We are proud to work in a team where our core values are embraced every day. Our team shares a common focus, and we enjoy coming in to work every day. You can be sure to experience a professional, warm, caring and confidential service from our Psychologists and Administration team. Our Leadership Team meets regularly and is focused on maintaining a mentally healthy workplace for all members of staff, as well as ensuring we are kept up-to-date with the latest advances in psychology to ensure a high-quality service.
Psychologists
Our experienced team of Psychologists would like to help you.
Life Giving Psychology & Coaching is a strengths-based psychology practice. Our highly trained and experienced Psychologists offer assessment, treatment and management of a wide range of mental health challenges faced across the lifespan.
Our Psychologists are members of the Australian Psychological Society and are registered practitioners with the Psychology Board of Australia. We adhere strictly to the professional codes and engage in monthly supervision to ensure highest standards. We offer a range of evidence-based therapies and techniques, and actively update skills to ensure a high quality service.
We have a strong team approach, and you will be matched with the Psychologist that is the best fit for your unique challenges.
Meet Christine!
Christine O'Connor is the founder and director of LGPC. An endorsed Clinical Psychologist, she has extensive experience and an exceptional reputation for providing quality care and support to individuals experiencing significant mental health difficulties.
Christine has created a safe space for people to come to understand, appreciate and explore their unique strengths and goodness. Fun, laughter, respect, and non-judgmental acceptance for everybody are guiding and abiding principles for her many endeavours.
More recently Christine has channeled her energy into developing and writing an entire Thriving Business Initiative coaching program (group and individual) to assist businesses, workers and leaders thrive in their workplaces. She and her team have produced a unique and evidence-based program drawn from the latest research findings from the fields of behavioural science, psychology, neuroscience and organisational management. The interactive program is based on Christine’s extensive practical expertise in working with people from all ages, stages and walks of life.
Not an hour goes by that the staff and clients do not hear Christine's infectious laughter throughout the clinic.
Dr. Christine O’Connor
Clinical Psychologist/ Director/Owner
BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin), PhD MAPS FCCLP
Meet Kate!
Kate is a registered Clinical Psychologist. She completed her Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and a Master of Clinical Psychology at James Cook University, and is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Kate says being a psychologist allows her to engage in her personal values of kindness, curiosity and love of learning on a day-to-day basis. At work she is motivated to help clients feel empowered and understood. Kate likes to build strong therapeutic relationships with clients and work collaboratively with them towards goals and values that are important and relevant to them.
Having worked at LGPC for 5 years now, Kate says the people and the environment really make LGPC a wonderful place to work.
“The interactions between staff members and with clients truly encompasses our values of being real, being kind and being the best you can be. And I love that I can see the ocean everyday I come into work!”
Kate enjoys reading, interior design and spending time with people and animals. On the weekends, Kate likes to explore new places and go to the beach with her fiancé and two dogs.
Kate Piccinelli
Clinical Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin), MAPS
Meet Natalie!
Natalie is a registered Psychologist, having completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours from Charles Sturt University. Natalie has been a valued staff member of LGPC for more than five years, and in that time has created an extended family out of her fellow colleagues. Her colleagues and clients motivate her to come to work. Natalie is also motivated by being able to help people daily overcome their personal struggles and challenges, to see people at their most vulnerable and be invited into that vulnerability is a privilege Natalie doesn’t take lightly.
Natalie says not a day goes by without a belly laugh and a hug never being far away if needed. Natalie has worked in a few places over her adult life and believes at LGPC there is no glam and glitz (although the offices are amazing – to sit and have lunch every day on the balcony looking out over Magnetic Island is pretty special!), everyone is genuine and real.
“I know it sounds corny and like a line that people say, but I really do feel as though my work friends are my extended family.”
On weekends you can find Natalie enjoying her Saturday pottery classes, a time to unwind and go to a place of peace – her space of mindfulness. Natalie has also recently joined hula hoop classes – so much fun!
Natalie Walsh
Psychologist
BA (Psych), BSocSci (Psych) (Hons), AssocMAPS
Meet Melanie!
Melanie is a registered psychologist who completed her undergraduate degree at Deakin University in Victoria. In her fourth year, she received a Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology at Victoria University. She is an associate member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Melanie has worked with LGPC since 2014.
She is continually inspired by the people she meets through her work. Being able to talk with people about the things that really matter and assist them to have these values reflected in their life is a really special experience.
Melanie enjoys the variety of work offered at LGPC and it grateful for the supportive team that has been created.
“Everyone is genuinely passionate about their work, you can see it hear it and feel it, and I value that immensely.”
Outside the office you can find Melanie exploring the great surrounds of Townsville with her two sons. She’s a regular at group ftiness classes but knows how to enjoy a quiet time with a cup of tea, a good book and - of course - chocolate.
Melanie Koen
Psychologist
BA (Psych), GradDip (AppPsych), AssocMAPS
Jacob Price
Psychologist
BPsych (Hons) MAPS
Nicole Powell
Clinical Registrar
BSc (Psych)(Hons), MPsych (Clin) MAPS
Dr. Kate Russo
Clinical Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), MClinPsych, DPsych (Clin) MAPS AFBPsS
Rhiannon Lehndorf Moore
Psychologist
BA (Psych), MSc (Health Psych), PGDip Psych Prac
Administration Team
Our friendly and welcoming Administration Team is your first point of contact. All members of the team are trained to communicate with people who may be distressed, and understand your journey and will always respect your privacy. They have exceptional skills in organising client appointments to ensure continuity of care.
Mary MacGinley
Practice Manager
Laura Simpson
Project Manager
Meet Abbey!
Abbey has worked at LGPC since September 2018. Qualified with a Cert III in Business Administration (Medical) with IPS Institute, Abbey believes in our practice’s values, be kind, be real, be the best you can be.
“Our values are put into practice every day. Our colleagues are like family here which makes it a very welcoming and fun workplace.”
Abbey enjoys meeting and interacting with clients from many different backgrounds and watching people build confidence and achieve their mental health goals. She finds working with people rewarding.
Outside of the practice you can find Abbey gardening, spending time with animals and completing any outdoor activity.
Abbey Burford
Administration/Receptionist
Meet Michelle!
Michelle has been with LGPC since August 2020. Being a part of the administration team at LGPC has allowed her to align and outwork her administration skills with her desire to help break the stigma around mental health.
“The team are genuine and kind and have a common goal of helping people achieve optimal mental health.
This makes LGPC a wonderful place to work. Each day we have the privilege of meeting and interacting with clients, working hard, and enjoying some fun times together.”
Outside of the office you can find Michelle enjoying quality time with her family and friends. She enjoy reading a good book, getting outdoors for a walk, or even a horse ride if the opportunity presents itself.
Michelle Kelly
Administration/Receptionist