Penny Marshall
Principal Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
BASc, PGDipPsych, GDipPsychotherapy, MPsych (Clin), MAPS, FCCLP
Penny is the director of Forest for the Trees Perinatal Psychology, and founded the practice in 2018. Penny is a clinical psychologist with a warm, caring and authentic style and she enjoys working collaboratively with her clients and those who support them. She is especially passionate about working with women and their families in the perinatal period, because of the great impact support can have during this important time.
Penny has experience working with individuals presenting with a wide range of emotional issues as well as serious mental health conditions. She is experienced in working with: antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, antenatal and neonatal grief and loss, ivf support and fertility issues, relationship problems, attachment and bonding issues, obsessive compulsive disorder, body image concerns and disordered eating.
Penny has extensive experience as a clinical psychologist across a number of settings including: private practice, hospitals, NGOs and the university sector. Penny’s interest in perinatal work was sparked when she completed some of her training at the Parent Infant Research Institute (Austin Hospital, Melbourne). Penny has completed psychodynamic training and is also trained in specialised therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy and attachment focused therapies. She is a certified facilitator of the Circle of Security Parenting Program.
Penny has completed a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and postgraduate training in Psychotherapy. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society , a fellow of the Clinical College of Psychologists, and is registered (with clinical endorsement) with the Psychology Board of Australia. Penny is a Board Approved Supervisor of Psychology Registrars, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and is experienced in providing individual supervision and group work.
Kaitlyn Miller
Senior Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
MPsych (clinical), BPsych, MAPS, FCCLP
Kaitlyn is a senior clinical psychologist who is passionate about supporting people through the challenges and the joys of the perinatal period. She has a warm, genuine therapeutic style and works in partnership with her clients and their support-people to bring about positive change.
Kaitlyn has been working as a psychologist in various capacities since 2011. She has experience working for the public health service in inpatient hospital settings and community health, where she treated complex mental health and substances use issues. She also has extensive experience working in private practice treating a variety of issues from depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, attachment difficulties, and grief and loss. She is experienced in supporting people who are facing infertility and the associated physical, social and emotional complexities.
Kaitlyn uses therapeutic treatments that have a known basis of evidence, including Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques. With a strong focus on attachment, Kaitlyn aims to help people to feel more connected to the parent, partner, and person that they want to be. Her treatment approach is trauma-sensitive, practical and tailored to each individual.
Kaitlyn particularly enjoys working with people in the perinatal period, and being a support to women and their families during this challenging life stage. Kaitlyn is passionate about a whole-system approach to working with women and families in the perinatal period and she collaborates closely with GPs, obstetricians, midwifery practices and psychiatrists. Previously, Kaitlyn has provided specialist trauma education to midwives and early childhood nurses at one of the major Sydney hospitals. She also has an interest in psychological research and is currently developing research projects as part of her role at Forest for the Trees.
Kaitlyn has completed a Masters of Clinical Psychology, with distinction, and a Bachelor of Psychology. She is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, a Fellow of the Clinical College of Psychologists and is registered (with clinical endorsement) with the Psychology Board of Australia. Kaitlyn is a Board Approved Supervisor of Psychology Registrars, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Lauren Ell
Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin)
Lauren is a clinical psychologist who has a warm and flexible approach, in which she works collaboratively with clients to achieve their goals. She has been working in the Newcastle region supporting those with emotional difficulties and mental health concerns since 2013.
Lauren has previously worked at Hunter Primary Care, where she supported clients with difficulties across the lifespan, and specifically with women and infants in the perinatal period. She finds perinatal work particularly rewarding due to seeing the significant improvements clients can make at such a challenging and rewarding time in their lives. In the context of the perinatal period, Lauren is particularly interested in supporting clients presenting with anxiety, attachment issues, difficulty adjusting to parenthood and managing traumatic experiences.
Lauren is experienced in working with adults, adolescents and children presenting with a wide range of difficulties, including: anxiety; depression; adjustment disorder; relationship issues; grief and loss; trauma, OCD and parenting difficulties. Lauren uses a range of therapeutic approaches including: compassion focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy; acceptance and commitment therapy; dialectical behavioral therapy and attachment based parenting support.
Lauren has completed a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and a Master of Clinical Psychology, and she is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (with clinical endorsement). In addition to university study, Lauren has also completed Circle of Security training, which allows her to facilitate parenting programs in emotion coaching and attachment.
Pip Johnson
Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), M Psych (Org), M Research, M Psych (Clin)
Pip is a Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar who is passionate about supporting women on their journey to becoming and being a Mum. Pip has an interest in all things “birth” and has trained as both a childbirth educator and a birth doula. These experiences give Pip insight into the complexities that can surround birth and the importance of the Mum’s emotional and mental state leading into birth. Pip has an interest in using this experience to support women who experience childbirth related anxiety or trauma.
Prior to undertaking her Masters in Clinical Psychology , Pip spent over 10 years working in organisational psychology in the corporate sector. This experience has provided Pip with an understanding of the stressors in work environments, both as they relate to parents and more broadly. Pip understands the challenges working parents face when returning to the workplace following parental leave, and in balancing their work and family commitments.
Since moving into Clinical Psychology, Pip has worked across the lifespan and in multicultural settings. Pip has supported individuals with a range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychosis, anger management, stress, and low self-esteem.
When working with clients, Pip draws from a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), EMDR, Schema Therapy, positive psychology, and mindfulness-based interventions. In doing this, Pip takes a non-judgemental, collaborative, and highly empathic approach to create a safe and supportive environment for her clients.
Pip has completed a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, a Master of Organisational Psychology, a Master of Research, and a Master of Clinical Psychology. Pip has been a registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia for 10 years and is currently working towards her clinical endorsement.
Ruby Hooke
Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin)
Ruby is a compassionate and direct Clinical Psychologist. She understands that pregnancy, birth and parenting can bring people the most happiness, as well as the most stress, anxiety, anger and sadness. She is a passionate advocate for women, parents, children and families. She hopes to not just improve people’s functioning, but help them thrive in the perinatal period.
Ruby is experienced working with moderate to severe perinatal mental health concerns, things like Depression, PTSD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis, Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders. She is particularly interested in treating OCD, eating disorders, and helping heal trauma (from childhood, adulthood or giving birth).
Ruby is skilled in a variety of Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT, ACT, DBT), Schema Therapy and Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Her work is also informed by Attachment theory, Family Systems Theory and Somatic Psychotherapy.
Ruby studied on un-ceded Awabakal land, graduating the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Master of Clinical Psychology (with Distinction). She is a board approved Supervisor and enjoys providing supervision to Provisional Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Registrars.
Larissa Elliott
Psychologist
BPsych, MTeaching (School Counselling)
Larissa is a registered psychologist and teacher who is passionate about providing support to parents and their families during the perinatal period. She has a warm and friendly family-centred approach and provides a safe and nonjudgmental environment for her clients. She believes it is important that mothers and fathers are well supported in caring for their infants in the critical early years. Larissa has particular interest in preparing parents for pregnancy, birth and parenthood as well as adjusting to life in the postnatal period. She is experienced in working with clients facing: anxiety and depression; parental stress and burnout; relationship issues; birth trauma; perinatal grief and loss; and fertility issues.
Larissa hopes to empower her clients to discover adaptive coping strategies and set realistic goals during this rewarding, yet challenging stage of the lifespan. In her work with her clients, Larissa uses treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and family systems and attachment-based therapies. In her work with her clients, Larissa uses the following treatment modalities: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and family systems and attachment-based therapies.
Larissa’s background working as a school counsellor for the Department of Education in Sydney and Newcastle has seen her gain extensive experience working with children with complex trauma backgrounds, behavioural issues, intellectual disabilities, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She uses these experiences in the perinatal space by supporting families who may require support in accepting a child’s diagnosis.
Larissa completed a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Teaching (School Counselling). She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Amanda Fletcher
Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
BA Hons (Psychology), MPsych (Clin)
Amanda is a clinical psychologist who has a warm and genuine style. She takes a compassionate approach to therapy, supporting people in navigating life challenges, and in reaching personal goals. Amanda understands the complexities of the perinatal period, and is passionate about providing psychological support to women and their families during this time.
Amanda has been working as a psychologist since 2010. Amanda has supported people across the lifespan with a range of mental health concerns including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, substance use, suicidal ideation, stress, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, adjustment and attachment difficulties. She has experience supporting women with pregnancy loss, in providing treatment for mental health concerns during pregnancy, in healing from birth trauma and adjusting to parenthood.
Amanda’s treatment approach is tailored to each individual, to best meet their therapy needs and goals. Amanda utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, DBT Skills, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques. Her treatment approach is trauma-sensitive and informed by attachment theory.
Amanda studied on un-ceded Awabakal Land, completing a Masters of Clinical Psychology with distinction and a Bachelor or Arts with Honours (Psychology) at the University of Newcastle. She holds full registration with clinical endorsement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Amanda is a Board Approved Supervisor of psychology registrars and is experienced in providing supervision to her peers and to psychologists in training.
Emma Goddard (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
BA Hons (Psychology), MPsych (Clin)
Emma is a warm and engaging clinical psychologist who is passionate about supporting people navigating the path to, and through, parenthood. She is highly empathetic and is skilled in supporting those who have experienced loss in pregnancy, stillborn and neonatal death. Emma has a breadth of experience working across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly, supporting those experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar affective disorder, adjustment & attachment difficulties, grief & chronic illness.
Emma has a particular interest in working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and recognises the unique dynamic issues experienced by rainbow families, as well as the increased risk for LGBTQ+ families in experiencing perinatal mental illness. Emma is employed concurrently as a clinical psychologist in the youth cancer service. She has a special interest in working with the long-term effects of chronic illnesses, including cancer and other illnesses that may impact on fertility.
Emma prioritises a collaborative, safe & family-centred approach to therapy. She engages a range of evidence-based, practical and supportive treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) & compassion focused therapy (CFT).
Emma completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle and Master of Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University in Sydney and has full registration as a clinical psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA).
Maddy Drew
Clinical Psychologist Newcastle
BPsych, MPsych (Clin), MAPS
Maddy is a clinical psychologist who has a warm and empathetic style, who understands that the perinatal period can be a time of conflicting experiences. She is passionate about her role as she understands that the mental well-being of parents has a direct impact on the social and emotional well-being of children. Maddy is a compassionate advocate for those she works alongside. She is experienced in working with women and their families in navigating: perinatal depression and anxiety, birth trauma, parental dissatisfaction, miscarriage, adjustment and attachment concerns and parenting challenges.
Maddy has extensive general psychology experience supporting people presenting with a range of difficulties, including: anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, stress, grief and loss, relationship issues and parenting difficulties. She is also experienced in working int he disability sector, supporting individuals with complex neuro-developmental, psychological and behavioural needs.
Maddy is skilled in evidence-based psychological treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy and motivational interviewing. She utilises a trauma-informed, attachment-based approach to therapy.
Maddy has completed a Bachelor of Psychology and a Masters of Clinical Psychology with distinction. She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (clinical endorsement) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Susanna Rossi-Leach
Practice Manager
Susanna is our wonderful Practice Manager, and she is often the first person you will reach when you contact Forest for the Trees Perinatal Psychology. Susanna will assist you with the process of starting sessions with one of our Psychologists, as well as following up on client administrative concerns throughout the treatment period.
Susanna is a highly experienced administrative assistant, and prior to working as a Practice Manager she worked as a Revenue Officer in the legal sector for over ten years. Susanna manages client appointments and queries in a friendly and helpful manner, and we also couldn’t do without her around the office making sure we’re organised and everything runs smoothly.
Susanna is in the office on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Chloe Selorio
Administration Assistant
Chloe is our friendly and organised administration assistant who often works on reception. She is involved in engaging new clients with the practice and supports our team with all of their administrative needs.
Chloe has previously worked in the hospitality and retail industries, and is experienced in customer service and support. She is also currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Chloe is in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays.