About Our Team
Dr. Michalle Hutcheson
Director / Clinical Psychologist
B Psych (Hons) PhD Clin Psych
Michalle specialises in child, adolescent and family psychology. She has over 22 years experience in clinical psychology and has dedicated her career to helping many families on the Gold Coast during that time. Michalle works closely with other professionals and agencies such as doctors and schools to ensure a team approach to treatment.
Michalle received First Class Honours in Psychology at Griffith University in 2000, specialising in Organisational Psychology. She was then awarded the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence. She was awarded a Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scheme scholarship in 2001 to complete her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her PhD research addressed the nature of depression in adolescence.
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Her research has published in the European Journal of Psychological Assessment
Fiona Aston
Provisional Psychologist
B Psych (Hons)
Fiona is warm and empathetic in her approach and is passionate about providing holistic, person-centred, and evidence-based care including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Fiona sees clients across the lifespan, however, she has a specific interest in women’s health and the early parenting field, having completed additional training through the Mental Health Professional Network and Centre For Perinatal Excellence. She is a strong believer that illness and stress affect not only one’s physical, but also one’s mental, emotional, and general well-being. She is deeply passionate about mindfulness meditation and self-compassion.
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Fiona is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing the final stages of her 4+2 internship pathway to achieve full registration under the supervision of Dr. Michalle Hutcheson. She completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Griffith University in 2020, having received multiple awards for outstanding academic performance throughout her degree.
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Fiona is the mother of two children and previously spent over 25 years working in the corporate sector before deciding to pursue her life-long passion of supporting people to live happier and healthier lives.
Sharon Edser
Psychologist
B Psych Sc (Hons)
Sharon has experience working with clients across the lifespan from 5-year-olds to 95+. She specialises in helping individuals who have been experiencing depression, adjustment disorder, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, relationship issues and trauma. Sharon prides herself on being an empathetic and compassionate practitioner.
Sharon's psychological practice focuses on an individualist approach, seeing each client as unique and working alongside the client to achieve long-term change. This involves following the client's lead in the direction and nature of the sessions. Central to her practice is improving wellbeing and empowering her clients to be the best version of themselves possible.
Sharon is experienced with various therapeutic interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing and adopts positive psychology strategies focusing on building strength and resilience to face life's challenges.
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Sharon has a Bachelor of Psychological Science wth Honours which she received from Southern Cross University after completing her undergraduate degree at Bond University. She has published research in the Australian Dental Journal regarding the uptake of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Simone Gavin
Provisional Psychologist
B Psych Sc, G Dip Psych Sc
Simone comes to us with exceptional performance in her university degrees having twice attained the top mark in her university assessments. She is now undertaking the remaining year of her 4+2 internship at Head On Health under Dr. Michalle Wright while completing her Masters of Criminology and Criminal Justice. She has volunteered at Bravehearts, a support services for children who have experienced abuse, and has had extensive experience working with children and their families in the area of clinical psychology and NDIS-related conditions. ​
Simone is passionate about working with children, adolescents and families in all areas of clinical psychology. Simone's calm nature, experience, professionalism and dedication to best-practice in clinical psychology is a huge asset to us at Head On Health and the families we support. She is experienced in a variety of therapeutic interventions including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Emotion-Focussed Therapy, Micro-expressions training and Mindfulness. She is experienced in treating and support children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum.
Sarah Landau
Provisional Psychologist
BA Psychology (Hons)
M Prof Psych
Sarah is a provisional psychologist who has an upper second-class honours degree in psychology from Edith Cowan University and a Master of Professional Psychology from Griffith University. She is currently completing her 5 + 1 pathway at Head On Health.
Sarah enjoys working with children, teenagers, adults, and older adults with a variety of clinical presentations. She has a strong interest in several areas, including health psychology and managing conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, Cystic Fibrosis,
Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Personality Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and Alzheimer's and Dementia disorders.
Sarah has had over 200 hours of Mindfulness-Based stress reduction (MBSR) training. In addition to Mindfulness, Sarah utilises Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Sarah has a strong
focus on positive psychology, motivation, and behaviour.
Sarah has a commitment to fostering a safe and supportive therapeutic environment through a holistic and client-centred approach where individuals can explore their feelings, develop coping strategies, and cultivate resilience through a collaborative
and compassionate approach to therapy.
Beyond her clinical practice, Sarah is actively involved in ongoing professional development and stays abreast of the latest research and evidence-based, effective therapeutic techniques.
Suzie Rigby
Psychologist
B Sc (Psych) Hons Assoc MAPS
Suzie’s areas of expertise include workplace mental health and career wellbeing. Suzie draws on 20 years of experience as a psychologist with extensive employment history in psychological roles addressing workplace culture; leadership; health and wellness; psychosocial risk assessment; injury prevention; vocational rehabilitation - supporting career wellbeing and work/life integration.
Suzie is passionate about working with clients seeking to explore their unique skills and talents to identify career pathways that align with their strengths, passions and career aspirations. Suzie’s clients can access the Career Avenues comprehensive online profiling which includes - detailed Careers Profile Report, one-hour Career Counselling session plus ongoing access to the Career Avenues web-based portal allowing clients connection to supportive resources for building their Career Action Plan.
Suzie also works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, loss and challenges impacting work performance. Suzie helps clients to understand stressors and works with clients toward enhancing mental health and career wellbeing.
Suzie holds a B Sc. Hons (Psychology) from the University of Surrey (UK) is a registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Associate member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and member of the Association for Coaching (AC). Suzie’s research was published in Counselling Psychology Quarterly - The experience of ‘healing stories’ in the life narrative: A grounded theory: Counselling Psychology Quarterly: Vol 12, No 4 (tandfonline.com)
Marni Stewart
Clinical Psychology Registrar
B Psych Sc, G Dip Psych Sc,
M Psych (Clinical)
Marni is a vibrant member of our team. She is very passionate about her role as a psychologist and is dedicated to providing exceptional services for our valued families. She is very experienced in working with young people.
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Marni works with children, adolescents and families in all areas of clinical psychology. She works closely with parents and other stakeholders in the child's support team, as appropriate, to ensure that her clients are properly supported in their journey.
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Marni has completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Bond University. She received a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Griffith University before completing her Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science from Bond University. Her fourth year thesis was recently published
(https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/MSD8ISVJYBN7EAQGHD7H/full). She has also co-authored a journal article regarding the treatment of anorexia nervosa
(https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00332941241226687).
Karen Thompson
Reception / Administration
Karen is our lovely receptionist who has a warm nature, friendly smile and efficient, professional work ethic. She has years of experience in all aspects of business management and administration. She is happy to help with all of your client needs and enquiries.
