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 Bernadette Cross
It’s a great honour to be the Chair for the Newcastle Branch. I'm a Clinical Psychologist working in Psychology for 22 years. I started in Private Practice during the commencement of the Better Access scheme back in 2006. Since 2008 I have been the Director of a Women’s Clinic in Lake Macquarie where I specialise in Women’s Mental Health across the ages. I am a clinical and general Psychology supervisor and hold a position on the University of Newcastle’s Human Research Ethics Committee. I also spend time guest lecturing, training, and writing in the domains of Women and Psychology. I am a working mum of three children. I have been a member of the APS since my intern years and have always advocated for such a supportive institute due to my own positive experience. The APS was a rich resource during my student days, I leant heavily on them during my early career, especially when starting private practice and continue to have rich relations and support through the APS
Secretary
Mrs Elaine Bennett
I am a Registered Psychologist with a background working in public mental health services in the NSW Central West. I made the jump into private practice in 2014 when I moved to the Newcastle area. I have been associated with the APS since 2005 and have served on committees in various roles with both the Western Region branch and the Newcastle branch. The APS has been a wonderful support professionally over the years and provides a great way to network with other psychologists. In practice I use a range of therapeutic approaches, but since training in EMDR in 2016 this has been my focus. I am an EMDR Accredited Practitioner, Consultant in Training, and Treasurer of the APS EMDR Therapy and Psychology Interest Group.
Treasurer
Mr Christopher Gregory
I am an Endorsed Clinical Psychologist and a Fellow of the Clinical College. I worked in the field of Intellectual Disability within the NSW Public Service in Sydney, on the NSW Central Coast and in Newcastle for four decades. I continued working in this field for three years within an NGO in Newcastle for four years prior to retiring in 2020. I now work within a voluntary capacity as a telephone crisis supporter at Lifeline. I have been a member of the Newcastle Branch of the APS since 2009, and I joined the committee in 2017. I have been the Treasurer of Newcastle Branch for the last three years.
Committee Member
Miss Fiona Ring
It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I am able to serve as a committee member for the Newcastle Branch.
I am currently studying the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) with Swinburne University of Technology and hope to complete my fourth year of study in the next 18 months.
I enjoy keeping active, networking and believe in continued learning. To keep busy and give back to society, I work full-time, volunteer with St Vincent de Paul and as a Crisis Supporter with Lifeline.
I hope that as a committee member, I can promote the fantastic Psychologists in the Newcastle area, encourage networking and continued learning.
I hope to see you at an event soon.