Principal Clinical Psychologist and Managing Director
Dr Gary K. Banks PhD(Med)[UNSW], MClin Psych [UWA], MBA [Macq U], BA,BPsych [UWA], MAPS.
Gary is a Clinical Psychologist registered and has been in practice for more than 24 years across the states of New South Wales (Registration No. PS0002139), Queensland (Registration No. 990664), Northern Territory (Registration No.1071058) and Western Australia (Registration No. 751). He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and College of Forensic Psychologists.
Gary holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Psychology and Clinical Psychology and a Fellowship in Medical Hypnosis. His Master of Clinical Psychology degree also included extended training in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Neurosciences Institute in West Perth. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the Faculty of Medicine, UNSW which also included completion of the neuroanatomy course for neuropsychologists.
He is currently Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Clinical and Forensic Psychology in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of New England. In addition to a number of other clinical positions, he is a member of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Australian New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law (ANZAPPL). He provides graduate and post-graduate clinical supervision for a number of universities around Australia and internationally.
His interests include forensic assessments and evaluations of individuals before the Courts for clinical and neuropsychological purposes. These include criminal, personal injury, insurance, child protection and and custody matters. He is an approved provider for the Crown Solicitor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Legal Aid, Public Trustee and most insurance companies.
He has been appointed to the NSW Children's Court as an Authorised Clinician and is listed by the Family Court of Australia as an approved clinician for the preparation of Family Reports and Single Expert Reports, and as well as being an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Provider.
He is the founder of the Sydney Counselling Centre – an organisation he established to provide high quality psychological therapy and assessment services by well trained, experienced and credentialed professionals.
And the rest of our team at SCC
Sonia Gallart MClin Psych, MA [USyd], BA [UNSW], MAPS
Sonia is a registered Clinical Psychologist (NSW Registration No. PS0028142) a member of the Australian Psychological Society and a member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. She is an Approved Counsellor and Authorised Report Writer for the Victims of Crime Bureau. She is also registered as a Clinical Psychologist with Medicare.
She holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Psychology and Clinical Psychology and a Diploma of Family Therapy from the Family Therapy Institute of Australia. She has also had training in the Emotional & Behavioural Problems of Childhood, a one-year course conducted by the NSW Institute of Psychiatry. Her master’s thesis was on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) which assists parents in the management of emotional and behavioural problems in childhood.
Sonia has over 18 years experience working as a psychologist in both community health and private practice. This experience means that she has worked with many children, adolescents, adults and families to help them resolve or manage a wide range of psychological problems such as; depression, anxiety, panic attacks, post-natal issues, grief and loss, suicidal thoughts, trauma, abuse (which includes sexual, psychological, emotional and physical), post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, stress management, self-esteem, assertiveness and confidence building, relationship difficulties (e.g. communication, resolution of conflict), mediation, separation and divorce, migration issues, child behavioural and emotional problems, difficulties with peers and other school problems. She has also experience in running groups such as Confidence Building and Assertiveness Training, Stress Management, Post-natal issues, Parenting Programs and Social Skills for children.
Wendy Grice MPsych(Clin), MAPS
Wendy is a registered Psychologist (NSW Registration No: PS 0079194) and holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has worked extensively in the public sector of health and disability services with both children and adults. Her work has included psychological assessment, design and implementation of treatment plans to meet a range of complex needs. The problems considered have included intellectual disability, severe challenging behaviour, multiple diagnosis and lifestyle issues. The latter have included depression, anxiety, anger and difficulties with relationships.
She is experienced in providing group-based behavioural therapy for substance abuse in people with mental illness. Wendy has a particular interest in the field of successful ageing and the psychological treatment of chronic pain. Her post graduate studies have each focused on these areas of interest.
Katie Hill MPsych (Ed & Dev), PGDip Psych, BSc, MAPS
Katie is a registered Psychologist (NSW Registration No. PS0095232) a member of the Australian Psychological Society, a member of the APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologist and a member of the Association of Psychologists in Developmental Disability Services. She is also registered as a Psychologist with Medicare. Katie holds graduate and post graduate degrees in Science and Psychology and obtained her Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) from the University of Western Sydney. Her Master’s thesis was on exploring the verbal and non verbal abilities in gifted preschoolers to assist in program planning for this population.
Katie has experience working as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with adults, children and families in private practice and residential settings. Her professional interests include conducting psychometric assessments for all ages but preferably children and adolescents in regards to a wide range of concerns including intellectual/cognitive, educational, developmental, behavioural, social/ emotional and memory; the development of children; intellectual disabilities; diagnosis of childhood disorders and gifted children. Katie also provides counselling and intervention to children and families including but not limited to: self esteem/confidence, anger management, behaviour management, family issues, general counselling, divorce issues, sibling rivalry, parenting skill/issues, attachment etc.
Patrick is a registered Psychologist and healthcare provider. Patrick is also, a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Patrick holds graduate and post graduate degrees in Science and Psychology and obtained his Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) from the University of Western Sydney. His Master’s thesis was on the various manifestations, theories and research regarding the relationship between impulsive and aggressive behaviour(s).
Patrick has experience working as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with adults, children and families in private practice. In addition to this, Patrick has extensive experience providing psychological, psychometric and educational assessments, treatment, and interventions in corporate settings as both a psychologist and Human Resources Manager. Subsequently, Patrick has a Masters in Commerce of which he majored in Industrial relations, Human Resource Management and Workplace Learning and Development (HRD) strategies.
His professional interests in private practice include conducting psychometric assessments for all ages but preferably children and adolescents in regards to a wide range of concerns including intellectual/cognitive, educational, developmental, behavioural, social/ emotional and memory; the development of children; intellectual disabilities; diagnosis of childhood disorders and gifted children. Patrick also provides counselling and intervention to children and families including but not limited to: self esteem/confidence, anger management, behaviour management, family issues, general counselling, divorce issues, sibling rivalry, parenting skill/issues, attachment etc.
Patrick’s interest and expertise also extends to corporate settings in which he is able to provide services that include workplace mental health assessments, training and counselling, psychometric testing, vocational advice and training, learning and development strategies and programs, workers compensation, industrial relations, general HR advice/consultation, employee engagement and culture assessments and management training and mentoring programs.
Jennifer Chu BSc (Hons), MA (dist), PGDipClinPsych, MAPS
Jennifer is a registered Clinical Psychologist NSW Registration No. PS0127490) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She is also registered as a Psychologist with Medicare. She holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Psychology and Clinical Psychology. Her master thesis was on the evaluation of binge eating behaviour and stress coping strategies, and she has experience with a broad range of mental health concerns with a broad range of populations. Her clinical experiences enable her to help individuals with depression, bipolar, stress management, self-esteem issues, assertiveness issues, grief and loss, migration problems, anger management, panic attacks, Social Anxiety disorder, Specific Phobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, eating concerns, and affective disorders with psychotic features.
Jennifer is fluent in English, Chinese Mandarin and Taiwanese (Hokkienese), and able to communicate in Japanese. She has a good understanding of Asian cultures and common issues and pressures that migrants may have in the new country. Her sensitivity to cultural issues places her in a good position in assisting individuals facing cultural adjustment difficulties.
Victoria Sheldon BHons Clin Psyche(UWC), MClin Psyche(UWC)
Vicki has considerable clinical experience across a wide client population spectrum. Her experience covers both working as a psychologist in a multidisciplinary team, in private practice with individuals and out -patient groups, as well as supervision of Master’s students and teaching duties.
She has broad knowledge and understanding of a range of therapeutic approaches, particularly CBT individual and Group Facilitation Skills and strong assessment and diagnostic skills. She also has good experience in the subsequent treatment of the particular disorders (Depression, GAD Adjustment disorders Panic disorders, Somatoform Disorders PTSD and DSM IV Axis II disorders, some in the context of complex disability. Over the years in both Institutional and private practice environments she has been involved the practice of a wide range of CBT group and individual treatments/interventions. Some of the areas include - Anxiety and Adjustment disorders, Depression, Social Skills deficits, Marital /relationship problems and Sexual Problems.
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Dr Gary K. Banks
