Mary Malak
Practice Director and
Registered Psychologist
Mary is a registered psychologist. Her qualifications included a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) and an Associate Diploma in Youth Work. Mary has an extensive background in working with young people with multiple complex individual, family and social challenges. Mary is committed to supporting individuals across the lifespan to realise their potential and live their best lives. She is also passionate about empowering families to support their children and young people through their development, build their their strengths and address challenges.
Mary is passionate about recognising and building upon the strengths of children, young people, adults and those around them in addressing challenges and working towards their goals. She has had experience in working with emotional dysregulation, trauma, depression, anxiety, neurodiversity, bullying, grief, anger, social skills and peer issues. Adopting an evidence-based client-informed approach, Mary recognises the client and the parents as the “experts” in their own lives, empowering children, young people and parents with strategies and support through the therapy journey. As a mother of older teens, Mary appreciates the important role of family has in raising healthy and confident children and young people.
Maria Villaseca
Registered Psychologist
As a Registered Psychologist with over 25 years of experience, I am dedicated to guiding individuals toward meaningful, lasting change. My expertises lies in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and grounding techniques, trauma focused therapies (EMDR), and as evidence-based practices they address both, immediate concerns, and deeper issues.
I have had the privilege of supporting adults facing a variety of challenges, including addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, and personality disorders. I prioritise creating a safe and welcoming environment where clients feel heard and respected, allowing them to explore their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.
Collaboration is at the heart of my practice. I tailor each intervention to align with the client’s personal needs and goals, ensuring that our work together is both practical and transformative. By fostering trust and understanding, I help clients build resilience and navigate life’s difficulties with greater clarity and confidence.
Outside of my clinical work, I am passionate about staying informed on advancements in psychology. I regularly engage in professional development to refine my skills and incorporate the latest therapeutic techniques, ensuring I provide the highest standard of care.
Maria ia available for predominantly telehealth appointments.
Ninwe Esho
Registered Psychologist
Ninwe provides a warm, empathetic, approachable, and client-centred approach to therapy. Her experience ranges across the life span and she has worked with various clinical populations, such as Neurodivergence, Depression, Anxiety and Panic Disorders, PTSD, OCD, Health Anxiety, Conduct Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Intellectual Disability, as well as non clinical presentations, such as relationship distress, work distress, and family dysfunction.
Ninwe values the importance of establishing and maintaining a trusting client-therapist relationship where safety, non-judgment, active listening, and unconditional regard exist. Ninwe believes the client is the expert in their lives and thus utilises the collaborative process of therapy. Ninwe encourages and empowers her clients to provide feedback and actively engage in co-designing their individualised treatment plan and goals.
Ninwe is passionate about using evidence-based treatment approaches to promote quality of life. She also believes that the most change occurs outside of sessions. Therefore, Ninwe provides insightful psychoeducation, resources, and tasks for her clients to engage with outside of sessions. Ninwe is also result-oriented and will monitor progress objectively throughout therapy via questionnaires.
Ninwe draws on many contemporary models of psychotherapy in her practice, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Schema Therapy.
Bridget Manyonga
Youth and Family Therapist / Counsellor
Bridget Manyonga is a highly experienced Youth and Family Therapist who has more than 10 years’ experience working in various Youth work settings with 5 years of practicing as Behaviour Support Coordinator. As a Behavioural Support Coordinator, Bridget worked with a team in a blended model, providing a mixture of triage, assessment, intervention, and care-co-ordination. Her main roles were to plan, develop, and monitor a variety of behaviour support service delivery options to meet the needs of clients diagnosed with different Neuro Divergent conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) ADHD, ODD, and/or other behavioural and social/communication challenges. Through her passion for working with young people, she supports disaffected youth from 12 to 24 years to be engaged and reconnected to educational, employment and community pursuits. Throughout her career Bridget has worked with various families and young people affected by tripartite burden of homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, school avoidance, habitual absence and mental health providing evidence-based interventions to improve young people’s overall wellbeing. Outside of Youth worker Bridget enjoys Sports, she strongly follows the NRL, Cricket and Swimming. Bridget enjoys cooking .
Robbie
Youth Worker
Robbie is a passionate youth worker dedicated to empowering young people through sports and community engagement. With over 4 years of experience in mentoring and community service, he believes in the transformative power of teamwork and sport. Robbie has a background in sport and fitness fostering an inclusive environment where every young person can thrive. Outside of work, he enjoys playing Rugby League and promoting healthy lifestyles and camaraderie among youth. Robbie is committed to making a positive impact, one game at a time.