meet kristina

MY JOURNEY

Following a career in business and time spent raising a family, Kristina returned to study to fulfil a long-held interest in the practice of psychology. She now has experience in both government and non-government organisations, and in private practice settings.

Kristina is committed to providing evidence-based psychological services tailored to her clients’ specific needs. Practicing predominantly from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT approach, a new wave form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Kristina also uses Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Schema and Mindfulness-based approaches where these are beneficial and appropriate for clients.

As her focus on supporting relationships developed, Kristina trained extensively in the Gottman Method Framework to help individuals and couples seeking relationship therapy. Kristina has experience working with a wide range of clients from young couples to the elderly, and across a range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, coping with loss and adjustment, and people experiencing stress.

About Kristina

A NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING APPROACH

About Kristina

Kristina works extensively with neurodiverse (ND) couples and individual partners in ND relationships. She is committed to ongoing professional development in this area and closely follows emerging research to ensure her practice is aligned with the latest understandings of neurodivergence, including autistic and ADHD lived experience.

Drawing on current evidence—including the 2025 consensus model of neurodiversity-affirming practice—Kristina’s approach is grounded in deep respect for individual neurotypes and the belief that neurodivergence is a natural, valuable part of human diversity.

She strives to provide a safe, supportive, and respectful space for clients to express themselves authentically—without the pressure to mask, explain, or conform to neurotypical norms. Her approach is:

  • Collaborative – recognising each client as the expert in their own life
  • Flexible – adapting communication and therapy styles to fit client needs
  • Strengths-focused – acknowledging both challenges and the unique capacities of neurodivergent minds
  • Informed and evolving – guided by lived experience, trauma-informed care, and a commitment to ongoing learning

At the heart of her practice is a therapeutic relationship built on authenticity, humility, and shared understanding. Kristina welcomes all clients as they are, and works alongside them to support meaningful change and self-defined wellbeing.

Professional Qualifications, Registrations and Memberships

Masters of Professional Psychology (ACU – Brisbane)

Masters of Business Administration QUT

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) – Honours QUT

Graduate Diploma Psychology QUT

A Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi)

Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia

Member the Association of Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS)

Bringing Baby Home Educator

Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshop Leader

Member of Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMH)

Blue Card Holder

Gottman Approved Member

Gottman Approved Member

AAPI Brisbane North Psychologist

Why the Nautilus Shell?

Nautilus Shell

The Nautilus Shell is a symbol for expansion and renewal. It is a classic example of a Fibonacci sequence, which is a series of numbers where a number is found by adding up the two numbers before it. A Fibonacci sequence describes an amazing variety of phenomena, in mathematics, science, art and nature.

A cross-section of a Nautilus shell shows the cycles of its growth as a series of pearl lined chambers arranged in a precise Golden Mean spiral. The Golden Mean Spiral is thought to be symbolic of life’s unfolding mysteries. The Nautilus grows increasingly larger chambers each season, moving into the new chamber for the next stage of its life. The new stage growth has led to the Nautilus being used as a metaphor for spiritual evolution.

The Nautilus has survived in our deep oceans almost unchanged for around 500 million years. As a symbol of expansion and renewal, the Nautilus illustrates the wonders of science and nature, and the personal evolution we progress through during our lives.

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Call 0487 480 120

connect@kristinachallands.com.au

Kristina Challands Psychologist

Get in Touch

Call 0487 480 120 
Book an appointment online

Kristina Challands Psychologist