Our Psychologists

The team of Life Matters Psychologists comprises:

Five Clinical Psychologists - Matthew Stanton, Lynn Jenkins, Katrina Bell, Daniel Forrester and Amber Sutton.

One experienced Psychologist currently studying the Master of Clinical Psychology - Bronwyn Shields.

Matthew Stanton is a registered clinical psychologist. He has been working in private practice for over seven years and in addition to this he has worked within the public mental health system in community specialist teams and within adult and adolescent intensive psychiatry hospital units for over six years. Matthew is skilled in psychological assessment and treatment of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, adjustment disorder,and pain syndromes. He is also skilled in the psychological assessment and treatment of Victims of Crime, injured workers, providing group facilitation with teams of people, developing and providing Employee Assistance Programs, work-life balance initiatives and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. Matthew is registered with medicare, major health funds and is an approved counsellor for Victims Services as well as an Authorised Report Writer (ARW) for Victims Services.

Lynn Jenkins is a registered clinical psychologist. She has been working in private practice for over seven years during which time she has provided therapy for people referred predominantly by G.P.s as well as Victims Services and Worker's Compensation. Her background (prior to private practice) comprises of experience in adult mental health settings, sexual assault counselling and community counselling. She has particular interest in treating adults for anxiety, depression, anxiety and depression in pregnancy and post-pregnancy, grief and sexual abuse. She has a very strong interest in perinatal mental health and is very active in developing herself professionally in this area. She is registered with medicare, major health funds and is an approved counsellor for Victims Services. Her preferred treatment approaches include: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Hypnosis. Lynn is very passionate about assisting pregnant women to feel confident in their ability to birth their babies and not be hindered by fear and anxiety that can often accompany the birthing process. For these reasons Lynn has trained to be a Calmbirth® practitioner and her work focuses on a holistic approach for all concerned. She writes for Sunny Days, a local parenting magazine on various issues - see her pieces at sunnydaysmagazine.com.au

Bronwyn Shields is a registered psychologist gaining her degree at Newcastle University with first class honours. She is a member of The Association of Psychologists working with Developmental Disabilities (PSYCHDD). She has five years experience working within forensic services, mainly dealing with anger, loss anxiety and depression issues. She also has eight years experience working in disability services focusing on anger management, personality disorders, behaviour management strategies,critical incident stress debriefing and working supporting those with challenging behaviours. Bronwyn is experienced in the assessment of intellectual disability as well as mental health disorders and their treatment. She is registered with medicare and major health funds.

Daniel Forrester is a registered psychologist who recently finished postgraduate training in clinical psychology. He has several years of experience in the public mental health system, in addition to prior counselling experience. His training focused on Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Daniel has primarily worked with adults in the areas of depression and bereavement, anxiety-related conditions, anger, relationship problems, and adjustment to life challenges and stress. In addition to resolving psychological and emotional problems, Daniel believes in assisting clients to build positive quality of life and a sense of meaning and purpose. He is a registered Medicare provider and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Katrina Bell is a registered clinical psychologist. Katrina has eight years experience working in the public mental health system, mostly within community specialist teams, and one year experience within forensic services. Her background entails experience in adult mental health, providing psychological interventions for depression, anxiety, psychosis, addictions, trauma, adjustment disorder, personality disorders and relationship issues. Her preferred treatment approaches include: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Katrina is a registered Medicare provider and is registered with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Amber Sutton is a registered clinical psychologist. She has 8 years experience in the mental health field across public and private sectors. She has worked in the community as well as in a psychiatric inpatient clinic. Amber's experience has been predominantly with adults and older adolescents, providing psychological interventions for a wide range of mental health issues including: depression, generalised anxiety, phobias & panic disorder, OCD, trauma, grief & loss, chronic pain, adjustment disorders and stress. Her treatment approaches include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Act), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. Amber is a registered Medicare provider and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).