Find a Mental Health Professional
GameAware accredited professionals: It takes one to know one.
Sheyan Gunapala (VIC)
Psychologist
// Playstation
@ sheyan@ascensionclinic.com.au
I have been an avid gamer for about 20 years. I’ve played action adventure games religiously (e.g Spiderman, Rachet and Clank, Spyro) and the occasional first person shooter (even though I have realised I am not very good). I have completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Deakin University.
I also have a Master of Professional Psychology from Monash University. I am currently a generally registered Psychologist working in the disability sector. I have experience and interest in providing intervention and psychological assessment to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and general behavioural difficulties. I enjoy working with individuals with problematic gaming and helping them create new healthy habits.
Josh Battin (NSW)
Psychologist
// Playstation
// PC
@ joshua.battin@sydney.edu.au
I started gaming when I was about 10 years Old, playing Crash Bandicoot on the PS1. Since then, I’ve ended being enthralled with Triple A First Person Shooters and Single Player games that are like a good book. I’m recently getting back into real-time strategy games too, such as Company of Heroes. I love the competitive side of games. Even when I’m not placing in leader boards (which is often), I always enjoy fighting and adapting to the chaos that are multiplayer games.
I only devote my time to single player games with a superior quality of narrative so I’m maximising my gaming time, making cherished memories instead of blurred and indistinct recollections. I’m particularly avid in my psychological work with helping clients achieve immense amounts of satisfaction from their real life and their gaming time.
Luke Blackwood (QLD, NSW, WA, VIC, SA)
Clinical Psychologist
// Playstation
// XBOX
// PC
@ info@fullpotentialpsychology.com.au
Luke is the founding Clinical Psychologist at Full Potential Psychology and the creator of Legend Land, the Minecraft therapy world. Luke has the mission of making therapy fun, removing the barriers to people accessing treatment and destigmatising mental health and the expression of emotions.
Luke takes a creative, engaging approach to therapy and has worked in a number of different areas including private practice, non-government organisations, youth detention centres, acute inpatient units, and schools. Luke works effectively with a variety of conditions and specialises in autism spectrum conditions, conduct disorder, ADHD, trauma, depression, anxiety, adjustment, and mood disorders. Luke sees the importance of working with the system around the child and works with families, schools, and the broader network to help the child reach their full potential.
Luke spends his time as Creative Director adapting the evidence-based interventions he uses when face to face with a client into fun, interactive minigames that bring the sessions to life in game. When Luke is not designing games, flying Pigzy around Legend Land, or being photobombed by his Minecraft character, you find him rock climbing, stretching on a yoga mat or at the beach.
Kirsten Johnson (QLD)
Occupational Therapist
// Playstation
// SWITCH
// PC
@ kirsten.johnson@enableot.com.au
Hi my name is kirsten, I work as a Occupational Therapist in Mental health primarily with NDIS. I work in Cairns QLD and travel to Yarrabah and Innisfail.
Testimonial
"The program has been very helpful in making me aware of my own behaviours as a parent and the fact I don't push my son to be responsible for his actions. Ultimately change comes from within and he needs to be the one to regulate his behaviour.
As a teacher myself, I have found that I even change the way I speak to students in class when they don't do the right thing. I'm feeling better prepared to help my sons move forward."
- ParentTestimonial
"...Lachy's support and guidance was amazing! His professional approach to helping Angus was beyond my expectations. Angus was in a big rut and gaming too much. Lachy provided ideas and solutions that we, as parents, would never have thought to suggest. I loved that Angus looked forward to their fortnightly sessions, and I really appreciated Lachy's openess during our debriefs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend GameAware and especially Lachy to any parent that is concerned about their child's gaming."
- Parent
