Our Team

David Baldwin

BA (Hons), Adjunct Fellow University Western Sydney, Fellow APS Clinical College; Fellow APS Counselling College; MAPS

David is one of the Directors at LifeConnect and he has been in private practice as a psychologist for over 30 years. Over this time David has striven to provide a psychology practice that is warm and welcoming and positioned to giving individual care at the high professional standard clients and patients expect. Besides overseeing the running of LifeConnect, David provides Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Psychotherapy for mental health issues including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, as well as personality disorders.

David also has training and experience in Corporate Coaching having worked with a number of business innovators and their senior executives. He has worked, using a collaborative approach, on issues such as career development, managing staff, leadership. strategy, communications, conflict resolution and stress management. He is interested in supporting business leaders understand their core aspirations, values and talents, then articulating a vision, strategy and plan.

David enjoys a diverse practice, from treating clinical conditions for people suffering mental health problems; to helping successful business people achieve their goals.

During his career David has served on several boards, and was an Honorary Associate and Field Supervisor at Macquarie University for 17 years. He also served as field supervisor and Adjunct Fellow at University Western Sydney Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology programme.

David works at our North Sydney practice. Consultations are in person or if requested, via Telehealth.

Cheryl Assuage

RN, Dip Psychotherapy, Member ANZAP, Member AABCAP, Member PACFA

Cheryl Assuage is a unique psychotherapist who combines over 30 years of experience in several different forms of psychotherapy. She is a highly skilled and dedicated practitioner who brings to her work passion and curiosity in support of the growth and development of her clients.

She is a highly experienced Psychotherapist and relationship counsellor. She also brings a wealth of knowledge to both parenting and step parenting issues. She is the author of the Couplet Program and has served on several boards including in relation to drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Cheryl’s therapeutic work is supported by her ongoing study of human beings’ fundamental need for connection and the nature of suffering that occurs when interpersonal connection gets disrupted.

Cheryl’s education includes extensive training in Self Psychology, Counselling, Conversational Model, Buddhist Psychotherapy and Mindfulness, Somatic Psychotherapy, and specialised training in Equine Psychotherapy, in which clients grow through working with another species.

Cheryl works in person from our Byron Bay & Mullumbimby practice and provides online therapy to clients nation wide.

Lonneke van der Laan

Registered Psychologist
BSc Psychology, MSc Child & Adolescent Psychology (The Netherlands)
assoc Maps

Lonneke is a Registered Psychologist who works with adults (18+) . She has experience in working in private practice and within a hospital setting.

Lonneke’s areas of interest include anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, relationships, women’s health, and grief/loss. She has a special interest in adjustment issues. Having moved between continents herself, Lonneke understands the challenges individuals face when going through major life changes.

Lonneke is empathetic, compassionate, and open minded and she provides a safe, reflective, and collaborative therapy space free from judgement. Through short and long-term therapy Lonneke wishes to enable her clients to gain insight and understanding in their concerns, with the aim to empower growth and an increase in overall well-being.

Lonneke’s therapeutic approach is tailored to her clients’ needs and she uses evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Lonneke works from our North Sydney practice. Consultations are provided in person or through Telehealth.

Judith Lehmann

Registered Psychologist
BA (Hons) Psych & Mgmt, M Psych (Org), MAPS Fellow APS Organisational College.

Judith is a registered psychologist with an endorsement in Organisational Psychology. She has been practicing psychology for over 15 years, of which she spent the last spent 10 years working with LifeConnect on a part-time basis. Judith is a warm and compassionate therapist, with a keen, genuine interest and fine sensitivity to the needs of her clients.

Judith helps her clients better understand inherent thinking patters that may have become limiting, unhelpful and disruptive. Addressing anxiety, stress, depression, bullying, life transitions and adjustment issues Judith draws on a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focussed Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Positive Psychology and Executive Coaching techniques.

Judith is passionate about relationships and works with individuals and couples. She has completed the Gottman Therapist (Level 1) training and works with an approach to couples therapy that includes an assessment of the relationship and integrates research-based interventions to assist couples in achieving a deeper sense of understanding, awareness, empathy, and connectedness within their relationships.

In addition, Judith brings to LifeConnect invaluable corporate experience having worked as a strategic change specialist and management consultant to numerous top tier organisations. Her training and corporate experience allows her to bring depth of knowledge especially to career-related counselling and therapy including:  Assertiveness Training; Anger Management; Bullying; Burnout; Work Life Balance; Career and Vocational Planning; Conflict Resolution; Executive Coaching; Work Related Stress and Meditation.

Judith holds a Bachelor in Psychology & Business and Master in Organisational Psychology. She is fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and has an endorsement in Organisational Psychology. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the NSW College of Organisational Psychologists.

Judith works from our North Sydney practice. Consultations are provided in person (Saturday) or through Telehealth (Thursday).