Get to Know The Team
MY APPROACH
Robin Fraser
Principal Psychologist
Counselling Psychologist
Board-approved Supervisor
BSocSci (Hons)(Cum Laude), MA Comm Couns Psych.
I know that if you’re beginning to work with a psychologist, it is a courageous decision, and I see the opportunity to work with you as a tremendous privilege which I do not take lightly. When working with you, one of my goals is to establish a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship.
I have 13 years of experience in this field and have gained extensive knowledge over this time. The vast majority of my experience has been in the private practice field doing individual psychotherapy and couples counseling.
As a father of two energetic kids, I enjoy spending time mountain biking and playing Marco Polo in the swimming pool. I also consider myself a “want-to-be Masterchef contestant” and I find much enjoyment from creating delicious food for my friends and family
MY APPROACH
Training & Perspective
MY APPROACH
A strong component of my training and background has been in psychodynamic therapy. This background helps me to form an in-depth understanding of my clients. It also frames my perspective on mental health – that symptoms are often not the main focus but that they provide a window into a deeper internal conflict which is trying to be understood and resolved.
This led me to pursue further training in EMDR to help my clients reprocess traumatic events and experiences in their lives. I have experience working within a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy framework, as well as from an Acceptance & Commitment Therapeutic Approach. My Couples Counselling background includes Imago Relationship Therapy and Gottman Relationship Therapy trainings and experience.
My areas of expertise include Mood Disorders (Depression & Bipolar), Anxiety Disorders, Post traumatic Stress Disorders and Complex PTSD, Impulse Control Disorders & Substance Use Disorders, as well as Personality Disorders. I am also very well trained and experienced in Couples Counselling. I work with teenagers 14yrs and older and adults.
I am a member of the Australian Psychology Society (MAPS) and the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA). I am also a Fellow of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists (FCCOUNP).
Audrey Raffelt
Clinical Psychologist
Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician
BA (Hons) MPsych (Clin) MAPS, CEDC
Before completing my Masters of Clinical Psychology, I worked in research at a neuroscience institute. More specifically, I worked in stroke induced brain injuries and developed a passion for understanding brain function.
This background has fuelled my passion for therapy and understanding how our brains create psychological pain.
My role in research also turned me into an advocate for high-quality research and I stay current with the latest research findings that can inform my practice. However, in reality, I have come to learn that I will never know more than my clients who are the true expert of their own experiences. My clients have just as much to teach me. Working as a psychologist is a true privilege: I am constantly inspired and humbled by my clients.
When I am not ‘psychology-ing’, I work in my unpaid role as a parent to two school-aged kids. We love camping, and dragging our kids on hikes. I try my hand at lots of different hobbies including gardening, art, and more recently mountain bike riding.
MY APPROACH
Training & Perspective
The philosophy that underpins my approach is that it's our job as psychologists to facilitate growth in such a way that clients become their own therapists.
Using a warm and compassionate approach, I provide a safe space for learning and insight. I combine my knowledge of neuroscience with training in CBT and ACT to support my clients to gain an understanding of the thinking patterns and behaviours that are underpinning their psychological pain. The goal is to go beyond alleviating psychological problems and move toward a more sustainable approach to leading a full and meaningful life. I firmly believe that therapy should never be dull, and while it may sometimes be challenging, I love bringing moments of laughter and fun into sessions.
I have trained in the following therapies: Triple P, Emotion Focussed Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Enhanced, Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders, Guided Self Help for Eating disorders, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
My main area of work and training has been in eating disorders, and I am a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician. I work with young children through to adults, utilising individual and family approaches. In working with clients with weight and shape concerns, it is important to know that I take a weight-neutral approach to health and support the Health at Every Size approach (https://haesaustraliainc.wildapricot.org/).
MY APPROACH
MY APPROACH
Malan van der Walt
Educational & Developmental Psychologist
BA (Hons) Masters (Ed Psych)
With over 9 years of experience working in the counselling and mental healthcare space (including the tertiary education sector and in private practice), I am skilled in providing a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate space for my clients.
Finding a therapist to help you might feel a bit scary or daunting - you took the first step to understanding yourself better and improving your mental health, even though this might be an unfamiliar experience for you.
I work from an integrative approach: I stay focused and centred on you, and in a collaborative way, I build a relationship with you based on trust, empathy, and safety. I also help you to bring thoughts and feelings into your awareness that may be contributing to conflict and distress that you are currently experiencing so that you can understand yourself better, and feel empowered to make changes.
Outside of the workplace, I enjoy exploring the beautiful surrounds of Brisbane and outlying areas.
MY APPROACH
Training & Perspective
My initial training in psychotherapy placed a strong emphasis on understanding my client within the context of their environment. Further training in psychodynamic therapies helped to deepen my understanding and appreciation of people and helped me to focus on the internal world of the person more thoughtfully.
Although insight & awareness is important, I wanted to empower my clients further with skills to help them manage their emotions and thought-life more mindfully. As such, I pursued further training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness-based perspectives. I also have experience in working from a Narrative Therapy & Client-centred approach.
I am skilled in working with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as clients struggling with emotional regulation difficulties and impulsivity. My research interests & publishing have focussed on compassionately understanding the complexities and challenges of younger and older adults that identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community. I have worked extensively within this community and have found that when we are empathically understood & empowered, we eventually arrive at a place of self-acceptance. I am also experienced in supporting parents who are navigating their own challenges in coming to understand their child’s sexuality & gender identity.
MY APPROACH
MY APPROACH
Alexandra Kelly
General Psychologist
BSc (Psych)(Hons)(UWA)
As a psychologist, I feel honoured to work with people on their journey towards well-being. I bring warmth, calmness and compassion to create a nurturing space where people feel heard, understood and valued; I welcome and value an authentic human connection.
With two young children, I thrive on joining them in spending time in nature - forest walks, bike rides, digging in the garden. I also love travel and yoga.
MY APPROACH
Training & Perspective
I take a fluid and flexible approach to therapy, and am passionate about seeing the whole person rather than just the diagnosis. While I specialise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, depending on the person and the challenge they are facing I draw on a variety of evidence-based therapeutic frameworks in our work together; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. My therapy style is warm, open, and non-judgemental, and is all about helping people gain the most out of therapy.
Through my 9 years as a psychologist I have extensive experience working with a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, grief, interpersonal difficulties, and drug and alcohol misuse and addiction, as well as helping people with ASD and those with difficulty obtaining or sustaining employment or study. My work is with people 14 years and above.
MY APPROACH
Naomi Griffin
Counselling Psychologist
Board-approved Supervisor
BA (Psych), G Dip Past Couns, PG Dip Psych, G Cert Case Mgt, G Cert Ed.St. (Career Development)
With all my training and experience, I am able to offer individuals a safe environment in which to navigate whatever life is throwing at them. I prioritise establishing trusting therapeutic relationships with my clients. I encourage and celebrate honest emotion, communication, and feedback.
I am passionate about the field of Psychology and have the privilege of supervising other psychologists in their educational journey.
When I am not in a therapeutic space with a client, I am often found in a creative space. There is so much I enjoy about art and music and let's not forget a good book!
MY APPROACH
Training & Perspective
MY APPROACH
With over 20 years of experience in Psychology, I have enjoyed working mostly in private practice, EAP (Employee Assitance Programs) and the tertiary education sector.
My training began in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Gestalt Therapy. At a later stage, I also trained in Motivational Interviewing, ACT and Narrative Therapy.
With all my training and experience in several types of therapy, my approach is to provide psychoeducation and to then choose the therapeutic techniques that align with each client's goals and personal preferences.
Core areas include, but are not limited to, anxiety, self-esteem, perfectionism, adjustment to change, assertiveness, spiritual growth, health psychology and career guidance.
MY APPROACH
Domenique Schneider
Director
Through long hours of hard work and gallons of coffee, we have been able to help build and provide our clients an empowering and healing space at Blue Flame Wellness.
Our Blue Flame Wellness Team are highly skilled and experienced to encourage and provide for you throughout your therapeutic journey with us, no matter what that journey may look like.
It is important to me that each person has the best therapy process possible. When you visit us, I hope that you are warmly welcomed, supported,
refreshed, encouraged, challenged and changed a little each time.
Tanya Donohue
Front Office
I bring a wealth of client service experience from a range of industries to my role at Blue Flame Wellness.
I understand it can be a big step to come to a psychologist’s practice, particularly for the first time. As a frontline staff member, it is my goal to help you feel at ease in the space when you first arrive and to be a consistent connection to assist you along the way in your health journey.
MY APPROACH
