Minds & Hearts has a team of nine psychologists and three receptionists. Although not all disciplines are represented in our team we maintain close ties with other specialists in Brisbane and will assist in finding the best professional for the need.
Press the link below to read the staff profiles for each team member, or scroll down the page to read all staff profiles.
TEAM MEMBERS
Dr Michelle Garnett - MPsych(Clin) PhD MAPS MCCP
Professor Tony Attwood - MSc PhD AFBPsS MAPS MCCP
Winnie Yu Pow Lau - MPsych(Ed) PGradDip(Ch&FamPsych) MAPS
Dr Louise Ford - D Psych (Clin) MAPS MCCP
Steve Den-Kaat - MSc (Psych) PGDip (ClinPsych) MAPS
Danuta Bulhak-Paterson - MPsych (Child&Fam) MAPS
Kathleen Davey - MPsych (Clin) MAPS
Franzi Thoma - M(Dev&Ed), MAPS
Stephen Heydt - M(Couns) M(AdultEd) MAPS MCCP
Beverlee - Administrative Staff
Erica - Administrative Staff
Debra - Administrative Staff

Dr Michelle Garnett
MPsych(Clin) PhD MAPS MCCP
Michelle is a clinical psychologist and founder and Director of 'Minds & Hearts: A Specialist Clinic for Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism.’ The clinic was born through her passion for understanding autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and her strong desire to be part of positive change for people who have ASD and their families. Michelle thoroughly enjoys working in this area as a diagnostician, therapist, consultant, mentor, clinical supervisor, workshop presenter, student and researcher. She has specialized in autism spectrum disorders for the past 17 years, developing expertise in all subtypes of autism across all ages. Michelle created the first screening instrument for Asperger’s Syndrome, the Australian Scale for Asperger's Syndrome (ASAS) in 1993. She obtained a PhD for her research into ASD, diagnosis and families in 2007 from the University of Queensland, Australia. She provides training in ASD for postgraduate clinical students for four Australian Universities. Michelle has been an invited speaker at many national and international conferences and workshop events, including New Zealand, England, Wales, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia.
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Professor Tony Attwood
MSc PhD AFBPsS MAPS MCCP
Tony is a clinical psychologist and Senior Consultant at Minds & Hearts. He acquired his original qualifications in England, and achieved a PhD from the University of London. He has specialised in autism spectrum disorders, especially Asperger's syndrome. Tony is an adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland. His book Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals has become one of the primary texts on Asperger's Syndrome and has been translated into twenty languages.
His current clinical interests are developing diagnostic procedures and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for emotion management for children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome.
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Winnie Yu Pow Lau
MPsych(Ed) PGradDip(Ch&FamPsych) MAPS
Winnie Lau is a psychologist highly trained in the area of autism spectrum disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome. She can assist with the problems that frequently co-exist with Asperger’s Syndrome or autism, for e.g. depression, anxiety, behavioural problems, and OCD. Winnie is skilled in emotional, behavioural and educational assessments, and in a variety of different therapies. Winnie can provide these services in Mandarin and Cantonese; and has implemented programs for clients from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Prior to her employment at Minds and Hearts, Winnie worked at the Ministry of Education in New Zealand, and had a successful track record in working with people with complex needs.
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Dr Louise Ford
D Psych (Clin) MAPS MCCP
Louise is a clinical psychologist who completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Louise has gained experience from working within a number of settings including Queensland Health, Private Hospitals, and schools. Louise conducted her research into the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders and this continues to be of ongoing clinical interest to her. She is skilled at assisting parents to better manage their children’s behaviour and at providing assistance and support to individuals with an autism spectrum diagnosis and their families. Louise is very interested and motivated to assist in improving the quality of life of individuals on the autism spectrum.
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Steve Den Kaat
MSc (Psych) PGDip (ClinPsych) MAPS
Steve has recently arrived from New Zealand, completing his clinical psychology training under the supervision of Professor Tony Attwood, Dr Michelle Garnett and Dr Hui Keow Lim. Steve obtained his MSc (Psych) from Victoria University of Wellington, with his research in the field of autism spectrum disorders. Steve has been involved in the autism and Asperger’s community in Britain, New Zealand and Australia throughout the past eight years. During this time he has worked alongside children, adolescents and adults across the autism spectrum; in home, school, community and workplace settings.
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Danuta Bulhak-Paterson
MPsych (Child&Fam) MAPS
Danuta completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne, and then went on to complete her postgraduate degrees at Swinburne University of Technology and Australian Catholic University (in Melbourne). Throughout her university years she made Autism Spectrum Disorders a focus, and gained her early experience in this field through training and practice in Applied Behaviour Analysis. In addition, Danuta has worked in research at La Trobe University on various large-scale studies involving Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Danuta’s passion for Autism Spectrum Disorders continued post university, where she has worked for the Department of Human Services (Victoria) in Early Intervention with preschool aged children and their families. Danuta has come to Minds and Hearts from Autism Victoria where she fulfilled the role of psychologist, working with individuals of all ages and the families of those who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Kathleen Davey
MPsych (Clin) MAPS
Kathleen has 10 years experience in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has worked as a highly respected psychologist in clinical and organisational roles across both private and public sectors. She possesses a passion for providing opportunities and empowering personal growth in individuals with an ASD and their support networks, particularly for people living in regional areas of Australia where she has spent most of her professional career. At Minds and Hearts, Kathleen provides assistance to people with all subtypes of ASD across all ages. She uses her energy and creativity to provide informative individual consultations, supportive group therapy, engaging workshop presentation, and resource development.
Prior to joining Minds and Hearts, Kathleen provided psychological services for the QLD Police Service, Sentis, Mackay Division of General Practice, NSW Department of Ageing Disability & HomeCare, Sharon Daniels & Associates, C.A.P.A.B.L.E Kids, QLD Autism Association, and Autism Behavioural Intervention QLD. A few years ago Kathleen decided to return to university to undertake a Masters in Clinical Psychology, which is now complete.
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Franzi Thoma
M(Dev&Ed), MAPS
Franzi is a psychologist who has completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Psychology in Germany and a Master’s in Educational and Developmental Psychology at the Queensland University of Technology. Franzi has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and groups in clinical, school and community settings. Franzi has specialised in Autism and Asperger Syndrome since her undergraduate studies. She is skilled in various therapies as well as behavioural, intellectual, educational and emotional assessments. Franzi can provide these services in English and German.
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Stephen Heydt
M(Couns) M(AdultEd) MAPS MCCP
Biography coming soon.
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Beverlee
info@mindsandhearts.net
Beverlee has been Michelle’s Personal Assistant for the past couple of years. With the opening of Minds & Hearts in October 2005, Beverlee also added the role of receptionist to her duties. Prior to this, she had been heavily involved in the commercial administration field as personal secretary, trainer and facilitator, working with people of all ages and cultures. A keen interest in autism and Asperger’s syndrome has been part of Beverlee’s life for the past 14 years by following, and being actively involved in, Michelle’s career.
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Erica
info@mindsandhearts.net
Erica is a receptionist at Minds and Hearts. Prior to joining Minds and Hearts Erica was employed in schools in NSW and Qld - two of the schools being specifically for children with special needs. Erica is passionate about children, their education, and meeting the needs of all people with special needs.
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Debra
info@mindsandhearts.net
Debra recently joined Minds and Hearts as Receptionist.
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