Warm, holistic,
non-judgmental care.
Meet Our Team.
Located in the heart of Wollongong CBD, Dr Olga Lavalle & Associates is a private psychology practice with a focus on grief, loss and trauma. Our philosophy is that everyone can flourish by using their challenges as a stepping stone toward living a meaningful life.
Having worked in the public mental health sector for over 20 years, Dr Olga established the practice to provide the people of Wollongong with a service for better mental health.
In growing her team, Dr Olga has carefully selected a diverse group of talented professionals who, as well sharing a commitment to clinic excellence, all share the same important vision, mission and values.
Dr Olga Lavalle
Managing Director and Clinical Psychologist
BA, Master of Studies (Psychology),
Masters (Clin. Psych), PhD
Dr Olga Lavalle is a highly regarded Clinical Psychologist, author and presenter who’s spent over 30 years helping people create healthier, more satisfying lives.
Bringing her diverse experience, warm nature and positive approach to everything she does, Dr Olga strongly believes in the transformative power of therapy and its capacity to bring practical positive outcomes to an individual’s resilience in the face of adversity.
Dr Olga tailors her treatment approach to meet each client’s needs drawing from a range of modalities, including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
She also conducts adult psychological assessments and reports for matters requiring a professional opinion.
In 2018, Dr Olga released her highly acclaimed book The New Normal: A Widow’s Guide to Grief, based on her own experience of loss. In 2020, she was selected as an Associate Trainer for Phoenix Australia, Australia’s Centre of Excellence for Posttraumatic Mental Health.
Registrations and memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Clinical Psychology
- AHPRA Registered Board Approved Clinical Supervisor for Clinical Psychology Registrars
- Member: Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
- Member: Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists
- Member: APS Disaster Response Network
Jenna Axtens
Clinical Psychologist
BPsych (Hons); MPsych (Clin)
Jenna is warm, understanding, quirky and collaborative, and enjoys connecting with clients to enhance their self-awareness and build skills for increasing mental health and wellbeing.
She has worked in private practice, in Primary Health Networks, with NDIS participants and WorkCover clients. She also has experience in a local hospital supporting inpatients’ mental health during medical rehabilitation/post-stroke. Jenna has also worked in Child Protection services and has worked as a research assistant with two publications to her name.
Jenna enjoys connecting with clients across the lifespan, with a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders. Jenna has a special interest in Neurodiversity, sleep psychology and transdiagnostic approaches to treatment. Jenna welcomes telehealth and face to face appointments.
Jenna is trained and skilled in the following evidence-based interventions:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Registrations and memberships
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member: Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Megan ‘Meg’ Wells
Clinical Psychology Registar and Registered Psychologist
BPsyc (Hons)
Meg is a Registered Psychologist and is currently completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wollongong.
Meg takes a collaborative approach to psychological care and values creating a space where clients feel safe to explore their needs and goals. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and group practice. She welcomes clients with a variety of presentations, including anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, and interpersonal difficulties.
Meg’s practice draws from therapeutic approaches including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Registrations and memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member: Australian Psychological Society
Janelle Gallagher
Registered Psychologist
BPsych (Hons)
Janelle has worked in the field of education, health, sexual assault, domestic violence and workplace injury and rehabilitation for more than 14 years. She brings a flexible and well- informed approach to help clients with various mental health concerns including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, adjustment disorder, social skills deficits, trauma and psychological injuries from the workplace.
She’s passionate about her work and draws from a variety of therapeutic techniques to tailor treatment to individual needs.
Janelle is trained and highly skilled in the following evidence-based interventions:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Trauma Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Strength-Based Therapies
Registrations and memberships
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member: Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Jennifer Byrne
Registered Psychologist
BA Psych (Hons)
With over 12 years experience as a Registered Psychologist, Jennifer’s fascination with the workings of the human mind drives her ongoing commitment to learning and teaching. She has previously researched ‘pain in older Australians’ and ‘depression in women’ and has facilitated workshops in mindfulness, positive neuroplasticity, stress and anxiety.
Jennifer adapts different approaches to suit each client’s needs and circumstances. She gently and respectfully helps them learn the strategies and skills to get their lives back on track using a combination of:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Trauma Informed Care
Jennifer has a special interest in helping people with grief and loss, anxiety, trauma, positive neuroplasticity, workplace stress, relaxation training and mindfulness.
Note: Jennifer is available for telehealth appointments only.
Registrations and memberships
Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Member: Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
Shayla Lindsay
Registered Psychologist
BSc (Psych), GradDipPsych
Shayla is our psychologist who has experience working with children, adolescents, parents and families in various settings including school, NDIS and out of home care. Shayla’s warm, friendly and caring nature helps clients to feel comfortable and safe. Shayla works with clients with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, and adjustment disorder.
Shayla is trained in a wide range of programs in individual and group therapy programs. These therapeutic programs include:
- 123 Magic parent training program
- Cool Kids, Cool Little Kids and Chilled Anxiety Program
- Lego-Based Therapy program.
Shayla has also worked as a behaviour support practitioner in various spaces including out of home care and NDIS and is experienced in developing behaviour support plans and strategies. She is able to complete cognitive, academic, behavioural and functional assessments.
Shayla draws from a variety of approaches to tailor treatment to clients’ individual needs. These therapeutic approaches include
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT),
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Shayla is passionate about empowering her clients with the skills and knowledge to feel in control of their mental health so they can better achieve their goals.
Jeremy Maksour
Registered Psychologist
BPsycSc (Hons)
Jeremy is a Registered Psychologist at Dr Olga Lavalle & Associates. His experience includes Telephone Crisis Support at Lifeline, rehabilitation consultancy for Workers Compensation, and delivering individual and group programs in private practice.
Jeremy works with adolescents and adults with a wide range of presentations and disorders, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, OCD, ADHD, ASD (Autism), grief and loss, stress, panic, anger, low self esteem, low motivation, trauma, and relationship difficulties. He’s passionate about providing psychological treatment tailored to each client to empower them with the necessary skills and strategies to cope effectively, and also, to support them in finding meaning and living with purpose.
Jeremy’s therapeutic approaches include:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness
Registrations and memberships
- General Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member: Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Dominic ‘Dom’ Fernandez
Provisional Psychologist
Dom is a provisional psychologist in the final year of his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wollongong. He has experience providing clinical assessment and treatment to children, adolescents, and adults.
Dom works collaboratively with clients to deepen their understanding and foster meaningful change in their lives. He supports clients with a range of difficulties including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, interpersonal difficulties, ADHD, and other mental health concerns. He is also able to complete ADHD assessments.
Dom focuses on building an authentic connection with clients and integrates a range of evidence-based approaches to best meet client needs, drawing from the following therapeutic modalities:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Dialetical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
He is also trained in facilitating the following programs:
- Cool Kids Anxiety Program
- Doing ADHD Differently
- Confident Carers Cooperative Kids (CCCK)
- Coaching and Parent Emotion Support Program (CaPES)
Registrations and memberships
- Provisional Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Samantha Risi
Accredited Practicing Dietician
Samantha is an accredited practicing dietitian, with expertise in a range of health and disease management areas including diabetes (type 1, type 2 and gestational), gastrointestinal issues (IBS/IBD/Coeliac), eating disorders, metabolic diseases (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight management), malnutrition, nutrient deficiency and much more.
She prides herself in providing a tailored client centered approach to care and putting her clients at the forefront of their own health.
She believes food should be enjoyed as much as it should be tailored to assist in meeting health goals and therefore is committed to helping people feel as good as they can through nutrition while setting sustainable and achievable goals.
Chloe Lavalle
Practice Manager
Chloe manages the practice and keeps it all running smoothly. Her bright personality and strong work ethic make our space a welcoming place to visit. Chloe ensures that the practice runs to a high standard and that everything feels safe and comfortable.
Marissa Saverino
Administrative Assistant
With a warm and friendly smile, Marissa is one of the welcoming voices people hear when they first call our practice to make an appointment or an enquiry. Her passion for ensuring all clients are comfortable and leave with a smile is something she takes great pride in.
Saithong ‘Sai’ Fafie
Administrative Assistant
With a warm and friendly smile, Sai is one of the welcoming voices people hear when they first call our practice to make an appointment or an enquiry. Her passion for ensuring all clients are comfortable and leave with a smile is something she takes great pride in.
Doc Dre
Therapy Dog
Doc Dre is a Toy Cavoodle who joined our team to learn how to become a Therapy Dog. In September 2021, he became accredited! He loves to roam around our waiting providing affection, comfort and support. We can’t wait for you to meet him.
