Services
Our experienced clinical psychologists treat people over the age of 16 with the following anxiety conditions:
You can book in for an initial assessment of your anxiety and how it impacts your life, resulting in a treatment plan that is tailored to suit your needs and goals.
Our Team
Dr Sarah Sheppard
Director & Clinical Psychologist
BHlthSc(Hons), DPsych(Clin), MACPA
Sarah is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and is passionate about supporting clients to create meaningful and lasting change in their lives. Her clinical experience spans both public and private health settings, supporting clients with a broad range of psychological concerns. Sarah has a special interest in the treatment of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Sarah’s therapeutic approach is warm and collaborative, using evidence-based treatments sensitive to individuals’ needs. Known for her authenticity and compassion, she places great importance on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for effective therapy.
Sarah uses exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the leading treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders, alongside other evidence-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), schema therapy, self-compassion, neuropsychotherapy and virtual reality exposure therapy. Her integrative style allows her to work with both the immediate symptoms and the deeper patterns that keep clients stuck, helping them move towards long-term wellbeing.
Sarah is a registered clinical psychologist and supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia and a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA).
Kirsty Harvey
Clinical Psychologist
BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin), MAPS, FCCLP
Kirsty is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience and a deep passion for supporting individuals affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, generalised anxiety, agoraphobia, health anxiety, specific phobias, and panic disorder.
She adopts a personalised and collaborative approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s unique experiences, goals, and challenges. Kirsty provides cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with a strong focus on exposure and response prevention (ERP) - the gold-standard treatment for OCD and anxiety. When appropriate, she thoughtfully integrates other evidence-based approaches, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), virtual reality therapy, and schema therapy.
Her integrative style not only addresses immediate symptoms but also works to uncover deeper underlying patterns, supporting meaningful and lasting change.
Known for her warmth, authenticity, and compassion, Kirsty places strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for healing and personal growth. She is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and stays up to date with the latest research and clinical advances in the treatment of OCD and anxiety-related conditions.
Kirsty has worked across hospital, public, and private mental health settings, gaining broad clinical experience in diverse care environments. She has held positions in internationally recognised clinical programs, where she delivered specialised interventions for individuals with complex and high-acuity mental health concerns.
Kirsty welcomes new clients and is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic space where individuals can work through challenges, build confidence, and achieve meaningful progress.
Please note that Thursday appointments with Kirsty are only available via telehealth or telephone, not in-person.
Melissa Sherman
Registered Psychologist & Clinical Registrar
BEd, GradDip(Soc Sci), BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin), AMACPA
Melissa is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience across mental health, education, counselling, and human resource management. She has also taught as a casual lecturer in the Psychology Honours program at University of South Australia.
Melissa works with adolescents and adults and has a particular interest in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, including health anxiety, generalised anxiety, and specific phobias. She provides a warm, collaborative, and personalised approach to therapy, placing strong importance on the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for meaningful and effective change. Known for her authenticity, empathy, and compassion, Melissa is committed to providing a safe, non-judgemental space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported.
Her practice is grounded in evidence-based interventions, with a particular focus on exposure and response prevention (ERP), widely recognised as the most effective treatment for OCD and anxiety. She also draws on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and virtual reality exposure therapy, integrating approaches as appropriate to meet each client’s unique needs. Melissa’s integrative style addresses both immediate concerns and the underlying patterns that may contribute to ongoing difficulties, supporting clients in achieving lasting growth and wellbeing.
Committed to client centred care and ongoing professional development, Melissa ensures her practice reflects the latest research and best practice standards. She works at a pace that feels comfortable for each client, helping them build insight, confidence, and practical strategies to move toward their personal and therapeutic goals.
Melissa is joined in her practice by Ronnie, a four-year-old Golden Retriever who helps create a calm, welcoming, and supportive environment for clients who are comfortable with dogs.
Uggie
Therapy Dog
Hi! My name is Uggie. I am an eleven year old black labrador and have been trained by the Royal Society for the Blind. I am very calm and loving and a good listener. I can be very helpful if you have a fear of dogs. If you are comfortable, I will be in the consulting room with you at your appointment with Sarah. I love meeting new people, pats and cuddles. I also like to snooze in the comfy corner of the room!
Ronnie
Therapy Dog
Hi! My name is Ronnie and I am the newest member to the team. I am a four year old golden retriever trained and certified as a therapy dog by See Differently with the Royal Society for the Blind. I'm very calm and love meeting new people. If you are comfortable with dogs, I will be with you at your appointment with Melissa. I like sitting at your feet, pats and relaxing on my bed.