About us
Our team
Dr Khristin Highet
Clinical Psychologist
B.Psych(Hons) D.Psych(Clin) MAAPi
Khristin is a dedicated and compassionate psychologist who sees children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Having worked in both public and private sectors, she has a wide range of experience in providing both short-term (solution-focused brief interventions) and longer term support. Khristin works with a variety of presenting issues including Depression, Anxiety, trauma, relationship issues and sexual problems, LGBTIQA+ associated issues, weight loss and health change, chronic pain, fatigue and adjustment associated with particular medical conditions (e.g., Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Lupus, Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis), and work-related stress.
Khristin also has strong background in specialist employee assistance services, as well the areas of leadership, performance and relationship coaching assisting those who wish to improve in self development and empowerment, mindset, influence and interpersonal effectiveness. Outside of her work with individuals, Khristin is an experienced speaker and presenter, lecturer and group training facilitator.
Khristin tailors her approach to each individual using a range of frameworks including CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and coaching techniques.
Dr Paul Dawson
Clinical Psychologist
B.Psych(Hons) M.Psych(Clin) MAPS CCLIN
Dr Paul Dawson is a late career Psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience. He has worked in both public and private settings as a senior clinician. Paul enjoys working with clients individually and in groups, as well as providing psychological expertise to support other professionals through supervision and consultation. He has experience of a range of mental health and behavioural issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, complex trauma, OCD, ADHD, psychosis, bipolar affective disorder, personality disorders, relationship difficulties, communication problems and neuro-developmental issues.
Paul will create a comfortable and non-judgmental space for you to explore and understand your goals. He is able to draw on a range of evidence-based therapies to tailor treatment to your needs. Respectful, honest, and inherently curious, Paul will work alongside you to change unhelpful patterns and instil new strategies for managing challenging thoughts and emotions.
Ms Helen Paraskevopoulos
Psychologist
B.A. (Psych), Dip App Psych., (Grad) Dip Hyp., Graduate Certificate in Management, MAPS
Helen is a registered psychologist of 30 years, working in both clinical and organisational psychology as a clinician, consultant and manager.
She has worked in the private and public sectors with large and small corporations, government departments and not for profit organisations. Helen has extensive experience in the fields of mental health, work-related issues, trauma, psychological first aid, employee assistance programs and coaching. Her particular areas of interest include depression, anxiety, family and couples counselling, grief and loss. With a strong background in work-related issues she also has particular interest in mental health in the workplace, leadership development and coaching and specialist employee assistance services.
Helen uses a range of treatment approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Solution focussed therapy and Coaching techniques. Her treatment approaches are evidence-based and responsive to the individual needs of her clients.
Ms Melanie Weeks
Clinical Psychologist
GradDipPsychSc, BHealthSc(Honours), MPsych(Clin), MAPS, CCLIN
Mel works on the basis that a strong, compassionate therapeutic alliance forms the foundation of effective therapy. She enjoys working with adults (old and young) who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, chronic health conditions and issues with adjustment to unexpected and difficult life circumstances. Mel has a particular interest working with adults with health, eating, weight and body image concerns. She also enjoys working with individuals looking to make changes to their lifestyle to achieve better health outcomes.
Mel has extensive experience working with individuals who are considering, preparing for, or adjusting to life after bariatric surgery (a specialty known as bariatric psychology). Mel individualises her approach according to each client's needs and presentation, drawing from her training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
In addition to working in private practice Mel has worked in both public and private hospitals across Adelaide working with adults with acute mental health presentations and chronic physical health conditions.
Mel completed her undergraduate and postgraduate training in Adelaide and has since completed additional supervision and training to gain endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.
Ms Danica Gregory
Clinical Psychologist
M. Psych (Clin), B. Psych Sci (Hons), MAAPI
Danica is an open-minded and caring clinical psychologist who is dedicated to providing a safe space for people to discover and explore their authentic self. She provides therapy for adults and has evening and weekend appointments available.
Danica takes a trauma-informed approach to her work and is passionate about supporting and empowering people to heal and improve the quality of their lives. She aims to help people better understand their emotions and learn to manage long-term patterns in relationships, including overcoming social anxiety and co-dependency. Danica works with a variety of client issues such as anxiety, depression, adjustment to lifestyle changes, trauma, personality disorders, and complex grief. Her work is non-pathologising and recognises that not all issues require labels.
Danica provides a safe space for LGBTQIA+ clients and has experience working with clients of all genders, sexual orientations, and relationship styles. She takes a neuro-affirming approach to working with clients, and has an interest in supporting adults who are exploring their neuro-type through screening for autism/ADHD, late diagnosis, unpacking and challenging stigma, and improving self-acceptance.
Danica values collaboration, learning, and self-discovery in therapy. She takes an individualised approach which draws upon evidence-based approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, and schema therapy. Her work incorporates attachment theory and self-compassion approaches.
Existing clients can book online to see Danica here:
Ms Gabi Soeffky
Psychologist
BA. (Psych) Dip App Psych. B. Soc Admin (Grad) Dip Hyp.
Gabi is a committed and professional psychologist with extensive experience and training in the fields of mental health, employee assistance programs and disability. She has worked in both the private and public sectors in a range of settings.
With experience and special interest in working with post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, grief, depression and stress management, Gabi uses a range of modes of treatment including interpersonal therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She places high value on empathy, respect, privacy and trust in her relationships with clients.
Mr Matthew Nikic
Clinical Psychologist
B.Health Sc. (Hons) M.Psych(Clin)
Matthew Nikic has gained a reputation as an eclectic and compassionate clinical psychologist specialising in the treatment of depression, anxiety and unresolved trauma. With advanced training in a number of treatment modalities (including EMDR, Compassion Focussed Therapy, body-centred approaches, mindfulness, ACT and CBT), Matt is able to tailor a unique course of treatment for each individual client.
Ms Sue Priest
Clinical Social Worker
B.Arts, B. Social Admin., Member of AASW, Ministerial Appointee to SA Council of Reproductive Technology
Sue Priest has over 43 years as a Clinical Social Worker, working in both government and non-government agencies and over the last 10 years in private practice. She has a passion for supporting her clients to build resilience through adding to their psychological 'toolbox' and utilising both Solution-Focused and Cognitive-Behavioural strategies. Sue also has expertise working with both adults and children in areas such as parenting, parent-child conflict, anxiety management and emotional self-regulation. She is also proficient in providing counselling for matters such as grief and loss through bereavement, relationship breakdowns and workplace change and conflict. She also offers counselling regarding complexities surrounding post-adoption support.
Sue has worked in the Child Protection and Education Departments, in the areas of individual counselling and program development specialising in anger management and promoting resilience. Sue was the Executive Officer of the SA and NT Intercountry Adoption Agency and later the Western Programme Manager for the Parenting Network in Child, Youth and Women's Health which focussed on support for vulnerable families.
Sue has also worked for various companies providing therapy in their Employee Assistance Programs. Here she has provided workplace injury support, trauma and critical incident counselling and trauma debriefs. She has been particularly passionate about supporting people in rural and remote communities, especially in the Eyre Peninsula and now in Kangaroo Island.
Jemima
Practice Manager
Jemima is our caring and diligent Practice Manager who joined the practice in May 2022. Jemima has completed Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and is planning on pursuing further study to become a clinical psychologist. With her friendly demeanor and extensive knowledge, Jemima is able to support you in navigating all the adminstrative aspects of your psychological care.
Jemima will be happy to assist with any questions, whether that is over the phone, via email, or in person. This includes any inquiries regarding scheduling, referrals, mental health care plans, fees, consultations, and billings. Additionally, Jemima can help liase with Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, NDIS, Return to Work SA, GPs and other health practitioners.
Emily
Administration Assistant
Emily, our friendly and approachable administrative assistant is committed to ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience for you. Whether it's guiding you through the referral process, explaining mental health care plans, answering questions about fees and billing, or helping you schedule appointments, Emily is dedicated to making your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With a genuine passion for mental health care and psychology, Emily has completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with aspirations to become a clinical psychologist.
A letter to our clients...
With regard to our clinical specialisations, our Principal Psychologist facilitates training and supervision for the International Society of Schema Therapy, the leading international body committed to the research, practice and development of Schema Therapy worldwide. She supports psychologists achieve higher accreditation as Schema Therapists with the ISST and is a prolific public speaker on the subject of childhood trauma and Schema Therapy.
In addition, members of our team also provide supervision for registrar psychologists undertaking the Clinical Registrar Program to obtain endorsement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority. Furthermore, our psychologists are well known for undertaking lecturing roles for tertiary institutions with the objective of disseminating their vast knowledge to help educate and train the psychologists of tomorrow. As such, our experience and knowledge-base far surpasses standard levels of psychological practice.
Several of our highly-experienced psychologists are also proficient in the areas of organisational coaching and consultancy and have been pivotal in the development and implementation of Employee Assistance Programs across government and non-government sectors. Our psychologists can provide exceptional organisational and personal interventions for employees and executives seeking self-development, leadership support, team cohesion programs, and executive coaching.
What makes Adelaide Psychology Partners stand out from the crowd is indeed our highly experienced and compassionate team who embed their craft in both high levels of clinical expertise and rich life experiences. You will be guaranteed a clinician who understands you from both the head and the heart!
Our clinicians would be privileged to stand by your side and support you through your journey to wellness, recovery, and self-enhancement. We will provide you with a soft place to fall and strong hands to guide you, always from a foundation of collaboration and empathy. We would be delighted to open our hearts and minds to you on your journey to recovery. We look forward to making a significant difference in your life.
Yours sincerely,
The team at Adelaide Psychology Partners
Child Safe Environment Policy
Children and young people have a right to be safe and protected at all times, including when accessing services in the community. The Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 requires certain organisations to provide a child-safe environment. At Adelaide Psychology Partners, our staff and practitioners are committed to the safety, protection and well-being of children and young people. Our Child Safe Environments policy was written to demonstrate the strong commitment of our organisation to the safety of children and young people and establishing and maintaining child-safe and child-friendly environments. We aim to create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where all children and young people are respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Click below to see our full policy and code of conduct.