Warm, holistic,
non-judgmental care.
Meet Our Team.
Located in the heart of Wollongong CBD, WellMind Collective Psychology (formerly 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 adults, with a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders. Jenna has a special interest in 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)
- AHPRA Registered Board Approved Clinical Supervisor for Registered Psychologists
Alex Georgeou
Clinical Psychology Registar and Registered Psychologist
B Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clin), MAPS, MACPA
Alex is a registered psychologist undertaking the registrar program to be endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist. Alex works with adolescents and adults, fostering a safe and empathetic environment.
His professional interests encompass assisting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, stress, and challenging life circumstances. Alex empowers clients to develop self-compassion, resilience, and autonomy for enduring change.
Alex’s therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based methods, including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialogical and Systemic Therapy Approaches
Guided by principles of compassion, authenticity, and respect, Alex works collaboratively with individuals to facilitate meaningful growth and well-being.
Registrations and Memberships
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Sara Hamden
Clinical Psychology Registar and Registered Psychologist
B Psych (Hons); M Psych (Clin)
Sara is a warm, bubbly and compassionate psychologist who takes privilege in hearing everyone’s story with curiosity and care. She enjoys collaborating and connecting with clients to foster a safe and supportive space so they may feel free to explore what is happening in their lives. She has broad clinical experience supporting persons from across the lifespan in a range of areas such as anxiety, depression, family and relationship challenges, work related stress and trauma. Sara enjoys working with adolescents and adults in understanding how their early experiences may make meaning of their current experience and sense of self.
Sara has experience in private practice as well as inpatient and community settings with high risk youth.
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- She enjoys being flexible to an individuals needs.
Registrations and Memberships
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Janelle Gallagher
Registered Psychologist
BA Psych (Hons)
In her 20th year of practice, Janelle brings expertise from working in a range of environments including sexual assault & domestic violence services, education, child protection & and health services, phone & online counselling and workplace injury & rehabilitation to her practice. She works with individuals presenting with various mental health concerns including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, adjustment disorder & physical and psychological injuries from the workplace & motor accidents.
She is a SIRA approved practitioner to provide treatment for those injured at work or in motor accident and is approved with victim services in both NSW & ACT.
Janelle is 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)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
- Trauma Informed Care
Registrations and memberships
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Associate Member: Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Full Member: EMDR Association of Australia
Jennifer Byrne
Registered Psychologist
BA Psych (Hons)
With over 15 years of experience as a Registered Psychologist, Jennifer’s fascination with the workings of the human mind drives her ongoing commitment to learning and teaching. Previously, she worked for over 16 years in health research related to several areas of foci, including ‘pain in older Australians’ and ‘depression in women’ and has facilitated workshops in mindfulness, positive neuroplasticity, complex trauma, PTSD and stress and anxiety.
Jennifer adapts different approaches to suit each client’s needs and circumstances. She utilises a collaborative approach and gently and respectfully helps them learn the strategies and skills to get their lives back on track, employing a combination of:
- Trauma Informed Care
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Jennifer has a special interest in helping adults with trauma, including PTSD and complex PTSD, grief and loss, anxiety, relationship issues, workplace stress, adjustment disorder, pain management, positive neuroplasticity, relaxation training and mindfulness.
Note: Jennifer works remotely from Tasmania and sees adult face to face clients in North East Tasmania.
Registrations and memberships
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member: Australian Association of Psychologists incorporated (AAPi)
- Member: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
Shayla Lindsay
Registered Psychologist
BSc (Psych), GradDipPsych
“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.”
– Brene Brown
Shayla brings a person centred and compassion focussed approach to her treatment. Her genuine, warm, playful and caring nature builds a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all her clients.
Shayla has experience supporting individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults. She has provided support in various contexts, such as schools, NDIS, ADF, private practice and out-of-home care. Shayla has also worked as a behaviour support practitioner and is experienced in developing behaviour support plans and strategies. She is able to complete cognitive, academic, behavioural, and functional assessments.
Shayla currently works with clients facing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief and loss, and adjustment disorder. She draws from a variety of evidence-based interventions to tailor treatment to clients’ individual needs, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Schema Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma Focussed CBT
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member: Australian Psychological Society
Amanda-Jayne ‘Manda’ Tiernan
Registered Psychologist
Ba Human Movement Science/Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Psychology), MA Education (Special Education/Counselling)
Manda Tiernan is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience in the arenas of mental health, general psychology, neurodivergence, and disability. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion, helping many with different abilities to embrace their authentic self and develop their strengths. She has worked in community mental health, non-government agencies, state disability services and private practice.
Manda has a strong background in working with adults with Autism and is herself part of a neurodivergent family. Manda is also interested in the intersection between neurodivergence and trauma, as well as autistic burnout and effects of masking in neurodivergent populations. Manda has also worked with several other psychological conditions including Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and PTSD/Complex Trauma.
Manda uses a variety of approaches including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
- Trauma focussed CBT
- Imaginal rescripting
Manda can provide cognitive and adaptive functioning assessments for teens and adults. She can also complete Autism and ADHD assessments for people 16 years plus.
Manda is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a board approved supervisor, able to provide secondary supervision for 4+2/5+1 interns and peer consultation for registered psychologists. She has experience working with NDIS and Medicare.
Aimee Henry
Provisional Psychologist
Aimee is a provisionally registered psychologist completing her final year of a Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Wollongong. She has experience working with both children and adults, providing individual therapy across a range of presentations, as well as facilitating group programs designed to support children and adolescents experiencing anxiety.
Drawing primarily on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Aimee takes a collaborative, client-centred approach when tailoring her work to meet the unique needs of each person. Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, stress and early-life adversity, and she is committed to creating a supportive environment that helps people navigate life challenges, build resilience and enhance their overall wellbeing.
Registrations:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
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.
Caitlyn Smith
Administrative Assistant
With a calm and caring presence, Caitlyn is often one of the first friendly voices clients hear when they contact our practice. She brings a gentle, organised approach to her role, ensuring every appointment and enquiry is handled with care. Caitlyn’s commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment helps each client feel at ease from the very beginning of their journey with us. Her dedication to making people feel comfortable and valued shines through in every interaction.
