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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Clinical
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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). Her 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.
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Andrea Barnes
She/Her
Counsellor
Andrea is in her final year of a Bachelor’s degree at ACAP University College in Sydney, majoring in both Psychological Science and Counselling, with plans to continue her studies into Honours. Her areas of interest are adolescent development, working through the impact of trauma, the importance of early relationships, and cultivating empowerment.
Compassion and authenticity are central to Andrea’s ability to connect easily with clients, allowing them to feel safe and validated, and making room for growth and healing. Her focus is to assist clients to freely express themselves, feel more empowered, understand relationship patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and to achieve their personal goals.
Her counselling training allows her to draw from a variety of therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Attachment Theory.
Andrea has enjoyed working with various communities, including volunteering with the KidzWish charity, supporting children with illness, engaging with Indigenous and Refugee communities to understand cultural challenges, and facilitating an empowerment group program helping high school students build self-esteem and resilience.
Away from the workplace, Andrea enjoys quality time with her partner, family, and friends. Interests include travel, staying active at the gym, cooking, and exploring new cafes and restaurants.
Andrea can see NDIS clients (self and plan managed) and private clients.
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Anne Baulch
She/Her
Accredited Social Worker
Anne is a dedicated clinician with qualifications in both social work and psychology and a deep passion for mental health, trauma recovery, and empowering people to reconnect with themselves in meaningful, sustainable ways. Her academic training has provided a solid foundation in evidence-based practices such as CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care.
As a mother of three, she brings a lived understanding of emotional resilience and the complexities of family life. These experiences inform her grounded, empathetic, and relational approach to therapy. She holds a strong belief in each person’s capacity for change and growth - no matter where they’re starting from.
Her practice is inclusive, collaborative, and affirming of neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ identities. She has experience working across a range of settings, including not-for-profit organisations, autism-specific education, allied health practices, and co-facilitating a parenting group. She enjoys working with adolescents, young people, and adults.
Anne aims to create a space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported. She draws on a blended therapeutic approach that incorporates biopsychosocial evaluation, feminist-based and narrative practices, somatic awareness, and a strong therapeutic relationship. Whether exploring trauma, anxiety, low mood, identity, or life’s many transitions, her role is to walk alongside clients with warmth, curiosity, humour, and genuine care.
She believes in the power of therapy, in the strength that can be found through vulnerability, and in the freedom that comes from accepting and honouring all parts of yourself.
Anne can see NDIS clients (self and plan managed), Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients, Transport Accident Commission (TAC) clients, and private clients.
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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.
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Marcus Celebi
He/They
Counsellor
Marcus is currently studying Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy through the Australian College of Applied Professions and will gain membership with PACFA when completed. This is after completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Wollongong.
While practicing, Marcus uses his background in the mental health sphere and various volunteering and social roles to help people gain confidence, peace and learn to regulate their emotions. In their previous role with The Diversity Clinic, Marcus worked as a therapy assistant and assisted in conducting neuro-affirming autism assessments.
Marcus is particularly interested in helping both children and adolescents. They have extensive therapy training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Marcus also utilises a neuro-affirming approach and enjoys working with the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as other diverse groups.
Marcus can see NDIS (self and plan managed) and private clients.
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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).
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Nicole Herrald
She/Her
Counsellor
Nicole completed her Bachelor of Psychological Sciences from Griffith University before undertaking a Diploma of Counselling. She is now studying a Master of Counselling through Torrens University and will gain membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) upon completion. Nicole’s background in mental health has been an integral part of her work in the social work and counselling fields. She believes that giving young people the tools to cope with their emotions and stressors sets them on the best course for an emotionally fulfilling life.
Nicole favours a strengths-based approach to help clients realise their own capacity. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and has a special interest in adolescent development.
Nicole enjoys working with the LGBTQIA+ community, trauma, personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, grief, and many more presentations.
Nicole can see NDIS clients (self and plan managed) and private clients.
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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.
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Phoenix Brown
She/Her
Counsellor
Phoenix is in her final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling at ACAP University College, with a strong passion for supporting individuals through life’s challenges. Her areas of interest include early development, empowerment, family relationships, and the role of creativity in healing. She works from approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Person Centred Therapy, and Strengths based practice, and is eager to further her training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Schema Therapy.
She has gained meaningful experience through her year at Sydney Equine Assisted Therapy, where she worked alongside horses to support adolescents navigating self-confidence, family dynamics, and emotional regulation. This experience highlighted the profound impact of animals, nature, and outdoor spaces in the therapeutic process. She has also observed group EMDR workshops and team bonding programs, broadening her understanding of different ways people heal and connect.
Alongside her counselling training, she supports dance studios by developing guides for teachers to better support students who may be experiencing mental health challenges. As a dance teacher herself, she values the connection between movement, self-expression, and wellbeing.
Outside of her professional work, she enjoys taking dance classes, cooking, staying active at the gym, and spending time with her partner, family, and friends.
Phoenix can see clients privately or through NDIS funding (self- or plan-managed).
Behind the Scenes
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Alana Joseph
She/Her
Practice Manager
Alana shares the role with CJ and together, they are in charge of all of the behind–the-scenes action at The Diversity Clinic. Alana is trained as a primary school teacher and has always been interested in mental health, as she has extensive experience working with additional needs and in embedding trauma informed practice into her work. She is very personable and loves working with people, so be sure to say hi and ask her any questions when you see her at the clinic. When she is not at work, you’ll find Alana spending every spare minute with her partner and dogs, or lifting heavy things in the gym!
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Athena Staughton
She/Her
Therapy Assistant
Athena is a student at UOW currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), and intends on pursuing a Clinical Masters degree and a career in mental health. When she is not studying, Athena does psychosocial support work, and has a passion for addressing the disparity in access to important psychological services. This is the area Athena hopes to use her degree in the future, and has a specific interest in working with those affected by trauma. To do this, Athena is learning important skills from the experienced team at The Diversity Clinic while she works towards finishing her degree. When not working or studying, Athena enjoys going for hikes, cooking with her friends and visiting her family in Canberra.
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Callum Herring
He/Him
Therapy Assistant
Callum is in his first year of his Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Wollongong and is pursuing a double degree in Law and Psychology. He is particularly interested in the nervous system and brain function, especially how biological processes shape behaviour, emotion, and cognition. Before studying psychology, Callum studied Computer Science and was awarded a competitive scholarship to study Artificial Intelligence in Wuhan, China. This experience led him to explore the overlap between neuroscience and artificial intelligence.
He currently serves as Executive Treasurer of the UOW Psychology Society and is actively involved in student-led initiatives that promote mental health and engagement within the university community. In his spare time, Callum enjoys camping, fishing, and riding his motorbike with friends.
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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.
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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.
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Laura Gulic
She/Her
Therapy Assistant
Laura is in her final year of her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at the University of Wollongong, with the intention of pursuing a Master's of Psychology (Educational and Developmental). She has a strong interest in working with children and young adults and is committed to providing support that helps them navigate challenges effectively. Through her studies and experience at The Diversity Clinic, she aims to contribute meaningfully to this field and drive positive change. In Laura's spare time she enjoys going for a run along the beach, spending time with her friends and dancing.
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Rozhina Ducklin
She/Her
Therapy Assistant
Rozhina is in the final year of her Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Wollongong, with the intention of pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She has a strong interest in youth mental health and early intervention, aiming to create supportive environments where young people feel heard and empowered. Through her studies and experience at The Diversity Clinic, she hopes to make a meaningful impact in this field.
Alongside her studies, Rozhina volunteers at the Starlight Express Room at the children's hospital, works with Headspace to improve youth mental health, and teaches gymnastics to young children to encourage movement and confidence. Through these experiences, she continues to develop valuable skills that will inform her future work in psychology. When she is not working or studying, Rozhina enjoys attending workout classes, reading, and spending time with friends.
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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.