Psychology services at NLC Psychology are provided by
Dr Neralie Cain, Mr Patrick Carson, Ms Alyssa Nikolaidis, and Mrs Alex Giles. Our psychologists are supported by the lovely Move for Better Health admin team.
Dr Neralie Cain
Clinical Psychologist
Qualifications: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical), PhD
Professional Memberships: Australian Psychological Society, Australasian Sleep Association,
Australian POTS Foundation
Hi, I’m Neralie! I'm a neuroaffirming Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience supporting children, teens, and adults to navigate life’s challenges. I have a special passion for working with neurodivergent individuals, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those living with chronic health conditions such as chronic pain, hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), endometriosis and pelvic pain, rheumatological conditions, and long COVID.
Alongside my broader clinical work, I have a special interest in supporting people with insomnia and other sleep difficulties. My background includes work with the Canberra Sleep Clinic, the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health (Repatriation General Hospital), and the Child & Adolescent Sleep Clinic (Flinders University), and I conducted sleep research at both Masters and PhD level. I am passionate about helping you to identify what’s stopping you from sleeping well and retraining your unhelpful sleep associations to give you the best chance of a good night’s sleep—because sleep truly impacts all aspects of wellbeing.
I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches in my work, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing—all within a neurodiversity-affirming framework. Together, we’ll work on developing tools and strategies to help you live your best life and do all the things that are important to you.
Areas I often support include:
-
Insomnia and other sleep difficulties (including those related to OSA / CPAP adherence)
-
Chronic health and pain management (hypermobility, EDS, POTS, ME/CFS, long COVID, endometriosis, and more)
-
Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, and more)
-
Anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation
When I'm not at work, I love spending time with my two wonderful neurodivergent children, curling up with a good book, or getting lost in a creative project.
I currently consult on Tuesdays at Magill and Wednesdays-Fridays at Malvern. Bookings can be made online for existing clients (click here for Malvern or here for Magill), and for new clients please call 08 8373 5655 (Malvern) or 08 7078 0303 (Magill).
Patrick Carson
Clinical Psychologist
Qualifications: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Professional Memberships: Australian POTS Foundation
Hello! I’m Patrick. I’m a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for collaborative, inclusive, and empathetic therapy. I work across the lifespan, but have particular experience with young adults, and I love to work with conditions that interact with both the body and mind, such as those related to sleep, eating, and body image. As part of this approach, I also work with chronic pain and health conditions, such as POTS. I’m passionate about providing a trauma-informed therapy approach, and helping to explore with clients how the past can shape the present, and how it doesn’t have to shape the future.
I believe that therapy is most effective when it’s collaborative, and that the therapist and the client both bring expertise to the relationship. You are the expert in your experiences, your feelings, and your expectations for therapy. I hope that we can work together collaboratively towards goals that matter to you.
I work from a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), as well as more targeted approaches for specific mental health conditions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i).
I offer support in a wide range of areas, including:
-
Insomnia, Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder, and other sleep-related difficulties
-
Body image and struggles with eating
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
-
Anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation
-
Persistent pain, POTS, and other long-term health conditions
-
Exploring identity
Outside of work, I love going for walks with my two dogs, cooking, and reading. I’m always receptive to book recommendations if you’d like to share!
I’m currently consulting on Mondays at Malvern. Bookings can be made online for existing clients, and for new clients please call 08 8373 5655.
Alyssa Nikolaidis
Clinical Psychologist
Qualifications: Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Professional Memberships: Australian POTS Foundation
Hi, I’m Alyssa! I’m a registered Clinical Psychologist who understands the decision to seek therapy is a big step, and one that takes courage! I’m inspired by the bravery it takes to reach out for support, and I aim to create a safe, welcoming, and down-to-earth space where you can truly be yourself and feel heard.
I see therapy as a collaborative relationship between equals, where we work together to understand your experiences and explore what’s important to you. My role is to provide support, perspective, and practical tools to help you navigate challenges and move toward the kind of life you want to lead.
I enjoy working with clients across the lifespan and supporting people experiencing a wide range of difficulties. My approach is holistic and flexible, drawing on techniques from a range of evidence-based therapies and tailoring them to individual’s needs and preferences. I am particularly passionate about helping people develop assertiveness, emotional resilience, autonomy, self-respect, and a strong sense of self and purpose.
Areas I often support include:
-
Anxiety, Depression
-
Adjustment challenges
-
Perfectionism and burnout
-
Emotion dysregulation
-
Low self-esteem
-
Chronic health conditions (such as EDS and POTS)
Outside of sessions, you’ll usually find me enjoying good food and coffee (I can never pass up a choc berry almond croissant) or exploring Adelaide’s parks and beaches with my two dogs.
I currently consult at Malvern on Saturdays and the first Friday of each month. Bookings can be made online for existing clients and for new clients please call 08 8373 5655.
Alex Giles
Psychologist
Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Bachelor of Psychology (Honours),
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Professional Memberships: League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC),
Australian POTS Foundation
Hi, I’m Alex (she/they)—a warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth Psychologist (clinical registrar) with over 15 years’ experience in mental health, largely supporting children and parents to build happier, more connected relationships. I work across the lifespan and am especially passionate about supporting Autistic and ADHD individuals—including late-identified adults—and those who feel they “don’t quite fit the mould.” This includes supporting those navigating burnout and chronic health conditions.
I’m a neuroaffirming and gender-affirming clinician, and my space is LGBTQIA+ safe, kink- and poly-aware, inclusive of all identities and experiences—so you can feel safe to show up just as you are.
Together, we’ll explore what matters most to you, what’s getting in the way, and what helps you feel more connected and supported. My role is to help you better understand yourself and build a life that feels authentic, sustainable, and meaningful—because you don’t have to live life on hard mode.
I tailor therapy to your needs, drawing on a range of approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), attachment-based work, Compassion-Focussed Therapy (CFT), Schema Therapy, and mindfulness and somatic techniques.
Areas I often support include:
-
Autism and ADHD (including getting to understand more about how your body and brain work)
-
Burnout
-
Chronic health conditions (including hypermobility, EDS, POTS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), endometriosis, lipoedema, & long COVID)
-
Identity and relationship exploration
-
Emotional and sensory regulation, anxiety, and stress
-
Parenting and family dynamics
-
Body image, eating challenges, and more
Outside of work, I enjoy good food, travel, Squishmallows, and chatting about my special interests (especially psychology!). I also love trying out different fidgets and sensory supports - although not the slimy ones!
I currently consult on Tuesdays at Malvern and Wednesdays and Fridays at Magill. Bookings can be made online for existing clients (click here for Malvern or here for Magill), and for new clients please call 08 8373 5655 (Malvern) or 08 7078 0303 (Magill).
