Welcome

Dr Melanie Turner is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who works in private practice and is the director of her Norwood based practice – MCPP.
Mel sees children 0 to 18 who are referred by their doctor for her psychiatry input, including medication based treatment as well as psychotherapy.  She also has a special interest in transgender work, developmental disorders including Autism and anxiety disorders in children. Before being a doctor Mel completed a degree in toxicology and had an interest in pharmacology.
Mel also completed her Doctor of Philosophy, PhD at Adelaide Uni in 2015 in the School of Psychology which was research with parents of babies in intensive care.
Mel really enjoys working with children and their families, and helping them through the challenging parts of their lives.  Her goal for her practice is that everyone feels cared for, unique and understood and that although coming to see a psychiatrist is stressful, that through seeking help that the children and their families move onto a brighter path.

Our website hopes to help add to your experience with us, and assist you in finding the right information the first time.

Dr Natalie Mills achieved a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) through her time at The University of Queensland, focused on the role of inflammatory markers in depression in Adolescents.

She is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide, where she teaches medical students, and focuses her research on Depression and Anxiety.

Before her work in Psychiatry, she worked as a General Practitioner for several years, and is now focusing on her special interest in anxiety disorders in children, and adolescents.

“BA (Adv) BA (Hons I) MBBS (Syd) FRANZCP
Julian graduated from Medicine at the University of Sydney, after studying English Literature and Philosophy there as an undergraduate. He trained in Psychiatry at various hospitals in Sydney including Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Westmead Hospital.

Julian is happy to take referrals for individuals between ages of 17 and 25, who:

⁃       Have complex, severe and treatment-resistant mood or anxiety disorders
⁃       Have a psychotic disorder
⁃       Require transitioning from CAMHS to adult psychiatric care
⁃       Require assessment for, or ongoing treatment for, ADHD (clinicians who wish to refer for an ADHD assessment should contact reception for more information regarding referral requirements, prior to sending a referral )

Julian does not perform diagnostic assessments for individuals suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but is very happy to see individuals who have been previously diagnosed with ASD.

Separately, Julian is happy to see women of all ages during the pregnancy and post-partum period.

Julian has admitting rights to The Adelaide Clinic and the Kahlyn Day Centre.

Dr Koorush Kalani

MBBS, FRANZCP

Dr Koorush Kalani is a general adult Psychiatrist, who is Western Australian raised and educated. He completed his medical degree at the University of Western Australia, and went on to attain his postgraduate fellowship in Psychiatry, working across a range of psychiatric settings across metropolitan Perth as well as rural and remote WA. He has recently moved to Adelaide and is looking forward to working at the MCP&P Clinic.

Koorush takes an empathetic and holistic approach to mental illness, and focuses on working collaboratively not just with clients, but also with their family members and other health care professionals.

He is happy to take referrals for individuals aged 18-65, and has a special interest in a range of depressive and anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, as well as schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. He is available for both diagnostic assessments and ongoing management.

At this stage, Dr Kalani does not offer diagnosis or treatment of ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder, and is not available for medicolegal assessments.

Amelia is a Clinical Psychologist who helps to support optimal development and resilience in children and young people so that they can overcome challenges and thrive. Amelia has a fun, creative and sensitive approach to therapy and enjoys building a trusting relationship with the young people and families she works with.

Amelia can help with a range of developmental, emotional, social, learning and behavioural difficulties. Her approach is based on a developmental framework and evidence-based interventions, including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, mindfulness, play therapy, and positive behaviour support. Amelia works flexibly and uses a variety of mediums and resources that help your child engage and get the most out of therapy.

Amelia is passionate about strengthening the family system in which a child grows, particularly through enhancing parent wellbeing and confidence. She works with parents at any stage of parenthood (from the perinatal period through to raising adolescents) to strengthen understanding, coping skills and capacity to tune-in and connect with their child’s emotional and developmental needs. This can often have the most meaningful impact on a child’s development and resilience.

Steve has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, and commenced working as a child psychologist in 2000. While Steve has worked across all ages, he works primarily with school aged children (8-14 years). He specialises in the treatment of childhood anxiety, including: generalised anxiety; phobias; school refusal; performance anxiety; anxiety-related sleep disturbance; and trauma. Steve uses a strengths-based approach to treatment, tapping into and building upon each child’s natural resilience.

Cherie is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years experience in working with children with developmental, neurological, behavioural and social difficulties.

Cherie brings an individualised approach to her work with children, young people and, when appropriate, with parents, school staff and other professionals, so that advice and strategies can be provided on how best a particular child can be assisted and supported. Cherie has a unique ability to connect with children and through her warm, non-judgmental approach, is able to develop genuine and trusting relationships with her clients.

In her therapeutic work Cherie works with clients using cognitive behaviour therapy and acceptance & commitment therapy, enhanced with play therapy approaches.  She has a special interest in working with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Friendship and Social Skills
• Emotional Regulation Difficulties
• Anxiety Disorders, including generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder
• Depression and mood difficulties
• Gender Dysphoria
• Transition to High School
• School refusal
• Sleep difficulties
• Adjustment difficulties following parental divorce or separation
• Parenting skills and behaviour management support

In addition, Cherie undertakes assessments to identify learning difficulties, giftedness, behaviour challenges and developmental disorders.

Hayley is a registered Mental Health Social Worker (MSW), teacher and therapist. Through the use of Relational Narrative practices and an integrated therapeutic approach, she provides psychotherapy services to children and their families, adolescents and adults.  They work together to research the context of concerns or problems and develop resources that support young people and their families to respond to these concerns.

A significant part of Hayley’s work is consulting with children, young people and adults who are responding to experiences of sexual abuse, violence, or the effects of other traumatic injuries. This area of work has been a long standing interest of hers. Hayley Johnston also has a special interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds including people from a refugee background.

Further to this she consults with people in relation to a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to:

• Trauma and abuse
• Sexual abuse/violence
• Relationship difficulties
• Effects of domestic violence
• Mental health concerns including anxiety, depression and self harm
• Experiences of injustice, discrimination and disconnection
• Children and families involved in the child protection system or under the guardianship of the minister.
• Parents/carers with concerns regarding their child’s behaviour or wellbeing
• Children and young people engaging in sexually harmful behaviours
• Young people involved in the youth justice system
• Effects of female genital mutilation and human trafficking