Our Team

David Baldwin

BA (Hons), Adjunct Fellow University Western Sydney, Fellow APS Clinical College; Fellow APS Counselling College; MAPS

David is one of the Directors at LifeConnect. He has been in private practice as a psychologist for over 30 years. David provides Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Psychotherapy for mental health issues including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, as well as personality disorders. David also has a wealth of experience in Corporate Coaching having worked with a number of our CEO's and their senior executives, working on issues such as career development, managing staff, leadership. strategy, communications, conflict resolution and stress management. David enjoys a diverse practice, from treating clinical conditions for people suffering mental health problems; to helping successful business people achieve their goals. During his career David has served on several boards, and as an Honorary Associate and Field Supervisor at Macquarie University for 17 years. He is currently field supervisor at University Western Sydney Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology programme.

Cheryl Assuage

RN, Dip Psychotherapy, ANZAP,AABCAP,IARPP

Director and Psychotherapist with specialised training in developmental psychology, self-psychology, the conversational model and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). With more than 30 years professional practice, Cheryl is a highly experienced psychotherapist and relationship therapist. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her therapeutic work with individuals and couples. Her therapeutic work spans supporting people struggling with individual suffering, couples with relationship difficulties, and parents facing both parenting and step parenting issues. She is the author of the sucessful Life Map and Couplet Programs.

Cheryl has served on several boards as non-executive director, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation and  treatment programs.

Cheryl’s expertise as a therapist is in developmental psychology and self-psychology focuses on strengthening and affirming the true self. This methodology brings into conscious awareness individual suffering facilitating transformation of unconscious negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Self Psychology is an evidenced-based approach with underpinnings in the psychological discipline of Attachment Theory.

Gabrielle Betteridge

Clinical Psychologist

B Psych (Hons), M Psych (Clinical), Dip Teaching, MAPS

Gabrielle is a clinical psychologist with 5 years experience in clinical treatment and a further 7 years prior experience as a counsellor.  She treats adults and older adolescents with problems of depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, personality disorders, relationship and sexual issues, and she has a special interest in treating couples who are experiencing relationship distress, sexual problems, or simply wanting to improve their relational skills. 

Gabrielle also has a special interest in working with people who are involved in the media, having previously worked for many years as a TV producer/director for several of major TV networks and production companies. She understands all aspects of being in the public eye, having worked with both professional and novice performers, and has insider’s knowledge of the issues and pressures media crew face in their jobs.

Gabrielle has a Master of Clinical Psychology (distinction) and a Bachelor of Psychology (honours) for which she was awarded the University Medal at UWS in 2012.  She also has a Diploma of Teaching and is a published author in psychology journals on the topics of human sexuality and human movement.  She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and APS College of Clinical Psychology.

Gabrielle uses evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, Gottman and emotion-focussed couples therapies, with a non-judgemental and empathetic approach.

Milica Kecmanovic

B PSYCH (HONS), M PSYCH (CLINICAL – Current)

Milica is a provisionally registered psychologist, currently finishing a Master of Clinical Psychology at Western Sydney University. She has gained experience in treating adults, adolescents and children in both public and private practice settings. Milica has helped individuals, and their families, who are facing problems with depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders, as well as relationship problems, carer stress and parenting concerns. Milica uses evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness, with an empathetic and client-centred approach.

Milica holds a Bachelor in Psychology (Honours) and has presented her research on the topics of anxiety and interpersonal problems at international psychology conferences. Before training in clinical psychology, Milica had a career in research and teaching in health economics at several Australian universities, and has also had experience working in the corporate sector. She has also lived in five countries and due to her multi-cultural background is fluent in English and Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, and conversational in French and Italian. This has given her a rich personal experience and allowed her to gain exposure to people in a variety of life situations and cultures, and has contributed to her broad-minded and non-judgemental approach.