About Us

We’re dedicated to create a space for your recovery and development. We believe that you are the expert of your own experiences and our role is to encourage you to see yourself as the brave, courageous, and tenacious individual that we see you as.

To help us connect you with the right practitioner, we ask clients to reach out to our admin team to discuss their needs. If you have any preferences, please let us know, and we will tailor our recommendations accordingly.

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A white multi-story office building with large windows reflects the blue sky. The building has an entrance with a ramp and stairs, and a parking garage with a rolling shutter door. There is greenery including a small shrub and a park bench in front, and a sign indicating the building address is 2-4 Merton Street.
A well-lit therapy room with a grey sofa, blue cushions, a white side table with decorative items, a desk with two framed beach pictures, a white mesh office chair, a leafy plant, and a dark carpeted floor.
Waiting room with six white chairs, a small white table with a pink flower in a glass vase, and a reception desk in the background with hand sanitizer and tissues. White walls with two landscape paintings, dark blue carpet, and fluorescent ceiling lights.
The Director of the Clinic is a person with long, wavy dark hair a bright smile, wearing a black top, standing against a plain light-coloured background.

Clinical

  • Dr Talia Hashworth

    She/Her

    Principal Clinical Psychologist/Director

    Dr Talia Hashworth is the founder of The Diversity Clinic, a unique mental health service in the Wollongong CBD. Dr Hashworth completed both a Master of Clinical Psychology degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Wollongong. Dr Hashworth’s research focused on examining borderline personality disorder, locus of control (i.e., our sense of agency, autonomy, and perceived control over ourselves and our environment), attachment styles (i.e., how we interact in interpersonal situations), and traumatic experiences (particularly childhood trauma).

    Originally from Canada, Dr Hashworth has extensive experience in a range of public and private mental health settings, such as private practice, community mental health, psychiatric hospitals (inpatient and outpatient), and crisis centres.

    Dr Hashworth has ample experience implementing evidence-based psychological therapies and has a particular interest in working with adolescents and young adults. Dr Hashworth is an accredited EMDR Consultant, awarded to her by the EMDR Board of Australia (EMDRAA). Dr Hashworth’s primary areas of interest include working with trauma (PTSD and complex trauma), borderline personality disorder, and LGBTQIA+ health. Dr Hashworth uses a range of validated and evidence-based approaches, including, but not limited to:

    • Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

    • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

    • Schema Therapy

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Trauma-Focused CBT

    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

    • Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT)

    • Exposure Therapy and Response Prevention (ERP)

    When working with Dr Hashworth, she focuses on supporting you to build your resilience, achieve your goals, develop a sense of control and security within yourself, increase your self-worth, self-understanding, and self-compassion, acquire skills and techniques to better manage difficult situations, and improve your overall wellbeing. Dr Hashworth works with you to ensure you feel safe and comfortable and tailors treatment to your individual needs. She welcomes individuals of all gender and sexual orientations, identities, and expressions, with a strong focus on empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals.

    Dr Hashworth works with Medicare, NDIS (self managed), WorkCover, and private clients.

A counsellor with long brown hair wearing a black off-shoulder top standing against a plain beige wall.

  • Mia Mitchell

    She/Her

    Counsellor

    Mia is a counsellor who is in her final year of the Bachelor of Counselling at the Australian College of Applied Professions. As a counsellor, she is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and adults, including individuals from diverse backgrounds and with diverse abilities. Mia has a strong interest in mental health and wellbeing and believes in the importance of early intervention, inclusivity, and creating supportive environments where people feel heard, valued, and empowered. Mia can work with a range of presentations, and has a particular interest in working with young people and individuals with disabilities. 

    Alongside her studies, Mia works in before- and after-school care, allowing her to develop a strong passion for working with children, including those with disabilities. Through her experiences supporting individuals’ growth in areas such as social connection, emotional wellbeing, and independence, she has developed compassion, understanding, and a commitment to accessible practice, all of which she applies to her practice as a counsellor. Mia is particularly passionate about promoting mental health awareness for all individuals and supporting people in finding strengths and resilience in their own journeys.

    When she is not studying or working, Mia enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, and continuing to learn about new approaches in counselling that can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others and their communities.

    Mia can see clients privately or through NDIS funding (self- or plan-managed).

A psychologist with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a white t-shirt against a plain white background.

  • Phoebe Macleay

    She/Her

    Registered Psychologist

    Phoebe is a registered psychologist with AHPRA who brings a warm, practical, and strengths-based approach to therapy. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s unexpected challenges, including injury recovery, chronic pain, adjustment difficulties and traumatic or distressing events.

    With a background in compensable healthcare sectors, Phoebe has worked extensively with clients recovering from psychological injuries and has supported individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, workplace stress and ongoing adjustment to illness or injury. She is committed to helping clients harness their inner resilience and build strategies that promote long-term wellbeing.

    Phoebe draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each person’s needs, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her practice is trauma-informed, collaborative and grounded in the belief that clients are the experts in their own lives.

    She has a particular interest in guiding people through periods of transition, identity shifts following injury or life changes and in supporting the restoration of purpose and direction.

    Phoebe is available to see clients under Medicare, SIRA WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission (TAC) clients, and privately.

  • Phoebe Macleay

    She/Her

    Registered Psychologist

    Phoebe is a registered psychologist with AHPRA who brings a warm, practical, and strengths-based approach to therapy. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s unexpected challenges, including injury recovery, chronic pain, adjustment difficulties and traumatic or distressing events.

    With a background in compensable healthcare sectors, Phoebe has worked extensively with clients recovering from psychological injuries and has supported individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, workplace stress and ongoing adjustment to illness or injury. She is committed to helping clients harness their inner resilience and build strategies that promote long-term wellbeing.

    Phoebe draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each person’s needs, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her practice is trauma-informed, collaborative and grounded in the belief that clients are the experts in their own lives.

    She has a particular interest in guiding people through periods of transition, identity shifts following injury or life changes and in supporting the restoration of purpose and direction.

    Phoebe is available to see clients under Medicare, SIRA WorkCover, Transport Accident Commission (TAC) clients, and privately.

A practice manager with short cut hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black collared shirt, against a plain light background.

Behind the Scenes

  • CJ Willer

    They/Them

    Practice Manager

    CJ shares the role with Alana and together, they are in charge of all of the behind–the-scenes action at The Diversity Clinic. They’ll be the first person to greet you when you walk in and are dedicated to making sure you feel welcome and cared for from the very start. CJ brings a strong passion for and interest in mental health and LGBTQIA+ inclusion to The Diversity Clinic. This is supported by their experience in customer service and skills in organisation. Outside of work, CJ enjoys reading, dancing, and puzzles.

An administrative assistant with curly, shoulder-length hair, wearing a black blazer and a black top, smiling against a plain white background.

  • Katrina Beretov

    She/Her

    Administration

    Kat is currently seeking a Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at the University of Wollongong, where she has had the opportunity to marry two interests of hers; understanding why humans do what they do, and the legal system that regulates social movement. She intends to utilise her studies to help marginalised groups in navigating complex welfare systems through advocacy and policy change. She has a keen interest in pursuing a career as a mental health practitioner, helping those who identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), senior citizens, LGBTQIA+, facing socio-economic adversity and individuals identifying with a disability. With almost a decade in customer service roles, as well as thorough administrative/front desk experience, Kat is patient and always eager to greet you with a smile and a giggle. Kat has native fluency in the English language and proficient in spoken Macedonian.

    When Kat is not in the clinic, or attending classes, you can find her in her Baba's kitchen making traditional Macedonian sweets, at pilates or in the gym, grabbing a cheeky sweet treat with her friends, or singing her heart out with her Dedo to TurboFolk.

A counsellor smiling, wearing a dark brown shirt, with long wavy dark hair and a gold necklace, standing in front of a plain white background.

  • Lynley Huckel

    She/Her

    Counsellor

    Lynley is currently completing her clinical placement at The Diversity Clinic as part of her Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy studies at the Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP). She will gain membership with PACFA when completing her studies.

    Lynley holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and has a passion for supporting individuals through a variety of life challenges. She is dedicated to fostering a safe and empowering space for individuals from all backgrounds.

    Lynley works from a warm, person-centred and neuro-affirming approach, drawing upon a client’s personal strengths throughout the therapeutic process. She utilises a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions and trauma-informed approaches. She believes in creating a collaborative therapeutic environment, supporting clients through an empathetic, accepting and strengths-based approach.

    Lynley can see NDIS clients (self and plan managed) and private clients.

  • Joanne Soper

    She/Her

    Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

    Joanne is a graduate of the University of Newcastle Social Work Program
    and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. She has over 15 years of
    counselling and therapeutic experience, working with clients of all ages and stages of life. She has a special interest in working with clients
    during the Perinatal Period (including Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting)
    and with trauma and post trauma recovery.

    Joanne has experience working across a range of clinical settings,
    including Community Health, Sexual Assault, Palliative Care, Young
    Parents, Family Support, Community Mental Health, Hospital and Perinatal
    Mental Health and has also worked in Private Practice in Newcastle and
    Taree, NSW for the past 10 years. She works with a variety of
    presentations including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder,
    borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,
    domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, substance abuse, carer
    stress, parenting issues, bereavement, grief and loss, neurodivergence,
    LGBTQIA+ and perinatal mental health. Her work includes a collaborative approach with clients and is informed by therapeutic frameworks with a solid evidence base, including a strengths approach.


    Joanne has post graduate training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma Therapy, EFT (Tapping), Grief,
    Loss and Bereavement Counselling, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Internal
    Family Systems Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Perinatal Mental Health and
    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is also trained in and currently undergoing accreditation in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) Therapy.


    As an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker registered with Medicare,
    clients can receive a session rebate when referred under a Mental Health
    Care Plan from their GP.


    Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her wonderful, eclectic
    family, which includes adults, children and animals!

    Joanne is able to see clients under Medicare, NDIS (self-managed and plan managed), Victims of Crime, and privately.

    She only offers sessions via Telehealth, making counselling accessible, manageable and comfortable for clients.