Allied Health Providers
Kelly Horne
Placement Coordinator
Janine Vargas
Physiotherapist and Clinical Educator
Janine is a physiotherapist with a special interest in neurorehabilitation and the management of chronic conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and stroke.
She obtained her qualification in Brazil in 2006 and has focused her practice on functional strengthening to help clients to maximise independence and participation.
Prior to moving to Townsville Janine lived in Sydney for 12 years where she worked in both research and clinical settings. She is passionate about helping clients to incorporate physical activity in their day to day lives and to guide them along in building healthy lifestyles.
Dr Kristin Wicking
Certified Nurse Coach, Clinic Lead
Dr Wicking is doubly certified as a coach, through both the International Coach Federation and the American Holistic Nurses Credentialling Center. She created the Chronic Condition Coaching Clinic on the JCU Townsville campus in 2016. Kristin is also the Academic Lead: Staff Well-Being for Nursing & Midwifery (N&M), where she uses coaching skills to provide wellness coaching and/or professional development coaching. She also uses coaching skills to foster timely completions and high publication rates in her seven doctoral research students, many of whom are studying chronic conditions and/or other wellness-promotion initiatives.
Dr Jacqueline Lim
Clinical Educator
Dr Jacqueline Lim is a lecturer at James Cook University and has worked as a speech pathologist for more than 20 years in Australia and Canada. She has worked with children and adults with a range of speech, language and swallowing difficulties. She has a particular interest in working with children with childhood apraxia of speech, phonological disorders and literacy difficulties. She received her PhD from the University of Sydney and her current research interests include treatment in childhood apraxia of speech and service delivery in rural and remote locations.
Daria Matkowska
Clinical Psychologist
Daria is a clinical psychologist with passion for assisting people in connecting with their strengths and reaching their full potential. Her areas of interest and experience include complex trauma recovery, personality vulnerabilities, chronic health conditions, adjustment challenges, mood disorders, grief and loss, impacts of working with traumatised clients (vicarious trauma), and LGBTQIA+ related challenges.
In her work, Daria applies evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs. She utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with elements of systemic approach, Positive Psychology, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and relaxation and mindfulness methods. Daria regularly participates in professional development events to expand her expertise.
Daria has worked across a range of settings including university, community, non for profit, government and private organisations and delivered individual as well as group interventions, including therapy, psychoeducation, and skills training.
Daria speaks English and Polish, and welcomes clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Lisa Simmons
Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Clinic Leader
Lisa is the Clinical Lead for the JCU Exercise Physiology Clinic and specialises in cardiovascular disease, metabolic conditions, mental health and behaviour change.
Brian Heilbronn
Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Clinical Educator
Brian is a Clinical Educator/Lecturer who has a special interest in strength and conditioning and is currently conducting research on fatigue in military occupational activities.
Dr Michael Inskip
Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Clinical Educator
Michael is a Clinical Educator/Lecturer who has completed his PhD in prescription of robust exercise in older populations with Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Frailty and Sarcopenia.
Andrea Sherritt
Clinic Lead / Clinical Educator
Andrea completed her Bachelor of Psychological Sciences and Masters of Speech Pathology at the University of Queensland. She has experience working with both children and adults in private practices, hospitals, community settings, rehabilitation units and aged-care facilities. She has a particular interest in progressive neurological disorders, acquired brain injuries and dysphagia (swallowing disorders). Andrea has a passion for evidence-based, person-centred care and hopes to be able to share these values with speech pathology students as a clinical educator at JCU.
Natasha Walker
BPsych, GradCertHlthProm
Natasha (Tash) is a registered psychologist who completed her Bachelor of Psychology at James Cook University. Tash works with clients across the lifespan, with a particular interest in children and adolescent mental health, as well as women’s pre and post-natal mental health and general wellbeing.
Tash’s approach emphasises the mutual development of goals for therapy and ongoing evaluation. Tash delivers a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.
Tash works with a range of client presentations including anxiety disorders, behavioural and discipline challenges, anger and stress management, trauma and abuse, relationship difficulties and low self-esteem. Tash also has a strong interest in administering psychological assessments, including cognitive and neuropsychological assessments.
Frances Cochrane
Clinical Educator
Frances Cochrane is a certified practising speech pathologist and senior lecturer at James Cook University. She has worked clinically in a range of practice settings including hospitals, community and aged-care facilities and is also employed at the Mater hospital. Frances has a particular interest in acquired neurological communication disorders including aphasia, dysarthria and acquired apraxia of speech, and is an LSVT-LOUD certified clinician. She is currently completing her PhD which is focused on speech pathology services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults post stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Laura MacDougall
Physiotherapist and Clinical Educator
Laura graduated from Bond University with a Doctor of Physiotherapy and a passion for paediatrics. Her drive led her to Townsville where she has gathered extensive experience working with children with physical impairments and their families based in rural and regional settings. Laura has been working in the Townsville community between the Child Development Service & her own Private Practice which services Hughenden, Charters Towers and Ingham.
Harriet Naylor
Clinic Lead / Clinical Educator
Harriet Naylor is a certified practising speech language pathologist and lecturer/lead clinical educator at James Cook University(JCU). After graduating from JCU in Townsville in 2013, Harriet worked at AEIOU supporting young children who presented with complex communication needs. Harriet has a strong interest in disability and extensive knowledge of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). For the past 8 years and to date, Harriet has worked with Kindergarten-Year 12 students in education settings and has a particular interest in speech, language, literacy and learning disorders. She is currently completing post-graduate qualifications in research focusing on inclusive education and collaboration with classroom teachers.
Dr Emily Adam
Registered Psychologist (Clinical Registrar)
Dr Emily Adam is a registered psychologist (clinical registrar) who has a deep passion for helping clients navigate challenging life experiences and achieve greater psychological wellbeing. Working from a strengths-based approach, Emily works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and major life changes. Emily can offer a range of evidence-based approaches to clients, including cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and schema therapy. Taking a collaborative and client-centred approach, Emily works with clients to tailor their treatment to address their specific goals and needs. Emily is also skilled in conducting a range of psychological assessments with adults and children, including assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and ASD, and neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. Emily is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and regularly engages in ongoing professional development to ensure her clients receive up-to-date and appropriate care.
Rachel Pappas
Physiotherapy Clinic Manager
Rachel Pappas is a graduate of James Cook University. She has a special interest in the area of musculoskeletal and women’s health physiotherapy. In addition to being the physiotherapy clinic manager, Rachel is responsible for undergraduate physiotherapy subjects in her position as lecturer at James Cook University.
Alex Beere
Physiotherapist and Clinical Educator
Alex Beere is a JCU graduate who completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2011. Since then, he has worked in a variety of different settings, including private practices and hospitals, with a brief stint working overseas in the UK. Alex has also completed his APA Sports Physio Level 2 course and has worked as a Team Physiotherapist for North Ward Rugby Union, Stockman's Rugby and Rebels Football Club over the years. He has a keen interest in soccer, rugby, cricket and playing the guitar.
Janet Dohnalek
Physiotherapist and Clinical Educator
Janet Dohnalek has been a physiotherapist for over 30 years, completing her degree in Adelaide. She has mostly worked in private practice in South Australia, NSW and Queensland, including working 15years for the Defence Force here in Townsville. Janet specialises in musculoskeletal physiotherapy working with sports teams in Australian Rules Football, the Townsville National Hockey team and the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. Her areas of interest include Vestibular physiotherapy, headaches and temporomandibular jaw dysfunctions. She has completed Sports Physiotherapy level 3, conducted Pilates courses and completed Acupuncture Physiotherapy Level 2. Janet has worked at the Physiotherapy Student Clinic on a casual basis since 2009 and also gives lectures at JCU. Her current interests are in cycling, short sprint triathlons, running, gardening and house renovations.
Danielle Hautaniemi
Clinical Educator
Danielle Hautaniemi is a senior speech pathologist and clinical educator at James Cook University. Following her graduation from James Cook University, Danielle has experience working in private practice providing assessment and intervention for clients aged 0 to 18 years old. Danielle has a passion for supporting paediatric clients and their families in achieving their communication goals, with particular interest in supporting clients who have speech sound disorders, motor speech disorders (i.e. Childhood Apraxia of Speech), and language disorders. Danielle is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia.
