Meet Our Allied Health Team
At Fullarton Clinic, our Allied Health and Therapy Team is central to delivering comprehensive, person-centred care for mental health and addiction recovery.
This integrated team includes Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Art Therapists, Nurse Therapists, Health Trainers, and Allied Health Assistants, all of whom play key roles in designing and delivering our therapy programs.
Together, they support individuals in reconnecting with daily life, developing practical coping strategies, building confidence, and rediscovering a sense of identity and purpose. Whether through movement, creative expression, structured therapeutic planning, or relational support, their work extends beyond symptom management to help restore wellbeing and strengthen readiness for work, relationships, and community life.
By focusing on the whole person — mental, emotional, social, and physical — our therapy team brings warmth, insight, and specialist care to every stage of treatment and recovery.
Ambika Achanta
MSocWk (Cand.), MSc, MBA, DipCouns
Mental Health Counsellor Ambika Achanta brings over 15 years of diverse professional experience across mental health, NGO leadership, consulting, and community development.
She has led grassroots initiatives and community-based programs that reflect her strong commitment to social impact, advocacy, and giving back to the community. These experiences and values continue to shape her approach to therapeutic care today.
Over the past five years, Ambika has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health hospital settings, delivering trauma-informed counselling and facilitating structured, evidence-based group programs for individuals with complex and co-occurring mental health challenges. She has held both clinical and coordination roles, including leading a multidisciplinary therapy team and contributing to the design and delivery of recovery-oriented services aligned with the biopsychosocial model.
Ambika brings a warm, person-centred, and strength-based approach to her work, with a focus on building safety, connection, and empowerment. She is dedicated to supporting people who have experienced trauma, offering care that is collaborative, inclusive, and respectful of cultural diversity.
Currently completing a Master of Social Work, Ambika continues to expand her clinical practice with a focus on recovery, social justice, and community engagement. We welcome Ambika to the team.
Areas of interest: Trauma recovery, mental health and wellbeing, culturally responsive care, community engagement, complex and co-occurring mental health conditions, recovery-oriented practice.
I am inspired by the resilience I see in people, and feel privileged to be part of their journey toward healing and hope.
Robbie O'Neill
BHSc, Cert IV Allied Health Assistance, Cert IV Fitness
Activities and Physical Therapist Robbie O’Neill is a dedicated health professional with extensive experience in fitness, rehabilitation, and mental health.
With more than a decade of practice, he is passionate about helping people build strength, resilience, and confidence through movement and education.
Robbie holds a Bachelor of Health Science from La Trobe University, as well as Certificates IV in Allied Health Assistance and Fitness. Drawing on his martial arts background and career in personal training, he specialises in making exercise safe, engaging, and accessible for people of all abilities.
In his work within private psychiatric hospitals, Robbie has designed and delivered inpatient exercise programs that not only improve physical health but also enhance mental wellbeing. He focuses on equipping patients with practical tools they can carry forward into daily life.
At Fullarton Clinic, Robbie leads group exercise sessions and interactive workshops that foster strength, confidence, and lasting healthy habits. He creates a welcoming environment where patients feel supported to try new things and achieve meaningful progress.
Areas of interest: Physical and mental wellbeing, rehabilitation and recovery, confidence and skill development, healthy lifestyle habits, mind–body connection through movement.
The best part of my job is watching patients grow in confidence and leave with tools they can use to support both their body and mind every day.
Michelle McPhedran
B.BioSci, GradDipPsych, B.Sci (Hons), MClinPsych
AHPRA-registered Clinical Psychologist Michelle McPhedran takes a dynamic and compassionate approach to working with clients.
She brings experience from a range of settings, including public and private health services, as well as private practice. Before becoming a Psychologist, Michelle worked in research and became interested in the field after contributing to a clinical trial exploring treatment approaches for eye disorders.
Michelle offers a warm, supportive environment and values collaboration to achieve meaningful client outcomes. She has trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches and, while she believes in the value of talk therapies, also works holistically—often in partnership with other allied health team members.
Michelle is particularly enthusiastic about group work and encourages individuals to explore it as part of their recovery journey.
Areas of interest: Personality disorders, complex trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, perinatal depression and anxiety, disordered eating, and interpersonal challenges.
I love seeing patients thrive from group work, especially those who were hesitant to try it!
Anthony Botros
BCouns, DipCommServ, DipProjMgt
Counsellor & Mental Health Therapist Anthony Botros has over 10 years of experience working in the mental health and disability sector.
He has provided support to individuals across a range of community, clinical, and outreach settings, offering compassionate, client-centred care to people with complex mental health needs and psychosocial disabilities.
Anthony is furthering his studies in Psychology, driven by a genuine passion for the field and a long-term goal of becoming a Psychologist. His approach is shaped by a blend of industry experience and ongoing learning, giving him valuable insight into the challenges clients face.
Anthony’s strengths lie in his ability to build rapport, foster trust, and create safe therapeutic environments that support growth and healing. His work is informed by a holistic approach that integrates psychological theory, trauma-informed practice, solution-focused therapy, person-centred approaches, and recovery-oriented care.
Anthony is a valued member of the team at Fullarton Clinic. His passion for mental health, combined with a strong ethical framework and a desire to reduce stigma, continues to guide his practice and professional journey. We welcome Anthony to the team.
Areas of interest: Complex mental health needs, psychosocial disabilities, trauma-informed care, solution-focused therapy, person-centred approaches, recovery-oriented practice, therapeutic relationship building, stigma reduction.
The greatest barriers to mental health are not the struggles themselves, but the silence and misunderstanding that surround them