Join the MPC Team
Are you a psychologist ready to shape your own private practice approach while being part of a community that values connection, learning, and making a meaningful impact together?
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At Melbourne Psychology & Counselling (MPC), we welcome psychologists who want to practice independently while enjoying the warmth, support, and shared knowledge of a collegial community. We currently have space for 1–2 practitioners to join us.
About MPC
Founded in 2016 by Dr Claire Ahern and Dr Christine Raab, MPC was created to be a place where psychologists can thrive clinically, professionally, and personally. We believe the best therapy happens when clinicians feel supported, connected, and able to balance work with life outside the consulting room.
What guides us:
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Community care: serving our diverse local community with warmth, openness, and evidence-based practice.
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Collegiality: sharing knowledge, encouragement, and comradery.
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Growth: investing in research, peer learning, and professional development to deepen our practice.
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Wellbeing: valuing the welfare of psychologists as much as the care we provide clients.
Our psychologists describe MPC as supportive, collaborative, and refreshingly warm. To see testimonials from psychologists working at MPC about their experience, please take a look at the bottom of this page (click here).
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Referrals & Presenting Issues
We enjoy strong referral relationships with GPs, psychiatrists, and community services in the northern suburbs, allowing diaries to fill quickly and consistently. Psychologists at MPC work with a broad range of clients and presentations, with the flexibility to shape their caseload around areas of interest.
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​​What We Provide
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Independence doesn’t mean working alone. At MPC, you’ll have access to:
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Comfortable consulting rooms in a welcoming space
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Skilled intake and reception teams managing referrals, triage, and client support
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Robust practice management systems that let you focus on clinical work
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Mentoring programs for psychologists newer to private practice
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Collegial learning through interest groups, peer support, and professional development opportunities
Our intake service carefully matches clients and ensures readiness for therapy, promoting stronger engagement and better outcomes.
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Interest Groups and Collegial Learning
Our community thrives on learning together. Current interest groups include:
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OCD and Trauma interest groups, facilitated by our Directors
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Neuroaffirming practice and Eating Disorders groups, initiated by clinicians in our community
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EMDR group, led by an external consultant
These groups provide space to exchange ideas, practise techniques, share challenges, and stay current with research — keeping work energising and connected.
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The Community at MPC
Our psychologists range from early-career clinicians completing their registrar program to experienced practitioners with more than 10 years in private practice. What unites us is a commitment to genuine collegiality, shared growth, and mutual support.
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We regularly check in on the wellbeing of our community and adapt our services based on feedback. Psychologists consistently value the mix of independence and connection that MPC provides.
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Your Opportunity
You would practice as an independent psychologist, with:
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Full autonomy over your clinical approach and preferred client presentations
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Freedom to set your own hours, availability, and fees
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Flexibility to build the type of practice you want
We ask for a minimum of 2–3 sessions per week, with some evening or weekend availability welcomed.
Early Career Psychologists
Transitioning into private practice can feel daunting. Our Directors (both board-approved supervisors) provide mentoring and support, complemented by external group supervision led by an experienced EMDR consultant and Clinical Psychologist. Read more here.
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What We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from you if you are:
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Fully registered with AHPRA and hold professional indemnity insurance
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Eligible for Medicare provider status
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Experienced with a variety of presentations and comfortable managing a diverse caseload
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Committed to clear, timely communication with referrers
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Interested in contributing to a collegial and supportive community
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Motivated to keep learning and developing your practice
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Able to commit to a minimum of two sessions per week
It’s a bonus if you also have:
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Experience or interest in OCD, trauma, perinatal work, or eating disorders
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Experience with children and adolescents, or with LGBTIQ+ clients and families
Applications close Friday, October 17. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an informal phone chat before interview and referee checks. Early applications are encouraged.
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To apply, send a cover letter (addressing the selection criteria and outlining your interest in MPC) and CV to admin@melbpsych.com.au.​​
Testimonials from MPC Psychologists
"I came to MPC as a new graduate of a clinical psychology master’s program. I came with years of experience in the community sector, but private practice was a new role for me. I was immediately put at ease by Claire and Chris. I was encouraged and trusted to lean on my professional skills, previous experience, knowledge and training. Simultaneously, they provided me with the guidance and support when I needed it.
It is clear Claire and Chris value a high standard of clinical treatment, which is in line with my own principles. While I work independently, there is plenty of opportunity for peer support. I have used PD, team meetings, interest groups and the end of year celebration to connect with colleagues. There is also no pressure to overstretch myself, so I can comfortably maintain the workload.
All the referral, intake and feedback processes are clear and well managed. The case management software is efficient and user friendly. I use it to store my files, process billing and complete correspondence.
I have been with MPC about 3 years now and I see myself here for many more."
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- Maddy Scott, Clinical Psychologist
"Melbourne Psychology and Counselling is a fantastic place to work.
Chris and Claire promote flexibility to allow individuals to work their own way and they are super responsive when you do have a question.
There's also a great team atmosphere where everyone feels supported, nurtured and included. I had always been advised to keep one foot in the public system but I have found the experience here so good that I gave up a salaried position to work here full time."
- Dr Richard Davies, Clinical Psychologist
"I cannot speak highly enough about working at Melbourne Psychology and Counselling!
I've been here since beginning the Registrar phase of my Clinical Psychology training, right through to successful endorsement and beyond. And I also obtain ongoing formal supervision from the team.
What stands out the most to me is the superb balance that both Chris and Claire are able to achieve between an environment that feels warm, easy, approachable and relaxed yet simultaneously ethical, robust and accountable.
The systems of support (practical, professional and emotional) are in place behind the scenes which allows me to do the work I love in a sustainable way. There is also an effortless collegiality that's present between us all which makes it so enjoyable as a workplace.
I feel very lucky to have landed here."
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- Dr Rony Duncan, Clinical Psychologist
"Melbourne Psychology & Counselling (MPC) is a truly wonderful private practice! I started working at MPC on their intake team when I was a graduate student and continued with them through my registrar program and beyond.
Throughout my time with MPC, I have felt very supported by Claire and Chris, and encouraged to lean into my strengths and areas of interest. I have enjoyed having full autonomy over my caseload and given the space to work in whichever way suits me best.
To support autonomous work, MPC provides plenty of colleaguial opportunities in the form of supervision, professional development opportunities, peer discussion groups, and social events.
The team of clinicians and intake staff they have attracted are super friendly and warm. I am grateful to now have lasting relationships as a result."
- Emily Bird, Clinical Psychologist
"As a psychologist working in private practice for over ten years, I have experienced a range of different workplace environments and setups.
I can easily say that MCPS has been the most supportive, nurturing and positive practice environment to work in. The directors are warm, approachable, knowledgeable and highly dedicated to the team.
They welcome feedback to enhance the clinic’s practices and are hands-on in making improvements to the work practice environment. Private practice settings can live or die based upon their effective administration and communication and this is a core strength of MCPS.
Time is dedicated to assess each client’s needs before appointments are made to ensure the best fit is achieved for client and psychologist.
As a busy and in high-demand practice, MCPS has a fun, friendly and inclusive team culture and values providing opportunities for professional development, team meetings and social activities/ gatherings."
- Leigh Parkin, Clinical Psychologist
"I have been working at MPC for 5 years and started my career in private practice here. I have been so welcomed and supported from the onset by the directors, Chris and Claire, and the team.
Being in private practice can often be an isolating experience for many psychologists, however at MPC the opportunities to attend the mentor program for early career psychologists, group supervision and regular meetings has made it an incredibly supportive, nurturing and empowering experience. The admin team provides great support and there is an ongoing supply of new referrals.
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I feel so lucky to be enjoying such a fulfilling and satisfying career as a psychologist where I have freedom and support to work in my areas of interest, the encouragement to challenge myself and grow my expertise in other areas, and so many opportunities to learn. Claire and Chris have created a wonderful workplace and service."
- Olga Roumanos, Psychologist
"I’ve been a registered psychologist since 2009 and have worked in a number of private and public services since then.
I’ve worked as an Independent Contractor with Melbourne Psychology and Counselling since 2017 and highly recommend their management services. It’s not difficult to find a somewhere to be a private practitioner, but it’s rare to find somewhere that operates ethically, provides a supportive team environment and has solid processes for both clients and practitioners.
The Directors are excellent practitioners in their own right, ethical, smart, kind and warm humans and somehow manage to balance the needs of all parties in their business model.
Having worked in environments where I haven’t had control of my diary, I now have full control and feel no pressure around how to run my case load. They are accurate and timely with financial matters. The intake service provided is excellent, I work with the clients that suit my skill-base and feel totally confident about their ability to match client with practitioner.
I feel so fortunate to be part of this fabulous and skilled team."
- Margie Fry, Counselling Psychologist
"I found MPC to be an exceptionally welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive place to work.
Claire and Chris are highly experienced and knowledgeable practitioners who are extremely
supportive and responsive in their role as clinic directors, and lovely people as well - I would
recommend them both in a heartbeat in any one of those categories! They have built a warm, thoughtful and collaborative workplace culture where the sharing of ideas, training and development opportunities, and practice improvements, are all valued.
Many of my clients have told me they feel comfortable at the clinic and comment on the friendly atmosphere. I’m sad to no longer be working at MPC, which is why I was delighted to be asked to provide group supervision to the MPC Early Career Psychologists."
- Dr Jennifer Preston, Clinical Psychologist
"MPC is a wonderful place to commence the journey into private practice.
Both Claire and Chris are incredibly warm, responsive, and knowledgeable. They provided clinical support as well as support in helping me set up all my private practice admin and Medicare systems, and also helped with the Clinical Psychology endorsement program.
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There is a big focus in creating a collegial atmosphere with great professional development sessions, early career and group supervision programs and social events.
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I was referred people that reflected my clinical interests and I was given full autonomy in my clinical work.
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I cannot speak more highly about MPC and I am more than happy to speak about my experience further if you’d like to contact me."
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- Julia Cheah, Clinical Psychology Registrar
"I have been working for MPC for the past three years. Simply put, it is the best group private practice I have worked for (I have previously worked at 4 other group practices).
Claire and Chris do a great job of allowing autonomy while also providing support as and when needed. And they actively elicit feedback from the team and then implement it.
The culture among the team is inclusive, collegial and fun. I have never had a problem with getting enough referrals and I have found that the thoroughness of the intake process has led to lower no-show rates and more of my ideal clients than other practices I have worked at."
- Dr Jamie Barnier, Clinical Psychologist