We Have Immediate Availability for Adult Therapy Clients.
About Us
Embracing differences. Celebrating diversity. Collaborative and inclusive mental health services enabling our clients to live their most amazing life.
Our Philosophy
At Happy Brain we use a client centered approach using therapies such as Expressive Therapies, Strengths Based, Narrative and Solution Focused Therapies.
We truly partner with the individual as well as their support system which may include family members, school teachers and anyone else that may be important to therapeutic success. Most importantly your goals and what is important to you is the centre of everything we do.
We aim to mindfully listen and be present through the ups and downs of life but most of all we value the therapeutic partnership and pay careful attention to matching clients with the right therapist.
So yes, we invest in getting to know you because trusting us to help you or someone you love is the foundation of any good therapeutic outcome.
Meet our team
Our team includes a diverse range of registered mental health professionals who provide psychology, counselling and assessment services for children, adolescents, adults and families. We offer in clinic services, telehealth, and mobile outreach to schools and homes.
Roxanne Wells-Peris (she/her)
Director and Principal Psychologist
Areas of expertise
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Autism/ADHD assessments
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Neurodivergent kids, teens & adults
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Trauma Focused Therapy (from discrimination for being neurodivergent)
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Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing
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Sensory Based Assessments
About Roxanne
Roxanne holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Clinical Psychology from the Australian Catholic University and is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS). Roxanne has practiced with children, adolescents, adults and families across a range of settings including school, home and inpatient settings. Roxanne has a passion for working with neurodiverse individuals (Autism Spectrum, ADHD etc) and offers a collaborative, flexible approach to therapy with the individual’s goals at the centre of treatment. Roxanne has also completed specialised training in EMDR Trauma Therapy to treat adjustment difficulties due to traumatic events such as bullying, domestic violence, discrimination and major life events.
Richele Stone (she/her)
Registered Psychologist
(Clinical Psychology Registrar)
Areas of expertise
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Neurodivergent children, teens & adults
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
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Psychological Assessments
About Richele
Richele holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), a Master of Professional Psychology, and a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern Queensland. She is a registered psychologist currently completing the clinical psychology registrar program. She is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists. Richele knows every person has their own story that deserves to be heard and understood and works from a client-centred approach to support clients to reach their goals. Richele knows the importance of the therapeutic relationship in therapy and believes that this is vital for good outcomes to be possible through the therapy process. Richele views therapy as a collaborative process and enjoys working with people to support their wellbeing and achieve their therapy goals. Richele has experience working with a wide range of ages, from young children to older adults within university clinic settings, schools, and private practice. Richele has worked with anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment disorder, and also has experience working with neurodivergent children and adults. Richele has experience in completing autism/ADHD, cognitive and psychosocial/educational assessments.
Hanisa Haizan (she/her)
Registered Psychologist
Areas of expertise
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Neurodivergent children, teens & adults
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
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Trauma Focused Therapy
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Relationships
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Parenting & Family
About Hanisa
Hanisa holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Counselling from the University of Queensland. She is a Registered Psychologist and is currently an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (Assoc MAPS). Hanisa is also an Associate Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (Assoc EMDRAA) and is currently undergoing specialised training in EMDR Trauma Therapy. Hanisa has experience working with vulnerable adults within a forensic setting. Her work included supporting clients who experienced trauma including those struggling with mental health and life circumstances such as employment, housing and custody. Hanisa has experience working with anxiety, abuse, grief/loss, trauma and depression among adults. Hanisa also works creatively with neurodivergent children, adolescents and families. She also offers assessments for Autism/ADHD, cognitive and psychosocial/educational testing. Hanisa believes that every person has the right to be heard and understood. She enjoys helping pave a way forward for people to achieve personal growth and change. Hanisa focuses on person-centred and attachment-based approaches. She believes in building a good therapeutic relationship to empathically understand an individual’s feelings and concerns. Hanisa is committed to working with you through exploring experiences including a love of learning that would touch on creativity, curiosity, humour and hope. Hanisa believes working in an honest, yet challenging manner would encourage you to discover your potential in life.
Lucy Clark (she/her)
General Psychologist
Areas of expertise
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Neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults
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Working with the LGBTQIA+ community
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Mood differences such as anxiety, depression, anger
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Trauma-informed, neuro-affirming approaches to assessment and therapy
About Lucy
Lucy holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours from the University of Queensland and is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS). Lucy has practiced with children, teens, adults, and families in various settings such as school and home. Lucy has a passion for working with gender and sexuality diverse clients and acknowledges the unique intersection with neurodiversity and trauma within this community. She offers therapy approaches that prioritize building individual strengths and collaborates flexibly with client support systems to meet the unique needs of each person she works with.
Debbie Jones
APPTA Registered Play Therapist
Areas of expertise
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Client-centered therapy
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Humanistic therapy
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Play therapy techniques
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Parenting
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Families, children & youth
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Neurodivergence
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Trauma, inter-generational trauma
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Anxiety, depression, grief, loss
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Child development
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LGBTQIA+
About Debbie
Meet Deb, she is here to bring a whole new level of playfulness and healing to the world of therapy. With over the past 20+ years, she had the incredible privilege of working with children, young people, and adults alike. But it was during her 10+ years journey as a Play Therapist that something truly magical happened. Equipped with a collection of skills and knowledge, she has honed her craft as a practicing play therapist. Drawing from various academic theories and assessment tools, she brings a unique blend of expertise to every session. But it's not just about theory for Deb; it's about making a real difference in the lives of the little ones she works with. Her approach is rooted in empathy and understanding. By truly listening to each child's story - both spoken and unspoken – she uncovers hidden treasures within their hearts. With gentle guidance and support, they embark on transformative journeys that lead to healing and growth. Through interactive play sessions, she creates safe spaces where young minds can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment.But what truly sets her apart is her ability to see beyond words. Like an artist painting vivid pictures with invisible brushes, she interprets the language of play like no other. From building towering castles to unravelling complex puzzles, every action becomes a window into a child's inner world. But it's not just about the therapy sessions themselves; it's about creating lasting change in the lives of these incredible young souls. That's why she will collaborate closely with parents and caregivers to ensure continuity outside of our sessions. Together we form a team dedicated to nurturing growth and wellbeing. Her life is all about balance. When she is not busy volunteering or hitting the books, Nothing brings her more joy than spending quality time with loved ones, sharing laughter, stories, and creating unforgettable memories together. Whether we're gathering around a cozy dinner table or embarking on exciting adventures, these moments are what make life truly meaningful. Oh! And did she mention Guide Dog Puppy Raising? Yes, you heard it right! As an avid supporter of guide dog programs, she has taken up the incredible responsibility of raising these adorable furry companions before they embark on their journey as service dogs. It's been her honour to be part of this noble cause and contribute to making someone else's life better.
Scott Mete (he/him)
Marketing Assistant & Autism Specialist Consultant
Scott is a neurodivergent a-typical thinker who understands what it’s like to be different.
He has an air of mystery around him, and a tendency to think outside the box, even in situations where the box is not immediately apparent.
About Scott
Through his early school years, it was made clear over time that he didn’t fit in the “normal” category of learners. As his school years progressed, it became more difficult for him to complete schoolwork, and figure out where he fit. His schooling was completed at a rural school that made more allowances for neurodiversity (or at least, didn’t discriminate against them as much), and he moved to Australia with his family at the end of 2016. Since that time, Scott has been trying different pathways, including volunteering for the local ward office, to taking on occasional cleaning shifts, in order to see what direction works best for him. In his spare time, Scott likes to draw and play video games, including titles such as Minecraft, Terraria, Stardew Valley and others. He’s looking forward to being of assistance to others in his role as Autism Specialist Consultant/Media Advisor with Happy Brain.
Jaime Thompson
Provisional Psychologist (Telehealth Only)
Areas of expertise
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Autism/ADHD assessments in adults.
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Therapy with neurodivergent teens & adults.
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Works with children (12+) and provides parenting support
About Jaime
Jaime holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology) from Queensland University of Technology, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies from The College of Law, a Graduate Diploma of Psychology from the University of New England, and a Masters of Psychological Practice with Specialisations (4th and 5th year) from Charles Sturt University and is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS). Jaime has practiced with adolescents, adults and parents across a range of settings including Stream 4 Complex Care Coordination, in home and inpatient settings and now works via telehealth with assessment and therapy. Jaime has a passion for working with late diagnosed neurodiverse individuals and being a parent of 3 neurodiverse children herself, she is passionate about working with parents. Jaime values working in a client centered and collaborative manner that focuses on the clients strengths, the ability for the client to understand themselves and works in a trauma informed manner.
Melissa Tesch (she/her)
Senior Psychologist
Areas of expertise
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Neurodivergent teens and adults
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Depression, anxiety & mood disorders
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Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress
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EMDR
About Melissa
Mel's strengths lie in her ability to establish rapport quickly, communicate effectively, and deliver evidence-based practices tailored to meet clients' diverse needs. Mel excels at fostering collaborative relationships, and providing person-centered care, which has led to positive outcomes for their clients. Experience Matters: With years of specialised experience in trauma therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mel brings unparalleled expertise to your journey of healing and growth. Tailored Solutions: Mel understands that every individual's experience with trauma is unique. That's why they offer personalised interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and more, to address your specific needs and promote lasting recovery. Trusted Guidance: Mel's compassionate approach and dedication to ethical standards create a safe and supportive environment for clients. Their commitment to excellence ensures that you receive the highest quality care every step of the way. Empowering Change: Whether you're a trauma survivor, ex-defense personnel, or anyone seeking mental wellness, Mel is here to empower you on your path to resilience and well-being. Together, we can overcome challenges and embrace a brighter future.