) | MPsych (Clinical) | AssocMAPS
Clinical Psychologist
Jane brings a wealth of experience to our practice, especially in her work with children, adolescents, and families. Her approach is rooted in a strengths-based perspective, fostering a unified vision of individual capabilities and the journey towards healing. Jane encompasses a deep understanding of trauma-informed care, which ensures that her approach is sensitive to the complexities and nuances of trauma's impact on mental health. Jane's work is informed by the latest research and therapeutic techniques designed to foster resilience and promote healing.
Jane's academic journey encompasses both graduate and postgraduate qualifications education and clinical psychology. Her commitment to community engagement is reflected in her voluntary contributions with various groups. This work demonstrates her dedication to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. At our clinic, Jane's comprehensive background and compassionate approach are fundamental to supporting our clients' psychological well-being.
BA Edu | BPsych (Hons) | MPsych (Clinical) | AssocMAPS
Clinical Psychologist
Jane brings a wealth of experience to our practice, especially in her work with children, adolescents, and families. Her approach is rooted in a strengths-based perspective, fostering a unified vision of individual capabilities and the journey towards healing. Jane encompasses a deep understanding of trauma-informed care, which ensures that her approach is sensitive to the complexities and nuances of trauma's impact on mental health. Jane's work is informed by the latest research and therapeutic techniques designed to foster resilience and promote healing.
Jane's academic journey encompasses both graduate and postgraduate qualifications education and clinical psychology. Her commitment to community engagement is reflected in her voluntary contributions with various groups. This work demonstrates her dedication to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. At our clinic, Jane's comprehensive background and compassionate approach are fundamental to supporting our clients' psychological well-being.
Naomi Leo
B(Psychology), MAPS
Psychologist
Naomi is a registered psychologist who enjoys working with older adolescents (around 16 years old) and adults, providing a collaborative approach to therapy. By utilising language and engaging in discussions, Naomi helps individuals develop a shared understanding of the root causes of distress within their lives.
Naomi takes a holistic view of her clients, considering the impact of their cultural, social, and family identities. Through this systemic lens, she helps clients better understand how various aspects of their lives contribute to their well-being.
Naomi particularly enjoys working with neurodiverse populations, including individuals with a late diagnosis of ADHD and ASD. Her goal is to increase self-understanding and provide strategies to help manage their diagnosis from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
Additionally, Naomi has a special interest in working with trauma resolution. Using somatic experiencing techniques, she helps address trauma symptoms and builds a toolkit of coping techniques to reduce distress.
B(Psychology), MAPS
Psychologist
Naomi is a registered psychologist who enjoys working with older adolescents (around 16 years old) and adults, providing a collaborative approach to therapy. By utilising language and engaging in discussions, Naomi helps individuals develop a shared understanding of the root causes of distress within their lives.
Naomi takes a holistic view of her clients, considering the impact of their cultural, social, and family identities. Through this systemic lens, she helps clients better understand how various aspects of their lives contribute to their well-being.
Naomi particularly enjoys working with neurodiverse populations, including individuals with a late diagnosis of ADHD and ASD. Her goal is to increase self-understanding and provide strategies to help manage their diagnosis from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
Additionally, Naomi has a special interest in working with trauma resolution. Using somatic experiencing techniques, she helps address trauma symptoms and builds a toolkit of coping techniques to reduce distress.
Rachel Gibson
Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology,
Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), Master of Clinical Psychology,
Clinical Psychologist
Rachel is a clinical psychologist who has worked in mental health roles across the community and private sectors, developing a focus on trauma while working in early intervention. She has honed this interest while working with adults with PTSD and complex trauma, substance use problems, eating disorders, chronic pain and military service-related harms, leading her to pursue further training in trauma-focused therapies. In recent years, Rachel has broadened her scope in private practice, where her clients sought help for a range of challenges, including depression and anxiety, neurodivergence-related problems, sleep difficulties, burnout, navigating change and managing relationships.
Rachel began her professional life as a journalist and spent 15 years building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and writing their stories. In her therapy practice, she brings the same curiosity and warmth to her work - helping her clients to recover from past trauma and mental ill-health, regain a sense of self-determination and tell their own stories. She works with adults 18+ and is trained in EMDR, Schema Therapy, CBT, CBT-E, ACT, Motivational Interviewing and other modalities. She is welcoming of clients from all identities and backgrounds. To maintain her own mental health, Rachel spends her free time exploring our beautiful environment.
Rachel began her professional life as a journalist and spent 15 years building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and writing their stories. In her therapy practice, she brings the same curiosity and warmth to her work - helping her clients to recover from past trauma and mental ill-health, regain a sense of self-determination and tell their own stories. She works with adults 18+ and is trained in EMDR, Schema Therapy, CBT, CBT-E, ACT, Motivational Interviewing and other modalities. She is welcoming of clients from all identities and backgrounds. To maintain her own mental health, Rachel spends her free time exploring our beautiful environment.
Barbara Wasilewski
Bachelor of Social Work
Social Worker (Accredited Mental Health)
Barbara is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. She has over 20 years experience working with adults and adolescents experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and psychosis. Barbara is a warm and friendly therapist who is passionate about helping people. She has experience working with people from multicultural backgrounds and she speaks Polish fluently.
Barbara is extremely client focused in her work and considers how different approaches will improve an individual's situation and overall well-being. By working collaboratively as a team with her clients, Barbara's aim is to help people achieve their goals in life and enhance the meaning and value of their lives.
As a mature person, Barbara has a wealth of life experience to draw on and an extensive history of working in a range of mental health settings. In her work Barbara integrates all aspects of effective therapy practice by masterfully developing the therapeutic alliance, instilling hope, quickly centering on achievable objectives, selecting evidence-based practices and facilitating treatment adherence and follow up to make sure treatment gains will be maintained.
Barbara works with adults and adolescents (15+); she is available via tele-health services. Key interest areas: Depression, Anxiety
Grief and Loss, Cross Cultural Issues, Suicide prevention, Stress, Self Esteem, Situational Crisis, Workplace stress, Migrant issues, and
Christian counselling.
Therapeutic Approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution- Focused Therapy.
Barbara is extremely client focused in her work and considers how different approaches will improve an individual's situation and overall well-being. By working collaboratively as a team with her clients, Barbara's aim is to help people achieve their goals in life and enhance the meaning and value of their lives.
As a mature person, Barbara has a wealth of life experience to draw on and an extensive history of working in a range of mental health settings. In her work Barbara integrates all aspects of effective therapy practice by masterfully developing the therapeutic alliance, instilling hope, quickly centering on achievable objectives, selecting evidence-based practices and facilitating treatment adherence and follow up to make sure treatment gains will be maintained.
Barbara works with adults and adolescents (15+); she is available via tele-health services. Key interest areas: Depression, Anxiety
Grief and Loss, Cross Cultural Issues, Suicide prevention, Stress, Self Esteem, Situational Crisis, Workplace stress, Migrant issues, and
Christian counselling.
Therapeutic Approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution- Focused Therapy.
What is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?
While social workers undertake a diverse range of roles within the community, some also complete further study in counselling and mental health, offering services that are similar to those provided by psychologists. Moreover, after completing a minimum of two years of supervised clinical practice, these social workers may pursue additional certification to become an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) through the Australian Association of Social Work. This accreditation signifies their extensive experience and expertise in the field of mental health, enabling them to be registered with Medicare for rebates, which is comparable to the training and standards required for psychologists.
Social workers typically adopt a holistic approach, considering the individual within their entire psycho-social system, rather than viewing the person as the sole source of the issue. They foster a therapeutic relationship based on collaboration and partnership, rather than positioning themselves as "the expert". Additionally, social workers generally possess a comprehensive understanding of the service system. They may also focus in specific client groups or therapeutic modalities, such as Clinical Hypnosis, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma therapy, akin to the training seen in psychology.
While social workers undertake a diverse range of roles within the community, some also complete further study in counselling and mental health, offering services that are similar to those provided by psychologists. Moreover, after completing a minimum of two years of supervised clinical practice, these social workers may pursue additional certification to become an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) through the Australian Association of Social Work. This accreditation signifies their extensive experience and expertise in the field of mental health, enabling them to be registered with Medicare for rebates, which is comparable to the training and standards required for psychologists.
Social workers typically adopt a holistic approach, considering the individual within their entire psycho-social system, rather than viewing the person as the sole source of the issue. They foster a therapeutic relationship based on collaboration and partnership, rather than positioning themselves as "the expert". Additionally, social workers generally possess a comprehensive understanding of the service system. They may also focus in specific client groups or therapeutic modalities, such as Clinical Hypnosis, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma therapy, akin to the training seen in psychology.
Tina Dart (Alida Martina Dart)
Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced, Monash University
Provisional Psychologist
Tina is a provisionally registered psychologist with AHPRA (The Psychologists Board of Australia; registered under her name: Alida Martina Dart) and is currently completing her placement towards full General Registration. As part of her internship program, Tina regularly attends formal supervision sessions, as well as actively seeking out informal mentorship and guidance from colleagues, peers and other health professionals. Supervision is a space for Tina to check in that she is applying appropriate evidence based interventions, developing core competencies, meeting APS (Australian Psychological Societies) Code of Ethics and meeting the requirements of formal processes of reporting to the board during her internship. It is also a space for the supervisor to ensure that client’s needs are being met by the provisional psychologist.
In a previous life Tina worked in Human Resources (HR), and really enjoyed connecting to people, which led to her realise that she wanted to have more of an individual impact. The evolution of her becoming a psychologist has been a long one with a number of stops along the way (in particular, finding love and having a child) – these experiences have and continue to shape her practice. She values taking a relatable, compassionate, supportive, client-centred approach and believes in developing strong therapeutic relationships founded on empathy and warmth to promote client wellbeing.
Tina aims to help individuals unlock their capabilities through evidence-based modalities (CBT, ACT, DBT, Schema Therapy) to facilitate real change, while feeling heard and understood. She works towards empowering individuals toward short-term wins and maintaining long-term gains. Tina is passionate about working in mental health to play a role in reducing the stigma of accessing mental health support by working towards breaking down barriers and facilitating positive change. She is passionate about supporting individuals to learn how to get the best out of themselves and live a more fulfilled life.
Tina’s area of clinical interest includes treatment of:
Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced, Monash University
Provisional Psychologist
Tina is a provisionally registered psychologist with AHPRA (The Psychologists Board of Australia; registered under her name: Alida Martina Dart) and is currently completing her placement towards full General Registration. As part of her internship program, Tina regularly attends formal supervision sessions, as well as actively seeking out informal mentorship and guidance from colleagues, peers and other health professionals. Supervision is a space for Tina to check in that she is applying appropriate evidence based interventions, developing core competencies, meeting APS (Australian Psychological Societies) Code of Ethics and meeting the requirements of formal processes of reporting to the board during her internship. It is also a space for the supervisor to ensure that client’s needs are being met by the provisional psychologist.
In a previous life Tina worked in Human Resources (HR), and really enjoyed connecting to people, which led to her realise that she wanted to have more of an individual impact. The evolution of her becoming a psychologist has been a long one with a number of stops along the way (in particular, finding love and having a child) – these experiences have and continue to shape her practice. She values taking a relatable, compassionate, supportive, client-centred approach and believes in developing strong therapeutic relationships founded on empathy and warmth to promote client wellbeing.
Tina aims to help individuals unlock their capabilities through evidence-based modalities (CBT, ACT, DBT, Schema Therapy) to facilitate real change, while feeling heard and understood. She works towards empowering individuals toward short-term wins and maintaining long-term gains. Tina is passionate about working in mental health to play a role in reducing the stigma of accessing mental health support by working towards breaking down barriers and facilitating positive change. She is passionate about supporting individuals to learn how to get the best out of themselves and live a more fulfilled life.
Tina’s area of clinical interest includes treatment of:
- Stress-Related and Adjustment problems
- Anxiety Disorders and Panic Attacks
- Depression Disorders
What is a Provisional Psychologist?
A provisional psychologist has fulfilled their tertiary education requirements and is now eligible for a supervised internship program to enhance their applied skills in a practical setting. This program involves a minimum of two years of weekly supervision with an AHPRA board-approved supervisor, where the provisional psychologist must complete a set number of hours in psychological practice, supervision, and professional development. The intern must demonstrate their competency in the eight core areas of their internship and pass a National Psychology Exam to qualify for general registration.
When working with our clients at Cairns Trauma & Clinical Psychology, provisional psychologists perform the same tasks as fully registered psychologists. However, they have access to an on-call psychologist at the clinic, such as Dr Rachel Gleave, the Principal Clinical Psychologist, and external supervisors who are AHPRA registered psychologists to ensure they provide effective support to participants. Additionally, provisional psychologists must undertake extensive professional development each year to expand their knowledge and skills in helping their clients.
