We are a team of psychologists, clinical psychologists, and therapists in Melbourne who are dedicated to supporting your growth and well-being. Our clinicians use evidence-based therapy to deliver high-quality mental health care for anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship challenges and more. Our services available in the Melbourne CBD and online.
Cova Psychology is led by Sarah and Chris, our principal psychologists and directors. Together, they bring decades of experience in clinical psychology and mental health care, offering compassionate and expert guidance to both clients and therapists.
Dr. Sarah Valentine (she/her)
Principal Psychologist
"I take a client-centred, trauma-informed approach. I deliver therapy with warmth and validation whilst also encouraging change and growth in an empathic way."
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Dr. Chris Coleiro (he/him)
Principal Psychologist
“I provide a safe, non-judgemental, and compassionate space which encourages my clients to tune into and understand the processes of their own mind and internal world. I'm passionate about providing therapy which allows people to grow, heal, and empower themselves.”
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Mary Barillaro
Clinical Psychologist
"I aim to create a warm, supportive space where you feel safe to explore your concerns. I take a client-centred approach to work collaboratively alongside you. Together we’ll explore different strategies to target your struggles whilst harnessing your personal strengths."
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Elfin Berwick (she/her)
Psychologist
“I have a long standing interest in working with people who have experienced difficult early relationships and trauma, both within institutions and within the context of family relationships. I have worked extensively with children, adolescents and adults. I am strongly committed to deeply listening to you as an individual and working in a collaborative, empathic way.”
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Dr Valentina Bianchi
Clinical Psychologist
"I am passionate about helping people make sense of their experiences, and align themselves to their own meaning. First, I aim to connect as a human with another human. Then, I share my intuition and evidence-based approach to support people in achieving their well-being goals"
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Bree Buck (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist
"I can offer you a safe space where we can collaboratively turn our attention inwards towards your internal world using a curious, non-judgmental stance. We will observe and try to understand your current concerns in light of your past patterns informed by clinical interventions & research. The type of clients that I am drawn to are interested in medium to long term therapy in order to change maladaptive coping strategies that are no longer benefiting the client . I am passionate about the process of empower you to find your own path towards living your values."
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Caitlin Busch (she/her)
Psychologist
"The decision to engage in therapy is a brave and commendable one, and for those who allow me to join them in that journey, I endeavour to make it a safe, fun, and nurturing process of reflection and exploration."
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Dr. Tomas Cartmill
Clinical Psychologist
"I am deeply interested in you, and how you see, feel and act in the world. If you're looking to make change, or to better understand yourself, and your relationships, then let's take action together. Before, and after-hours appointments are also available. Approach is bespoke to you, and informed by CBT, ACT, Schema, DBT and EMDR."
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Linél Franck (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist
"I am a laid-back, warm, and non-judgemental psychologist. I want to understand where you are at, where you are coming from and how I can help. I try to balance compassion, directness and a bit of humour in my approach to therapy. My expertise is in guiding adults to manage mood difficulties, anxiety, stress, childhood trauma, personality disorders, and resilience building, to name a few. I enjoy working from a Schema Therapy perspective, among other therapeutic modalities."
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Kelly Garfield (she/her)
Senior Counselling Psychologist
"I am passionate about providing a safe, warm and non-judgemental space to allow you to move through distressing experiences to live the life you want."
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Dr. Kyli Hedrick (she/her)
Psychologist
"I am invested in creating an accepting and supportive space for clients to explore any issues they may be experiencing. I treat my clients with warmth, dignity and kindness, and take a client-centred, strengths-based approach to counselling. I believe that establishing a safe and trusting relationship, and working alongside clients in a collaborative way, are both central to the therapeutic process. I also believe that integrating difficult experiences, as challenging as this may be, can bring about meaningful changes in self-awareness, identity, and purpose in a person’s life."
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Tori Pearce (she/her)
Mental Health Social Worker
"I am here to provide a space where you feel safe, supported and empowered to create meaningful change in your life. Grounded in kindness and compassion, I invite you to be yourself and show up exactly as you are. "
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Ravina Perera (she/her)
Psychologist
"I believe that improving one’s wellbeing begins first and foremost with self-reflection and understanding, and I endeavour to provide the safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space in which to do this. I am passionate about creating an environment that is comfortable and relaxed, where individuals feel at ease and not intimidated. I aim to provide this through my therapy style which focuses on direct, gentle, and compassionate guidance, while including a touch of humour and openness."
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Monique Pittas (she/her)
Psychologist
"I provide therapy in a non-judgmental and friendly environment, allowing you to share your experiences and challenges at your own pace, and by creating a space where you to feel heard, understood and validated. I believe that therapy is an invaluable tool to explore all parts of yourself, and re-defining the relationship with your thoughts and feelings. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, client-centred, empathetic, and strengths based."
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Ruby Swaid (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist
"I am passionate about supporting people connect with their inner strengths. I do so by practicing through a compassionate non-judgmental lens, ensuring that therapy is conducted in a safe and transparent manner, where individuals are aware of their rights, treatment options and are able to openly discuss what works for them and what doesn’t. Working with me, I will prioritise your psychological safety, and join with you to help you heal, develop and meet your goals."
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Elizabeth Tupper (she/her)
Clinical Psychologist
"I collaborate with people in safe, compassionate, non-judgemental and client-centred space."
Learn MoreThe clinical team at Cova Psychology includes a diverse group of psychologists, clinical psychologists, and mental health accredited social workers.
Our friendly administration team will help match you with a psychologist who best meets your needs. If you have a particular therapist in mind, let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your preference. We’re also happy to assist with any questions about our services, including our fees and Medicare rebates.
Contact us for more information about our therapists, their availability, and how we can support you.
Chris and Sarah, the principal psychologists and directors of Cova Psychology, began working together in 2007 as part of a private outpatient team in Melbourne. During this time, they observed the significant stigma surrounding mental health conditions such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Determined to make a difference, they focused on providing compassionate, evidence-based care that fostered growth and healing for individuals with complex, long-standing mental health challenges.
Their approach combined evidence-based therapies with strong therapeutic relationships, allowing clients to improve their quality of life while addressing both current symptoms and past traumas. This commitment to trauma-informed care continues to shape their work at Cova Psychology today.
Over the years, Chris and Sarah gained extensive experience across both public and private mental health sectors, including private practice. They established several outpatient programs in Melbourne, focusing on PTSD, Complex Trauma, and PTSD in emergency services workers. Additionally, they developed a passion for providing clinical supervision to Melbourne psychologists, inspiring other therapists to succeed in their practice and grow professionally.
In 2018, Chris and Sarah founded Cova Psychology in the Melbourne CBD. Their vision was clear: to create a clinic offering the kind of care they would want for their own loved ones during a mental health crisis. This personal approach became the foundation of Cova Psychology’s reputation for high-quality, compassionate care.
Since its establishment, Cova Psychology has grown into a respected clinic with a team of like-minded psychologists in Melbourne. The team is dedicated to high-quality, evidence-based therapy, with a special interest in trauma-informed assessment and treatment. Most of the clinic’s psychologists are trained in EMDR and all of our therapists provide personalised care using a range of validated therapeutic approaches.
Call us to discuss your needs and connect with a psychologist in Melbourne.
Don't let your struggles hold you back. Call us.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist
Acknowledgement of Country
Cova Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our Melbourne CBD practice is located—the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, as well as the Elders of other Aboriginal communities in Melbourne and beyond.
We Welcome all People
We Work With
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the practice is located. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
