Meet Our Psychologists

JOHN WARING 

Lakelands | Thornton

John is a Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years experience working directly with children, teenagers and their families. John is a clinical masters graduate of the University of Newcastle. In his early career he worked in the area of paediatric developmental disabilities and child protection before opening his private practice in 1997. 

John has a particular passion for assisting children of all ages to improve their mental health and strengthen their family relationships. He is very experienced in helping parents manage difficult behaviours that are often present in a range of childhood disorders but sometimes simply present in children as a response to life or developmental changes.

John also enjoys assisting parents to make child-focussed decisions around custody and contact when they are experiencing separation and divorce.

John's desire to assist children has seen the private practice grow into a large team of clinical psychologists that specialise in working with children and their families across two locations, in the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie.

DR NATALIE SMITH 

Lakelands

Dr. Natalie Smith is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked at the practice since 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Doctorate of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Newcastle. Natalie is known for her warm, collaborative approach and is dedicated to supporting children, adolescents and their families. She places children at the centre of her work, fostering a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, safety and engagement.  Natalie has a natural ability to connect with young people, creating a space where they feel comfortable and supported. 

She draws on evidence-based frameworks and tailors interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. Her therapeutic work incorporates modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, solution focused therapy and other developmentally appropriate approaches. 

Natalie has experience working with a wide range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, behavioural difficulties, social challenges and peer relationship issues, learning problems, and family and parenting concerns. 

Natalie is also skilled in the administration of cognitive and behavioural assessments, including diagnostic evaluations for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

In addition to her clinical work, Natalie is committed to ongoing professional development and regularly attends training and workshops to stay current with the latest research and best practices in psychology. 

DR SARAH EDWARDS 

Lakelands

Dr. Sarah Edwards is a dedicated Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience supporting children, adolescents and families. She holds both an Honours degree in Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Newcastle.

Sarah provides evidence-based psychological support for a range of emotional and behavioural challenges, including anxiety, depression, behavioural concerns, learning difficulties, and relationship issues such as peer conflict and family separation.  She works closely with parents to support positive family dynamics and child development.  Sarah also conducts comprehensive psychological assessments, including cognitive (IQ) testing, autism diagnostic evaluations, and ADHD assessments.

A valued member of the practice for over ten years, Sarah is passionate about helping young people build confidence, develop essential life skills, and reach their full potential in all areas of life. 

WENDY HARRIS

Lakelands

Wendy is a Registered Psychologist who graduated from the University of Newcastle in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology. She began her career working with young people with severe traumatic head injuries, helping them reintegrate into the community. She has also worked for the Royal Australian Navy, for community-based organizations such as Centacare and Headspace, and in private practice both in Australia and New Zealand.  Wendy currently works exclusively in her area of special interest doing cognitive and educational assessments, particularly identifying young people with specific learning needs.  These needs may include giftedness, inattention, processing difficulties, and/or Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia). She is trained in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll method of cognitive testing, which is considered by scholars to be the most accurate representation of human cognitive abilities currently available. She also holds a Certificate in Gifted Education (NZ).

DENISE MCCAW

Thornton

Denise is a Registered Psychologist who completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in 2014. Denise completed the 4+2 internship working with children, adolescents and families. She has worked in the disability (NDIS) sector for several years and as a caseworker in Out of Home Care prior to this. 

Denise is passionate about supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, have other childhood or mental health disorders and those who have been impacted by adverse childhood experiences. Denise is passionate about the importance of play in children's development and is completing a Master of Child Play Therapy through Deakin University to develop further skills in this area. She currently uses play to facilitate learning and enjoyment in sessions and is trained in Autplay (a play therapy intervention for Autism and developmental conditions). 

Denise is also able to complete a range of assessments including autism assessments, as well as cognitive and learning assessments. 

Denise is trained to deliver group interventions such as the Westmead Feelings Program to build children's emotion regulation skills.

SOPHIE MOSS 

Thornton

SEAN FARDELL

Thornton

Sean has 25 years experience with qualifications at the Masters level in clinical psychology. Sean has worked exclusively with children and young people, and their families in a range of clinical settings including public health and child protection services. Sean's interests and expertise in child and family psychology is broad, encompassing developmental issues such as intellectual disability, reading disorders, and the autism spectrum disorders; those affected by trauma and adversity; ADHD and other disruptive behaviour issues along with anxiety and mood concerns. 

Sean's passion and commitment is with supporting children and adolescents feel valued and important, and to reach their potential with the support, guidance of their family and others which play a critical role in children's lives including teachers and schools.

RACHEL ARMSTRONG

Thornton

Rachel is a warm and engaging registered psychologist. Rachel completed her Psychology Honours program through Charles Sturt University in 2015. Rachel worked previously as a Child & Family Practitioner, and Therapeutic Specialist working with children, young persons and their families impacted by trauma, and presenting with emotional and behavioural problems.

Rachel is enthusiastic about supporting children and young people with emotional and behavioural problems, anxiety disorders, depression, sexualised behaviours, ADHD, intrusive thoughts & low self-esteem using evidenced based interventions. Rachel enjoys working with young people feeling overwhelmed as they transition to high school, and changes in their family and to manage tricky friendships.     

Rachel is also experienced in facilitating evidenced based parenting programs, including Circle of Security, Tuning into Kids & Tuning into Teens.  

EMILY GAIN

Lakelands

Emily is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and Master of Clinical Psychology at The University of Newcastle. She is a warm clinician who has a passion for working with children, adolescents and their parents, as well as advocating to support clients to reach their full potential. 

Emily has experience working with neuro-divergent individuals across community and academic settings, and also provides support with concerns including anxiety, low mood, OCD, trauma, learning difficulties, and self-esteem.  She believes in working collaboratively to ensure there is consistency for families and young people, and regularly engages with schools and other allied health professionals. Emily is also skilled in diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum, as well as a variety of cognitive, learning, attention and adaptive assessments. 

SARAH FENG

Thornton

Sarah Feng is a Registered Psychologist with over three years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and young adults. She has a special interest in working with neurodivergent clients and has developed expertise in delivering therapeutic support under the NDIS.

Sarah is passionate about creating a warm, engaging, and neuroaffirming space where young people feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions. She draws on a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and strength-based frameworks. She also integrates play-based and art therapy techniques to support expression, emotional development, and engagement in the therapeutic process—particularly for younger clients or those with communication challenges.

Sarah has experience supporting clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, behavioural and emotional regulation difficulties, and other developmental concerns. She also provides functional assessments and capacity-building interventions that promote independence, daily living skills, and participation in home, school, and community settings.

Sarah values collaboration and works closely with families, schools, support coordinators, and other professionals to provide holistic, person-centred care. She is committed to helping children and young people build confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections in their lives.

ERIN YOUNG

Thornton

Erin Young is a Registered Psychologist who completed a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Newcastle in 2014.  Erin brings passion and experience providing engaging support services for children and their families.

Erin's work is defined by her deep commitment to improving mental health outcomes through a people-centric and compassionate approach. She excels in forging strong therapeutic relationships and employs a diverse array of evidence-based cognitive and behavioural interventions. Her expertise includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Contingency Management, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Therapy. 

HELENA PREDOJEVIC 

Lakelands

Helena is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and Master of Clinical Psychology at The University of Newcastle. Helena has a warm approach with clients to create a comfortable therapy space.

Helena has experience working with clients of all ages and their families, including separated families, and she values taking a holistic approach. This means working collaboratively with parents, other caregivers, teachers and other health professionals.

Helena has experience working with neuro-diverse clients, as well as working with presentations such as anxiety, depression, OCD, emotional regulation difficulties, social communication difficulties and other behavioural difficulties.

Helena is also able to complete a variety of assessments including cognitive, learning, functional capacity, autism and ADHD.