Private Psychiatry and mental health rooms in Canberra

Meet Dr Ahnoor Benipal, psychiatrist

Dr Ahnoor Benipal's books are open to new referrals.

Dr Ahnoor Benipal is a consultant psychiatrist with interests in the psychiatry of old age, women’s health, and neurodiversity.

Dr Benipal sees patients over 65 who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, and other mental concerns.

She has a special interest in patients with conditions of ageing, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and memory loss. Dr Benipal also sees patients under the age of 65 with mental health concerns if they also have a neurodegenerative disease or other neurological condition.   

Dr Benipal sees patients over 30 who are seeking an ADHD assessment for the first time (not previously diagnosed with ADHD by another doctor or a psychologist).

She is not seeing patients under DVA, Workcover (including icare and Comcare), or for medicolegal matters.    

Dr Benipal generally does not see patients who have eating disorders as a primary problem, or those with uncontrolled substance use issues. 

Qualifications

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)

Certificate of Advanced Training in Psychiatry of Old Age

Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Sydney

Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Biology), University of Auckland

Meet Dr Angus Finlay, psychiatrist

Dr Angus Finlay's books are open to new referrals for general psychiatry patients age 18-65, and sports psychiatry patients.

Dr Finlay is a consultant psychiatrist. He employs a thorough and individualised approach to assessment and management, working closely with people and other treating professionals to help them recover, perform at their best, and minimise disruption to their daily life.  

Dr Finlay has a strong interest in sports psychiatry, working with athletes and high-performing individuals. He also has advanced training in consultation-liaison psychiatry, which gives him particular expertise in managing concurrent mental and physical illness.  

Dr Finlay treats people experiencing a range of mental health conditions, including:

- Mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder)

- Anxiety disorders

- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

- Trauma disorders

- Eating disorders

- ADHD 

- Brain injury with associated mental health conditions  

You can send referrals to [email protected] or via efax to 02 5104 6464.

Dr Finlay sees some patients under third party insurance including:

- Workcover (including icare and Comcare)

- after vehicle accidents and covered by CTP claims

- after brain injury and covered by icare lifetime care (and similar insurance). 

Consideration on a case by case basis.

Dr Finlay is not currently seeing new patients at Waymind under DVA, or for medicolegal matters.  

Dr Finlay graduated from medicine at the University of Queensland in 2013 with first-class honours. During his specialty training, he won several awards for his contribution to mental healthcare within Canberra. 

He has completed advanced training in consultation-liaison psychiatry and holds fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. 

In his free time, he enjoys a range of sports and outdoor activities in Canberra and nearby national parks. He is also a member of the Australian Medical Association (ACT) Council.  

Qualifications

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)

Certificate of Advanced Training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

Master of Psychiatry (First Class Honours), University of Melbourne

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, First Class Honours),  University of Queensland

Bachelor Science (Biomedicine), University of Queensland

Meet Dr Daniel Heard, psychiatrist

Dr Daniel Heard's books are open to new referrals.

Dr Daniel Heard (known to his patients and colleagues as Dr Dan) is a consultant psychiatrist in Deakin, Canberra

Dr Heard has a special interest in patients over 65 and conditions of ageing, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and memory loss. 

He sees patients over 65 experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and other mental health concerns. 

He sees DVA patients over 65 only.

Dr Heard sees patients over 30 who are seeking an ADHD assessment for the first time (not previously diagnosed with ADHD by another doctor or a psychologist).

Dr Heard is not seeing patients under Workcover (including icare and Comcare), or for medicolegal matters.    

Qualifications

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)

Certificate of Advanced Training in Psychiatry of Old Age

Masters of Psychiatry (M Psych)

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Bachelor Science

Meet Dr Aerim Kim, psychiatrist

Dr Aerim Kim's books are open to new referrals.  Please note: Dr Kim is currently booked out for approximately 3 months for new patient appointments. 

Dr Aerim Kim is a consultant psychiatrist who sees patients at Waymind in Deakin, Canberra.

Dr Aerim Kim sees adult patients aged from 18-60 who have symptoms of: 

- depression & mood disorders

- stress & anxiety disorders including OCD

- psychosis

- trauma & PTSD

- Adult ADHD

- Other mental health problems

Dr Kim has interests in:

- women’s health

- holistic, person-centred, and recovery-orientated care

Dr Aerim Kim is a Korean-speaking psychiatrist in Canberra who can consult for patients in Korean (excluding Workcover and medicolegal matters).

Dr Kim generally does not see patients who have eating disorders as a primary problem, or those with uncontrolled substance use issues. 

Dr Kim is not seeing patients under DVA or Workcover (including icare and Comcare), or for medicolegal matters.

Qualifications

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) with Honours, University of Western Australia

Bachelor of Medical Science with first class Honours, Australian National University

Meet Dr Fiona Wilkes, psychiatrist

Dr Fiona Wilkes' books are open to new referrals.

Dr Fiona Wilkes is a consultant psychiatrist with interests in the psychiatry of old age, neuropsychiatry and academic psychiatry. She has a certificate of advanced training in psychiatry of old age, and a PhD in the neuroanatomy of Huntington's disease. Dr Wilkes is an honorary clinical lecturer at the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, and supervises multiple student research projects. She is also a Deputy Editor of the academic journal Australasian Psychiatry.

Dr Fiona Wilkes sees patients over 65 experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and other mental health concerns. She sees patients younger than 65 with mental health concerns if they also have a diagnosed neurodegenerative disease or other neurological condition.

Dr Wilkes also sees patients over 30 who are seeking an ADHD assessment for the first time (not previously diagnosed with ADHD by another doctor or a psychologist).

Dr Wilkes sees DVA patients over 65.

Dr Wilkes is not currently seeing patients under Workcover/icare/Comcare or for medicolegal matters.

Qualifications

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)

Certificate of Advanced Training in Psychiatry of Old Age  

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) ANU

Medicinae ac Chirurgiae, Doctoranda (MChD), ANU (post-graduate medical qualification)

Bachelor of Science (BSc), with first class honours, ANU

Meet Dr Russell Barnes, psychiatrist

Dr Russell Barnes' books are open to new referrals.

Dr Russell Barnes sees patients over the age of 18 for general psychiatry and ADHD assessment/treatment.

Dr Barnes is not currently seeing patients under Workcover/icare/Comcare or for medicolegal matters.

Qualifications

Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)

MBBS

Dr Matthew Brazel - books closed

Dr Matthew Brazel is no longer seeing patients at Waymind.

If you previously saw Dr Matthew Brazel at Waymind, please contact our team to discuss another doctor taking over your care. 

Dr Brazel is now working in public health in Queanbeyan, seeing older persons in the community.

Meet Zoe Alcorn, Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologist Zoe Alcorn is considering referrals for private neuropsychological assessments of suspected neurocognitive disorders in younger and older adults.

Zoe Alcorn is a Clinical Neuropsychologist working both privately and within The Canberra Hospital, where she assess patients with a wide range of neurological and cognitive conditions.

Zoe has also previously worked at the University of Canberra Hospital in rehabilitation, and assessed patients referred through the geriatrics-led Memory Assessment Service. Zoe completed her postgraduate neuropsychology training at the University of Melbourne.

Referrals are welcome for patients:

- presenting with changes in cognition (e.g. memory, language, executive functioning, or behaviour) including younger adults with unexplained cognitive decline

- where neuropsychological assessment may assist in clarifying the nature and cause of these difficulties.

Cognitive assessments will typically include:

- clinical interview

- cognitive testing

- detailed letter with diagnostic impressions and management recommendations

Zoe Alcorn can see patients who are covered by third party insurance such as Workcover for workplace injuries that may have affected cognition, or CTP-insured patients for injuries following car accidents.

At present Zoe Alcorn is not accepting referrals for:

- neurodevelopmental assessments

- medicolegal work

- assessments conducted solely for NDIS applications.

Meet Patrice Ford, Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist Patrice Ford is available to see new patients at Waymind.     

Patrice offers Dialectical Behaviour Therapy sessions under Medicare to patients with a referral under a mental health treatment plan or part of a shared care plan.     

Patrice Ford has completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology and has experience working with patients with a variety of mental health concerns including:  

- Complex PTSD  

- Eating disorders (e.g., ARFID and Binge eating)  

- Addiction  

- Personality Disorders (including Borderline)  

- Relationship issues (but not couples therapy)  

- Stress  

- ADHD    

These sessions allow patients to have a space to talk through any issues in their lives.   

- Work through challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, stress or interpersonal difficulties  

- Gain new perspectives on your thoughts, emotions, and experiences  

- Develop meaningful goals and take steps toward achieving them  

- Clarify what feels realistic and manageable in your current circumstances  

- Use evidence-based psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) depending on your needs.  

- Build insight into your behaviour, emotional patterns, and underlying processes

Qualifications

Master of Clinical Psychology

Meet Benjamin McTigue, Psychologist

Psychologist Benjamin McTigue is currently accepting new referrals for patients over 18.

Benjamin McTigue has completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology and has experience working with patients with a variety of mental health concerns including ADHD, ASD, depression and anxiety.

Benjamin sees patients for psychological support and ADHD CBT and coaching.

These sessions allow patients to have a space to talk through any issues in their lives.

- Address challenges associated with ADHD, anxiety and/or depression

- Get a different perspective on events and emotions

- Formulate goals and realise goals

- Plan what's realistic

- Use tools from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to achieve goals

- Understand their own behaviour and automatic patterns

Qualifications

Master of Clinical Psychology

Meet Willow Hewett-Reeves, Psychologist

Psychologist Willow Hewett-Reeves is currently accepting new referrals.

Willow offers Focused Psychological Strategies sessions under Medicare to patients with a referral under a mental health treatment plan or part of a shared care plan.

Willow's background is in public health, working with the Older Persons Community mental health team, and she has recently started seeing patients in private practice.

Willow works with adults presenting with issues including but not limited to:

 - depression

 - anxiety

 - trauma

 - workplace stress

 - grief and loss

Willow has a particular interest in working with older adults and has over ten years’ experience in the Older Persons Mental Health Community Team. 

Willow uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) modalities in her approach with patients.

At this stage Willow is not accepting referrals for children, couples therapy or where the primary presenting diagnosis is an eating disorder or substance use disorder.

Meet Tania Mathewson, Dietitian

Dietitian Tania Mathewson is currently accepting new referrals

Tania Mathewson is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Nutritionist (AN) who is passionate  about nourishing your mind, body and brain.  

There is strong emerging evidence to link a healthy gut microbiome with favourable health  outcomes. What you eat will affect the composition of your gut microbiome and therefore its ability  to promote positive health outcomes and disease prevention. 

These identified diseases include:  inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and  mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s  dementia and Parkinson’s disease.  

I am passionate about the gut-brain mood relationship. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is one of the most studied dietary patterns in the world and is prescribed for many chronic diseases including mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and ADHD. 

The Mediterranean diet is characterized by whole plant foods such as vegetables,  fruit, wholegrains and healthy unsaturated fats which excludes ultra processed foods. This dietary  pattern supports healthy gut microbiomes and a reduction in the risk and progression of chronic  diseases. A diet high in sugar, saturated fat and sodium is associated with an imbalance of healthy  gut communities and a heightened risk of chronic disease.  

If worry is in control of your life, or you have difficulties organising and planning healthy meals, or you eat out of boredom, or forget to eat because you are so focused on a task, please consider making an  appointment with me. 

Qualifications

Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Nutritionist (AN)   

Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Canberra. 

Bachelor of Science, Graduate Diploma of Education (Science), Graduate Diploma of Science Communication, and Graduate Diploma of Nutritional Science.