Our Psychologists

Hugh is an enthusiastic and passionate Clinical Psychologist who is curious about people and takes a holistic view of each individual to assist them in obtaining a sense of well-being and a positive view of themselves.

Hugh uses a variety of different evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, Person Centred Therapy and increasingly more Somatic Therapies, in particular Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He believes it is important to not only deal with current issues but to resolve past issues that can make people more vulnerable thus improving their sense of well-being for the longer term.

Hugh has been living in Cairns for the past 18 years, and loves travel, four-wheel driving, gardening, fishing and visiting his grandchildren. 

He also enjoys life-long learning and attends many conferences and workshops and is actively involved in helping to organise professional development activities.

He only started his psychology career in his 30’s after being a Jackeroo in NW Queensland, working in the building industry, and almost four years back-packing in Asia, Europe and Africa. He believes his volunteer work in third world countries has helped him to develop greater compassion, respect, sense of justice and equity.

Therapeutic modalities:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic Therapies
• Schema Therapy
• Solutions Focused Therapy
• Person Centred Therapy
• Narrative Therapy

Age groups:

• Young adults
• Adults
• Older persons

Cass has a particular interest in the treatment and assessment of anxiety and depression, complex trauma, bereavement, and adjustment to change in adolescents and adults. Cass is also experienced in treating diagnosable disorders including mood disorders and personality disorders. Cass also enjoys assisting individuals in understanding sleep and regaining healthy sleep patterns.

Cass is experienced in working with individuals, couples, families, groups and organisations and has undertaken numerous managerial roles fundamental in establishing and maintaining community mental health services in NSW.  Previously, as a board approved supervisor Cass has also supervised provisionally registered psychologists in gaining full registration.

Cass is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and has been a full Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and The Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC) for over 20 years. Cass has extensive experience in private hospital, public mental health hospital, rehabilitation and private practice. Cass particularly enjoys assisting people to overcome trauma and also has a passion for assisting individuals to understand and manage diagnosable disorders effectively and to manage emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, guilt and shame.

Age Groups

Children, adolescents and adults

Therapeutic Modalities

Cass uses a range of evidence-based practices including;

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
•  Solutions Focused Brief Therapy
•  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
•  Mindfulness and evidence-based thought processes.

Sarah is a Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience. She uses this experience to create a calm, compassionate and safe therapeutic environment for her clients.

She has a particular interest in using psychological therapies to treat problematic symptoms of menopause, and working with people
experiencing anxiety presentations such as panic attacks, social anxiety and specific phobias.

Sarah takes a client-led approach to therapy, aiming for her clients to experience a sense of being understood, and to learn ways to achieve good mental health.

She has worked in a range of settings, such as public mental health, primary care psychology and private practice, both in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Sarah provides supervision to psychologists in training and qualified psychologists, and is a lecturer in post-graduate psychology. She enjoys working with individual clients and delivering therapy in group settings.

Age groups:
• Adults
• Older adults

Therapeutic modalities:
• Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Susan is a warm and compassionate psychologist dedicated to empowering clients through a strength-based approach. She uses evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Her focus is on building skills, resilience, and insight in a supportive, collaborative environment that respects each individual’s unique journey and inner resources.

Susan works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, work stress, and life transitions with empathy and evidence-based care. Therapy focuses on developing practical skills, fostering self-awareness, and building resilience to navigate challenges and create meaningful change.

Susan creates a safe and supportive space where clients can explore challenges and take steps toward building a fulfilling, thriving life.

Susan has recently been working as a psychologist for a non-profit providing mental health and wellbeing support.

Age Groups:

• Children
• Adolescents
• Adults

Treatment Modalities

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Sarah is a Clinical Psychologist, holding a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Masters of Clinical Psychology.

Sarah collaborates with adolescents and young adults from diverse cultural backgrounds, focusing on fostering healthy and significant transformations in their lives. She has a professional interest in assisting clients who are grappling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), various mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, workplace or academic stress, interpersonal and familial challenges, tendencies towards self-harm and suicidal ideation, substance misuse and addiction, and certain personality disorders.

Sarah employs a collaborative, holistic, and person-centred approach in her therapeutic practice. She utilises a mix of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Schema Therapy (ST), and Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Sarah focuses on creating a welcoming therapeutic environment that is warm and non-confrontational, allowing clients to feel comfortable to explore their lives and experiences. Sarah believes the therapeutic relationship is integral in cultivating a safe space that promotes reflective practice and growth.

Age Groups:

• Children (10 plus)
• Adolescents
• Young Adults

Therapeutic Modalities

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT),
• Schema Therapy  (ST)
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Video:  Sarah Zhang MA(ClinPsych), BPsych (Hons), BArts

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Click to View