Meet Our Team
Psychology in
Tweed Heads
… for more than 30 years.
Brain Care (previously trading as Solstice-Mind Matters) was established in 1992 to meet the needs of families, individuals and couples who want to take ownership of their lives. We have become known both locally and internationally for the quality of our services and our commitment to individually tailored client care. Our team of qualified practitioners is dedicated to empower you to become stronger, healthier and in control of your life.
Our philosophy defines our whole approach to our work and our lives. Our symbol, ‘phi’ has been celebrated as a sign of purity, the Golden Ratio. This standard applied to mental healthcare is what we bring to you, through our psychotherapy and neurotherapy centre Brain Care, where science-based therapies are combined with experience, compassion and an individualised approach.
Featured Practitioner
Find the right therapist, the best approach for you.
Nerida Saunders
Founder and Consultant Psychologist
As a senior psychologist and approved mentor for neurofeedback practitioners, Nerida has studied under many of the world's leading neuroscientists, and has made several publications on the subject. Nerida has been in several leadership roles across different professional associations in Australasia, and is a registered supervisor for psychologist interns in NSW. While her bookings are closed, she remains the director of the clinic she founded 17 years ago.
One of Nerida's greatest frustrations in her early career was the limited resources available to actually help people with difficulties. That was until she discovered neuroscience and brain training. She has seen remarkable improvements in people presenting significantly disabling conditions such as autism, head injuries, ADHD, Asperger’s and anxiety and depression. Nerida strongly believes in the power of the individual, and the ability of the individual to overcome what may seem to be insurmountable problems and regain effective control of their lives. She believes a catalyst such as a psychologist is necessary at times for this process to be nudged along, to empower and direct towards resolution. Nerida’s belief in and her acceptance of the individual are her most effective counselling tools. Her knowledge and experience come a close second, particularly in her dedication to the supervision of Brain Care’s provisional psychologists.
Nerida enjoys her family life, socialising, music, swimming, travel, walking, and practicing her Spanish. She is also mother to Pipi, our therapy dog.
Carolyn Harrop
Director
Carolyn is a registered psychologist with over 25 years’ experience supporting people across therapeutic, military and high-performance contexts. She began her career as a psychologist with the Australian Defence Force in 2002, where she served with the Australian Army and later, the Royal Australian Navy. During this time, she provided psychology services across clinical and organisational psychology services, psychological research and technology, clinical governance, training, strategic planning, assessment and critical incident support. She has served on military operations across the Middle East, Iraq, East Timor, the Soloman Islands and other military and maritime locations throughout the pacific.
In 2023, Carolyn was appointed Director Navy Psychology, leading psychology services and practitioners nationally and across military operations, while providing senior psychological expertise to the Australian Defence Force. Her experience has given her a deep understanding of resilience, trauma, performance, recovery and the many factors that influence how people think, feel and function.
Carolyn’s primary academic interests are in the fields of Energy Psychology and Neuropsychology. Her therapeutic approaches of preference include Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
At Brain Care, Carolyn brings together her extensive psychological experience with her longstanding curiosity about the brain, nervous system and human potential. She is passionate about helping people understand themselves more deeply and find practical, personalised pathways towards better psychological wellbeing and functioning.
Her approach is warm, compassionate and curious, while remaining grounded in science and evidence. Carolyn believes that excellent psychological care should recognise the whole person—not simply a diagnosis—and should empower people with knowledge, skills and strategies that can create meaningful and lasting change.
The Counselling Team - Tweed Heads, Gold Coast & Northern Rivers
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Paul Moorhead-Read
COUNSELLOR, NEUROFEEDBACK PRACTITIONER, AND CLINIC MANAGER
Paul is an ACA registered counsellor trained in administering a range of neuromodulation therapies including biofeedback, neurofeedback, transcranial direct current stimulation and audio-visual entertainment. Paul’s person-centered approach and aim to understand and appreciate each individual's unique experience has been aided by his experience in applied neuroscience, and has allowed him to help clients understand and resolve their challenges.
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![Trenton Ellwood Registered Psychologist Tweed Heads]()
Trenton Ellwood
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST AND NEUROFEEDBACK PRACTITIONER
Trenton is a fully registered psychologist & neurofeedback practitioner based in both NSW and QLD. Trenton completed his Bachelor of Psychological Science (with Honours) in 2021 with a focus on goal setting and the activation of psychological and somatic states. His personal goal is to continue the development of his knowledge and skillset within a progressive discipline as well as further his understanding of human health by completing a current Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
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![Jane Stevens Psychologist Tweed Heads]()
Jane Stevens
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
Jane is a psychologist practicing across all ages of the lifespan, utilising evidence based best practice. She is dedicated to the principles of compassion, mindfulness, mind-body holism, and safety through kindness. Jane specialises in Mindfulness Somatic Therapy (Hakomi), Trauma Informed Therapy, CBT, and ACT. She is informed by maturity and diverse life experiences including previous careers in environmental conservation, and the disability sector as an NDIS Support Worker.
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Sheena Worrall
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
An experienced counsellor and health educator for more than 20 years, Sheena completed her psychology studies in 2022. Since graduating, she has been working with adults with a trauma background, and with children, teens, and parents, to reduce distress and manage challenging behaviours. Sheena has a passion for understanding how the brain processes sensory and emotional experiences, stores these as memories, and drives our behaviour in different situations. This interest led to training in therapies that change the way the brain and body react to distressing memories and triggers.
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![Rustam Yumash Neurofeedback Tweed Heads]()
Rustam Yumash
NEUROCOACH AND NEUROFEEDBACK PRACTITIONER
Through intensive breathwork and deep integrative psychotherapy Rustam works with unconscious emotional and thought patterns that normally are not easily accessible through talk therapy and often present as psychosomatic symptoms or maladaptive behavior and social difficulties. Rustam is also a keen researcher and developer of neuroscience and has organised many workshops, webinars and conferences dedicated to the filed.
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![Jo Crea, Art Therapist Tweed Heads]()
Jo Crea
REGISTERED ART THERAPIST
As an Art Therapist, Jo guides individuals through their exploration of themselves in a grounded, holistic, integrative process using art materials to express rather than words. With nineteen years of experience supporting youth and families in various capacities in the Kimberley, Western Australia and on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Jo offers authentic, nuanced sessions that encourage agency, awareness and empowerment.
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![Theresa Mitchell Registered Psychologist]()
Theresa Mitchell
REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
Theresa is focused on supporting emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and strengthening long-term wellbeing. Her approach is person-centered and practical, drawing on evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, mindfulness-based approaches, trauma-informed care, and EMDR strategies. Theresa is currently working towards her full registration as a Clinical Psychologist, and has a long-time advocate for individuals facing social disadvantage in the Tweed area.
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Amber Conn
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Amber is an occupational therapist and a scientist passionate about supporting others to participate fully in life and maximise independence and autonomy. She engages with clients through capacity-building interventions that promote independence, confidence, and community participation. Amber also has expertise in driving rehabilitation, supporting individuals learning to drive with additional challenges and recommending vehicle modifications to enhance safety and independence.
Our Support Team
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Tanya Slaven
RECEPTION/ADMINISTRATION
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Shannon Crawford
RECEPTION/ADMINISTRATION
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Amber Chilton
NDIS COORDINATOR
Get in touch
Contact Us
The front desk team at Brain Care is friendly and highly trained to answer any questions you may have, including matters related to Medicare, NDIS, WorkCover, EAPs and private health insurance. Our attention to detail helps us provide an individualised experience. We usually reply within 24 hours during working days.