OUR CLINICIANS AND ADMINISTRATION TEAM

We all face challenges at different stages through life.  Perhaps you’re struggling with your child’s behaviour, you’ve had a relationship breakdown, you’ve recently lost a loved one or you just don’t feel like yourself and you can’t seem to work through your feelings.  It’s natural to feel down from time to time, but when you experience continuous feelings such as hopelessness, sadness, loneliness, anger, frustration or anxiety, we can help.

At Perth Psychological Services, we understand that each person’s situation is unique.  With our diverse expertise, we will find you a Clinician with skills and experience to provide therapy and support you to define your situation, improve your life and help you reach your goals.

Our Clinicians can help with a range of mental health struggles such as; diagnosis and intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder, other neurodevelopmental disorders (including Selective Mutism, FASD, ADHD, Learning Disorders), Anxiety and Depression, Relationship issues, Parenting and childhood behaviours, Trauma (chronic and acute), Bereavement, Grief and Loss, Gender Identity, Reproductive concerns including IVF and donor issues. 

Feel free to call or email our friendly admin team who are happy to talk with you about what you are experiencing and with the help of PPS Senior Clinical Management, recommend a Clinician that would best suit you.  

Feel free to browse through our website to learn more about our individual Clinicians and to obtain information about our services.

We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you with taking the first steps to building a better future.

Our Clinicians

Suzanne Midford

Clinical Director / Senior Clinical Psychologist
B.A. Hons (Psych), M.Psych (Clin)

My interest in psychology began in high school. I was keen to learn about people, how they think, feel and function. After University studies in Perth and Hobart I worked as a Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist in Perth, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin.  I have worked in many sectors including market research, disability, mental health, child protection, child and adult trauma, adoption and reproductive technology.   

I have loved working in the amazingly diverse area of psychology.  I have been privileged to work with amazing colleagues and with many clients and their families who have trusted me to help them work through complex and often painful issues. Following my studies I have kept busy extending my own knowledge through regular training.  My work has included assessment and therapy with a broad range of clients from young children through to older adults.  I have expertise in the assessment and treatment of children and adults with Autism; and a long term interest in adoption and infertility.  I am committed to best practice treatment of children, adolescents and adults with mental health problems.

Personally, I feel young, look older & mostly enjoy my life with all its variety and challenges. A great joy is when I can farewell a client with whom I have worked, who has moved psychologically from misery and dysfunction to optimism and direction.  I also like to encourage junior clinicians working with difficult problems to achieve good outcomes.

Dr Richard Midford

Director / Senior Clinical Psychologist
B.A., B. Psych., M.Psych (Clin), PhD

I have worked as a clinical psychologist for more than 30 years providing assessment and therapy to a broad range of adolescents and adults.  My working life has combined academic research and clinical practice.   As a clinician I have particular expertise in the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems. I have further expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

Over many years I have provided consultancies on drug education and harm reduction policies and practices to WHO, Australian and New Zealand governments, mining companies and local communities. I have previously worked at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University and at the Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University. 

I have published over 150 journal articles, monographs, books and book chapters.

I have recently published a book which explores the relationship between health and education and how that provides a foundation for achieving improved life outcomes. If this is of interest to you, please have a look at the link below.

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789811539589#aboutBook

Julie Barnett

Clinical Psychologist
BPsych, Grad Cert Child Protection Practice, MPsych (Clinical)

Hello, my name is Julie and I work at the PPS Falcon Office.  I have enjoyed my role as a Clinical Psychologist in the Mandurah area for the past five years.  I hold a Bachelor of Psychology (UWA), Graduate Certificate in Child Protection Practice (UWA) and a Masters of (Clinical) Psychology (Curtin University).  I am particularly interested in Schema Therapy and for the past year I have undertaken further studies with the view to practice as an Accredited Schema Therapist.  I enjoy learning and utilising evidence based therapies, regularly incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my clinical work.  

I have worked in the psychological field for the past 30 years (both nationally and internationally) providing a range of supportive services to children, families, teenagers, couples and adults in both government and non government agencies. I bring this valuable experience to my role as a Clinical Psychologist. 

I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds, walks of life and across the lifespan.  Given my recent study in the area of Schemas,  I have developed a passion working with adults who wish to overcome long term patterns of coping behaviour, which may have resulted in Panic and Anxiety Disorders, Major Depression, OCD, Personality Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and relationship issues.

 I am committed to providing you with the highest level of service and will go the extra mile to ensure you meet your goals.  I am invested in your wellbeing and feel endlessly rewarded to share in your emotional growth and development.  I believe you already hold the skills to maximise your potential and by working closely together in a trusted and supportive environment, my aim is to assist you improve your coping, modify unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and become healthier and happier. 

When I am not working as a Clinician, I enjoy swimming, surfing and travelling.  These activities keep me fit, refreshed, and sustained whilst I focus on your needs.

You can book an appointment with me in our Falcon clinic.

Rochelle Castine

Senior Clinical Psychologist
B.A. Hons (Psych),
M. Psych (Clin), MAPS, FCCLP

For over 30 years I have worked, studied and researched in Psychology through the Life Span and Clinical Psychology. I have worked in Child Development, Mental Health, and a number of Government and University services, in assessment, therapy, research, specialist training and policy development.  I’ve been in Private Practice for almost 25 years, seeing private clients, government‑funded and contract clients, addressing mental health, child development and family support services. 

I believe everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, regardless of age, and that our quirks and life circumstances can cause problems or hassles at different stages.  I work with all ages, aiming to make our quirks work for us, rather than against us. 

I focus on coping strategies and skills, meeting difficulties that arise when the world doesn’t fit well with our issues, abilities or needs.  I enjoy helping people find realistic, working ways to deal with a wide variety of problems in a creative and constructive way.

I frequently provide assessment and therapy for all forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (across the ages, and within the family); Selective Mutism; Anxiety, Depression and Emotional Difficulties; Life Events, Transitions and Adjustment; Developmental Issues, Disability, Delays, Attention, Memory and Learning Difficulties; Family and Parenting Issues; and Other Social, Emotional and Behavioural Issues.  I work with individuals, parents, families, couples, groups, schools and other organisations, particularly within the context of kids, teens, young adults. 

My therapy is individual-centred, practical and problem‑focussed, aiming to be both Reactive (addressing current difficulties) and Proactive (addressing possible future risks and difficulties).  My approach is eclectic focusing on practical, evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural, Behavioural, Solution Focussed Therapy, Play Therapy, Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Mindfulness, and Creativity and Craft based approaches with the aim of improving quality of life and functioning.

Christiana Pownall

Senior Clinical Psychologist
B.A. Hons (Psych),
M.Psych (Clin)

I have always been curious about the world around me, especially why people do (or don’t do) the things they do, so psychology was a natural progression for me. I love working with children and adults alike, facilitating them to unlock and recognise understandings and capabilities already inside them, waiting to be discovered. I have a special interest in trauma, having previously worked as a paramedic, and have trained in a number of therapies (such as EMDR and Imagery Rescripting) to assist clients to work through painful and upsetting experiences. I also use other modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to tailor a treatment plan to suit each individual client so that we can collaboratively address whatever issues they may be dealing with, whether it be relationship problems, poor sleep, anxiety or depression. I have experience in assessing and diagnosing Autism, as well as the completion of reports for Criminal Injury Compensation and other Court related matters.
When I’m not in the office, I spend precious time with my family, attend various Parkruns, and have spent years researching the best cafes in Perth – an undertaking that requires a lot of commitment, which I am very prepared to give! Life can be short, let’s make the most of it!

Fiona Skahill

Registered Psychologist
B.A., B. Psych,
Dip. Ed. Post-Grad. Dip. Ed.

I greatly enjoy working with people, and throughout my life, I have sought out many diverse roles, and settings to do so, from WA to Sydney, and the USA to London, UK. The rich experience I gained has enabled me to understand and make good connections with a wide variety of people.
Being fortunate to receive very extensive training and experience in Psychology, plus Education, early in my career, I followed this with postgraduate studies at UWA and Murdoch University, which subsequently enabled me to qualify for the specialism of Chartered Educational Psychologist in the UK. My passion for working with people,  continuing learning, plus applying  Psychology in a broad range of settings, also led me to several phases of work in business and the corporate world. This too was most rewarding and enabled me to gain a broad understanding of peoples’ work and professional challenges, plus family and personal issues at diverse life stages, which has been most  valuable for my clients in private practise.
Early experience of developmental difficulties, disability, and neuro-divergence, in family, education and professional settings, also created a life-long interest, most recently expressed by supporting  children, adolescents, young adults/adults and their families, through the NDIS as well as private practise. With a particular interest as well as very extensive experience and training in assessment and therapeutic approaches for neurodiversities such as ASD, ADHD, Specific Learning and Language difficulties, I have found it very fulfilling to work with children, adolescents and their families, to support their growth and development. Senior specialist roles with the WA School Psychology services, were followed by over 12 years experience as a British Psychological  Society Chartered Educational Psychologist (Senior) in London, responsible for comprehensive developmental assessments for children and adolescents from 2-18 years, plus a wide variety of therapeutic interventions,  such as working with children, adolescents and families in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinic, plus initiating and managing a system-wide intervention to improve children’s behaviour issues, working with life-size puppets, in early childhood classrooms! 

 

As well as working with children, adolescents and their families, I very much enjoy working with adults.  Drawing on an extensive background in various therapeutic and assessment approaches which includes Family, Play, Behaviour and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, clients as well as myself, are now finding Solution Focused  Brief Therapy a most rewarding and helpful approach.