We differ from other practices in several ways. At Basten and Associates:

• we are all clinical psychologists with post-graduate clinical training.
• We have enough specialists in different conditions, so you will find the right psychologist to work with you.
• Our clinicians are committed to  staying up to date with research into the causes and treatments of common conditions.
• We only use treatments that have a known basis of evidence showing them to be effective. We then adapt and tailor these treatments to each individual after a thorough assessment.

By creating a supportive and confidential environment we are able to work productively with every client to enable them to share their concerns, explore their issue and seek powerful solutions.

Our Staff

SARAH RUBENSTEIN   B.Psych (Hons), M.Psych (Clinical)

Sarah is a Clinical Psychology Registrar who completed her Master of Clinical Psychology and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the University of New South Wales. Sarah has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with a range of presentations, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, all eating disorders, perfectionism and low self-worth, and other stress-related conditions. She strives to create a warm and supportive space for her clients, valuing a collaborative, individually tailored treatment approach. Sarah draws from evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is also passionate about helping individuals experiencing eating disorders and has completed additional training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy enhanced for eating disorders (CBT-e), Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM), and Family-Based Therapy for Eating Disorders (FBT). She sees clients at the Chatswood office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

NATASHA HATCHER   B.Sc. (Psych)(Hons); MClinPsych

Natasha is a Clinical Psychology Registrar who completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University after gaining a Bachelor of Science with Psychology Honours at the University of Sydney. Natasha has experience working with individuals and groups in private and public health settings. Natasha primarily works with adults and older adolescents, focusing on the treatment of anxiety disorders (e.g., generalised anxiety, health anxiety, OCD), trauma-related disorders, difficulties with emotional regulation and perfectionism, mood, as well as supporting neurodivergent individuals (e.g., those with ADHD and/or Autism). She also has clinical and research experience working with individuals and families in managing the unique challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Natasha values a compassionate, collaborative, and empathic approach with her clients. She prioritises an individually tailored approach to treatment, drawing on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, dependent on client needs and goals. Natasha sees clients at the Westmead office, Monday to Friday. 

TRACY MACMILLAN  BEd(Sec); M. Couns.; GradDipPsych; BSocSc(Psych)(Honours); MClinPsych

Tracy is a Clinical Psychology Registrar who completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney and holds general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. She has experience working across the lifespan in a variety of clinical settings including public health, school and university settings, and with a range of presentations such as anxiety and mood disorders, ADHD, school refusal, eating disorders, chronic pain, and trauma-related disorders. Before retraining to become a psychologist, Tracy was a secondary school teacher with experience working in Australia and the United Kingdom, a school counsellor, and a Lifeline crisis support worker and supervisor. Tracy has a friendly, empathic, collaborative approach, and values prioritising client values, goals and strengths to tailor treatment. She draws on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy, dependent on client needs and goals. Tracy is a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au. Tracy sees clients at the Chatswood office, Tuesday to Friday.

RODERICK GAWTHROP   MClinPsych

Roderick is a Clinical Psychologist who completed his Master of Clinical Psychology at Western Sydney University. He has experience working with individuals and groups in public health, private health, and university settings. Roderick works with clients of all ages and backgrounds and all presentations with a keen interest in anxiety and mood disorders. Roderick has completed research work in the aging and economic space, as well as research in cognition and language. Roderick has been involved in many LGBTQI areas that link in with sport, including serving on the board of Australia’s largest LGBTQI tennis group. Roderick works primarily within a CBT framework however draws on other therapeutic modalities, including DBT, Schema, and Motivational Interviewing (MI) with a focus on creating a collaborative, empathic, and above all, safe space for change to occur. He has a keen interest in sports and philosophy. Roderick is available to see clients in the Westmead office, Monday to Friday. 

Dr LY HART-SMITH   B.A. Psych (Hons); M. Psych (Clinical); PhD

Ly is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her training at the University of Sydney (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) and the University of New South Wales (Master of Clinical Psychology, PhD). She believes in providing clients with a supportive, safe, and structured setting, and enjoys working collaboratively to help clients develop skills and self-knowledge to bring about meaningful and lasting change. Ly has worked with a wide range of presentations across public, private, and university settings. These include anxiety (e.g. generalised anxiety, panic disorder, health anxiety, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorders), depression, bipolar disorder, and clinical perfectionism. She is also passionate about helping individuals adjust to difficult life circumstances, and has a special interest in perinatal mental health and late-diagnosed ADHD. Ly is committed to tailoring evidence-based treatments to each individual, and draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based therapies, and imagery-based therapies in her work. Ly sees adults at the Chatswood office on Mondays and Thursdays.

KASIA ODGERS   MBA, B.Psych.(Hons); M.Psych (Clinical)

Kasia is a Clinical Psychology Registrar holding general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Kasia received her Master of Clinical Psychology degree from the University of NSW and her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Macquarie University, where she was awarded the University Medal.  Kasia has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with a range of challenges including anxiety, low mood, emotion dysregulation, behavioural difficulties, perinatal mental health and chronic pain. She has experience across various clinical settings including public and private hospitals and community mental health teams. Kasia strives to create a warm and supportive space for her clients and is passionate about working with clients’ strengths to bring about positive change. She employs a collaborative, individually tailored treatment approach, drawing from evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She also offers cognitive assessments for ADHD and learning difficulties. Kasia sees clients at the Chatswood office on Monday.

SUSANNE NORDER   B.Sc (Psych) (Hons); M.Psych (Clinical)

Susanne is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her Master of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University. Her experience includes working in a range of settings including private practice, NSW Health services, and University-based clinics. Susanne has experience working with children, adolescents, families, and adults, across a range of different presentations including anxiety, depression, child behavioural, social, and emotional challenges, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She has experience in the delivery of the Cool Kids Anxiety Program, a structured family-based anxiety-management program for children. Susanne has previously interned at the Child Behaviour Research Clinic (Uni of Sydney), where she worked with children and their families presenting with a range of behavioural, emotional and social concerns, including challenges associated with autism. She prioritises creating a safe and supportive therapy environment for her clients, and has a compassionate and collaborative approach. Her treatment approach uses evidence-based treatment models including cognitive-behavioural therapy and parent management training. Susanne is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Susanne is a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au. Susanne sees clients in the Chatswood office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

ELAINE KELLY   M.Psychol.(Clin); GradDipPsych; PhD(CulSt); BA(Hons)

Elaine is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her Graduate Diploma of Psychology and Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney. Elaine has a warm and compassionate approach to therapy and enjoys collaborating with clients to find the best treatment program to suit their specific needs and goals. She works within a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy framework and draws on aspects of mindfulness, narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, where relevant. She has also done additional training in trauma-focussed CBT and Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders. In her work with families, Elaine takes an attachment-focused approach. She enjoys working in a non-judgmental way, focusing on how habitual patterns of interaction within families can be transformed for the better. She has a special interest in eating disorders, trauma and OCD. Before retraining to become a psychologist, Elaine was a lecturer and researcher in Critical and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University and the University of Technology, Sydney. Elaine has experience working in a public health outpatient service for eating disorders, as well as inpatient work with children and adolescents. Elaine works in the Chatswood office on Thursday.

CHRISTINA THAI     B.Sci (Hons)(Psych), M. Psych (Clinical)

Christina is a Clinical Psychologist who has completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of New South Wales. She has worked at a specialist university clinic and multidisciplinary paediatric health service and is experienced in working with children and families experiencing behavioural, emotional, social, and developmental difficulties. Christina has a family-oriented approach to working with children and uses evidence-based treatment models, including cognitive behavioural therapy and parent management training. She is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association and Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Christina is a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au. Christina sees clients in the Westmead office on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

SCOTT FATT   B.Psych.(Hons); M.Psychol.

Scott completed his Master of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University, and has worked in various settings including inpatient and outpatient care at a private psychiatric hospital and across several clinical research units. From those collaborations, his professional publications include papers on body-image, eating disorders, sleep disturbances, and chronic fatigue. His clinical interests include insomnia and other sleep disturbances, anxiety conditions, depression, chronic health conditions, trauma, body image, and eating disorders. In particular, he has a special interest in working with high performance athletes. Scott’s treatment approach is primarily grounded in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), but he also has training in mindfulness-based interventions, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Family Based Therapy (FBT). Overall, his approach is collaborative, empathic, and evidence-based. He works with adolescents and adults and is available for appointments at the Chatswood Office on Mondays and Thursdays.

Dr AMY DATYNER   B.Sc.(Adv)(Hons)/B.A.; M.Psych (Clin); PhD

Amy is a Clinical Psychologist and has been practicing for over 10 years. She completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in social and emotional development in early childhood at the University of New South Wales. Amy has worked in a variety of treatment settings including a specialist university clinic for children, and private practice for several years. Amy’s main clinical interests are in complex anxiety (including Selective Mutism) in the context of other diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism, learning difficulties and behavioural concerns. She also sees children with sleep and toileting concerns. Amy strives to provide a therapy environment when children, adolescents and parents/caregivers feel comfortable to talk about their concerns, and then supported and empowered to work towards their goals. Amy uses evidence-based treatment models (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) and uses both family oriented and individual approaches (where indicated).  Amy is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). Amy is a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au. Amy sees clients in our Westmead office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

ELIZABETH STANTON   B.Sc.(Psych.)(Hons); M.Psychol.

Elizabeth received her Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of NSW in 2006. She is a member of the College of Clinical Psychologists (Australian Psychological Society), Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) and Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT). Elizabeth has a wealth of experience, having worked in a variety of clinical settings. Her experience ranges from tertiary settings (both in clinical and research roles), not for profit organisations (Multiple Sclerosis Australia), and in private practice settings. She works with adolescents and adults with anxiety and mood disorders, eating disorders and adjustment to illness or injury. She has a keen interest in health psychology and mainly uses a cognitive behaviour therapy approach, as well as mindfulness-based techniques and mood-regulation skills. Elizabeth is also trained in Family-based treatment (FBT) for eating disorders and uses this approach where it seems a good fit for a younger person. Elizabeth sees clients in the Westmead office on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dr MEREDITH MEDWAY   B Lib Stud, DClinPsych/MSc

Meredith is a clinical psychologist who completed a combined Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Master of Science program at the University of Sydney. She is a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) and the Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT). Meredith has experience across public and private settings, working with individuals with anxiety and mood disorders, eating disorders and personality disorders. She works chiefly with adolescents and adults. Meredith has completed training in Maudsley Family-based treatment for eating disorders, and completed her Masters research in this area. She also utilises cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy treatment models, and uses a family-oriented approach to working with children/adolescents.  Meredith is also a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au. Meredith see clients in our Westmead office on a Monday, Thursday and Friday.

SAYEEDA GHANI   B.Sc.(Psych.)(Hons); M.Psychol.

Sayeeda received her degrees in Psychology at the University of NSW in Sydney. She has worked in several settings, including child and family community mental health teams. She has experience in working with children, adolescents and families. She is particularly interested in working with children with anxiety, behavioural difficulties and ADHD. She also has an interest in seeing adults with eating disorders, post-natal depression and anxiety.  She is a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au.  Sayeeda has a passion for providing evidence based and compassionate therapies to the individuals and families that she works with. She is a member of the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.  Sayeeda sees clients in the Chatswood office on Tuesday and Thursday.

Dr CHRIS BASTEN   B.A.(Hons); M.Psychol.; PhD

Chris is the Principal Clinical Psychologist in the practice. He has completed degrees in psychology at the University of N.S.W. (Bachelor of Arts) and the University of Sydney (Master of Psychology, and a PhD). He was a member of the College of Clinical Psychologists (Australian Psychological Society) before becoming a founding member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). He is an active member of the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT). He has served on the executive committee of the AACBT, including roles as vice-president and treasurer. Chris has 20 years’ experience in clinical settings including private practice, vocational rehabilitation and public hospitals. Chris lectures post-graduate psychology students and runs training workshops for psychologists on topics such as treating eating disorders and helping people adjust to illness or disability. He has published research articles and presented at conferences.  Chris sees clients at Westmead and Chatswood.

Dr MARIA MILIC    B.A. (Hons)(Psych); M.Psych.(Clinical); Grad Dip Fam Th; D. Psych.(Clinical)

Maria is our senior child and family psychologist and brings with her 20 years’ of clinical wisdom and training. She completed her Masters degree in clinical psychology and then spent many years in a tertiary referral child and family centre for mental health before joining the practice as a consultant. Maria specialises in Selective Mutism, which is an anxiety condition affecting children where they do not talk in front of most people. Maria has published in this area and continues to conduct clinical research into selective mutism. She employs a family therapy approach whenever this is indicated and also engages people in individual therapy when this is more appropriate. Maria mainly works with children but also brings many skills and compassion to her adult clients. Maria is a member of the child and family arm of the practice: www.psychstuff4kids.com.au.  Maria sees clients in the Westmead office.

Dr KAREN DAVIS   BFA; BSc. (Psych)(Hons); MClinPsych; PhD

Karen is a clinical psychologist who completed a combined Master of Clinical Psychology/PhD degree at Macquarie University, Sydney. She is a warm, empathic, and compassionate therapist who provides individually tailored evidence-based interventions while focusing on a client’s therapy goals. Karen is Certified as an Advanced Level Individual Schema Therapist by the International Society of Schema Therapy. In addition to Schema Therapy, Karen draws on Mindfulness-based Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy. Karen works with adults with a range of psychological difficulties including childhood trauma, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, perfectionism, self-criticism and shame, and the challenges of adjusting to chronic health problems. Karen is also a visual artist, and she enjoys working with clients who work in creative fields to help them overcome the problems that impact on their work. She is welcoming and affirming with people from the LGBTQI+ communities. Karen has worked within hospital, community, and university settings. She is a member of the International Society of Schema Therapy and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association. Karen provides telehealth consultations to clients Australia wide.