Our goal is to listen, explore, coach and provide strategies to help make positive changes in your life.
At the Emotional Health Centre (EHC) we have a team of expert Coaches, Counsellors, Trainers and Psychologists in Cheltenham, who are dedicated to helping people find greater emotional and mental wellbeing.
Our experienced team have the skills and knowledge to offer a wide range of Psychological and Counselling services in Melbourne, and across Australia; and are all registered with their professional associations, such as:
Our team supports individuals, and workplaces, experiencing a number of challenging situations, such as: life and career transitions; grief and loss; stress, anxiety and depression; personal or work-based conflict; and relationship difficulties, to name a few.
Our team’s approach is one of empowering, supporting and guiding people to discover their own solutions; and to implement the plans, actions and mindset necessary to make life-enhancing changes. We do this with authenticity, honesty, empathy and courage.
What makes our team unique?
Our team of Psychologists, Counsellors, Coaches and Trainers are all committed to supporting individuals and workplaces to thrive. We take the time to listen to your life stories; and understand the patterns that have shaped, and continue to shape, your life.
Our diversity gives us a depth of knowledge and experience to understand the complex issues people are faced with at home and in the workplace. We don’t just focus on problems; we work towards solutions that will enhance your emotional strength and motivation.
EHC team
Our team of experienced Coaches, Counsellors, Psychologists, Hypnotherapists and Trainers in Melbourne offer a personalised and experienced approach to your personal and work-related challenges and are dedicated to helping you find greater wellbeing, resilience and courage in your life.
Our Director
Nicole Plotkin – Director and Principal Psychologist BA, BAppSc Psych (Hons), GDipDisability Studies, Cert4 Workplace Training and Assessment, MAPS
Nicole is passionate about helping people explore and develop new avenues for personal growth and emotional wellbeing. The key focus for all her Counselling and Psychology work is the pursuit of wellbeing for people at home and at work. She draws on a combination of Counselling, Coaching and Therapeutic approaches in one-on-one and group work, such as: Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Solution-focussed therapy; EMDR, Positive Psychology; and Mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
Her experience lies in both individual Counselling and Psychology; and Workplace Training and Support services across a number of organisations in the public, private, government, education, disability and defence force arenas.
Nicole’s particular areas of experience include: stress and anxiety management; depression; workplace and personal critical incident trauma; workplace rehabilitation issues (TAC, WorkCover); career development and transition; workplace conflict, bullying and mediation; grief and loss; parenting skills; disability issues; social integration; and relationship issues.
Nicole takes a down to earth approach to her work; and is dedicated to supporting people and teams to become more resilient when faced with personal and career challenges and change.
Celeste Whiteman – Psychologist Bachelor of Behavioral Science, Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Celeste has a passion for emotional wellbeing. She has over 18 years’ experience working with adults in the private, government and non-government sectors. She has a flexible approach to counselling treating each client as an individual. The tools and therapies used are blended to suit the needs of the client. She recently worked as a prison clinician where she facilitated group-based therapy sessions for violent offenders.
With Celeste, clients progress best through experiencing an emotionally ‘safe place’ in which solutions are discovered’. Celeste utilises Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-focused therapy (SFT), Attachment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) mindfulness and relaxation techniques, neurobiological understanding of trauma, and Creative Visualisation.
Celeste has undertaken training in Emotionally Intelligent parenting. As an adult, parent or partner, one or more of these issues are often experienced by most people at some point in life.
Dr Anna Englin – Medical Hypnotherapist MBBS.Hons, FANZCA, MASH, Dip Clin Hyp
Dr Anna Englin, a consultant pediatric anesthetist, offers evidence-based medical hypnotherapy services onsite at our practice to empower patients and help them achieve success. Medical hypnotherapy is used for changing unwanted feelings, thought patterns and bodily sensations.
It is effective in treating a wide range of issues and is commonly used for:
● fears and anxieties, overcoming phobias
● stress management
● sport, music, work and academic performance enhancement
● habit problems, such as thumb sucking or nail biting
● pain control
● Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other gastrointestinal symptom management
● increasing comfort during pregnancy or childbirth
● management of post-menopausal symptoms
● improving overall wellbeing
In medical hypnotherapy, people learn how to ‘drive their brain’. This empowering process allows them to use these skills to positively impact many other aspects of their lives. Dr Englin brings over 25 years of medical experience to her work. She uses her knowledge as a medical specialist with a deep understanding of health problems and medical procedures to
empower patients facing challenges in life. Dr Englin is focused on overall wellbeing and helping patients achieve success and wellness in their lives.
All patients are welcome and Medicare and Private Health Insurance claims may be available.
Please make a booking directly through our practice.
Karrin Fallon– Mental Health Social Worker
Karrin has worked for 20 years in the counselling and mental health fields, as a child, youth and family relationships counsellor. Since 2006, she has been a Clinical Supervisor and Team Leader of psychologists, social workers and family therapists, providing guidance on counselling practice with children, teenagers and parents. She has worked extensively with adults and children who are experiencing stress in some form. She has trained extensively in counselling clients who have experienced Domestic and Family Violence, coercive control, and other forms of trauma and abusive behaviour.
Karrin helps to strengthen the ability to cope with stressful relationships, and circumstances. She draws upon research-based strategies and knowledge of the development of children, young people and relationships, to help with stress and concerns, including:
- Depression, anxiety, sadness and grief
- Drug and alcohol concerns for self, partner or children
- Family, couple, teenager and child stress
- Unhappy relationships with friends, family or partners
- Stepfamilies (Blended families)
Juliette Kingsford – Psychologist, BA (Psychology) (Hons), MProfPsych, Assoc MAPS
Juliette (she/her) is a registered psychologist who takes an empathic, tailored approach when assisting clients to enhance their wellbeing.
Juliette believes in taking the time to create a safe, inclusive, and therapeutically inviting space for all; utilising a holistic and person-centred approach with her clients. As a practitioner, Juliette is comprehensive and collaborative; approaching therapy with the client’s background, support needs, environment, and personality in mind.
Juliette has training in both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), accompanied by previous experience working with adolescents, family members, and within the AOD sector.
Miss Janice Halim – Provisional Psychologist, BA (psychology), GDip (Professional Psychology)
Katy Blias – Psychologist / Behaviour Support Practitioner, BA (Psychology) (Hons), Assoc MAPS
Katy takes a client centered approach to counselling, with the belief that the best interests of the client and their support should be placed first. She believes in providing flexibility and empathy when understanding the client’s journey, to ensure she is meeting the client where they are at. Whilst also listening and guiding the client to where they want to be in their therapeutic journey.
She has experience working with clients navigating life changes, relationship issues, workplace issues, grief and loss, school issues, bullying, anxiety, and depression.
Katy offers unconditional positive regard to all her clients, and approaches the therapeutic relationship with empathy, care, and a genuine interest in the lives of all her clients. Katy has experience with clients from across the lifespan, with an interest for working with clients in adolescence and early adulthood. She has had training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has also had training and experience in the Assessment and Diagnosis of ADHD for adults.
Mesouda Laine – Provisional Psychologist, BPsychSc, AdvGradDipPsych, MEdDevPsych, PhD (Candidate)
Mesouda is a provisional psychologist who is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and young adults to feel understood, build confidence, and navigate challenges in meaningful ways.
With a background in teaching and a Master’s in Educational and Developmental Psychology, Mesouda is currently completing her PhD at Monash University, where her research explores how social-emotional learning can enhance children’s wellbeing.
She has experience working with children across preschool and primary school settings and has provided counselling and assessment for a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, ADHD, giftedness, and learning difficulties. Mesouda is especially passionate about working with families and the broader support network around a young person to ensure care feels consistent and connected. She values listening to her client and their caregivers’ insights and working together to develop practical, strengths-based strategies that support a child’s progress across settings.
Mesouda offers a warm, collaborative approach, with a focus on creating safe and supportive spaces where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Cassandra Toulios -Psychologist
Cassandra provides a warm, supportive, and comfortable environment for her clients. She works collaboratively with clients, so that each client feels empowered within sessions. She uses a range of interventions that include but are not limited to: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Cassandra has experience working across the lifespan and with a diverse client base, but predominantly works with adults.She provides individual counselling on a range of presenting issues that include, but are not limited to : anxiety, stress management, depression, social skills, assertiveness skills, self-esteem development, relationship challenges, workplace bullying, motivation & goal setting.
Edward Plotkin- Practice Manager
Edward is a highly passionate Executive Practice Director in the mental health and wellness industry, operating successful psychology and coaching consultancy practice improving people’s emotional health, resilience, and wellbeing, at home and in the workplace.
Edward has always developed the ability to make clients and the team at Emotional Health Centre feel important, valued, and supported. You will often see Edward, listening to people, and often sitting back to wait until he is ready to respond with a clear and practical response. He believes that the term mental disorder needs to progress to the term “working wellness”. Dissolving the stigma and allowing individuals and businesses to face their current state as an opportunity to improve.