Our Team
Meet our dedicated teamof professionals
Meet our dedicated team of professionals
Alice Saver
Generalist Psychologist & Business Owner Physical Mind Co Bendigo
As a secondary school teacher with 25 years of experience, I have always been interested in human behaviour and why some people faced with adversity are resilient and can cope while others become dysfunctional.
I completed a Masters in Educational & Developmental Psychology in 2013 and commenced private practise “Physical Mind Co Bendigo” in March 2018. In September 2018 I was endorsed as an AHPRA approved supervisor which enables me to supervise provisional psychologists.
I have worked with individuals and families and have had experience working with children as young as 3 yrs old and adults to 85 yrs of age. It is highly recommended that when I see children and adolescents that I am able to work with parents or any other family member or significant other. Social support networks are crucial for long term positive changes to people’s lives.
My psychological approach is based on clinical and humanistic principles such as case formulation, client centred, unconditional positive regard and strength-based practices from positive psychology. Clients are encouraged to challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs through practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution focused therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Schema Therapy (ST).
My specialities areas include complex trauma, grief and loss, sexuality and gender identity, family and couples conflict resolution, pain management, parenting advice related to challenging behaviours, navigating life after life threatening illnesses such as cancer, exploring purpose of life, death and spirituality.
My goal is always to seek the underlying cause of a person’s distress rather than just treat the symptoms. Depression symptoms can be masked by grief, loss or trauma.
There is also a significant correlation between physical and emotional pain. Using techniques as part of emotion focused therapy, EMDR and schema therapy in treating emotional pain can alleviate and heal physical pain.
Peter Antonenko
Psychologist
I am a registered psychologist. I have over 32 years’ experience working with individuals in the field of accident/injury recovery and general psychological intervention. The emphasis of my practice is to develop self-management and quality of life strategies for clients.
Assisting with:
- Accident/injury recovery
- General psychological intervention
- Trauma
- Drug & alcohol
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger management
- Psychology for farmers
- Sleep Disturbance
- Aviation psychology
- Pilot Training
- First Responders Counselling
I have also been invited to present at several workshops run for professional mental health workers. I have also assisted with drought, bushfire, and flood recovery.
Cassie Cox
Provisional Psychologist
I am a Provisional Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting children and their families both as a practitioner and in leadership in Family Services, Children’s Counselling and the social welfare sector. I have worked with people experiencing a range of mental health issues including Depression, Anxiety. Autism. ADHD. Emotional Regulation difficulties. Feeding and Eating Disorders. Sensory Disorders and Sensitivities, Grief’ and Loss, Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder and Bi Polar Disorder, as well as life challenges such as family violence. child behaviour difficulties. Family dysfunction, work related stress and relationship breakdown.
I come from a strengths based perspective, and use my sense of curiosity to develop a holistic understanding of the issues people are facing and the impact they are having on day to day life and relationships, rather than just focusing on the disorder. I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness to support the development of new skills and habits to support a more positive mindset. As I continue with my studies. I am accessing and learning new modalities of therapy, including EMDR. working with the body, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy.
I am currently completing the Master of Professional Psychology at La Trobe University. I obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology in 2016 from Federation University and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) in 2008 from Edith Cowan University.
When I am not working or studying. I enjoy hiking. travelling, and spending time with my family. I am culturally sensitive and informed, seeking the expertise of the client to inform my practice. I work with children as young as 3 years and adults into their later years. I adapt therapy and support to the needs and abilities of the client. I also do cognitive and diagnostic assessments in relation to intelligence, learning, and day-to-day functioning.
Jan Cadman
Mental Health Accredited Social Worker
I am a Mental Health Accredited Social Worker with 27 years’ experience in the profession.
I have a background in Social Services Case Management, assisting those with disabilities and their carers.
For many years I have counselled and supported Youth and Adults within the income support arena. I have extensive knowledge of Local Support Services and have developed strong networks in the Bendigo Region.
I have particular expertise in working with people who have experienced Domestic Violence and or Family Violence. I have skills in working with people who are venerable as a result of mental illness, depression, anxiety, traumatic experiences in life, family breakdown, marital separation, grief & loss, substance abuse, workplace issues and life transitions.
I also have experience in assisting with anger management, diversity and gender identity.
Along with being open and approachable my wealth of life experience enables me to relate to a wide range of people. I value developing relationships and meeting individual’s needs, doing so through a multitude of modalities/therapies including: CBT, EFT, Schema Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems and Mindfulness.
Jen McKenzie
AASW Accredited Social Worker
I am an Accredited Social Worker with over 15 years of experience with a background of working in mental health, children and family services settings. I have graduate and post-graduate studies in psychology, sociology, biology and the social sciences. In my work I have assisted people with individual and group sessions, people with lived experience of depression, anxiety and stress and trauma. Who may experience difficulties with mental health challenges, including complex PTSD, personality disorders, including BPD and neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Autism, ADHD, ODD, PDA and OCD. I value developing relationships with people to navigate through the difficulties they may experience with day-to-day functioning and psychological stress, including problems with sensory and physical symptoms and their impact on anxiety and depression. Combining professional knowledge and skills I can listen deeply, engage and be attuned to people’s individual needs, be resourceful to help clients to self-reflect, develop opportunities and create change in the hope that by working together people will be empowered and find a sense of balance, gain agency and inner strength.
Therapies:
Therapies can be tailored to suit individual needs and situations, by way of interpersonal therapy, combining narrative, trauma theory, solution-focused, strengths. emotional, cognitive-behavioural and social theories. In my practice I will offer resources and guidance that will include utilising mindfulness techniques, interpersonal, social, emotional regulation skills and psychoeducation.
Client Base:
- Victims of Crime
- EAP
- NDIS
- GP Referrals
- Children, couples and family work
Emily Kanellos
Psychologist (Provisional)
I am a provisional psychologist with experience supporting a range of individuals in the private practice setting and am passionate about working with individuals from a client-centred and humanistic approach. I strive to create a safe space to give individuals room to discuss and reflect on their experiences together.
I use evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to work collaboratively with clients to support their journey. I focus on and am committed to working closely with individuals to develop relationships and tailor each session to the person sitting with me. I am passionate about supporting clients to work towards living a life in line with their values.
I am currently completely my Master of Professional Psychology at La Trobe University. I previously obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology) from the University of Melbourne.
When not working with clients, you’ll find me spending time with family and friends, travelling or watching a range of sports. I feel privileged to have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and enjoy working with all individuals to make helpful change in their lives.
Practice Cats
