About The Hart Centre

The Hart Centre is a company passionate about creating healthy loving relationships, of all kinds. We have been in operation for 12 years in Australia.

Our mission is to be the most highly regarded relationship help service in Australia, by delivering a comprehensive range of the highest quality relationship and marriage counselling and advice, and books and products to educate and enhance client’s relationships.

To have every client who comes through our doors leave feeling listened to, understood, and educated on how to build a better relationship with their partner, while at the same time bringing out the best in themselves.

Our counsellors are all Psychologists, and in addition, we have our own In-house relationship counselling training program, and on-going professional development program, and are constantly seeking best practice methodologies.

With our specialized experience in relationship and marriage counselling, together with our caring, compassionate and unbiased approach, you are in safe and experienced hands.

	Julie Hart. Psychologist Grad Dip Psych: Post Grad Dip Psych: B Ed: Dip Teach: MAPS Previously a Special Education teacher for 18 years, Julie has been a Psychologist for 12 years in her own private practice. She is passionate about understanding what makes people tick and in empowering clients to reach their potentials, and, with her great love of relationships, she has specialised in Relationship Psychology for the majority of this period. She has also raised 4 now adult children whom she adores and is happily married to Leigh. With her caring and compassionate nature, and unbiased approach, she can give you insight into what dynamics are operating in your relationship, and how to create the right balance for you between individuality and togetherness.
	Brendan Evans. Psychologist B. A, P. Grad. Dip Psych, MAPS Hart Centre Certified Brendan is an experienced Psychologist and a trained mediator, having specialised in Marriage and Relationship work for the last 10 years. He has had vast experience in marriage preparation, communication and conflict management strategies and he can give you insight into what dynamics are at work to impede you from having the relationship you really desire. His style is enthusiastic, warm and engaging and he highly values the importance of constructive and nurturing intimate relationships.
	Kathy Ballyntyne. Psychologist B. A, B. Sc Hons, Qualified Hypnotherapist Hart Centre Certified Kathy is a Psychologist and Hypnotherapist with many years of experience working with couples of all orientations. She enjoys working with couples to help them see ways that they can foster new secure bonds with each other or heal their realtionship if it is in distress. She finds it very rewarding to see couples restore their relationship. Although couples love each other, they can often find themselves in a negative, destructive pattern that gets repeated over and over again. She shows couples how to release the resentment that has built up and how to manage their need to withdraw from their partner. This can enable the couple to develop new ways of interacting that improves their relationship and intimacy.
	Ruth Morgan. Psychologist B.A Psych (Hons). GradCertForMenHealth Hart Centre Certified Ruth’s experience as a registered psychologist incorporates a broad range of human resource, organisational development and health services to both the public and private sectors. Her established practice of psychology promotes growth in the face of adversity through relationship transformation, building resilience to stress, managing marital distress, anxiety and feelings of depression. Ruth’s interest in relationship counselling stimulates her involvement in associated professional development activities, thereby enhancing her practice of psychology when working with couples. Ruth believes the most important ingredient of any relationship is a shared sense of trust. Trust is the foundation for reliability, dependability, honesty, good faith and intimacy. Her approach to couples counselling explores how to transform impasses in relationships into opportunities for insight, inspiration and growth. Are you being the best you can be?
	Deborah Farrell. Psychologist B.Sc (App Psych) Grad Dip Psych, Grad Cert clin Hyp, M Couns Psych, MAPS Hart Centre Certified Deborah is a Registered Psychologist, with eight years experience in both public and private sectors, working with people experiencing a range of challenges including depression, anxiety, abuse and trauma, grief and loss, low self esteem, adjustment and relationship issues. Deborah finds relationship counselling particularly rewarding owing to its fundamental importance to individual well-being and the potential impact on families and other spheres of life. She provides a safe and supportive environment in which clients can process distressing emotions and learn new skills to break unproductive behaviour patterns and encourages the development of healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives.
	Leanne Allen B.A Psych, Cert Sandplay Fac, Assoc MAPS Hart Centre Certified Leanne enjoys working with couple’s as she firmly believes that good relationships translate to happy children, contentment in the workplace and generally less stress in life. Leanne’s overall approach is eclectic and holistic. Her style of therapy will change to suit the individual needs of the client. Her main area of interest is with Sandplay Therapy which is a great method to identify unhelpful patterns of behaviour that have come from child-hood, and is especially helpful when working with relationships such as couples and families. Leanne is also accredited with 1,2,3, Magic, a technique used to help parents skilfully manage children’s negative behaviour whilst acknowledging their positive behaviour.
	Melanie Khashadorian BA (Psych), Grad Dip Sc (Psych), Grad Dip (App Psych), MA (Coaching Psychology) Hart Centre Certified Melanie is a registered Psychologist and has been working in private practice for 4 years. She has previously worked as a school guidance counsellor with children and their families and understands the busy lifestyles many families lead in today’s day and age. She particularly loves working with couples and families as she feels having a healthy relationship is essential to our overall happiness. Currently also working as a consultant psychologist for an Employment Assistance Program and as a coaching psychologist, Melanie works from a solution-focused approach and uses tools from positive psychology, Narrative Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to guide individuals and couples to get to where they want to be in their lives.
	Paula Polhill BSc (Hons) App Psych: M Couns Psych Hart Centre Certified Paula is a Counselling Psychologist who has worked extensively in private practice with individuals and couples. She is most passionate about facilitating the transformation of pain to power for couples who are struggling in their relationship. She feels the greatest reward comes from witnessing the healing and growth of couples, who have become stuck in a painful power struggle (often expressed by frequent arguing, a mutual lack of respect, emotional distancing and a lack of intimacy); to developing a truly connected, revitalized and conscious relationship. She also particularly enjoys and specializes in treating individuals suffering from anxiety; where, like couple therapy, she gets to witness an amazing transformation from a place of pain/fear to power. Her other passions in life are her husband and her three beautiful sons, aged 10, 4 and 2.
	Lisa Russell BA(Psych), Grad Dip(Psych), MPsych(Counselling), MAPS Hart Centre Certified Lisa is a registered psychologist with a Masters degree in counselling psychology. She currently works in private practice with individuals and couples and is mindful of the impact that relationships can have on individual health and wellbeing. Lisa believes that supportive relationships with colleagues, friends and family can be an insulating factor in managing workplace stress, depression and anxiety. She is sensitive to the mixed emotions that the transition to parenthood poses for many new parents and also has an interest in post natal depression and its impact on both the individual and the relationship. Lisa combines empathy with a practical approach to the issues of repartnered or blended families. She enjoys the challenge of working with couples to assist them to create a partnership that often comes with more than they bargained for. When Lisa is not at work she enjoys a busy lifestyle with her partner and their 6 children.
	Amanda Fothergill B A (Psych), Grad Dip Ed Couns, Dip Ed, MAPS Hart Centre Certified Amanda has over twenty years experience as a community psychologist, private practice psychologist, EAP counsellor & consultant, workshop presenter, life-coach, school counsellor, student welfare coordinator and teacher. Over the years she has developed experience in counselling all age-groups, sexes, and a diverse range of cultures and social backgrounds. She has a keen interest in relationship work. She believes it is important to address clients’ social, emotional and practical needs and at the same time foster resiliency and personal growth. She loves making a positive difference in the lives of those couples/individuals seeking relationship help and has many happy clients as a result of her work with them. She is also a mother of 3 children; including 2 teenagers, a life-partner, a business associate, and a family and friendship-group member. She proudly displays in her daily life her passion, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to working as part of a team that is a leading provider of relationship help and counselling.
	Franca Gatta B A (Psych), Post Grad Dip Psych, M Rel Couns Hart Centre Certified Franca is a registered psychologist with a holistic approach. She particularly loves working with couples with their relationship. She has completed a number of specialist relationship courses giving her excellent qualifications in this area of specialty. She believes working through life problems often provides us with opportunities for maturation and growth. She enjoys working with the many different ways psychological issues can be expressed, such as through words, art, play, dreams, and even conflicts. The most important reason Franca loves working with couples on their relationship is for them to experience how things can change, and hope and love can be restored.

	Lyndel Maroske. Psychologist B Beh.Sc, B AppSc. (Hons) M.A.P.S. Grad Dip. Gestalt Therapy. Hart Centre Certified Lyndel’s passion has been in understanding and working therapeutically, to assist individuals, couples and families to live healthier, happier and more empowered lives. However, her particular love of working with couples has led her to specialise in couple’s therapy and to join the team of dedicated relationship specialists and psychologists at the Hart Centre Lyndel uses a warm, sensitive and caring approach to help you explore and understand your particular individual and relationship issues. She understands how such qualities as trust, empathy, truthfulness, tenderness, kindness, respect and feeling heard and understood can strengthen or fracture an intimate relationship. Lyndel loves, lives and works on the Sunshine Coast. She is the mother of two loveable adult children and enjoys a very happy and satisfying relationship with her own partner.
	Annette Wright. Psychologist B.A Psych (Hons). MAPS Hart Centre Certified Annette has been practicing for 12 years and has broad experience in the counselling, forensic, clinical and vocational fields. She has considerable experience in helping people with difficulties in the areas of depression, anxiety, anger management, work-related stress and substance misuse, and in particular, relationships. Her areas of interest include building resiliency to stress, Emotional Intelligence and increasing effective communication and problem solving skills. She has particular expertise in the psychological management of stress and relationships. Annette’s strengths include strong intuition, the ability to engage and challenge clients, to get to the heart of self-limiting beliefs and to work creatively with clients to support them in making the desired changes they choose for their lives and their relationships.
	Anne Marie Collins. Psychologist B.Psch, Grad Dip App Psych (Couns), Reg Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Reg Child & Family Counsellor Hart Centre Certified A psychologist for over 15 years with a dynamic practice in couple relationship work. Anne Marie aims to create honest, 'real spaces' within which individuals and couples can explore their relationships to learn, grow and oftentimes heal. She has great sensitivity to each person in couple relationships. She uses mindfulness, emotion focused approaches and splashes of humour seamlessly. It is not unusual for clients to tell Anne Marie they enjoy coming to sessions. Ann Marie has a talent for engaging genuinely with each person and for pacing sessions so that there is a balance between safety and challenge.
	Michelle Opacic BA, MA, M Clinical Psych. Hart Centre Certified Michelle is a clinical psychologist who has been working in private practice for over six years, and as a psychologist for over ten years. She developed an interest in relationship counselling when she started private practice. Since then Michelle has actively pursued ongoing development in this area, and is passionate about facilitating relationship change with couples. Michelle enjoys all aspects of her psychological practice and also offers individual therapy for adults, adolescents and children. In particular Michelle is interested in childhood anxiety, and adolescent issues. Michelle's practice is evidence based, and she applies CBT, DBT, Schema therapy and ACT in her work with individuals.
	Beverley Aronstan B Soc Sci (Psych), B Soc Sci (Hons), Post Grad Dip Psych, Grad Dip Systemic Ther, H Dip Ed. Hart Centre Certified Beverley is an experienced psychologist and counsellor across a wide range of issues. Her special interest and focus is on helping individuals and couples sort out their relationship. She finds it really rewarding when she sees after a few sessions that the sentiment between couples that was dulled and dampened for so long, is fanned into flames which is evident from their expressions when they look at each other. They also begin communicating differences in the way they view issues such as finances, family relationships, intimacy and parenting as differences rather than insurmountable problems. Beverley is also experienced in fertility issues for men and women. and has specialised knowledge in helping couples nurture their relationships while undergoing fertility treatment. As this can be an extremely stresful time for individuals, couples and families, she uses a combination of mindfulness, and emotionally focused therapy in order to support and maintain their sense of well being.
	Gareth Wild B A (Psych) Hons. Grad Dip (Adult Ed.) M App Sc (Coach. Psych.) MAPS Hart Centre Certified Gareth has spent 20 years in training and adult education prior to establishing her own Coaching and Counselling Psychological Practice four years ago. She is passionate about helping people flourish in their lives and believes loving, fulfilled relationships form the foundation of such lives. With a broad range of skills Gareth has worked extensively with couples and individuals adopting a positive psychological approach that is solution focused. As a trained mediator she possesses an excellent knowledge of conflict resolution, effective communication and change management. Gareth adopts a warm caring empathetic approach that enables clients to address distressing emotional issues in a safe bias free environment. She focuses on teaching practical skills and techniques to enable people to develop and enhance their relationships and lives.
	Dr Karen Johnson B. Soc Sc (Psych), B A (Hons), D Psych (Couns), MAPS Hart Centre Certified Karen is a highly qualified and experienced Counselling Psychologist who has worked in a variety of counselling organisations over the past ten years, and more recently in her own private practice. Karen has experience in counselling couples and individuals with a wide range of presenting concerns including relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, trauma, and other psychological issues. Karen specialises in couple relationship issues. Her doctoral research considered factors that impact on the relationship satisfaction of couples with dependent children, such as their attachment, conflict styles and level of emotional intelligence. Through this research, Karen was able to identify important therapeutic interventions in order to assist couples to enhance and improve their relationships, particularly whilst they are facing the challenges of parenting dependent children. Karen uses a variety of therapeutic approaches in her counselling work, but above all, she strives to create a warm and caring environment where the specific needs of her clients are central to the therapeutic process. As a mother of three teenage children, Karen also brings a wealth of life experience to her understanding of couple and parenting issues.
	Sarah Daniels. Psychologist BA (Hons) Psych, M Psych (Counselling) MAPS Hart Centre Certified Sarah is a multi-skilled and dynamic Psychologist with years of experience working with individuals and couples experiencing a range of issues. When working with couples Sarah embraces the complexities of the problems clients bring, in an arena which provides a sense of safety and support. We all want our lives to be fulfilling and meaningful as an individual. As a couple part of this fulfillment comes from a relationship that has sustained love, passion and mutual respect. Given the challenges we are subjected to in modern life we often fall into dysfunctional patterns of managing ourselves in our relationships which can result in levels of unhappiness or dissatisfaction. The ability to turn this negative dysfunctional pattern around, and to embrace a new and healthier way to relate as a couple is truly exciting, giving new hope for a different and more rewarding future. Sarah finds it a privilege to be able to step into the lives of couples in trouble, and assist them to find insight, address issues, explore new ways of doing things and above all, reach a new understanding of yourselves which will allow positive changes in your relationship.
	Dr. Mandy Peyton BA (Hons), D Psych (Couns), MAPS Hart Centre Certified Mandy is a registered psychologist who has been in private practice for 6 years and holds a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Mandy has a particular interest in quality of life issues and how this most often translates into the quality of relationships with oneself first and with those who are closest to us. Other interests and areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, eating disorders and trauma related issues. She also has a depth of experience using Mindfulness as a therapeutic tool and a life skill that adds richness to our day to day experiencing. Mandy has undertaken considerable training in couples counselling and finds the work both challenging and rewarding as each member of a couple begins to gain insight into their own patterns and projections, acknowledges the value of their differentness, and reignites the connectedness within the relationship from a new base. She views relationship as a path of self-development through which we can ultimately learn a great deal about ourselves in the world.
	David Bosanquet BA (Hons), DCP/MSc Candidate, Assoc. MAPS. Hart Centre Certified "David is a psychologist who specialises in a wide range of issues. He recognises that difficulties in relationships can have a devastating effect on an individual's well being and overall quality of life. For this reason, he is particularly passionate about working with singles, couples and families who are experiencing problems in their relationships. In particular, David is interested in treating troubled relationships in both nuclear and blended families, childhood conduct problems, and drug and alcohol issues that may be acting as a further disruption to these relationships. David uses an eclectic approach through application of CBT, DBT, Schema Therapy, Emotion-Focussed therapy and Attachment Theory in his work with families and individuals. These are evidence-based and client-centred treatments to ensure the best possible outcome within a realistic timeframe".

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