Our team

Tsin graduated with a Master of Psychology (Clinical/Health) in Perth in 1997. She worked for a short period in Singapore before returning to Perth.  She worked with the Disability Services Commission, followed by 17 years with the Department of Health Western Australia.  At the Health Department, Tsin worked as a Clinical Psychologist in both inpatient and community mental health services.

“After working with people with severe mental health disorders for many years, I have developed an interest in providing preventative care to university students. I also have a special interest in working with international students because I was one myself.”

Tsin has been at Murdoch University since 2015 and works closely with Merry, one of our Counselling Service dogs. In addition to working with students, Tsin collaborates with staff across the university to develop programs that enhance the well-being of our university community.

Athalie is a psychologist who completed her clinical psychology degree at Murdoch University. She grew up in a small, bustling city called Singapore and is grateful to also call Perth her home.

Through many years of growing up in a multicultural country, she has a deep appreciation for different cultures and ethnicities. She enjoys the process of building positive relationships with people she meets and works with.

Life can sometimes throw us curve balls that may make it difficult to keep us moving forward. Athalie's passion is to support people as they journey through life and to have renewed confidence about the future.

Outside of work, she loves staying connected with family and friends all over the world (with the help of technology), hiking, and reading mystery novels.

Claudia is a Clinical Psychologist working primarily within the School of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University. Claudia has worked as a Psychologist since 2002 in Australia and overseas. She has worked in multiple settings, including adult mental health, child and adolescent mental health, hospital, community, and private sectors.

Claudia’s work often involves collaborating with her clients to understand the difficulties that bring them to therapy and to explore their hopes for difference or change that is meaningful to them. She enjoys working therapeutically with people of all ages and stages of life, and she keeps her clients’ relational and emotional wellbeing at the forefront of her work.

She is an animal, nature, food and tennis affezionata! 

Clare is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her training in Clinical Psychology at Murdoch University. She has worked with adolescents and adults across hospital, community and private settings. Clare enjoys working in the Murdoch University Counselling Service and is leading the Suicide Prevention and Postvention Project at Murdoch University.

Danni has been working in Mental Health and Wellbeing for just over 15 years. She started her career by completing a BSc in Psychology and post-graduate training in person-centred counselling. She has work experience in the UK, Ireland, America, and Australia.

Danni completed her training in Clinical Psychology in 2021. She enjoys the process of combining her skills of working at a relational depth and walking alongside her clients in their journeys of self-discovery with her training in clinical assessment, formulation, and evidence-based inventions for a wide range of mental health presentations.

Danni has particular interests in working with LGBTQAI+ people, as well as compassion-focused therapy and trauma-informed care. In her spare time, you'll find Danni at the Dojo practicing Martial Arts or off spending way too much money travelling to different parts of the world.

Lynlea Polak is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience spanning government, private practice, organisational, and clinical settings.

Beginning her working career with a degree in Biology, she worked in the agriculture sector—first in plant production and later in animal production—before contributing to marine ecology research with CSIRO.

Today, she brings together her lifelong passions for animals, science, and human psychology as an embedded counsellor in the School of Veterinary Medicine.

With a deep compassion for all living beings and a specialist understanding of the unique challenges faced by veterinarians and veterinary students, Lynlea is dedicated to fostering wellbeing in the veterinary profession.

Outside of work you can find Lynlea training her working sheepdogs and with a keen interest in heritage livestock breeds and enjoying country pursuits.

Roanne Young is a clinical psychologist who completed her studies right here at Murdoch University. Roanne has experience working in hospital, community, and private settings, and is particularly interested in difficulties concerning emotion dysregulation and self-criticism. Humour is important in Roanne’s approach and she hopes to bring a lightness to the painful experiences we carry.

Outside of work, Roanne can be found at karate training, hunched over a jigsaw puzzle, engaging in pun battles, or Marie Kondo-ing any disorganised space she’s left near too long. Roanne cannot function without eggs for breakfast.

Shirley is an experienced counsellor who has a warm, genuine and gentle approach to working with clients from a person-centred framework. Primarily having worked with clients who have experienced trauma, particularly childhood sexual abuse and/or domestic violence, Shirley has a special interest in attachment and relationships throughout the lifespan.

Shirley is a registered Counsellor & Supervisor with both the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) & Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). On a personal note, Shirley has 4 children and 7 grandchildren and enjoys camping, watching sunsets and 4 wheel driving.

Sam is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her undergraduate and post-graduate studies here at Murdoch University. She has worked with young people in the alcohol and other drug sector, children and adults with a range of presenting problems in private practice, before finding her way back to the tertiary setting as a student counsellor at UNSW Sydney in 2013. She has spent much of her adult life submerged in the university environment either working or studying and understands the many unique challenges faced by students.

Sam also provides Mental Health First Aid training to both staff and students at the university.

Outside of work, you'll find Sam watching the footy, playing old-school video games, reading novels, experiencing a love/hate relationship with a jigsaw puzzle, or watching trashy tv.

Sarah has a background in social work and a Master's of Counselling. She has worked as a counsellor in a variety of settings within the city and in rural and remote Australia, working in youth mental health and general counselling with people of all ages.

Sarah has a particular interest in trauma, working in crime-related trauma and military trauma prior to joining our counselling team at the beginning of 2016. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor, group facilitator, and clinical supervisor.

Sarah’s preferred modalities are acceptance and commitment therapy, hypnotherapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), logotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, compassion-focused therapy and mindful self-compassion. She is currently training to become a teacher of mindful self-compassion.

She views counselling work as a privilege to be able to provide a safe space for others to express themselves, walk alongside them, and help them find a way through difficult times by connecting with what’s most important to them.

Outside of work, Sarah is an avid trail and ultramarathon runner and enjoys weekends out in the bush and going on adventures with her husband and kids.

Jess is a clinical psychologist who completed her postgraduate studies at Murdoch University. She has worked with young people and adults within both the health department and non-government organisations.

Jess enjoys working with anxiety, phobias, self-esteem, stress, emotion dysregulation, relationship and attachment, and early life adversities. She has special interest in sexual presentations and is registered with the Society of Australian Sexologists.

She utilises a genuine, person-centred, non-judgmental and compassionate approach, intertwining humour and adapting treatment and style to each individual person to create a warm, safe and wherever possible, an enjoyable therapeutic space.

Outside of work, Jess finds joy in hashbrowns, cuddling her cats and dog, playing boardgames, doing escape rooms and attempting new DIY projects to recreate the different things she finds on Pinterest.

Rose is a mental health care enthusiast who has been accompanying people in their mental health care for twenty one years. She is an ANZACATA registered Creative Arts Therapist, PACFA registered Psychotherapist and Supervisor and is also Registered to practice as a Dramatherapist in the UK under HCPC and is completing her advanced training in Psychodrama currently.

Rose enjoys running open studio creative arts groups on campus with Creative Arts Therapies Masters clinical trainees, seeing clients 1:1 in the MUCS clinic and working academically with Masters students developing Arts-Based-Research projects in their clinical training years.

Otherwise you can find Rose cooking, swimming, crafting, walking/hiking and loving on Stevie the Wondercat and her other non-furred covered family.

Alanna is a psychologist and clinical psychology registrar who completed her studies at UWA and Curtin University and has been a therapist for 4 years. She has worked with young people, families, and adults in hospital, NGO, and private settings. Alanna aims to create a genuine and warm therapy space that focuses on the individual goals of each person.

Yohann is one of the university counsellors and adopts a warm, inclusive, and student-centred approach to his work. Originally from France, he moved to Perth in 2012 and completed his counselling studies here in Australia.

He has a strong interest in supporting First Nations students, LGBTIQA+ communities, and students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds. Yohann is passionate about social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and these values are at the heart of his counselling practice.

His approach is integrative and flexible, often tailored to the individual needs of the student, sometimes with a creative twist to help things click.

Outside of counselling, Yohann is also a published children’s author. His books explore themes of mental health, identity, and inclusion; important topics delivered in a way that’s engaging and accessible for younger readers.

Whether you’re facing difficulties, looking for clarity, or simply needing someone to chat with, Yohann is here to support you in a safe and respectful space.

Trisha joined the Counselling Service in 2019 and has always had an interest in Mental Health.  Prior to working with Murdoch University Counselling, Trisha lived in Broome for 17 years and has worked within the Private and Public Health Sectors. 

Trisha was the first Administration Officer to work in the new Broome Mental Health Unit (Mabu Liyan) which she thoroughly enjoyed for 5 years and was later seconded to Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service in Broome. Working closely with Indigenous Clients and Staff has brought her a more profound sense of understanding.

She has a passion for working alongside diverse cultures and empowering people to believe in themselves, their love and find their purpose. Her wealth of understanding of the challenges and rewards of living and working in rural and remote areas has reinforced her passion for her work and the people she supports.

Trisha enjoys, meditation, fishing, movies and heading down to the beach to enjoy the sun and surf!!

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you”.
~ Oprah Winfrey

“The most beautiful moments in life are moments when you are expressing your joy, not when you are seeking it”.
~ Sadhguru