Team

Dr Kirby Sainsbury

Clinical Psychologist 
PhD, DClinPsych, BA (Psych Hons) 
Psych Reg No. PSY0001626627

Dr Kirby has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and PhD in Health Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney. She has 11 years’ experience working in clinical and research settings in Australia and the UK. 

Kirby holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Health Psychology from the University of Sydney, complemented by a combined Bachelor’s in Psychology and Education. As an ANZAED Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, she also has training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. With over a decade of clinical and research experience in Australia and the UK, Kirby specializes in treating older adolescents and adults. Her areas of focus include eating disorders, body image issues, borderline personality disorder, and various mental health challenges, from anxiety to chronic health conditions. 

Kirby applies Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy primarily, along with techniques from other therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy. Her practice is influenced by anti-diet principles and health at every size approaches. Kirby’s significant clinical experience includes roles at Ramsay Clinic Northside, where she led programs for eating disorders and mental health treatments over several years. 

In addition to her clinical work, Kirby has a robust research profile, having contributed to behaviour change studies in the UK that focus on weight management, diet adherence, and health recommendations compliance. She has over 40 peer-reviewed publications, has presented extensively at conferences, and has been a guest speaker and lecturer in the field of health psychology. Kirby has also held editorial roles and served as a peer reviewer for numerous journals in health psychology and behavioural medicine. 

Anna van den Berg

Clinical Arts Therapist
MA CAT (Clinical), BA, BA(Hons), PGDipCAT
ANZACATA: 70105255

Anna is a Clinical Arts Therapist registered with ANZACATA. She holds a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy with First Class Honours from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Art History, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art History from the University of Auckland.

Anna specialises in working with school-aged children and teenagers in-clinic and offsite, in a one-on-one or small group setting. She especially enjoys working with neurodivergent young people. Anna works from a developmental, trauma-informed, relational perspective and takes care to avoid pathologising or making assumptions about her clients, particularly those who might come to her with an existing diagnosis. She has an affinity for adolescents and the often confusing experience of being a young person in the modern world, and wishes to support those in this tumultuous stage of life. She believes that it is meaningful and necessary to focus on wellbeing in a holistic way, engaging the mind, body, and creativity of her clients, meeting the whole person with compassion and respect.

Working with an arts therapist does not require any knowledge of artistic techniques or familiarity with materials, in fact, we find that exploring materials for their sensory qualities often leads to the deepest engagement in the therapeutic process.