Body & Mind

Meet Our Practitioners

Alex Scagliola
Psychologist

Alex has over 10 years of experience working in Australia’s mental health space. Alex has spent time working toward obtaining a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) & a Masters in Counselling. Alex is a general psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). Read on…

Throughout his years of experience, Alex has been trained in delivering various therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client Centred Therapy & Mindfulness Techniques. Alex looks to build rapport with all his clients through his humble & warm approach whereby he is known to bring a sense of humour to his sessions.

Alex is committed to working with his clients to help identify their strengths and create meaningful change. Often that change is supported by his ability to create a safe space & listen to each of his clients’ individual stories where he can use his experience & knowledge to help change that narrative. Alex himself is a veteran and draws on that experience to work closely with first responders and other veterans.

Alex’s areas of expertise extend to working with adults, teenagers & youth clients who require support with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief & loss, trauma, family & relationship issues, self-harm, substance abuse, domestic violence & anger management.

Nicholas Fares
Psychologist

Nicholas obtained his Bachelor of Science (Psychology) followed by a Graduate Diploma in Psychology through Murdoch University. He is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). His rich career background spans aged care, the Department of Education, private practice, and the disability sector (NDIS). Read on…

This diverse experience enriches his approach to mental health care, allowing him to connect deeply with clients from all walks of life. 
 
Nicholas provides tailored psychological services to individuals grappling with a range of challenges, from anxiety and depression to more complex disorders. Nicholas’ practice is centred on comprehensive assessment, developing personalised intervention strategies and providing in-depth counselling. Nicholas is deeply committed to supporting and guiding his clients on their journey towards mental wellness, leveraging his extensive experience to offer effective, compassionate care. Nicholas adopts a variety of modalities to support his clients, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Personality Assessments, Schema Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).  

Known for his warm and empathetic nature, Nicholas creates a safe and supportive environment where clients feel understood and valued. Nicholas genuinely puts himself in his clients’ shoes, understanding their perspectives and emotions deeply. He collaborates closely with them, guiding them on their journey to wellness rather than taking over the process. Nicholas’ wide range of experience has prepared him to handle a broad spectrum of psychological concerns, ensuring that every one of his clients feels heard and respected. 

Nicholas’ areas of expertise extend to working with children (6yo+ for telehealth), adults, families and people with disabilities & youth clients who require support with ADHD, ASD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, trauma, family and relationship issues, self-harm, addiction, domestic violence, anger management, gender identity and career development. 

**Children must be receptive to therapy for telehealth sessions** 

Priya Chand
Counsellor

Priya is an Australian Counselling Association Accredited Counsellor, holding her Bachelors majoring in Psychology, Masters in Counselling & Psychotherapy, as well as a Certificate in Psychadelic Assisted Therapy. Priya remains dedicated to advancing her knowledge in the field, currently completing a Diploma in Hypnotic Sciences and the Level 1 and Level 2 qualification in Clinical Foundations in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Read on…

Holding a warm and welcoming space for her clients, Priya adopts a
collaborative and holistic approach tailored to individual needs and current struggles, supporting one’s ability to promote personal growth, healing and resilience. Priya has a keen interest in supporting couples and individuals with relationship issues, leveraging a
tailored approach that primarily incorporates person-centred therapies alongside Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT) and narrative and existential modalities. Priya’s area of expertise extends to working with children (8yo+ for telehealth), adults and couples who require support with ADHD, ASD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, trauma, family and relationship issues, self-harm, addiction, domestic violence, anger management, gender identity, sex therapy and financial counselling.

Damien Southam
Counsellor

Damien is a registered Counsellor with ten years of experience working within the mental health space. Holding a Bachelor of Counselling and Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling), he is also a registered Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association. Read on…

Damien is committed to working with his clients to help identify their strengths, maintain a sense of self and achieve goals through the various transitions of life. Passionate about early intervention, and proactive and integrative approaches to mental and social health, Damien has a keen interest in working with neurodivergent people to assist them in achieving greater outcomes and life satisfaction for themselves. His background in crisis and trauma management has allowed Damien to further develop his skills & understand the impacts of PTSD, grief and loss, relationship and parental connection breakdown, as well as the attachment disorders that manifest with that.  

Damien’s areas of expertise extend to working with children (7yo+ for telehealth), adults, families and people with disabilities & youth clients who require support with ADHD, ASD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief & loss,  trauma, family and relationship issues, self-harm, addiction, domestic violence, anger management, gender identity, financial counselling and career development.



Testimonials

What our clients are saying about Body & Mind’s Programs

Feeling more Alive

I’ve been in other mindfulness programs and learnt the strategies but had forgotten to utilise them. With this program not only have I learnt new strategies but remembered the old ones, and with the telephone conference with a psychologist, I am now heading to a better place and feeling more alive than I have in along time.

Nathan G.

Enormous Value

The program has provided the tools necessary to reframe the turbulence and pressures faced in my life. Family, service life, minimal ‘self care’ time and self-driven high performance expectations were slowly killing me and any chance of contentment. I’ve found the yoga, daily mindfulness audio clips and weekly 15-min chats with a psychologist to be of enormous value.

Brett D.

Amazing tools to help with mental load

I love how all the programs are online and allow me to do whatever class I feel like, at whatever time suits me and my family. Having all of these amazing tools to help with the mental load of (what we all endure) everyday, has been needed and a great help.

Katherine B

Helps Me Feel Safe

The mindfulness programs and the fact that I can access a personal psychologist has helped me immensely. Having the call each week and to be able to have more if I need it has helped me to feel safe. I’m thankful that I have access to it and highly recommend it to all.

Warrick H.

Peace of Mind

Having a psychologist contact me weekly, sometimes twice a week has been a godsend. Especially in tough times when I’ve not been able to get in to see someone face to face, I’ve had peace of mind that I will get a call from my psychologist. The benefits are unmeasurable.

Angela O.