Committee Information
Below are details of the current committee and vacancies. The APS is always on the look out for members who are interested in joining a Member Group committee, to help support and promote members, the profession, and the APS. For more information about joining a Member Groups committee, click here.
Have questions? Please feel free to contact committee members via PsyCommunity direct message here or reach out to APS Member Groups via [email protected].
Chair
Ms Jannette McDonald
Jannette McDonald has been an APS member since 2004. Professional leadership as a Public Sector Psychologist over more than 20 years spans rural, remote and regional centres caring for particular populations of diverse cultures including indigenous and vulnerable individuals. She is widely skilled in complex co-morbid presentations, conducting complex psychological assessment and testing, rehabilitation, counselling and change management. There has always been a special focus on supporting individuals experiencing mental health and cognitive disorders, intellectual disabilities, addiction and complex pain.
More recently she moved to Brisbane and retired from the public sector to spend more time with her family before commencing private practice. As Chair of the APS Brisbane Branch, Jannette values APS continuous support of the members at all career stages and is ready to support members through networking and gaining valuable professional development.
Secretary
Dr Sonia Kalsi
I am a UK-trained and registered Counselling Psychologist, having completed a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy at Metanoia Institute in London, UK. My career in mental health has spanned 26 years and I have worked in a variety of settings including the National Health Service, and education and voluntary sectors, predominantly in the UK and Australia.
I have been providing psychological support to adults for the past 10 years and managed my own private practice for the past 6 years. I am currently working independently in private practice in West End/ South Brisbane, and offer psychological assessment and treatment to adults, and consultancy and training to organisations. My research area of interest is student suicide.
Committee Member
Dr Carolina Gonzalez Urrutia
I am a clinical psychologist currently working as a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southern Queensland. I am the external practicum coordinator for the Master of Clinical Psychology and Master of Professional Psychology. I am also supervising Honours students. My research interests are parenting, childhood, mental health, and trauma.
Previously, I worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, after completing a PhD in Psychology. I work in private practice as well. I have 15 years of work experience in Australia and overseas. Through the years, I have worked in health settings and community organisations, with clients across the lifespan.