Bio
Originally from South Africa, Kirsten completed her Honours degree in Psychology before beginning a successful career in human resources and organisational consulting. After migrating to Australia in 2001, she worked with Accenture, leading the graduate recruitment program and delivering interviewer training to management teams across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China and South Korea.
In 2005, Kirsten returned to her true passion—psychology. While raising her young family, she completed a Master of Educational & Developmental Psychology at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2009. Her master's research led to the co-publication of the journal article: "An Exploration into the Coping Strategies of Pre-schoolers: Implications for Practice in Children Australia".
In 2010, Kirsten established myturn2talk psychology in Melbourne, where she spent more than 15 years in private practice supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families. During this time, she practised as an endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist, became an AHPRA-approved supervisor, and developed extensive experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and professional supervision.
In 2026, Kirsten relocated to the Sunshine Coast and embraced the opportunity to reshape her practice around the work she is most passionate about. Returning to general registration as a psychologist, she now focuses exclusively on working with adolescents (16+) and adults, providing evidence-based assessment and therapy in a warm, collaborative, and highly personalised setting.
This transition has allowed Kirsten to develop a particular interest in what she is calling "Appearance Psychology" - the relationship between appearance, identity, self-worth, and mental health. Alongside this emerging area of practice, she works with people experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, AuDHD, life transitions, and the psychological impact of social comparison, perfectionism, and changing identity.
Today, myturn2talk psychology reflects Kirsten's belief that therapy is about more than reducing symptoms. It is about helping people understand themselves with greater compassion, strengthen self-worth, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Memberships & Qualifications
Registered Psychologist – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Master of Educational & Developmental Psychology – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Psychology
Member, Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi)
Why myturn2talk Psychology?
At myturn2talk psychology, I believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin, confident in who they are, and accepted for who they are.
I welcome adolescents (16+) and adults of all genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, relationship structures, and cultural backgrounds, and strive to provide a safe, respectful, and affirming therapeutic environment where every person feels seen, heard, and valued.
My Approach
I believe therapy should feel collaborative, practical and respectful. Every person brings their own experiences, strengths and challenges, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where we can work together to better understand what's happening, identify meaningful goals, and develop strategies that fit your life—not someone else's.
What we talk about
Current Areas of Practice
Kirsten has a particular interest in the relationship between appearance, identity, self-worth, and mental health. Her practice supports adolescents (16+) and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, AuDHD, life transitions, and the many ways our experiences influence how we see ourselves and engage with the world.
She works with people experiencing body image concerns, appearance anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, social comparison, and the psychological impact of today's increasingly appearance-focused world. Kirsten believes that concerns about appearance are rarely just about appearance—they are often deeply connected to confidence, identity, belonging, relationships, and self-worth.
Kirsten also has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent individuals, with particular interests in late-identified ADHD and autism, masking and camouflaging, emotional regulation, autistic and ADHD burnout, and helping clients build authentic, sustainable lives that reflect who they are rather than who they feel expected to be.
In addition, she works with people navigating significant life transitions, including perimenopause and menopause, career changes, relationship challenges, parenting and caring responsibilities, grief and loss, and periods of uncertainty or personal growth. Her practice welcomes people of all genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, relationship structures, and cultural backgrounds, providing an inclusive, respectful, and affirming therapeutic environment.
Kirsten draws on a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and tailors therapy to each individual's strengths, goals, and circumstances. She integrates Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-based approaches, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Gestalt-informed practice within a collaborative, compassionate, and person-centred framework.
Ultimately, Kirsten believes therapy is about more than reducing symptoms. It is about helping people better understand themselves, strengthen self-worth, and build a life that feels authentic, meaningful, and aligned with who they are.