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Clinical Psychology services at NLC Psychology are provided by Dr Neralie Cain, Mr Patrick Carson, and Ms Alyssa Nikolaidis. Our clinical psychologists are supported by the lovely Move for Better Health admin team.

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DR NERALIE CAIN

Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications:  Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical), PhD

Professional Memberships: Australian Psychological Society, Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, Australasian Sleep Association, Australian POTS Foundation

Neralie first obtained her general registration as a psychologist in 2009, and has worked in a variety of private and public settings over the past 15 years. This has allowed her to build experience working with children, teens, and adults whose lives were affected by a range of psychological difficulties including depression and anxiety disorders. Neralie loves working with people who are neurodivergent and those from the LGBTQI+ community. She has also developed a passion for helping individuals with chronic health conditions (such as chronic pain, hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Endometriosis / pelvic pain, rheumatological conditions, and long COVID) to live a rich, full, and meaningful life.

 

Neralie uses a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing. All of her therapeutic approaches are neurodiversity-affirming.

As well as working in general clinical psychology, Neralie has also developed specialist knowledge and experience in psychological treatments for insomnia and other sleep problems. She has previously worked with the Canberra Sleep Clinic, the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health (Repatriation General Hospital), and the Child & Adolescent Sleep Clinic (Flinders University). She received her training in sleep from Emeritus Professor Leon Lack and Professor Michael Gradisar, who are world-renowned experts in adult and paediatric sleep (respectively).

Neralie has given presentations at local, interstate, and international conferences and workshops, and has authored a number of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters in the areas of child and adolescent sleep. In 2019 she completed her PhD, investigating the use of sleep restriction therapy as a transdiagnostic intervention for insomnia and anxiety in middle childhood (6-14yrs). This work was recently published in the Journal of Sleep Research (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsr.13658).

Neralie spreads her consulting time across all 3 sites.

Bookings can be made online (for subsequent consultations) or by calling 8373 5655.

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PATRICK CARSON

Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications:  Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical)

 

Patrick has a special interest in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, eating disorders, and sleep issues, in addition to a wide variety of psychological conditions including depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorders and long COVID. Patrick uses a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT-E) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Patrick has a range of experience working with adolescents and young adults, having worked within public Youth Mental Health teams. He also has experience working with adults experiencing chronic or persistent pain, or general psychological difficulties.

 

Due to the importance of sleep, and the significant impact the lack of sleep can have on our physical and mental health, Patrick particularly enjoys working with those experiencing sleep issues, like insomnia, waking during the night, or difficulty staying asleep.

Patrick is currently consulting on Mondays at Malvern, with appointments available immediately. 

Bookings can be made by calling 8373 5655.

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ALYSSA NIKOLAIDIS

Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications: Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical)

Alyssa has experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, traumatic stress, disordered eating, emotion dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, and long COVID. She uses a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). To build expertise and clinical mastery in the application of DBT, Alyssa recently completed the internationally accredited DBT Foundational/Intensive Course, which included consultation with DBT experts.

Alyssa completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science degree at the University of Adelaide, Honours at Flinders University, and Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Southern Queensland. 

Alyssa sees clients across the lifespan, and has a particular interest in working with children and young people (and their families). Her work has a strong focus on recovery, maximising wellbeing, assisting stabilisation of mental health, and building functional capacity for self-management.

As well as working with clients individually, Alyssa also has experience in delivering group therapy programs for clients who experience moderate to severe difficulties in regulating their emotions, focusing on improving emotional coping and building resilience. 

Alyssa is currently consulting on Fridays and Saturdays at Malvern.

Alyssa is not currently taking on new clients.

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