About
Healing Connections Psychology
At Healing Connections Psychology, we have responded to the community need for an authentic, warm, supportive, non-judgemental and nurturing psychological service. We understand that it can be nerve-wracking to visit a health professional and reveal tightly held personal vulnerabilities, so we ensure an open, responsive, and wholehearted stance to help gently create a safe and secure place for you to work collaboratively with us towards your needs. We believe that it is possible for evidence-based psychological services to be provided in a highly professional and ethical setting, that also centres on compassion to foster awareness which empowers you to find the courage to be your unique self in this world. We believe that everything you need is already within you and through our expert guided support, we can unlock the skills and knowledge needed to help guide you through life’s challenges. Find out more about the types of therapy we offer at Healing Connections Psychology.
Dr Francene Hemingway, Director and Clinical Psychologist
Francene is the Director of Healing Connections Psychology, and is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor, experienced with over 19-years of working within several settings, including university psychology clinics, public and private hospitals, group private practices, solo private practice, and community organisations. Across these settings, Francene has worked with individual and group clients across the lifespan, mostly from young people (13+ years) to older adults (75+ years). Francene has specialized expertise in working with people experiencing complex trauma, dissociation, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting, grief and loss, life transitions and adjustments, chronic pain, panic, obsessions and compulsions, anger, and more.
The clinical and supervisory expertise Francene has developed over many years has resulted in expertise in working within the following evidence-based therapeutic approaches: acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); schema therapy; eye-movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR); internal family systems (IFS); attachment-focused therapy; compassion-focused therapy; mindfulness based cognitive-behaviour therapy (MiCBT); and cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT).
With every unique person or group, there is a unique approach. Through nurturing a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, Francene works collaboratively with people to find the right approach for them. Francene founded Healing Connections Psychology Pty Ltd and manages all aspects of the clinic and supervises for all pathways to registration as a psychologist. Francene is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and APS College of Clinical Psychologists; and the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. Francene is unable to accept new clients at this time, however this is periodically reviewed, so please continue to check with reception or via our online booking portal. To learn more about services provided by Dr Francene Hemingway at Healing Connections Psychology click here.
Lee Hughes, Psychologist, PhD Candidate (Clinical Psychology)
Lee is a Registered Psychologist and is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology. Lee has experience in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). Lee has experience working with people across the lifespan who experience anxiety and specific phobias, bipolar, depression, adjustment and life transitions, emotional struggles, parenting and relationship challenges, and substance abuse. He also has a professional interest in psychological assessment, helping people overcome chronic shame, men’s mental health, and substance use. Through establishing a compassionate and supportive environment, Lee endeavours to assist people in making meaningful improvements in their psychological wellbeing so they can live more fulfilled and enjoyable lives.
During his studies, Lee has completed research examining age-related cognitive decline and emotional awareness in adolescents to older adults. Currently, Lee and his colleagues conduct field-based research investigating the dangers associated with pre-loading (also commonly referred to as pre-gaming, pre-partying, or pre-drinking) and other event level substance use practices in night-time entertainment districts. Prior to becoming a psychologist Lee worked as a residential youth worker in out of home care. In this role he provided long-term support to children and adolescents with complex attachment and mental health issues. Lee is available for sessions (including after hours) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Lee is currently seeing people aged 13+ to older adults. To book an appointment with Lee, please click here.
Alanah Keating, Psychologist
Alanah is a Registered Psychologist who is passionate about creating a warm, collaborative and safe therapeutic environment to support clients’ on their mental health journeys. Alanah provides a client centred, trauma informed and strengths based approach. Alanah strives to work every day in line with her values of compassion, acceptance and connection. Alanah has experience in and works from a range of therapeutic modalities including, Eye Movement Desensitisation Therapy (EMDR), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and mindfulness principles.
Alanah has experience working with children, adolescents and adults throughout Queensland living in rural, remote and metropolitan areas. Alanah has worked in public health settings, educational settings, forensic settings and private practice. Alanah has enjoyed supporting clients in private practice clinics, Aboriginal medical services, community centres, primary and high schools, kindergartens and their homes. Alanah has experience working with clients across the lifespan who are experiencing anxiety, depression, autism related struggles, attention deficit and hyperactivity challenges, intellectual disabilities, bi-polar, schizophrenia, psychosis, personality disorders and more.
Alanah welcomes clients from diverse backgrounds, including clients who identify as neurodiverse and within the LGBTIQ+ diverse community. Alanah is available for sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Alanah is currently seeing people aged 13+ to older adults. Alanah has her soon-to-be therapy dog, Margi, with her in most consultations (see below for more info). To book an appointment with Alanah at Healing Connections Psychology, please click here.
Grace Hiltner, Psychologist, Clinical Psychology Registrar
Grace is a registered psychologist and clinical registrar, recently completing her Master of Clinical Psychology, who brings her personal warmth, kindness, and compassion into her therapeutic work. Grace works to create a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship with clients as she feels that this is the foundation of meaningful change. She has a healthy sense of humour which is balanced by her gentle and patient interpersonal style. Grace brings a trauma-informed perspective to assist her clients in creating a more rich and meaningful life by helping them to release themselves from patterns that no longer serve them and move towards a more healthy, real version of themselves.
Grace has experience in working with clients across the lifespan in both individual and group settings, experiencing a variety of difficulties including depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, interpersonal issues, neurodevelopmental challenges and neurodiversity, personality vulnerabilities, trauma (both single-event and complex trauma), life adjustments/transitions, and eating disorders. She is particularly passionate about the expression of developmental trauma in adulthood and facilitating longer-term therapy with clients who have long-standing challenges with their sense of self. Grace has experience in a variety of therapeutic modalities that fall under a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy umbrella including Interpersonal Therapy, DBT, Mindful Self-Compassion, Metacognitive and Mentalisation-Based Therapies, but predominantly practices from an Attachment-Focused Psychodynamic approach. This means Grace works to understand client’s present challenges in the context of their developmental history and is interested in the underlying basis for one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Through increased insight, she believes clients can feel greater freedom to make informed choices and develop a more cohesive sense of self.
Grace is available on Mondays and Thursdays at Healing Connections Psychology. She sees adults aged 18+. Link here to book with Grace.
Sally Kinmond, Psychologist, Clinical Psychology Registrar
Sally is a Psychologist currently completing her Clinical Psychology Registrar program after recently completing a Master of Clinical Psychology. She has a warm, kind, and compassionate approach to therapy and creates an atmosphere where clients feel safe to speak about their concerns. Using a person-centred, trauma informed approach to therapy, Sally builds a trusting relationship, through collaboration with her clients to promote self exploration, self awareness, and reduced suffering. Her therapeutic style is informed by psychodynamic principles that recognise the importance of having inner resources and self-understanding for good mental health and wellbeing. When working with clients, Sally is flexible with her approach and draws on modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), from which she aims to support clients to move towards meaningful solutions and gain more freedom and satisfaction in their lives.
Sally has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in public health settings, educational settings, and private practice settings. Clients that Sally has worked with have experienced many different concerns including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, neurodivergent (autism, ADHD) related struggles, interpersonal issues, trauma (both single incident and relational trauma), life adjustments and transitions, and psychosis. Sally is particularly interested in working with those who are experiencing interpersonal difficulties, have experienced relational trauma, are going through life transitions and adjustments, and those wanting to build self-esteem.
Sally is available from mid-April 2024 on Mondays and Saturdays at Healing Connections Psychology. She sees clients over the age of 16 years. Link here to book with Sally.
Georgia Moore, Administration Assistant
Georgia has joined Healing Connections Psychology, as our warm, considerate, and supportive Administration Assistant. Georgia has extensive background in customer service, including working with high-risk vulnerable people, and will assist clients in accessing psychological support with the utmost empathy and care. Georgia is in the process of completing her fourth year Honours course in a Bachelor of Psychological Science, whereby Georgia holds a devotion to helping support and empower people to grow closer to their true selves. Georgia aims to practice her values of compassion and authenticity in her administration role on her journey to becoming a psychologist.
Georgia is sensitive to the needs of others and is available to facilitate all your administrative needs. Whether you need to schedule an appointment, make changes to existing bookings, have billing enquiries, or any other questions, Georgia will assist you with kindness and professionalism. Georgia is available part-time via email georgia@healingconnectionspsychology.com.au and may take 24-hours to 6-days to respond, depending on time of contact. For urgent enquiries continue to contact our virtual reception team on 0415 177 822 or email info@healingconnectionspsychololgy.com.au
Margiela ‘Margi’
We are so thrilled to have a new furry team member, Margiela, affectionately referred to as ‘Margi’ who is a miniature Italian Greyhound (‘Iggy’) and the fur baby of our Psychologist, Alanah Keating. Margi is 20 weeks old {March 2023}, and despite her looking tall in pictures, she’s actually quite small measuring around 25cm tall and weighing 2-3kg. Margi is incredibly welcoming, loving, and friendly – she will greet you with her wagging tail, (licks if you permit), and sweet smile. Margi has been popping into the clinic since she was ~14-weeks old, getting to know the clinic space and comings and goings of clients in order to prepare for her Therapy Dog training when she is old enough. Margi will be in the clinic most Wednesdays, Thursdays, and some Tuesdays in Alanah’s consultations, and available to greet other clients in the waiting area if suitable. Please contact our team if you have any questions or concerns.