North Coast Medical Centre Byron Bay - Our Practitioners

Dr Anthony Solomon - Principal GP

Dr Robert Trigger - GP

Dr Bettie Honey - GP

Reine DuBois - Naturopath

Lynette Tyrrell - Herbalist

Paul Orrock - Osteopath

Tomas Leszczynski - Osteopath

Simon DuBois - Psychologist

Tim Loughnan - Psychologist and Family Therapist

Robyn Grace - Psychotherapist

Ruth Levy - Psychotherapist

Roshanak Vahdani - Psychologist and Psychotherapist

Paula Thomas - Psychologist

Dave Godden - Psychologist

Dawn Cohen - Clinical Psychologist

Dr Anthony Solomon, MBBS (UNSW), Dip.Paed., Grad. Dip.Rural, FRACGP, FARGP
(GP Available ALL DAY Monday, Thursday & Friday)

Anthony is the Principal GP of the North Coast Medical Centre. He graduated from UNSW in 1991 and completed post graduate training in Paediatrics and General Practice. Anthony is a Fellow of the RACGP and also Fellow of the rural arm of the RACGP. With 15 years in clinical practice Anthony’s special interests are children's medicine, acupuncture, aboriginal health, addictions medicine, integrative medicine. He is also Co-Director of the Byron Integrative Medicine Conference.

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Dr Robert Trigger, BMBS, Cert.Sports Med
(GP Available Tuesday & Thursday afternoon and ALL DAY Friday)

Rob graduated from Flinders Medical Centre (SA) in 1984 where he completed his intern training. He moved to the Northern Rivers and spent 2 years at Lismore Base Hospital as a Resident Medical Officer. He began General Practice in 1988 in Byron Bay and spent 10 years as a Visiting Medical Officer at Byron District Hospital. He commenced practicing at North Coast Medical Centre in 1998.

In addition to his medical qualifications Rob holds a Diploma in professional Pilates and teaches this from his studio at the back of the medical practice– for more information about this please visit www.drpilatesbyronbay.com.au

His other medical interests integrating Western and Complementary approaches to achieve best health outcomes,  intravenous vitamin and nutrient therapy, and young people’s health care. He has done some extra training with  Family Planning Australia for insertion of  intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs).

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Dr Bettie Honey, MBChB(SA), DCH(Glasgow), DRANZCOG, FRACGP
(GP Available Tuesday & Thursday mornings and ALL DAY Wednesday)

Bettie has consulted as a GP at North Coast Medical Centre since 2006. Her past experience in Children's Health and Obstetrics and Gynaecology can now be combined with a new found interest in Nutritional Health, all with a commitment to whole family care.

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Reine DuBois, Dip.ND
(Naturopath Available Tuesday & Wednesday ALL DAY and Thursday Morning, Tel: 0423 581 198)

Since graduating in 1998 Reine has been a pioneer in the integrative approach to health and healing. She has worked alongside Doctors such as Dr John Ryan (Brisbane), Dr Michael Hayter (Ballina), Dr Rob Trigger (Byron Bay), Dr Anthony Solomon (Byron Bay) and Dr Elizabeth Honey (Byron Bay). She graduated her Homoeopathy study in 2005 with Lesley Meredith. Reine also works with The Sanctuary and as a result has gained invaluable insight into the natural treatment of addictions. She also has a special interest in women's health and infant care and has assisted many women with fertility, pregnancy and natural childbirth.

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Paul Orrock, RN, ND, DO, MAppSc
(Osteopath available Wednesdays Tel: 0408 995 253)

Paul originally trained as a general nurse, and has qualifications in Naturopathy and Osteopathy. He has practiced as a Naturopath and Osteopath for twenty years in Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay. He has practiced as an Osteopath at North Coast Medical Centre since 1998 using a broad range of techniques. Paul currently is Senior Lecturer and Head of the Osteopathic Programme at Southern Cross University. During his professional life, he has held many positions within the Australian Osteopathic Association, including State President, Continuing Education developer and Chair of the Research Council. Pauls goal is to ensure that all members of the public have access to safe and effective healthcare from these professions.

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Tomas Leszczynski, M.Ost, B.App.Sc (Osteo), Dip.HealthSc. (MT) Member of the Australian Osteopathic Association
(Osteopath available Fridays Tel: 0416 141 318)

Tomas completed 5 years of full-time university training and graduated with a distinction from the University of Western Sydney. Tomas’ treatments combine a variety of manual techniques that include soft-tissue stretching, massage, and joint mobilisation and manipulation, to help reduce abnormal strains from your muscles, joints and spine, and create a supportive physical environment that facilitates health and wellbeing. As a primary healthcare provider, Tomas is trained to identify health conditions that would best be managed by the patient’s GP. If need be he will refer a patient for X-rays or send them back to their GP for further testing or treatment to ensure the best level of care offered to patients. Tomas treatments are recognised by WorkCover, Medicare and the Department of Veteran Affairs. An initial consultation lasts approximately 1 hour and follow-up consultations are approximately 30 minutes. Concessions and Health fund rebates are available.

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Simon DuBois, Reg. Psychologist, Dip Couns., Grad Dip Psychology.
(Available ALL DAY Monday, Wednesday & Thursday.
Tel: 0401 440 329 Email: simon@byronbaypsych.com.au Website: www.byronbaypsych.com.au)

Simon has lived and worked in the Byron Shire for the past 12 years. In this time he has cultivated a reputation for his positive work with adolescents, families and adults in the Byron Shire. His specific skills area is working with adolescents, young adults and adults with complaints of anxiety and depression. Simon brings his work experience and expertise to the counselling process creating a relaxed and supportive environment in which personal issues can be explored. Simon also works integratively with GPs, Naturopaths and Psychiatrists at NCMC to improve the health outcomes for his patients.

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Lynette Tyrrell, Adv.Dip.HerbMed
(Herbalist available Fridays Tel: 0432 533 686)

Lynette’s passion is natural medicine and helping people to optimize their health and wellbeing using herbal medicine, natural nutritional supplements, Bach Flower essences, healthy eating and lifestyle changes. Lynette was trained in Herbal Medicine by Dorothy Hall and studied at the Nature Care College in Sydney. In her previous role as Practice Manager, she was involved in the evolution of integrative medicine at the North Coast Medical centre.  For the past 4 years, Lynette has been practicing at a busy Natural Medicine Centre in Lismore, treating clients with a wide range of acute and chronic health issues. Her special interests are anxiety, insomnia, depression, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders and allergies.

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Tim Loughnan, Psychologist and Family Therapist (MAPS) BBSc.DipEdPsych. MClinFamilyTherapy. GradDipMovement&Dance
(Psychologist and Family Therapist available Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday AM only Tel: 0431 88 1760)

Tim moved to Byron from Melbourne in 2008 with his wife & daughter. He has worked as a psychologist since 1986 in various settings including Odyssey House, Commonwealth Rehabilitation, the Transport Accident Commission, WorkCover, Community Health & in private practice. Tim’s areas of interest & expertise are in addictions, individual & family adjustment to injury or illness, transitional stages of adolescents and midlife, men’s issues, relationships and family issues. He combines psychodynamic insights, mindfulness & systemic family therapy to support change in individuals, couples and families. He is also mindful of the soul expressing its longing through symptoms of anxiety, sadness, anger and alienation. Above all Tim aims to create a safe and non-judgmental space in which issues can be explored and there can be a re-connection to a sense of purpose and meaning.

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Robyn Grace, BA.Dip.Ed.B.Soc.Sc(Psych-Hons), MAPS
(Psychotherapist availalbe Mon, Wed, Thu)

Robyn Grace is a registered psychologist with 25 years counselling experience. She sees couples and individuals for a range of issues including drug and alcohol recovery, sexual abuse, and relationships, for both short and long- term counselling. Robyn has also completed a four year post graduate training with the NSW Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. This is a long-term psychotherapy ideal for people who have done some personal growth work, and are looking for something deeper, to change long-standing patterns within themselves.

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Ruth Levy, BA (Wits), LLB (Wits), Dip Som Psych (AASP)
(Psychotherapist available Fri pm Tel: 0411 236396)

As a psychotherapist, Ruth’s approach to therapy is practical, short-term and inter-subjective aimed at supporting clients through transitional changes by developing perspective and compassion. Ruth Levy worked initially as a Solicitor and then as a Barrister for many years before moving into the Human Resources field and qualifying as a Somatic Psychotherapist. Ruth’s specialises in the facilitation of mediation and conflict resolution processes for relationship and workplace conflicts. She currently works in the area of Human Resources at Southern Cross University facilitating mediations and managing conflicts.

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Roshanak Vahdani
(Psychologist & Psychotherapist Tel: 0431 017990)

Roshanak is a registered psychologist and psychotherapist, with many years of experience in the mental health field. Her areas of interest and expertise include treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Early Childhood trauma and abuse, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, work related stress, and difficulties dealing with change. In her work with clients, her main aim to help them increase self-awareness, including those unconscious processes at work which contribute to patterns of behaviour, thought and feeling that may cause difficulties for the client. In this work, she works collaboratively with the clients to explore and identify these patterns within the therapeutic relationship with the main aim being personal growth, individuation, and improved ability to deal with psychological pain and suffering. She is available to do both short term and long term work depending on the needs of her clients.

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Paula Thomas, BSc Hons (Psych), MPsych (Clin), MAPS
(Psychologist Available Tuesday afternoon and all day Friday. Tel: 0407-312-338)

Paula works uniquely and intuitively with each individual, combining her clinical psychology skills within a holistic approach. Although combining a range of approaches, she tends to primarily work from an Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) model which is empirically based and uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies along with commitment and behavior-change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility and create a life that is meaningful and fulfilling.  Paula’s warm and accepting presence has a way of making people feel comfortable, safe and supported. Paula has experience in a range of areas including anxiety and stress, trauma, depression, family of origin issues, parenting, grief and loss, personal development, relationship issues, health related concerns and drug and alcohol problems. She works with adults and has experience within both the public system and private practice.

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Dave Godden
(Psychologist available all day Thursday & Friday)

I moved to the Byron Shire in 2000 after a career in the building industry. It was then I realised I needed more substance in my life. I decided to embark on a career in psychology and completed my studies in 2006. I have since been working in a number of areas of mental health. I worked for 2 years as group facilitator for Intra, an outreach drug and alcohol program run through the Buttery. I also co-facilitated a men’s health group at Bangalow Community Health and I currently fill the position of psychologist at the Buttery drug and alcohol program where I have been for the past 3 years.

I have an interest in men’s health and helping men to address their health issues. I specialise in trauma and associated drug and alcohol issues. My passion is to develop a trauma specific treatment centre here in the Northern Rivers and I am realising my passion with the development of the Australian Trauma Treatment Centre.

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Dawn Cohen
(Clinical Psychologist available Tuesday morning only)

Dawn Cohen is a clinical psychologist with 30 years experience in providing  help for individuals and couples in distress. Dawn tailors her approach to fit with each person's unique needs, drawing on her training in humanistic counselling, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and evidence-based psychology.  She is comfortable working with all life difficulties including  emotional pain, fear, despair, anger, depression, worries, obsessions, relationship and family problems,  alcoholism,  sexual abuse,  incest,  and trauma.  She has done post-graduate training in couple therapy, and supports couples in improving communication and mutual understanding to allow for a more enjoyable relationship. She is an approved counsellor for Workcover,  Veterans Affairs, and the Motor Accident Authority. She is also  a registered supervisor for psychologists.  Call 0403 953 221 for an appointment.

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