Brisbane Area

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 Candice Quinn
I am a registered psychologist based in Brisbane City with a background spanning clinical and organisational practice. My PhD at the University of Sydney examined clinical depression across genetics, psychophysiology, behaviour and cognition. Alongside my doctoral work, I contributed to a major international clinical trial at Westmead Hospital. I also hold a Master of Organisational Psychology, a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

Over more than 20 years, I have worked across the public and private sectors, including healthcare, finance, insurance and property. I currently work in private practice and undertake advisory work at the intersection of governance, regulation and human behaviour, with a focus on decision making in complex, high-stakes systems and the human dimensions of AI.

I am also an active member of the APS Disaster Response Network, supporting individuals and communities affected by disaster and emergency events.

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.

Treasurer

Ms Anne Lee

Committee Member

Miss Sarah Poiner

Committee Member

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

Mr Mark McMahon

Committee Member

Position vacant

Committee Member

Position vacant

Committee Member

Position vacant

Student Representative

Miss Kelly Strickland

Student Representative

Miss Serena Barton
I am a North Brisbane based student committee member who is studying Master of Professional Psychology at ISN.

Student Representative

Mrs Evgenia Vinogradova

Student Representative

Mrs Bryony Roschitsch