Meet the Carlton Team

Catherine Pihema
Clinical Psychologist



Key Areas of Practice:

  • Depression and Low Mood
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Phobias
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Stressful Life Transitions
  • Stress and Burnout
  • Grief and Loss
  • Low Self-Worth
  • Anger Issues
  • Personality Issues

Catherine’s career in clinical psychology reflects her diverse interests and caring personality. Her experience has equipped her to practice with both sensitivity and safety to one’s culture and/or diversity needs. She takes a non-judgmental, warm, and client centered approach, ensuring she creates a setting in which her clients feel safe to be vulnerable without judgement. She ensures her clients’ goals guide the therapy by working collaboratively and by valuing input and feedback. Catherine works to empower clients with an understanding of their difficulties before developing a shared treatment plan of skills to meet their goals.

As a Clinical Psychologist, Catherine employs only evidence-based interventions and is able to personalise and tailor therapy to the client in the room. Her predominant treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Committment Therapy and she draws from skills from various other evidence based approaches.

Catherine has worked with children, adolescents and adults across a variety of contexts, including working with survivors of sexual assaul, child care and protection services, and offence-related work within the New Zealand justice system. Catherine has also worked with Māori (indigenous) children, adolescents, and families, providing mental health support. Catherine currently also works in a senior role in a Forensic setting in Melbourne.

Catherine’s professional interests include depression and low mood, anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation, and the navigation of difficult life events/ transitions. She is passionate about providing clients with an understanding of their difficulties and empowering them through tools to live the life they want to live.

Joanne J. W. Toh
Clinical Psychologist

Key Areas of Practice:

  • Mood & Anxiety Disorders
  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Perfectionism
  • Low Self-Worth
  • Postnatal and perinatal depression
  • Stressful Life Transitions
  • Grief & Loss

Joanne is a compassionate psychologist who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology. With a wide range of experience working with individuals of all ages, from youth to older adults, Joanne is dedicated to helping clients navigate their mental health challenges.

Her professional interests include depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar affective disorder, stress management, trauma, grief, and difficulties with emotional regulation. She has a passion for working with clinical issues and, additionally, with individuals aiming to enhance their overall well-being.

Throughout her career, Joanne has gained valuable experience working in schools, private hospitals, and public community mental health settings. This diverse background has equipped her with a deep understanding of the unique needs and circumstances individuals face.

Creating a safe and supportive therapy environment is Joanne’s utmost priority. She aims to provide a space where clients can explore their strengths, difficulties, and concerns. By focusing on collaboration and respect, Joanne ensures that therapy is a collaborative process that honours her clients’ individual experiences and goals.

In her practice, Joanne utilises evidence-based treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. These therapeutic modalities have been proven effective and are tailored to address her clients’ unique needs.

AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002257931

BA(PSYCHOLOGY), BPSYCHSCIENCE (HONS), MPSYCH (CLINICAL)

Dr Stephanie Fernandez
Registered Psychologist, Clinical & Forensic Psychology Registrar

Key Areas of Practice:

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Mood Disorders (Bipolar Affective Disorder & Major Depression)
  • OCD and Phobias
  • Personality Disorders
  • Relationship Issues
  • Alcohol and Substance Use

Dr Stephanie Fernandez is a highly skilled and compassionate registered psychologist dedicated to helping adults of all ages overcome their mental health challenges. With her warm and friendly demeanour, she creates a safe and supportive space where clients can gain valuable insights and work towards lasting change.

Stephanie adopts a client-centered, non-judgmental approach, placing clients unique needs and goals at the forefront of therapy. She draws on a range of evidence-based treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, interpersonal therapy, and schema-informed therapy. By tailoring her approach to suit clients’ individual circumstances, she ensures that they receive personalised and effective care.

Her clinical expertise covers a wide range of areas, including depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, personality disorders, and anger management. Additionally, she is skilled in providing support for stress management, forensic mental health issues, grief, and difficulties with emotional regulation. She has a passion for making use of best practice psychological techniques to guide clients on their journey to emotional well-being and personal growth.

Beyond her professional commitments, Stephanie enjoys travel, exploring nature, and indulging in her culinary skills.

AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002268950

Dr Emily Stevenson
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist

Dr Emily Stevenson is a psychologist with a doctoral degree in clinical and forensic psychology. She is available to complete pre-sentence court reports.

Dr Simon Vincenzi
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist


Key Areas of Practice:

  • OCD & Phobias
  • Mood disorders (Bipolar and Depression)
  • Social and Performance Anxiety
  • Personality Disorders
  • Relationship Issues
  • Anger Management

Simon has been practicing psychology since 2010. He has a wide range of experience working with adults and adolescents with anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, sleep problems, bipolar affective disorder, and anger management. After completing the Doctorate of Clinical and Forensic Psychology at Monash University, he has worked at Monash Medical Centre, The Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Swinburne University, and the Acute Assessment Unit at MAP.

Simon takes a person-centred and non-judgemental approach to therapy, while using only evidence-based treatment. As a clinical psychologist, he specialises in tailoring therapy to clients’ individual treatment needs. He is trained in using Schema Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Simon has a passion for helping people succeed within difficult circumstances, and providing them with the tools to live a rich, full, and meaningful life with self-assurance.