Our Psychologists in Hawthorn
Christine Harding
Principal Psychologist, Author, and Advocate for Social Skills Development
BSocSc (Swinburne), PGradDipPsych (Ballarat), MProfPsyc (ACU)
Christine Harding is the Principal Psychologist and co-director of Hargan Psychology.
Christine’s journey into psychology is profoundly shaped by her personal life experiences, igniting a passion for supporting others.
This dedication drives her commitment to ongoing professional development and advanced training, ensuring she provides her clients with the highest level of evidence-based support.
Since becoming an AHPRA-registered psychologist, Christine provides therapy across the lifespan and has extensive experience supporting individuals with complex presentations, including disability, forensic and justice involvement, and substance use concerns. Christine works with clients involved in the Justice and Child Protection systems, developing targeted interventions and completing psychological and risk assessment reports for court. In addition to individual therapy, she provides support to couples and families, focusing on improving communication, relationships, and overall functioning. She draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to support clients in achieving meaningful and sustainable change.
Christine’s internationally published thesis, “It’s Not About Freudian Couches and Personality Changing Drugs” explores the factors that encourage men to seek mental health support. You can access her thesis here.
Throughout her therapeutic journey, Christine has continued to look to research, alongside her anecdotal observations and has authored several B.E.S.T. Programs (Building Essential Skills Together). Christine is the proud creator of the B.E.S.T. programs (Building Essential Skills Together). These are evidenced based programs and include BEST Kids, BEST Teens and BEST Parents (online).
Christine is a Board Approved Supervisor with extensive experience supporting the professional development of psychologists at various stages of their careers. Christine facilitates evidence-based group supervision, creating a collaborative environment for learning, skill development, and clinical growth. Through structured group work, participants are supported to enhance their clinical practice, build confidence, and navigate complex professional challenges. For more information about our group supervision program, please get in touch.
Carly Burgess
Psychologist
GradDip (Primary Teaching), BA (Psych, S.O.C), MA in Child and Family Psychology
Since joining Hargan as a psychologist, Carly has enjoyed working with a range of clients and presenting issues including; substance abuse, trauma, disability, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders using a variety of evidence-informed approaches.
As a qualified teacher and holding a Masters in Child and Family Psychology, Carly has years of experience in working with children, adolescents, and their families in both New Zealand and Australia. Carly brings to life our BEST Kids program and works 1:1 with children, adolescents, and their families to treat issues including obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, attention hyperactivity deficit disorder, generalised anxiety, and learning disabilities.
Carly’s passion is to work with children and adults of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. In her spare time, Carly trains and competes in triathlon and Ironman events throughout Australia. Carly also enjoys travelling and meeting new people.
David Wu
Psychologist
BA Psych Sc (Monash) BA Honours (Southern Cross) MA Social Work (RMIT) MProfPsych (Deakin)
David is a warm and empathetic registered psychologist dedicated to supporting individuals on their path to living their BEST life. Alongside being a qualified social worker, David brings years of experience from working within public mental health services.
David is experienced in working with clients from diverse backgrounds and age groups, including international students, immigrants, refugees, and those receiving support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) .
David is experienced in working with clients presenting with difficulties including depression, anxiety, family and relationship difficulties, trauma, schizophrenia, substance use, addiction, and clients with legal issues. Additionally, David is well-versed in conducting comprehensive cognitive, educational, and personality assessments.
David utilises various evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing. Additionally, David has undergone training in administering Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
David employs a holistic and strengths-based approach to both therapy and assessment, with a firm belief that each individual possesses the capacity for growth and healing within them. By harnessing their unique strengths and addressing areas for growth, David helps clients to navigate life’s obstacles and assist them to embark on their journey towards positive change and personal fulfillment.
Arriving in Melbourne in 2003 from Hong Kong, David speaks native-level Cantonese and Mandarin, in addition to fluent English and provide a supportive conduit between Eastern and Western cultures/values.
Outside of work, David enjoys music, sports, and video games, believing in the importance of balance and leisure in maintaining mental well-being.
Frances Stutterd (On Extended Leave)
Psychologist
BA(legal), PGDipPsych, MProfPsych. AssociateMember Australian Psychology Society (APS).
Frances joins Hargan Psychology as a registered psychologist who has worked in both private practice and university mental health settings with a range of clients from all walks of life. Frances has experience working with various mental health presentations including: depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, stress, trauma, grief, PTSD, and ADHD.
Frances has a warm approach and connects with her clients by engendering a safe, non-judgemental space to explore their concerns. Fran is passionate about empowering clients and tailors treatment to help them reach their goals.
In her practice, Frances likes to work collaboratively with clients drawing from many evidence-based modalities such as: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Skills, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing.
Rhys Harris
Provisional Psychologist
Nicole Leong
Provisional Psychologist
Nicole is a provisional psychologist registered with AHPRA who brings a warm, compassionate and practical approach to psychological support. Before joining Hargan Psychology, Nicole worked as an Autism Therapist at a specialised school, where she provided behavioural and psychological support to students and developed structured programs focused on emotion regulation, problem-solving and life skills.
Nicole also has extensive volunteer experience in counselling and teaching with children. She is passionate about supporting neurodiverse children, young people and adults and takes a strengths-based, individualised approach to understanding each person’s needs.
Nicole can support clients experiencing a range of concerns and life challenges, including anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, stress and overwhelm, self-esteem concerns and difficulties navigating school, relationships and everyday life. She particularly enjoys working with children and young people and supporting clients to develop practical skills and greater confidence.
Nicole believes that seeking support takes courage and strives to create a space where clients feel safe, understood and genuinely respected. Her approach is warm, non-judgemental and collaborative, with a focus on helping each client feel heard and supported.
Nicholas Dodson
Provisional Psychologist
Nicholas is a provisional psychologist registered with AHPRA who brings a calm, person-centred approach to psychological support. He has experience in community and disability support and is particularly interested in working with neurodiverse individuals through a strengths-based and affirming lens. Nicholas also assists with Hargan Psychology’s B.E.S.T Kids Programs, supporting young people to build confidence and social skills.
Nicholas is passionate about supporting people experiencing a range of emotional, social and everyday challenges. He can work with clients across different stages of life and is particularly interested in supporting neurodiverse individuals and people with diverse or complex needs.
His areas of interest include anxiety and worry, stress and overwhelm, self-esteem and confidence, motivation, emotional wellbeing, life transitions and challenges associated with neurodiversity. Nicholas takes a collaborative approach, working alongside clients to understand their individual experiences and build on their existing strengths.
Nicholas is committed to providing culturally sensitive, respectful and non-judgemental care. He aims to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves and supported to work towards meaningful change.
Madison Edgar
Provisional Psychologist
Madi is a provisional psychologist that uses a warm, compassionate and person-centred approach within the therapeutic space.
Madi holds a Master of Professional Psychology and is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space, fostering a supportive environment for clients. Madi strives to utilise a strengths-based approach, working collaboratively with individuals across the lifespan, in order to support tailored therapeutic goals.
Madi has experience supporting both children and families across private, community and education settings, providing assessment, intervention, and support. Madi has a strong background in supporting neurodiverse individuals, and additional presentations including; anxiety, depression, trauma, learning disorders and behavioural difficulties.
Madi draws on a range of evidence-based treatment modalities including; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play Therapy, Mindfulness-based interventions and, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). With a particular interest in cognitive assessment, client-centred therapy and group programs, Madi aims to empower individuals and families to grow and thrive.
In her free time she enjoys spending time at the beach with friends and family, reading and playing netball.
Christine Harding
Psychologist
BSocSc (Swinburne), PGradDipPsych (Ballarat), MProfPsyc (ACU)
“I’m human first and a psychologist second.”
Psychology Board Approved Supervisor. Author of B.E.S.T. Kids™, B.E.S.T. Parents™. Member Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Christine’s journey to Principal Psychologist and Director of Hargan Psychology began with parenting her own three children, now adults. Christine became acutely aware of the difficulties associated with parenting during various developmental stages and life’s challenges.
Christine’s former roles as a personal trainer, assessment and trainer of apprentice jockeys at Racing Victoria, Case Manager in the disability sector and a Psychologist in the Juvenile Justice system, have continued to shape her passion for supporting others to LIVE their BEST Life.
Along with a wealth of wisdom and real-life experience, Christine has a warm and empathic nature; she ensures that a safe space is provided for her clients to feel heard and supported in their journey.
Christine is of the adage that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, however, also believes that this is integral for all life stages; hence Christine adapts a collaborative approach to her support.
Christine has engaged in considerable professional development since becoming an AHPRA registered psychologist; her experience extends to providing support to adolescents, adults, couples and families. This has led to Christine being trained in a number of approaches which have added to her clinical ‘toolbox’.
Christine is experienced in supporting clients and families in challenging circumstances, including substance use issues, separation and divorce, forensic risk, and court reports.
As a board approved supervisor, Christine provides regular individual and group supervision and mentoring to provisional psychologists, registered psychologists, and allied health professionals. She is also available for secondary consult in a number of areas of experience.