About
Our WHY
Holistic mental and allied health services for adults, children and adolescents.
Mind Matters Cairns is private allied health practice located in Manunda. We provide a range of mental and allied health services for men, women, children and adolescents.
We are an integrative practice which means we understand the importance of a holistic approach to wellbeing. As a result, in addition to offering traditional psychotherapies, we proudly specialise in Neurofeedback Therapy, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Light and Sound Therapy, Auditory Training Program and EEG Assessments and Occupational Therapy services.
Mind Matters Cairns was opened in 2010. Our vision has been to provide quality, individually tailored mental and allied health services in an environment that is comfortable, professional, supportive and confidential. We understand the importance of working with the individual and the systems around them (family, work, school, medical professionals) so we encourage a collaborative approach to ensure that everyone is working together to optimise your holistic wellbeing.
Compassion
We prioritise compassion and empathy in our interactions with every individual, recognising the intrinsic worth of all living beings.
Commitment to Quality
We are dedicated to providing high-quality individualised mental health and allied health services that positively impact not only our clients specific needs but also the needs of broader community.
Integrity and Transparency
We uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency in all our actions and communications.
Holistic Interconnection
We recognize the deep interconnection between mind, body, relationships, and the community. Guided by this understanding, we support our clients in making healthy lifestyle choices because we believe that a healthy mind is essential for overall well-being.
Our Specialist Team
Nia Barnes
Founder / Psychologist
B.Psych; GradCertMMH; CertAdvClinHyp; GradCertNeuropsychophysiology;
Nia works with adults, adolescents and children. She is passionate about the human brain and in particular how the events of the past have contributed to the current functioning of the brain and the nervous system. Her post graduate studies have focused on increasing her knowledge in this area to help her clients deal with life's challenges in more productive ways, primarily through the use of psycho education and by offering a range of therapies that will suit each person’s individual needs and personality.
Nia provides qEEG assessments and neurofeedback therapy to address longstanding conditions in adults and adolescents as well as symptoms associated with neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, ASD) in children. She is trained in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and clinical hypnosis, as well as the more traditional therapies such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, CBT, ACT and Sandplay Therapy.
She has worked with individuals struggling with mood disorders including anxiety and depression, Trauma (Developmental Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bullying, Domestic Violence), Dissociative Disorders, ADHD and ASD in adults and children as well as working with high achieving individuals on peak performance to reach their full potential. She is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc and is an accredited neurofeedback practitioner with the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance – Australia (BCIA-A).
Nia is married with 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
Liz Latchford
Psychologist
B.Psych
Elizabeth (Liz) is a psychologist who takes a holistic, neuroscience-informed approach to supporting people through emotional and psychological challenges. She is passionate about helping individuals better understand themselves, develop emotional regulation skills, and create meaningful and lasting change.
Liz has undertaken specialised training in CBT, Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Work, EEG Biofeedback, Neurofeedback and Neuroscience, Deep Brain Reorienting, and Somatic/Breathwork and Yoga Therapy for emotional regulation, anxiety, and trauma. She draws on these approaches to tailor therapy to each individual, recognising that there is no single approach that works for everyone.
Liz has a particular interest in working with individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties managing stress and overwhelming emotions. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on creating a safe environment where clients can explore their experiences and develop practical strategies to support their wellbeing.
Alongside therapy, Liz provides psychological assessments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a focus on understanding the individual as a whole and identifying strengths, challenges, and practical supports that can enhance wellbeing and everyday functioning.
Liz believes that understanding how the brain, body, emotions, and experiences interact can provide an important pathway towards greater self-awareness, resilience, and wellbeing
Samantha Mills
Psychologist
B.Psych
Sam is a psychologist with extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults facing a range of psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, substance misuse, and complex trauma histories. She is particularly passionate about working with individuals suffering from Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and PTSD. She provides a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to therapy and has worked with clients who are engaged with youth justice.
With a strong foundation in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, Sam is skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and somatic-based therapies. She integrates these approaches to help her clients develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and foster resilience, particularly in those recovering from trauma.
After hours, Sam and her partner care for a menagerie of scaly critters.
Mark Schmitt
Psychologist
M.Prof Psych., B.Arts, B.Comm., Dip.Bus.
Mark is a Provisional Psychologist with a background in clinical practice, social entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership. He specializes in supporting men and adolescents through a broad range of psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and substance use. By integrating evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Mark delivers a tailored, multi-modal approach to treatment.
His unique professional history—having founded a hospitality social enterprise, corporate and welfare sector training and worked across diverse business sectors—allows him to offer a pragmatic, results-oriented perspective on workplace stress and interpersonal dynamics.
Beyond his clinical work, Mark brings a wealth of lifetime experience and a commitment to personal resilience to his practice. When he is not exploring earth with his family or helping others through charity events you will find him travelling in far off places on a motorbike or training for ultra-marathons.
Stephanie Geck
Counsellor/Neurofeedback Practitioner
BPsySc/BBus/DipCouns
Stephanie is a Counsellor and Neuromodulation Therapist with over seven years of experience at Mind Matters Cairns, providing compassionate and evidence-based support to children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Her therapeutic approach is person-centred, strengths-based, and solution-focused, with a strong emphasis on creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental environment where clients feel empowered to explore challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change. Stephanie believes in working collaboratively with each individual, tailoring therapy to their unique needs, goals, and personal strengths.
Stephanie is trained in a broad range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Somatic Therapies, Neurofeedback Therapy, Interactive Metronome, Auditory Processing Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Tree of Life, and PEERS Social Skills Training.
She has a particular passion for supporting neurodiverse individuals and members of the LGBTQI+ community and is committed to providing affirming, inclusive, and neurodiversity-friendly care. Her work focuses on helping clients develop emotional insight, practical coping strategies, improved self-awareness, and greater confidence in navigating life’s challenges.
Clients often describe Stephanie’s approach as warm, compassionate, insightful, and practical. She is passionate about helping people recognise their strengths, shift unhelpful patterns, and move toward a more fulfilling and empowered life.
Please note Stephanie works from our Anderson St office, to book in with Stephanie, ensure the office location is set to Anderson St and not Hoare St.
Laura Phillips
Counsellor
BPsySc /DipCouns
Laura is a clinically trained counsellor with experience working with mental health conditions and neurodivergence. This training and experience enables her to undertake comprehensive ADHD and autism screening using a range of recognised screening and assessment measures available through Mind Matters Cairns. Her approach draws on information from the client as well as, where appropriate, parents, carers, schools and other professionals to build a detailed picture of the person’s strengths, challenges and support needs.
Laura works with children, adolescents and adults, providing support for a broad range of emotional, psychological and behavioural concerns. She provides Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. She has a particular interest in supporting clients who have experienced trauma and works collaboratively with clients to develop a greater understanding of their experiences, strengthen emotional regulation and build practical strategies for moving forward. She is trained in Neurofeedback and Interactive Metronome Therapy and provides EEG biofeedback/neurofeedback therapy as part of her clinical practice.
Where appropriate and with client consent, Laura works collaboratively with paediatricians, GPs, psychiatrists, schools and other treating professionals to support continuity of care and promote the overall wellbeing of her clients.
Laura has a gentle, warm and approachable manner, with a great sense of humour. Her compassion, understanding and non-judgemental approach provide clients of all ages with a sense of safety and reassurance, allowing them to feel supported as they work through challenges and make meaningful changes in their lives.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys keeping active through weight training and cycling. She is a passionate animal lover and is particularly crazy about dogs.
Emily Hayward
Occupational Therapist
BOccTh
Emily is our Occupational Therapist who goes above and beyond to assist our clients and their families. Her soft and gentle nature ensures that anxious little rugrats warm to her very quickly. Emily offers primitive reflex screening, assessment, and integration programs for children experiencing challenges with emotional regulation, attention, coordination, balance, learning, handwriting, and motor skills. Through a personalised approach, she identifies retained primitive reflexes and develops targeted strategies and activities to support each child’s development and participation in everyday activities.
Along with traditional occupational therapy services, Emily also provides Interactive Metronome Training to assist with symptoms of ASD and ADHD, increase emotional regulation, and assist with movement disorders. She provides occupational therapy and assessments for children and adults.
Emily enjoys spending time with family, is married and mum to 3 children.
Our Specialist Team
Founder / Psychologist
B.Psych; GradCertMMH; CertAdvClinHyp; GradCertNeuropsychophysiology
Nia works with adults, adolescents and children. She is passionate about the human brain and in particular how the events of the past have contributed to the current functioning of the brain and the nervous system. Her post graduate studies have focused on increasing her knowledge in this area to help her clients deal with life's challenges in more productive ways, primarily through the use of psycho education and by offering a range of therapies that will suit each person’s individual needs and personality.
Nia provides qEEG assessments and neurofeedback therapy to address longstanding conditions in adults and adolescents as well as symptoms associated with neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, ASD) in children. She is trained in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and clinical hypnosis, as well as the more traditional therapies such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, CBT, ACT and Sandplay Therapy.
She has worked with individuals struggling with mood disorders including anxiety and depression, Trauma (Developmental Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bullying, Domestic Violence), Dissociative Disorders, ADHD and ASD in adults and children as well as working with high achieving individuals on peak performance to reach their full potential. She is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc and is an accredited neurofeedback practitioner with the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance – Australia (BCIA-A).
Nia is married with 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
Psychologist
B.Psych
Elizabeth (Liz) is a psychologist who takes a holistic, neuroscience-informed approach to supporting people through emotional and psychological challenges. She is passionate about helping individuals better understand themselves, develop emotional regulation skills, and create meaningful and lasting change.
Liz has undertaken specialised training in CBT, Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Work, EEG Biofeedback, Neurofeedback and Neuroscience, Deep Brain Reorienting, and Somatic/Breathwork and Yoga Therapy for emotional regulation, anxiety, and trauma. She draws on these approaches to tailor therapy to each individual, recognising that there is no single approach that works for everyone.
Liz has a particular interest in working with individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties managing stress and overwhelming emotions. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on creating a safe environment where clients can explore their experiences and develop practical strategies to support their wellbeing.
Alongside therapy, Liz provides psychological assessments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a focus on understanding the individual as a whole and identifying strengths, challenges, and practical supports that can enhance wellbeing and everyday functioning.
Liz believes that understanding how the brain, body, emotions, and experiences interact can provide an important pathway towards greater self-awareness, resilience, and wellbeing
Psychologist
B.Psych
Sam is a psychologist with extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults facing a range of psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, substance misuse, and complex trauma histories. She is particularly passionate about working with individuals suffering from Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and PTSD. She provides a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to therapy and has worked with clients who are engaged with youth justice.
With a strong foundation in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, Sam is skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and somatic-based therapies. She integrates these approaches to help her clients develop coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and foster resilience, particularly in those recovering from trauma.
After hours, Sam and her partner care for a menagerie of scaly critters.
Psychologist
M.Prof Psych., B.Arts, B.Comm., Dip.Bus.
Mark is a Psychologist with a background in clinical practice, social entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership. He specializes in supporting men and adolescents through a broad range of psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and substance use. By integrating evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Mark delivers a tailored, multi-modal approach to treatment.
His unique professional history—having founded a hospitality social enterprise, corporate and welfare sector training and worked across diverse business sectors—allows him to offer a pragmatic, results-oriented perspective on workplace stress and interpersonal dynamics.
Beyond his clinical work, Mark brings a wealth of lifetime experience and a commitment to personal resilience to his practice. When he is not exploring earth with his family or helping others through charity events you will find him travelling in far off places on a motorbike or training for ultra-marathons.
Counsellor
BPsySc/BBus/DipCouns
Stephanie is a Counsellor and Neuromodulation Therapist with over seven years of experience at Mind Matters Cairns, providing compassionate and evidence-based support to children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Her therapeutic approach is person-centred, strengths-based, and solution-focused, with a strong emphasis on creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental environment where clients feel empowered to explore challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change.
Stephanie believes in working collaboratively with each individual, tailoring therapy to their unique needs, goals, and personal strengths.
She is trained in a broad range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Somatic Therapies, Neurofeedback Therapy, Interactive Metronome, Auditory Processing Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Tree of Life, and PEERS Social Skills Training.
Stephanie has a particular passion for supporting neurodiverse individuals and members of the LGBTQI+ community and is committed to providing affirming, inclusive, and neurodiversity-friendly care. Her work focuses on helping clients develop emotional insight, practical coping strategies, improved self-awareness, and greater confidence in navigating life’s challenges.
Clients often describe Stephanie’s approach as warm, compassionate, insightful, and practical. She is passionate about helping people recognise their strengths, shift unhelpful patterns, and move toward a more fulfilling and empowered life.
Please note Stephanie works from our Anderson St office, to book in with Stephanie, ensure the office location is set to Anderson St and not Hoare St.
Counsellor
BPsySc /DipCouns
Laura is a registered counsellor who works with children, adolescents and adults, providing support for a broad range of emotional, psychological and behavioural concerns. She provides Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. She has a particular interest in supporting clients who have experienced trauma and works collaboratively with clients to develop a greater understanding of their experiences, strengthen emotional regulation and build practical strategies for moving forward.
Laura is trained in Neurofeedback and Interactive Metronome Therapy and provides EEG biofeedback/neurofeedback therapy as part of her clinical practice.
In addition to counselling and neurofeedback, Laura is a clinically trained and has experience working with mental health conditions and neurodivergence. This training and experience enables her to undertake comprehensive ADHD and autism screening using a range of recognised screening and assessment measures available through Mind Matters Cairns. Her approach draws on information from the client as well as, where appropriate, parents, carers, schools and other professionals to build a detailed picture of the person’s strengths, challenges and support needs.
Where appropriate and with client consent, Laura works collaboratively with paediatricians, GPs, psychiatrists, schools and other treating professionals to support continuity of care and promote the overall wellbeing of her clients.
Laura has a gentle, warm and approachable manner, with a great sense of humour. Her compassion, understanding and non-judgemental approach provide clients of all ages with a sense of safety and reassurance, allowing them to feel supported as they work through challenges and make meaningful changes in their lives.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys keeping active through weight training and cycling. She is a passionate animal lover and is particularly crazy about dogs.
Occupational Therapist
BOccTh
Emily is our Occupational Therapist who goes above and beyond to assist our clients and their families. Her soft and gentle nature ensures that anxious little rugrats warm to her very quickly. Emily offers primitive reflex screening, assessment, and integration programs for children experiencing challenges with emotional regulation, attention, coordination, balance, learning, handwriting, and motor skills. Through a personalised approach, she identifies retained primitive reflexes and develops targeted strategies and activities to support each child’s development and participation in everyday activities.
Along with traditional occupational therapy services, Emily also provides Interactive Metronome Training to assist with symptoms of ASD and ADHD, increase emotional regulation, and assist with movement disorders. She provides occupational therapy and assessments for children and adults.
Emily enjoys spending time with family, is married and mum to 3 children.
