We’re a place especially designed for young people, where mental health needs can be addressed as things come up. Because we are a private service, we can offer flexible, ongoing sessions.

All of our trained and professional team are devoted to the unique challenges that young people face. We understand emotions and responses are often heightened during high levels of change. High stress periods including high school, exams, relationship difficulties, emerging sexuality, starting uni or fulltime work can be tough. We can provide you with the best strategies to tackle these head on.

All our therapists are skilled and experienced at supporting people experiencing Depression and Anxiety.

Our team have special interest areas and we encourage you to request the person you feel is the best fit. The great thing is, once you find the therapist that’s right for you, they are in it with you for the long haul.

Our practice has a focus on 12-25 year olds, however we are able to see adults of all ages should you feel we are the right service for you. We are unable to see clients younger than 10 at this practice and encourage you to look for a service with resources and expertise in children’s needs should your little one require therapy.

 Meet Gemma

Gemma Downie is the founder of Lit Therapy and a registered psychologist with over 20 of years’ experience in the mental health sector. 

Gemma works primarily with: Parents and young adults, social anxiety, self harm and suicidal thoughts, Eating Disorders, and trauma. Ages 12+

Types of therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT and CBT-E), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), EMDR, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), MANTRA and Family Based Therapy.

Gemma’s personality is: Friendly, open and pretty direct. You’ll enjoy working with Gemma if you like practical solutions and don’t mind a straight talker.

Just out of interest: Gemma has 4 teenage kids at home, a dog and a three legged cat.

Availability: Gemma works Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Cockburn and Wednesday and Friday at Hillarys.

Meet Sheri

Sheri McDonald is a Registered Psychologist with extensive experience working with young people at risk of dropping out of education.  She has supported young people experiencing severe mental illness providing emotional and mental health interventions so they can reach their training, employment, and life goals.

Sheri works primarily with: Neurodiverse individuals, supporting those with ADHD and Autistic traits, Tweens, anxiety, depression, anger management, self-esteem and school refusal. Ages 10+

Types of therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Sheri’s personality is: Extroverted and a tad histrionic! She loves being around people and really getting to understand young people.

Just out of interest: Sheri’s an 80’s and 90’s music tragic

Availability: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at Cockburn

 Meet Ali

Ali Hubbard is a Registered Psychologist endorsed in the area of Clinical Psychology.  She has worked for many years as a school psychologist before entering into private practice for the last 6 years. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults with a range of presenting issues. 

Ali works primarily with: Trauma, Anxiety/Dep, perfectionism, self harm and suicidal thoughts and grief. Ages 12+

Types of therapy: Schema, EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),  and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Ali’s personality is: Relaxed and a little bubbly. She enjoys meeting new people and getting to know her clients’ unique personalities and stories.

Just out of interest: Ali is from a family of 10, she is the youngest of 7 brothers and sisters.

Availability: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Cockburn

 Meet Kathryn

Kathryn is a Registered Psychologist endorsed in the area of Clinical Psychology and has been working as a psychologist since 2011. She has worked with people across the life span with various mental health conditions and has previously worked for the Western Australian Police Force and a care school, primarily in assessing and diagnosing mental health disorders.

Kathryn works primarily with: Depression, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, stress and trauma in first responders and emergency personnel, grief, and relationship difficulties. Works with ages 10+

Types of therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Schema Therapy

Kathryn’s personality is: loyal, warm, relatable, nonjudgmental, and friendly

Just out of interest: Kathryn loves being outdoors in nature and CrossFit

Availability: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Cockburn

 Meet Sam

Sam Parsons is a Registered Psychologist with experience working with young people in schools and employment services. She has worked in primary and high schools in regional and remote areas in the north and south of WA, supporting a diverse range of young people and their families. She has experience working with clients with complex needs including mental health difficulties, disability, and other learning and behavioural challenges. Sam delivers client-focused interventions and understands the importance of having a strong and warm therapeutic relationship.

Sam works primarily with: Young people (10+), with difficulties around Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, social skills and relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.

Types of therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), : Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Sam’s personality is: Friendly and thoughtful, loves meeting new people and enjoys getting to understand young people and the issues they face, but also enjoys time alone to reflect on new ideas and different ways of approaching things

Just out of interest: Sam is still a young person at heart, and still has her lava lamp collection from high school

Availability: Tuesday evenings and Friday at Cockburn.

 Meet Rachel

Rachel is registered psychologist with over 10 years experience working with adolescents in school settings and adults in private practice.

Rachel works primarily with: Primarily works with people experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, depression, suicidal ideation, and relationship difficulties. Ages 10+.

Types of therapy: CBT, ACT, DBT and Solution focused therapy

Rach’s personality is: Relaxed, warm and open. She enjoys getting to know her clients and providing a safe and supportive environment.

Just out of interest: Rachel enjoys adrenaline activities, the outdoors, and is an aspiring chef.

Availability: Thursday afternoon only at Cockburn

 Meet Nicole

Nicole is a Provisional Psychologist and has studied and worked in the areas of child development and families since 2003. She has worked as a counsellor with young people and families for the last 10 years and is currently completed her professional requirements for psychology.

Nicole works primarily with: Grief, Sexual health including dysfunction, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Gender identity, Parenting support, Relationships and Eating Disorders. Works with ages 10+

Types of therapy: Integrative approach with a range of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Thearpy (CBT), Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Nicole’s personality is: Chill and practical

Just out of interest: Nicole plays netball and really, really really likes elephants.

Availability: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at Hillarys

 Meet Jem

Jem is a Provisional Psychologist. She has over 6 years of clinical university studies and has worked in a variety of government sectors. She aims to provide a safe space for clients to feel heard and understood. She is experienced in obsessive-compulsive disorder, body image concerns, perfectionism, complex trauma, PTSD and adjustment disorder.

Jem works primarily with: OCD, Complex Trauma, self harm, Personality Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, and body image concerns. Works with ages 12+

Types of therapy: Integrative approach with a range of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Thearpy (CBT), Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and EMDR.

Jem’s personality is: Friendly and gentle. She is a ray of sunshine.

Just out of interest: Jem has worked for Lit in a Reception role for over 2 years!

Availability: Tuesday and Wednesday at Hillarys

Meet Tania

Tania is our amazing Admin support. She has loads of experience in making sure we respond to clients quickly and keeping us organised.

Tania’s personality is: Friendly, efficient and calm.