About us
Welcome to A&U Psychology
A&U Psychology was founded with a vision to provide high-quality, evidence-based clinical and forensic psychological services. Based in the Brisbane suburb of Windsor, we offer EMDR therapy and forensic psychology as well as EMDR consulting and supervision services.Our Mission
Our psychologists aim to enhance the understanding and treatment of psychological conditions in both clinical and forensic settings. With the values of respect, integrity and collaboration in mind at all times, and through compassion, dedication and ethical practice, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients and the field of psychology as a whole.Who We Help
All psychological assessments and interventions are tailored to individual needs, with the goal of helping people to move forward in a positive way.
Forensic Psychology: Our clients include private and government organisations as well as individuals.
EMDR Therapy: The clients we support with EMDR include individuals, NDIS participants, veterans and current serving ADF members, people covered by workers’ compensation and victim services. These clients collaborate with our therapists to address a wide range of concerns, including trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction and sleep difficulties.
EMDR Consulting & Supervision: EMDR Practitioners and Therapists-In-Training.
Meet Our Psychologists
Each of the psychologists at A&U Psychology brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to client wellbeing.
Dr Ursula Oertel
Clinical Psychologist, EMDRAA Accredited Consultant
BPsychSc (Honours), MForMentH, DClinPsych
Dr Ursula Oertel is a registered Clinical Psychologist and an Accredited EMDRAA Consultant. She has been practising as a Clinical Psychologist for over 20 years and specialises in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Ursula aims to provide effective and compassionate therapy to individuals who have experienced trauma and other distressing life events. She is dedicated to helping clients heal from the emotional and psychological wounds caused by traumatic experiences. Ursula is committed to creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where clients can explore their past experiences, gain insight and develop resilience. As part of her clinical practice, Ursula provides EMDR therapy to adults of all ages presenting with a range of challenges. She specialises in:- PTSD and complex trauma
- Depression and low mood
- Anxiety, panic attacks and phobias
- Performance anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Grief and loss
- Chronic pain and medically unexplained symptoms
- Dissociative disorders
- Addictions and compulsive behaviours
While EMDR therapy is Ursula’s main modality, she has experience in a range of other therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. Ursula is registered to provide psychological services through Medicare, Private Health Insurance, NDIS, WorkCover, Open Arms, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Victim Assist Queensland and NSW Victims Services.
Consultations
Dr Ursula Oertel provides both face-to-face and telehealth consultations.
- Telehealth
- Face-to-face
Amber-Lee Johnstone
Forensic Psychologist
Bch. Science-Psych, MForMentH, MForPsych.
Amber is a Forensic Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience providing assessment and treatment to a range of forensic and clinical clients, in the community, custody and restricted settings. She has dual masters (Forensic Mental Health and Forensic Psychology), is trained in treatment modalities such as CBT and DBT and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Working with adults only, Amber is able to provide forensic risk assessment for a wide variety of behaviour and offending, including general offences, violence, sexual offending, violent extremism, intimate partner violence, targeted violence, stalking, child abuse and neglect, and protective capacity. Amber is also able to undertake specialised security psychology assessments.
Consultations
Amber provides both face-to-face and telehealth consultations. She can provide services both in the community and correctional environments.
- Telehealth
- Face-to-face
Nick Smith
Forensic Psychologist
BSc (Psych), PgDipPsych
Nick is a Forensic Psychologist and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and a Fellow of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists, with more than 20 years of experience working with vulnerable individuals and offenders, both adult and adolescent.
He began his career working in the area of substance use treatment, before moving progressively into the area of dual-diagnosis (co-occurring substance use and mental disorders), followed by five years with the Queensland Forensic Mental Health Service.
Since commencing private practice in 2009, Nick has built a solid reputation for writing high-standard medico-legal reports and providing interventions with high-risk violent and sexual offenders.
He has also established and maintained positive and productive relationships with many criminal law firms in Queensland. Nick is well known for his relaxed and easy-going manner, as well as his willingness to work collaboratively with referrers to achieve optimal outcomes with regard to both the interests of the client and the safety of the community.
Nick maintains high standards of ethics and outcomes in his work, and in addition to his forensic work he also has substantial clinical experience treating severe mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, problematic sexual behaviours, impulse control issues and addictions.
He has worked extensively with clients who are struggling with serious mental illnesses, pervasive developmental disorders, severe personality disorders and behavioural regulation difficulties.
Nick believes it is crucial for psychologists to build effective therapeutic relationships with their clients, and holds the values of compassion, openness, learning, honesty, acceptance and collaboration in the highest esteem.
Consultations
Nick provides both face-to-face and telehealth consultations.
- Telehealth
- Face-to-face