Janelle is a fully registered and endorsed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with a Doctorate in Psychology (Forensic). As the Director and Principal Practitioner of Cathartic Consulting, she leads the team while also delivering specialist assessment and treatment services to clients.

Her expertise is in mental health, forensic practice, executive coaching, training, supervision and consultancy. Dr Armstrong has more than 15 years’ experience assessing and treating a wide variety of psychological conditions in adolescents and adults. She is most passionate about working with trauma (including complex trauma) and victimisation, offending behaviour, emotional regulation, communication skills, assertiveness training, infertility, perinatal issues (including birth trauma and the emotional challenges of early parenthood) and providing supervision and executive coaching. Janelle has extensive experience in risk assessment, treatment, and management of general, violent, and sexual offenders in custodial and community settings across Victoria. She is also highly skilled in completing court reports and providing expert evidence.

Janelle also has many years’ experience working with Corrections Victoria and is recognised for her ability to work with those who have substance use and abuse issues and those who have engaged in violent behaviour, including family violence. She also has significant experience working with numerous other presenting issues such as, depression, anxiety, behavioural management, relationship difficulties, relationship counselling and personality disorders. Janelle is highly skilled at providing a safe therapeutic space that enables clients to feel validated whilst they undergo the change process. She is proficient in numerous therapeutic techniques and is committed to ensuring that every client achieves their psychological goals. Janelle works from a neurodiversity affirming approach and uses a variety of evidence-based therapies although primarily utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Janelle has a love for teaching and is a registered board-approved supervisor who has extensive experience providing supervision to provisional psychologists, forensic registrars, fully registered psychologists, and other mental health professionals. She is considered an illustrious supervisor who is committed to supporting other professionals to work sustainably whilst achieving strong therapeutic outcomes.

Janelle also has extensive experience in executive management roles, and therefore is skilled at providing executive coaching, leadership training, performance management and support for other workplace issues. Janelle has developed and facilitated numerous training packages and is known as a skilled trainer. She is also actively involved in developing a number of psycho-educational and therapeutic group programs to support neurodiverse individuals and their families to navigate the neurotypical world.

Qualifications: MAPS, FCFP, DPsych (Forensic), BSc (Hons).

• Fully registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
• EMDR Accredited Practitioner
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society
• Member of the Forensic College of the Australian Psychological Society
• Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists
• Member of EMDR Association of Australia
• Board-Approved Supervisor (Psychology Board of Australia)

Areas of interest: Working with offenders and victims, Trauma therapy, Neurodiversity.

–

Contact: j.armstrong@catharticconsulting.com.au 

Dr Suzanne Vidler is a Director and a Principal Practitioner of Cathartic Consulting. She holds a Doctorate of Psychology (Forensic) and is a Dr Vidler has experience providing counselling for a wide variety of issues. This has encompassed (but is not limited to) the following: Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (including suicide and self harming), behavioural management, emotional regulation, dissociation, violence, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, communication skills, trauma, assertiveness training, relationship counselling and personality disorders. Dr Vidler is proficient in numerous therapeutic techniques including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Strength Based Therapy (SBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Executive Coaching, all from a Person Centred Approach.

Dr Vidler has 15 years experience in the risk assessment, treatment and management of general, violent and sexual offenders in custodial and community settings across Victoria. Her doctoral research and practice focuses on the areas of trauma, alcohol and other drugs, personality disorders and violence intervention. Prior to working with offenders, Dr Vidler worked in the field of family violence providing support and advocacy to women and children. Dr Vidler also has extensive experience in management roles, and therefore is skilled at providing leadership training, performance management and support for other workplace issues. Dr Vidler has developed and facilitated numerous training packages and is a skilled trainer both as an academic and a practitioner. Finally, Dr Vidler is registered as a board approved supervisor with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and has considerable experience providing supervision to provisional psychologists undertaking the internship program and psychologist completing the registrar program for forensic endorsement.

Qualifications: BBSc, Grad Dip Psych, M. Couns, DPsych (Forensic).

Fully registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency. Member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Contact: s.vidler@catharticconsulting.com.au

Darisse is a registered psychologist who works in private practice, providing tailored treatment to a variety of individuals presenting with a range of issues such as (but not limited to) trauma, depression, anxiety (including phobias), substance abuse, stress, personality disorders, identity issues, grief and loss, behavioural management, relationship difficulties, communication skills and emotional dysregulation. She incorporates an array of therapies into her practice, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Solution Focused Therapy. Darisse is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.

Previously, Darisse completed her formal studies in Western Australia before moving to Victoria and commencing work within the forensic setting. Having worked for Corrections Victoria for over 15 years, Darisse has extensive experience working with individuals with a history of offending behaviours (including violence and sexual offending) in both the community and within various Victorian prisons. She has provided offence-specific and offence-related interventions, via individual and group-based treatments. Darisse is also experienced in violence risk assessment and training clinicians to undertake violence risk assessment.

Darisse is passionate about working alongside individuals through their treatment journey, providing a safe therapeutic space for her clients to explore ways to improve their psychological well-being.

Qualifications: BSc (Hons Psychology), GradDip CrimJustStudies, Assoc. MAPS.

Fully registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

Contact: d.mccartney@catharticconsulting.com.au

Qualifications: BBSc (Psych), GradDipPsyAdv, M. Couns, MAPS.

Fully registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency. Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists and Australian Counselling Association.

Contact: s.molloy@catharticconsulting.com.au

Kelly is a highly compassionate senior psychologist with experience supporting individuals and families through complex and often deeply personal challenges associated with chronic illness, psycho-oncology (cancer), trauma, and significant life transitions. Kelly offers a warm, approach grounded in evidence-based practice, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, and empowerment. She specialises in a multi-modal, trauma-informed treatment including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Schema Therapy to support meaningful and lasting outcomes.

Outside the therapy room, Kelly brings with her a wealth of experience across public, private and charity sectors (28 years+) informing government policy and program management. Kelly has also provided training, executive coaching and critical debriefing across both education and health sectors.

Qualifications: MAPS, M. Couns, BSc (Hons), GradDipPsych, BArts (CrimJustAdm)

Kelly holds multiple qualifications from Monash and RMIT University achieving first class honours. Kelly is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and has full membership with the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Associate membership with the Australasian Menopause Society and the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA). Kelly’s research on coping with addiction in families has been published internationally.

Areas of interest: Kelly has a strong interest in supporting individuals through challenging life events, particularly those navigating chronic illnesses such as cancer. She also values working with older adults and supporting their unique needs and experiences.

Contact: k.maltman@catharticconsulting.com.au 

Susie is a registered psychologist with experience in private clinical and forensic settings, providing individual and group-based intervention. She also has experience working with clients from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds, and with complex needs.

Susie is passionate about working with adult clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, addiction, adjustment difficulties, chronic pain, relationship issues, emotion regulation/anger issues, and study- and work-related concerns. Susie values a client-centred approach to assessment and treatment, and draws on a number of different theories and evidence-based treatment modalities when working with clients to ensure that the most appropriate and focused treatment is offered to them. These include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness.’

Susie has a strong interest in risk assessment within the forensic population, dual disability and the administration of cognitive, personality and autism assessments. Additionally, Susie has developed and delivered staff training packages and enjoys supporting workplaces to increase and maintain staff wellbeing.

Qualifications: B.A. (Psych), MA Crim/Crim Justice, Post Grad. Dip. Psych.

Fully registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

Contact: s.zielin@catharticconsulting.com.au

Chantelle is a registered forensic psychologist with experience in the assessment and treatment of offending behaviours (including violent and sexual), and delivering interventions across group and individual formats (offence specific and offence related). Chantelle’s forensic experience is both within custodial and community settings across Victoria and Queensland. Chantelle also has extensive experience in completing court reports and provides expert testimony for clinical and forensic presentations.

Chantelle provides counselling for a wide variety clients treating issues that include (but are not limited to): complex trauma, victims of crime, depression, anxiety, substance misuse and personality disorders (adult and youth presentations), and has a strong interest in the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders including diagnostic and mental health assessments.

Chantelle’s clinical practice includes training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Schema Therapy and the provision of supervision and reflective practice for community-based organisations and health care providers.

Qualifications: BA (Psych), (Hons, M. Psych (Forensic).

Fully registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

Contact: c.kyriakides@catharticconsulting.com.au

Emily is a registered psychologist who provides individual assessment and psychological intervention to children, adolescents and adults, as well as support to families. She has considerable experience across non-government, private practice and school-based settings, with particular experience in homelessness, sexual violence and youth mental health.

Emily has also contributed to research in the area of intergenerational trauma and is a co-author of published research relating to Aboriginal health and social and emotional wellbeing.

Emily works from a trauma-responsive, neuroaffirming and anti-oppressive perspective, tailoring intervention to the individual needs, strengths and circumstances of each client. Emily has undertaken training in EMDR therapy and incorporates this into her clinical practice where appropriate. She also draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches and family-based therapy.

Qualifications: BSSc (Psych); GradDipPsychAdv; MPsych (Professional); MAPS
• Registered Psychologist (AHPRA)
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Areas of interest: Emily has particular interest and experience working with trauma and trauma-related difficulties, appearance, body image concerns and eating disorders, neurodivergence, anxiety, perfectionism, adjustment to significant life changes and challenging circumstances, grief and loss, stress and stress management and substance use concerns.

Contact: e.ripley@catharticconsulting.com.au

Alicia is a provisionally registered psychologist and doctoral candidate in Clinical and Forensic Psychology. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, providing psychological intervention and assessment across a range of clinical, neurodevelopmental and forensic presentations.

Alicia adopts a warm, collaborative and trauma-informed approach to therapy, creating a supportive and non-judgemental space in which clients can work towards meaningful change. She applies principles of evidence-based practice while tailoring intervention to each client’s individual needs, strengths, circumstances and therapeutic goals.

Alicia draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and incorporates EMDR into her clinical practice, where appropriate.

Areas of interest: Alicia has particular interests and experience in working with offending behaviour, including sexual, violent and stalking behaviours; people with disabilities; anxiety; depression and low mood; stress and adjustment difficulties; ADHD and Autism; and trauma and trauma-related difficulties.

Alicia also has experience working within forensic contexts, including providing intervention addressing offending behaviour and working with court-referred clients. She also undertakes psycholegal risk assessments, as well as educational and developmental assessments, including ADHD and Autism assessments.

Contact: a.yokoyama@catharticconsulting.com.au