Contacting your Better Life Specialist

Better Life Psychology is a psychological service aimed at providing a comprehensive and professional program to meet the needs of people as they deal with life's challenges. From the very young, to the very old, the rapid pace of social and technological change in today's world increases the stress on us as individuals, and families.

Psychologists have training in understanding human behaviour and expertise in helping people. To be a psychologist in Queensland you have to complete 6 years of training, including university study and supervised work. All practising psychologists are registered with the Psychologists Board of Qld, a government monitoring body, and bound by a strict code of practice, including guidelines regarding client confidentiality.

OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS ARE:

Phone: 07 3353 5430
Facsimilie: 07 3839 0966
Email: admin@betterlife.com.au

Santo Russo established BetterLife Psychology in 1999 after a 20 year career focused on human development across the lifespan. Before becoming a psychologist his work in early childhood development has given a solid foundation for his support for individuals, both young and old, in the challenges that they face on a day to day basis.

After completing a bachelors degree in education, Santo went on to complete a double major in psychology and a Masters Degree in Psychology at the University of Queensland. Santo continues to work with children, adolescents, adults and families in their daily challenges through his private psychology practice in Brisbane.

Michael Johnstone is a father of three sons and is a registered psychologist with 25 years experience. He continues to work in schools counselling students, parents and staff and has developed practical strategies that enable people to overcome common issues such as anger, stress, anxiety and depression. Michael believes it is important to empower clients to choose the life direction that will be most fulfilling for them and the people who are special to them.  He is experienced in exploring with people their career passions and helping them map a pathway enabling them to achieve their life goals.

Nicole Morel completed her Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) degree in 2004, and is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society.  In face-to-face, group and telephone counselling her work has given her the opportunity to work with individuals across the lifespan (from young children, pre-adolescence, adolescence, young adulthood to older adults). Nicole has enjoyed working with, and has a growing interest in working with individuals to better cope with supporting family members with mental health issues, relationship functioning, family functioning, parenting and supporting individuals to transition through adverse life circumstances and life events. She also has experience in working with individuals undertaking weight management processes, including pre-operative and post-operative support for lap-banding procedures.

Jacques Rizk is a psychologist who has been studying and practicing in the field since 1999, working extensively with parents, children and young people in particular for the past 8 years.  Jacques holds a Bachelor of Behaviour Science with Honours in Applied Psychology, and is currently completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University.

Prior to joining BetterLife Psychology, Jacques worked in a counselling setting specialising in offering support to young people with complex and long-term mental health concerns, and parents experiencing difficulties. He has been supervising clinically trained professionals since 2006. His areas of greatest clinical interest include working with eating issues and obesity, cultural issues, sexuality, and working from a Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy perspective.          

Joan Abbott (B.SocWk) is a social worker with over 30 years experience and is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker. She has worked for the last 18 years with children, adolescents and families who live with complex medical conditions and disability and recognizes the impact on all aspects of life for families who live with complex unpredictable medical conditions.

Joan offers Expressive Therapy, Interactive Drawing Therapy and Sandplay with a focus on the emotional well-being of children, adolescents and families affected by loss, grief, illness, disability and trauma. Her counselling practice combines traditional counselling, i.e. talking over your concerns with a qualified professional, with these nonverbal, creative activities that have been developed to assist self expression and to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience.

Jill Ireland (info coming soon)

Alessandro Suppini (info coming soon)

Jenne (info coming soon)

Sue (info coming soon)