Our Adult Psychology Specialists
Dr Michelle Darragh
Psychologist / Director
Dr Michelle is a senior Psychologist with 20 years experience working in various industries. Ex-Army Psychologist, she has also worked in Senior Management roles and in multinationals including in Vietnam. Her expertise is particularly valuable for those who have been exposed to trauma, difficulties or suffering from their pasts, work challenges, and those in leadership positions.
PTSD, Trauma and Childhood Events
Michelle has a particular interest in working with those who have suffered from traumatic events, whether earlier in life, in the workpace, or elsewhere. She has experience in working with people who have suffered significant burns and life-threatening health conditions, PTSD, childhood traumas, EMDR and Schema Therapy.
Michelle is qualified to use the recognised gold-standard trauma therapies, according to the World Health Organisation and the Australian Psychological Society.
Defence, Police and Other Services
A former Commissioned Officer and Psychologist in the Australian Army Reserves, Michelle has an understanding of the challenges for defence and emergency services personnel, and helps these clients with post ADF/service life adjustments as well as post-traumatic stress.
Michelle is a preferred provider to the Queensland Police Service members through QPS Self-Refer. As SelfRefer is now open the State Emergency Service (SES) and Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ), Michelle is able to offer services to current members of QPS, SES and MRQ under this program.
Michelle also has experience helping other front-line service providers exposed to traumatic events or struggling with other aspects of their lives.
Executive Stress Management
As a former organisational senior leader, Michelle understands the unique challenges facing executives and high performing people, when a confidant is required. She has practiced in both national and international settings – helping both individuals and organisations. Michelle has held board positions herself, as well as providing confidant support for senior executives.
Michelle has also been involved in several entrepreneurial ventures and understands the difference between stress that drives high performers and stress that can stop us in our tracks. She is down-to-earth and solution focused.
Education and Credentials
Michelle has a life long passion for personal improvement and a committed to excellence. She continues to leverage this passion for education and knowledge in her daily work as a Psychologist in Graceville.
Michelle is a qualified Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioner, and also offers Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy.
Doctor of Psychology (Organisational: Leadership focus)
Monash University
Master of Clinical Psychology (with Distinction)
University of Southern Qld
BSc in Science (Honours Psychology)
University of Sydney
Evidence-based Therapies
Vicki is a dedicated and patient psychologist committed to assisting individuals with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and stress, and also works with adults experiencing grief, life-changing events, racing thoughts, low self-esteem, insomnia, minor substance misuse, post-natal depression, and mood disruption that often accompanies peri and post menopausal women. Known for her sincere and collaborative approach, Vicki understands the significant challenges these conditions present and employs personalised, evidence-based strategies in her therapy. She is focused on empowering her clients to create meaningful changes in their lives, enabling them to achieve greater happiness and fulfilment.
Vicki integrates components of various evidence-based therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy, to provide a comprehensive and flexible approach to treatment. Throughout her strategies, Vicki's rapport with clients remains professional yet personable, ensuring a respectful and supportive therapeutic environment. Vicki's commitment in these modalities allows her to tailor interventions to the unique needs of each client, ensuring they receive the most effective support to enhance their mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Unrelenting Anxiety
Vicki is a fully registered Psychologist and a Clinical Psychology Registrar with advanced training, allowing her to skillfully support clients navigating multiple challenges at the same time.
Your anxiety may be generalised (all the time!), specific to a situation, or it appears in full force when ‘triggered’ or reminded of a situation. You may or may not know where it comes from, and might have some skills at managing it, or none at all. It may be causing you moments of panic, sleepless nights, avoidance of life or freezing in the moment. Let Vicki help you gain back some control.
Isolation
Vicki has a particular interest in working with people who feel isolated. Many people find themselves feeling like this, even if they are surrounded by people! Whether you feel isolate due to being ‘different’ or you don’t wish to be a burden, Vicki understands and has strategies to help.
New Australians and migrants: Vicki has particular expertise working with those from non-English speaking backgrounds, and this has equipped her with a deep understanding of the unique challenges these individuals often encounter. Their issues are not only isolation, but cultural adjustment, stress and grief may also be of concern. Vicki’s approach is sensitive to these challenges, ensuring a supportive environment that acknowledges and addresses the specific needs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Education and Credentials
Vicki is a fully registered Psychologist and a Clinical Psychology Registrar with advanced training, allowing her to skillfully support clients navigating multiple challenges at the same time. Her goal is to help clients break through mental barriers and discover contentment and joy in their lives.
Master of Clinical Psychology
University of Southern Queensland
Master of Professional Psychology
University of Southern Qld
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Griffith University
Phillippa Sison
Psychologist
Phillippa is a highly skilled and experienced Psychologist who works with children, adolescents and adults. She has a passion for empowering individuals to achieve holistic well-being. Phillippa is client centred and collaborative in her approach, and uses evidence-based techniques for targeted and effective care.
Holistic Well-being and Positive Parenting Program
Phillippa is a dedicated Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar, driven by her passion for empowering individuals across the lifespan to achieve holistic well-being.
Phillippa's professional repertoire and interests are diverse. As a mother of two young children, she has experienced and studied parenting practices cross-culturally. She is an accredited facilitator of the Circle of Security attachment-based parenting program and a Level 4 Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) provider.
Other areas of keen clinical interest include neurodivergence, mindfulness-based therapies, psychological treatments for chronic pain, and innovative mind-body approaches such as walk & talk therapy.
All Stages of Life
In her clinical practice, Phillippa warmly welcomes diverse clients across all stages of life—children, adolescents, and adults—addressing a spectrum of issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, complex trauma, grief, work stress, perinatal mental health, and interpersonal challenges. She is experienced in conducting cognitive and functional assessments for ADHD, ASD, and specific learning disorders.
Therapeutic Style
Phillippa's therapeutic style is characterized by its client-centred, collaborative, and empathic nature. Drawing from a rich tapestry of life experiences, including many years spent immersed in diverse cultures abroad, training in traditional meditative practices, Phillippa endeavours to provide an environment of compassion, trust, openness, authenticity, and understanding.
Her interventions are informed by evidence-based techniques including EMDR, CBT, ACT, DBT, Schema therapy and mindfulness-based approaches, ensuring that each client receives targeted, effective care. Her approach values wisdom, practicality, and a genuine belief in the transformative potential of the therapeutic alliance.
Phillippa’s goal is to help clients discover new pathways to growth, empowerment, and a life enriched with insight and purpose.
Education and Credentials
Phillippa is a dedicated Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar, driven by her passion for empowering individuals across the lifespan to achieve holistic well-being. Phillippa holds a first-class honours degree in psychology from the University of Queensland, where she was recognised as the highest-achieving student in her cohort and was awarded the APS Prize.
Bachelor of Psychology (First Class Honours)
University of Queensland
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Monash University
Masters Degree in Professional and Clinical Psychology
University of Southern Queensland
Safwan Rafeeque
Receptionist
Safwan is a warm and intelligent receptionist. He works part-time, but is diligent in returning calls and emails as far as possible by the next business day. He does his best to help find session times that suit our clients, and to answer any questions one may have.
Collaboration and Support
Safwan is a critical part of the team at Unburden Psychology - he is our part-time receptionist committed to helping clients get timely sessions! He recently completed his Bachelor of Behavioural Science at UQ and is now pursuing a Masters of Counselling. Beyond academics, Safwan enjoys playing volleyball, spending quality moments with loved ones, and exploring his passion for cinema.
Working at Unburden Psychology clinic is particularly enriching for Safwan due to its supportive and compassionate environment. The clinic fosters a culture where every team member is valued and encouraged to grow both personally and professionally. There's a strong emphasis on collaboration, which allows the team to combine their diverse backgrounds and expertise to provide comprehensive care to their clients.
Safwan is committed to helping and supporting everyone who enters the doors of Unburden Psychology.
Education and Credentials
Masters of Counselling (Currently studying)
University of Queensland
Bachelor of Behavioural Science
University of Queensland
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