Meet the Team!
Discovering Strength continues to grow each year, with new and exciting people constantly joining the team.
Denise Cran, Psychologist/ Director
Denise Cran has been a Registered Psychologist since 2000. She is passionate about helping people with disabilities and learning difficulties. Denise spent the first 10 years of her professional career helping people with disabilities to obtain and retain employment, then moved on to working with children and adolescents, and was also employed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) as a Senior Psychologist. Denise now runs Discovering Strength, her own Private Practice, where she works with children diagnosed with Autism and other behavioural issues.
Mandy Robinson, Senior Psychologist
Mandy adopts a playful and warm approach to therapy. She utilises evidence-based approaches when working with young people that includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. Mandy has experience working with young people who present with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Trauma. Mandy is also able to provide educational and developmental assessments.
In Mandy’s words:
After beginning her journey in Psychology in 2007, I completed my Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology in 2015. I have experience working as a psychologist with the Department of Education, in community health, and not-for-profit private practice. I was excited to join the Discovering Strength team in January 2018. I am passionate about helping children, teenagers, and young adults to reach their full potential and enjoy happy and fulfilling lives despite the challenges they may face. Providing caring and understanding, without judgment is something that I feel strongly about. I also have a special interest in assessments and understanding the unique cognitive and learning profiles of individuals.
Rabia Tanveer, Psychologist
Rabia joined the Discovering Strength Team in 2018 as a Provisional Psychologist, working with children and adolescence with a focus on ASD and School related issues. Rabia is also able to conduct educational and developmental related assessments. She is now a fully registered psychologist who continues this work and is also a regular in face in many groups including Karate and Science.
In Rabia’s words: I work from the belief that the therapeutic relationship is built on trust, respect, acceptance, validation and understanding. My purpose is to get you unstuck, satisfied, confident, emotionally intelligent, and not afraid to face life. I am passionate about working with Individuals, Adolescents & Couples facilitating meaningful and lasting change.I believe in working in a client-centred way, including working in collaboration with individuals to achieve their therapy goals and potential. I ensure clients are listened to and provides a safe space where they can work through their limiting beliefs. my desire is to help people by providing a safe environment where they can express their emotions, thoughts, fears, and where they can be open about how they feel. Seeing my clients improving their issues, reaching their goals, overcoming their challenges and obstacles are the most fulfilling things for me.
Skye Balci, Psychologist
Skye joined the team in 2018 as a Provisional Psychologist and works with individuals on the Spectrum. Now a fully registered Psychologist, Skye continues to work in this role and focuses on behaviour management, school related issues for younger children, and is able to conduct educational and developmental related assessments. Skye has experience working with Trauma and working with whole families to help create strong relationships. Skye is very passionate about working with younger children and plays a large role in the organisation of the Social Skills groups within the Discovering Strength House.
In Skye’s words:
I joined the Discovering Strength team in 2018 as a provisional psychologist, and then became a registered Psychologist in 2020. Throughout this time, I have worked closely with my clients in terms of their social skills and emotional regulation, whilst also supporting their family. I enjoy running our Social Skills Groups that range from young children to young adults and am very involved with how groups are run. My key psychology interests involve emotional regulation, conducting assessments, and helping those across the lifespan work through things they may be struggling with. It is important for me to create an environment within my office where clients feel safe and comfortable to express their feelings, without the fear of being judged, and helping them implement tools in their life, that can be beneficial to growth.
Deb Watson, Provisional Psychologist
Deb joined the Discovering Strength Team in 2022 as administration but now works with children and young adults with a focus on ASD, education, trauma and positive psychology. She is a Provisional Psychologist who has undertaken additional training in autism spectrum disorder and Developmental Trauma. Deb has 5 years’ experience working with families and young people in relation to education, parenting practices, relationships and behaviour change. Deb participates in many groups such as Basketball, STEM, and Young-Adult Groups.
In Deb's words:
I love seeing clients achieve their goals and to help parents understand and work with their child’s behaviours. All children have their own path to walk in life and I enjoy helping them and their families fully understand their strengths and possibilities open to them. Using CBT, play therapy and with a client centered lens, I actively listen and support children/young people and their families with behavioural, educational, and psychological presentations. With a focus on resilience, personal strengths and positive psychology practices, clients are able to grow in a safe and supported environment and learn new ways to tackle persistent problems that are impacting their life or family life. CBT is an effective therapy to help clients make change which over time, can change the way they think and feel about themselves and their world. I use a fun, creative, and energetic style and I’m told I have a calming effect on my clients. I can stay calm during a very difficult session and provide comfort where required.