Home -Our Team

Neo adopts a multi-disciplinary team-based approach: Hand-picked, Doctoral & Masters trained Clinical and Educational Psychologists* work closely with a complementary mix of talented, highly experienced professionals from Social Work, family therapy, education, youth work, outdoor education & other specialist fields.

                                   

 

*Please be aware that - unlike our team of Psychologists - not all other Psychologists are highly trained.  The majority of Psychologists in private practice DO NOT have accredited professional Masters or Doctoral level training in Psychology and therefore - by law - are not endorsed to practice Clinical or Educational Psychology (or any other specialised field of Psychology).  Dr Crisp has been working with the Australian Psychological Society's Professional Practice Advisory Group and has lobbied the Psychology Board of Australia to require all Psychologists to advertise their qualifications and expertise transparently, accurately and truthfully (click here to see Dr Crisp's detailed submission). All Clinical Psychologists at Neo are either members or eligible to be members of the Australian Clinical Psychologist Association which is the only Australian professional body that requires an accredited Doctoral or Masters degree in Clinical Psychology for membership.

 

 

Dr Simon Crisp  (Director)

Emma Lund

Dr Maria Chalmers

Dr Gerke Witt

Dr Tammy Tempelhof

Amelia King

Jeremy Cass

Ben Callegari

Ruth Boydell

Lucy Goode

Jodie Valpied

Bronwyn Howell

Philip Avery

Clair Cullen  (Administration)

 

 

 

 

Director

 

Dr Simon Crisp MAPS MACPA
BA DipEdPsych MPsych(Child & Ed.) DPsych(Clinical Child Adol & Family)

Clinical Psychologist
Adjunct Lecturer,

School of Psychology & Psychiatry

Monash University

Churchill Fellow

 

 

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1119246

Founding Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association

Member of the Australian Psychological Society (20 years)
Former Member of the APS
College of Clinical Psychologists (1993-2010)
Member of the Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth


 

Email:  simon@neopsychology.com.au

 

Simon has been working with people of all ages for nearly 30 years, and has been a practicing Clinical Psychologist for over 20 years.  As well as extensive experience working with adults, he has advanced specialist qualifications and expertise in child, adolescent and family psychology, including a broad training that includes Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy.  Simon has an international reputation for pioneering Wilderness Adventure Therapy® in Australia, as well as developing the nation's first, and highly acclaimed adolescent mental health day-program: The Brief Intervention Program (BIP) at the Austin Hospital, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service.  Here he held the position of Senior Clinical Psychologist and Director of Adolescent Day-Patient Services.  He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1996 to study other innovative therapy approaches overseas.   Through his career, he has worked intensively with a variety of many hundreds of young people, their parents and families.

 

In his commitment to constantly improving services for young people, Simon has researched the innovative crisis counselling model he developed in 2002 - Psychological First Response® – for teachers and youth professionals at Monash University.  Simon has been a lecturer in post-graduate Counselling and Ethics & Professional Issues at Monash University and at the School of Business at La Trobe University.  Simon is a frequent conference presenter nationally and internationally, and runs courses, professional development and supervision for mental health professionals and teachers.   A past columnist in the national Teacher Magazine, he also regularly appears for expert comment in print media and television.

 

Simon's personal assistant is Clair Cullen who can be contacted on Tel: 0430 059 859 or Email: intake@neopsychology.com.au

 

About Simon

 

> Days Simon currently consults on:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays

 


 

Consultants

 

 

Emma Lund MAPS
BA PostGradDipHealthPsych MPsych(Child & Family)
Psychologist

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1124199
Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Member of the APS Division of Independently Practicing Psychologists
Member of the Australian Guidance & Counselling Association

 

Email:  emma@neopsychology.com.au

 

Emma has over 12 years experience counseling and coaching individuals of all ages.  With a broad background in health and mental health, she has expertise in stress management, relationship issues and treating anxiety, depression, and health-related behaviours, including weight management and insomnia using the Sleep Better® program.  Emma is also an accredited Hypnobirthing® practitioner, childbirth educator, and offers pregnancy support counselling.

 

Emma has specialised qualifications in child, adolescent & family Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  She has worked as a School and Educational Psychologist at  St Kevins College, Toorak, and has been instrumental in developing Neo's innovative Psychological First Response® intervention.   She has many years experience in facilitating adolescent and parent programs, and is accredited as a Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P®) facilitator and a Wilderness Adventure Therapy® Assistant.

 

 


 

 

 

Dr Maria Chalmers MAPS
BSc(Hons) DClinPsych
Clinical Psychologist

 

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1626093

Member of the Australian Psychological Society

 

Email:  maria@neopsychology.com.au

 

Maria is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist and completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology in the UK and has experience in a range of adult, child and family services in hospital and community settings.  Maria specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy but has had additional training in psychodynamic therapy and couples and family therapy.  She has worked with a variety of client issues and has a special interest in learning difficulties.

 

> Days Maria currently consults on:  Mondays

 


 

 

Dr Gerke Witt MACPA
BSc(Hons) DPsych(Clinical)
Clinical Psychologist


Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1124673

Founding Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association

Former Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Former Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists

 

Email:  gerke@neopsychology.com.au

 

Gerke has doctoral training in clinical psychology and has been a consultant on professional issues for the Australian Psychological Society.  Gerke specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and has a broad experience in psychological practice and research in medical and counselling settings, and with an extensive range of adults and young people.  She has a special interest in therapy with children with Autism.

 

> Gerke currently consults on Fridays & Saturdays

 


 

 

Dr Tammy Tempelhof MAPS
BA BApplSc(Hons) DPsych(Clinical)
Clinical Psychologist

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1126392

Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Member of the College of Clinical Psychologists

 

Email:  tammy@neopsychology.com.au

 

Tammy has doctoral training in clinical psychology with a specialisation in child, adolescent and family clinical psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  Tammy has experience in the psychological treatment of a wide range of child and adolescent mental health issues, with additional expertise in relationships, and anxiety disorders of children.  She also has wide experience with adults, including parent counselling and support.

 

> Days Tammy currently consults on:  Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

 


 

 

Amelia King MAPS
BSc GradDipApplPsych MPsych(Clinical)
Clinical Psychologist

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1120938

Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Member of the College of Clinical Psychologists

 

Email:  amelia@neopsychology.com.au

 

Amelia has been a practicing psychologist for over 10 years and brings extensive experience in counselling with a wide range of clients and issues.  She has practiced in out-patient, day-patient and in-patient mental health settings, taking on senior clinical supervision roles. In particular, she has specialised expertise in child, adolescent and family clinical psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, family therapy and psychotherapy.

 

> Days Amelia currently consults on:  Saturdays

 


 

 

Jeremy Cass MAPS
BSc GradDipBehSc MClinPsych
Clinical Psychologist

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1122184

Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Email:  jeremy@neopsychology.com.au

 

Jeremy has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialisation in mental health disorders. With 15 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist, he has expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Family Therapy and Psychotherapy, and has worked in a range of settings including child & adolescent mental health, adult mental health and educational learning and assessment. Jeremy has experience in the treatment of a wide range of child, adolescent and young adult mental health issues, and a special interest in working with adolescent and young adult males.

 

> Jeremy currently consults on: Thursdays

 


 

 

Ben Callegari MAPS
BPsych(Hons) MPsych(Clinical)
Psychologist

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1130175

Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Associate Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association

Email:  ben@neopsychology.com.au

 

Ben has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialisation in mental health disorders, including anxiety in children, adolescents and adults. He has expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and experience in the psychological issues that can arise in medical conditions.  Ben has experience in the treatment of a wide range of child, adolescent and mental health issues, and a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of problematic thought processes.

 

> *Ben is currently on extended leave

 


 

 

 

 

Ruth Boydell 

BSocWk, MSocWk, Clin.Mem.VAFT, AASW

Social Worker & Family Therapist

 

Clinical Member of the Victorian Association of Family Therapists

Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers

 

Email: ruth@neopsychology.com.au 

 

Ruth has 25 years experience as a Social Worker and family and relationship therapist and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and post-graduate qualifications in Family Therapy. She trained at the Tavistock Institute in London and Bouverie Clinic, Melbourne and has been the Co-ordinator of Student Counselling at Methodist Ladies College for the last seven years. Ruth specializes in counselling and therapy with young people, their parents and families and couples, and has an interest in long-term health issues faced by young people and their families.

 

> Days Ruth currently consults on:  Thursdays and after-hours on some other days

 


 

 

Lucy Goode MAPS
BA PGDipPsych MEdPsych
Psychologist

Registered Psychologist - Psychology Board of Australia No. 1127009

Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Email:  lucy@neopsychology.com.au

 

Lucy has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and spacialises in the assessment and intervention in issues that involve both educational and learning issues and mental health and behavioural problems. She has a broad experience with children and adolescents and has worked for many years in schools including experience with the department of education. She has a particular interest in the assessment of the contribution of cognitive and learning ability to behavioural and mental health difficulties.

 

> Lucy currently consults sessionally

 


 

 

Jodie Valpied
BA BTeach GradDipPsych PostGradDipPsych MEd(Special Needs)
Educational Consultant

Member, Victorian Institute of Teaching
Member, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children
Member, Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted & Talented
Member, Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children
Member, Aust. Infant, Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health Assoc.

 

Email:  jodie@neopsychology.com.au


Jodie is an experienced Teacher having taught both primary and secondary students. She has specialised Masters level training in special and gifted education, as well as post-graduate training in Psychology, and has established and worked in various student support services in schools. Jodie has consulted to government and school leadership bodies and lectures on the special needs of the intellectually gifted nationally and internationally. Jodie has a long commitment to intellectually gifted young people through her involvement in organisations such as Mensa Australia and various gifted childrens support associations. Jodie has a particular interest in the social and emotional needs of special needs and gifted children, and the personality attributes and neuroscientific bases of intellectual giftedness.

 

> Jodie currently consults sessionally

 


 

 

Bronwyn Howell
BEd GradDipOutdoorEd GradDipPsychStudies PostGradDipPsych MPsych
Senior Adventure Facilitator / Psychologist

Registered Psychologist VPRB - No. 7757
Member of the Victorian Institute of Teaching

 

Email:  bronwyn@neopsychology.com.au

 

Bronwyn is a Counselling Psychologist, Teacher and Outdoor Educator. She has taught in secondary schools for 9 years and facilitated young people's development as an Outdoor Educator for a further 9 years. She has also worked in various clinical and community settings with children, adolescents and families. Bronwyn has been widely involved in the professionalisation of the outdoor education field in Australia for many years, and holds qualifications in adventure activity facilitation, and safety & risk management.

 


 

 

Philip Avery
Senior Adventure Facilitator

 

Email:  phil@neopsychology.com.au

 

Phil is an Outdoor Educator and youth worker with vast experience. He has facilitated people's development through outdoor adventure experiences for over 2 decades, including many years experience running Wilderness Adventure Therapy® programs in clinical, community and school settings. In addition, Phil has over a decade of experience in developing and running youth services and innovative youth development programs. For the last few years, he has been teaching adventure leadership and safety management at the Gordon Institute in Geelong, Victoria. Phil holds numerous qualifications in adventure activity facilitation, is a Ski Patrol officer at Mount Buller Alpine Resort, and is an accredited Wilderness Adventure Therapy® Assistant.

 


 

Administration

 

Clair Cullen

Intake & Referrals Co-ordinator / Personal Assistant to Dr Crisp

 

Email:  intake@neopsychology.com.au

Tel:      0430 059 859

 

Clair has completed her Honours (fourth) year of accredited study in Psychology at the University of Melbourne. She is responsible for the management of client referrals and client waiting list, and liaison with referring professionals. Additionally, she is the Personal Assistant to the Director, Dr Simon Crisp. Clair's duties are directly supervised by Dr Crisp, working in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Practice of the Australian Psychological Society.