Meet Our Expert Psychology Team

Laura Francke
Clinical Psychologist (Medowie and Wyee)

Laura Francke is a warm and experienced Clinical Psychologist. She has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, children, and families. As Director of Clinical Psychology Services Australia, she leads a dedicated team in Medowie and Wyee, providing evidence-based, client-centred care.

Laura’s approach is grounded in attachment theory and trauma-informed practice. She has skill in anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, parenting, and relationship challenges. She is known for her calm, compassionate style and creates a safe, respectful space for her clients.

She also conducts neurodevelopmental assessments, supporting clients with Autism, ADHD, and learning differences. Laura draws on Schema Therapy, CBT, and mindfulness-based approaches. She is a registered provider with the NDIS, Victims of Crime, Workers Compensation, and Defence.

A Fellow of the APS and a Board-Approved Supervisor, Laura is committed to clinical excellence and ongoing professional development.

Alison Trowbridge

Registered Psychologist (Medowie)

Alison is a warm and compassionate psychologist. She has over 19 years of experience supporting children, young people, adults, couples, and families. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from Charles Sturt University. Alison has worked across a variety of settings, including private practice and youth support services.

She is passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges. She is especially experienced in working with young people experiencing mental health concerns. She also works with those facing trauma or substance use. Alison creates a safe and supportive space for clients and their families, working together to build resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Alison is a registered Medicare provider and is also approved under WorkCover and the Victims of Crime scheme.

Sacha Palich

Provisional Psychologist (Wyee and Medowie)

Sacha is a provisional psychologist who brings a wealth of life experience to our practice. With a compassionate, client-centred approach, she provides comprehensive assessment services. She offers specialised counselling for trauma recovery. She also supports clients through grief and loss, anxiety and depression. Additionally, she provides parenting support and addresses relationship concerns across the lifespan. When working with children, Sacha creates a fun and engaging assessment experience that helps young people feel comfortable and confident.

Outside of her practice, Sacha enjoys travel, gardening, cooking, and bike riding. She is a passionate animal lover. She is exploring the possibility of incorporating animal-assisted therapy into her practice in the future. She recognizes the healing power of the human-animal bond.

Victoria Maher

Clinical Psychologist (Medowie)

Vicki is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and has a Master of Clinical Psychology degree from the University of Newcastle. She has almost 20 years’ experience working across community and primary health care settings.

Vicki has experience working with adults across various issues. These include depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder. She also handles trauma and perinatal mental health. Additionally, she addresses grief and adjustment issues.

Clinically, Vicki primarily works from a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) perspective. She has also completed training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and EMDR.  Her clinical work is informed by these modalities. She tailors her therapy according to the needs of each individual client.

Vicki is an endorsed clinical psychology supervisor and enjoys providing clinical supervision to students and other psychologists.

Skyla Steele

Registered Psychologist (Wyee and Medowie)

Skyla is a registered psychologist. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. She has over three years’ experience in private practice. She also has a strong background in disability support, workplace mental health, and youth mentoring. Skyla brings valuable lived experience of disability, enriching her compassionate and insightful approach.

She is passionate about psychological assessments across all ages. She has a special interest in neurodivergence, learning differences, eating disorders, and trauma. Skyla particularly enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She helps them better understand themselves. She develops skills to navigate life’s challenges. She also supports late-diagnosed adults in embracing their neurodivergence and strengths.

Skyla uses a range of therapeutic approaches including CBT, Schema Therapy, ACT, DBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy. She is dedicated to a neurodiversity-affirming practice that centres empathy, understanding, and individual strengths.

Outside the clinic, Skyla enjoys dancing, travelling, going to the gym, cooking, and spending time in nature.

Emily Smith

Registered Psychologist (Wyee)

Emily Smith is a registered psychologist who is currently completing her specialty is Clinical Psychology who brings a warm, trauma-informed and evidence-based approach to her work with children, adolescents and young adults.

Emily has experience across public and private settings, including community health, private practice and out-of-home care. Emily is skilled in supporting presentations such as anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma, grief and emotional regulation difficulties.

Emily has a strong background in developmental and child psychology and is currently completing her Master of Clinical Psychology. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive therapeutic relationships and empowering young people and families with practical, effective strategies to improve wellbeing and resilience.

Nicole Clarke

Provisonal Psychologist – Wyee

Nicole is a provisional psychologist who brings a friendly, down-to-earth approach to her sessions. Nicole holds a Master’s degree in Professional Psychology from the University of Newcastle and is shaped by diverse life experiences with a background in the veterinary industry, teaching, crisis support, and youth and family mental health.

Nicole has experience across government and community settings where she developed strong foundations in trauma-informed care and supporting young people and families through challenging transitions. She applies a warm and collaborative therapeutic approach, drawing on evidence-based practice and reflective clinical work. Nicole has interests in trauma recovery, emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety, and mindfulness-based strategies. Drawing on her lifelong connection with animals and the outdoors, she is also passionate about equine-assisted and nature-based therapies that help clients feel grounded, safe, empowered, and hopeful about their path forward.

Willem Reyners Tay

Provisonal Psychologist – Wyee

Will is a provisional psychologist who is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centred care. He completed his Master of Professional Psychology at the University of New England, where he developed a strong foundation in assessment, evidence-based therapies, and working with a range of mental health concerns including anxiety, low mood, stress, adjustment difficulties, and neurodiversity-related experiences.

He has a strong interest in evidence-based practice and brings a structured, practical approach to therapy. Will supports clients to build insight, strengthen coping skills, and work toward goals that matter to them. Before entering psychology, he worked in the tech and digital sector, creating user-centred tools and supporting online communities. This background informs his clear communication style and his interest in accessible, evidence-based mental health support.

He draws on CBT, ACT, behavioural strategies, and trauma-informed principles. He values collaboration and tailors his approach to the needs of each individual.

In his spare time, Will enjoys being in the ocean, bushwalking, cooking, and developing digital experiences. He also moderates an online community for people with ADHD and is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals.

Admin Team

Melinda

Wyee Receptionist

Tammy

Medowie Receptionist

Isabelle

Wyee Receptionist