Our Team

Dr Natalie Shockley, BSc (Hons) PhD (Clin)

Principal & Clinical Psychologist

Natalie is an experienced clinician, having worked in adult mental health in a variety of inpatient and outpatient areas (psychiatric wards, drug and alcohol outpatient services, custodial facilities) before spending over eight years at a private practice at Capalaba. Natalie then moved to Samford and chose to open her own practice in the tranquil garden setting of the Lifestyle Centre in 2012.

Natalie regularly provides supervision to other clinicians working with dissociative disorders and complex PTSD.

Natalie has a special interest in working with highly traumatised adults who require long-term therapy. She will accept new referrals for adults or older adolescents for complex trauma-related presentations (trauma in child/adulthood, complex PTSD, Dissociative Disorders), as well as complicated bereavement (grief & loss). Natalie also often works with issues of self-harm and substance misuse, as these are common coping mechanisms for people with significant trauma histories.

Dr Claudia A. Petherick, BA (Hons), PhD, MClinPsych

Clinical Psychologist

Claudia is a Clinical Psychologist who previously worked in research for several years in the US and Australia. She believes her research background has contributed to her establishing an evidence-based practice while remaining a warm and compassionate clinician.

Claudia fundamentally believes that therapeutic success largely relies on the client-clinician relationship, which she nurtures by using humour, having unconditional positive regard and genuinely caring for the client. She also adopts various therapeutic approaches and strategies to help clients, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, among others.

Her interests encompass anxiety disorders, gender dysphoria, eating disorders, depression, self-esteem, and substance abuse, among other adult mental health issues.

Bernie Fitzgerald, BBehSc (Hons), MClinPsych

Psychologist

After completing her Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Bernie has practised as a psychologist for over 15 years, working with children, adolescents, adults and families in various settings.

She is experienced in working with a broad range of issues, including anxiety and stress, mood disorders, and trauma, especially in children and adolescents.

Bernie draws on a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy and Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P). This is complemented by a compassionate, client-centred approach tailored to the individual needs of every client. 

She is experienced in providing play-based, creative, and flexible therapies for children and young people.

Izzy Dewhurst, BBehavSc(Psych) and BBehavSc(PsychHons) 

Provisional Psychologist

Izzy is a Provisional Psychologist undertaking her two-year internship at Samford Psychology under the guidance of Dr Natalie Shockley and external supervisors.

Izzy is interested in working with people of all ages, backgrounds and identities and will apply a mixed approach using aspects of CBT, ACT and narrative therapy with the inclusion of mindfulness. She is compassionate and caring, believing a positive therapeutic relationship is the key to success.

Izzy has a particular interest in working with anxiety, depression, developmental disorders, addictions and individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Isabelle Laurent, BSc(Hons)

Provisional Psychologist

Isabelle Laurent is a Provisional Psychologist undertaking her two-year internship at Samford Psychology. Isabelle receives supervision from Dr Natalie Shockley and external supervisors.

Isabelle works with clients from all age groups, and backgrounds. She uses evidence-based approaches such as ACT and CBT to support clients to work towards their therapeutic goals. Isabelle has a warm and compassionate approach, creating a safe and non-judgemental space where clients can feel heard and understood.

Vicki Essex

Practice Manager

Our practice manager, Vicki Essex, is warm, friendly and professional, and supports our practitioners and clients at Samford Psychology.

Originally from the UK, Vicki worked as a primary school teaching assistant before moving to Australia. When not in the clinic she walks her two labradoodles, and enjoys swimming and bush walking.

Vicki will help connect you with the right therapist for your needs and will assist you with booking in and changing appointments as needed.

Feel free to call our team on 3289 2992 and have a chat about coming in to see someone as you start on your way to finding a healthier ‘you’.

Faith Smith-Haines

Receptionist

Faith provides our practitioners, clients, and our practice manager with warm, welcoming and friendly administrative support services.

When not in the clinic, Faith is studying a Bachelor of Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, watching the sunset, camping, and going to the beach.

She will help connect you with the right therapist for your needs and will assist you with booking in and changing appointments as needed.

Feel free to call our team on 3289 2992 and have a chat about coming in to see someone as you start on your way to finding a healthier ‘you’.