Who We Are
Founded in 2021 by Ashley Kelly and Claire McCosker, Step Ahead Psychology is grounded in their shared commitment to delivering accessible, evidence-based psychological care.
Ashley and Claire are dedicated to nurturing a team who value access to essential health services for regional communities and are passionate about supporting individuals through high-quality psychological support.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help you improve your wellbeing and build practical, lasting skills in managing life’s challenges, one step at a time. We aim to create a supportive therapeutic environment where you feel heard, respected and empowered to make meaningful change.
Ashley Kelly
Principal Psychologist
- Wollongong
Ashley has more than 10 years’ experience working as a psychologist and is also a Board Approved Supervisor. Her areas of specialty include Depression, Anxiety, Stress Management, Grief and Loss, Drug and Alcohol, Self-Care and Improving Communication.
Ashley mainly uses EMDR, CBT and ACT and includes Mindfulness as part of her therapy, although she has experience in a variety of therapies and likes to tailor the sessions to the individual. No two people are the same and she enjoys finding helpful strategies to suit the individual.
Ashley learns something new from every person she works with and says, “I am constantly amazed and inspired by the strength and resilience each person shows. I find this role very humbling and it’s always an honour to share in someone’s journey.”
Claire McCosker
Principal Psychologist
- Wollongong
Claire has more than 10 years experience working in the sector and has worked across a range of settings, including homelessness and domestic violence, mental health, family and relationships, university and school counselling, and private practice. Her areas of interest include grief and loss, anxiety, depression, stress and time management, trauma, adjusting to change, family and relationships, and improving general wellbeing.
Claire applies EMDR, CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, and solution-focused techniques in her therapeutic approach. She integrates her knowledge to create a unique and creative treatment plan for each individual.
“I love that each person has their own story and is the expert of their own life. It’s such a privilege to sit with another person and be trusted with their story in often highly challenging situations. I love connecting with people, and helping them learn and grow and build confidence in themselves, while learning from them in return.”
Rhian Chapman
Psychologist
- Wollongong
Rhian is a psychologist working with adolescents and adults aged 12 and over. She offers an integrative, neuroaffirming approach, drawing from CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and Somatic Therapies, and Interpersonal Psychodynamic Therapy.
Rhian has a particular interest in attachment and relational patterns, trauma recovery, neurodivergence, anxiety, and communication skills. She offers services under Medicare, NDIS and private referrals.
Assessments are available on request, subject to availability.
When Rhian is not in session, you will likely find her outdoors swimming, hiking, snorkelling or camping, or immersed in books, creative writing and art.
Michelle Wills
Psychologist
- Wollongong
Michelle has more than 10 years experience working as a psychologist and enjoys working with adults and teenagers and has worked in Out of Home Care, Disabilities, Remote Indigenous Communities and Early Childhood Interventions and workers’ compensation. She loves supporting people to set and work towards their goals.
Supporting others to find their strengths and use them is the whole reason she does this work.
She likes to use strategies from ACT and CBT, and especially EMDR. Strategies will be tailored depending on the client and what they are wanting to build their skills in. Michelle’s favourite part of the job is seeing clients prioritise themselves, build their strengths and begin to see for themselves the unique and wonderful person they are. She says it is always a good day at work when somebody starts to find their strength. Apart from her job, Michelle also loves the finer things in life, like the beach and birthday cake!
Susana Zuluaga
Psychologist
- Wollongong
Susana works with adolescents and adults aged 16 and over. She offers a warm, integrative, and neuroaffirming approach, drawing on CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and Somatic Therapies, and Interpersonal Psychodynamic Therapy to support each person’s individual needs.
She has a particular interest in attachment and relational patterns, trauma recovery, neurodivergence, anxiety, and communication skills. Susana offers services under Medicare, NDIS, WorkCover and private referrals.
Assessments are also available on request, subject to availability.
Outside of her work, Susana enjoys spending time outdoors, including swimming, hiking, snorkelling, and camping, as well as reading, creative writing, and art.
Renato Cardenas
Psychologist
- Forbes
Renato provides a warm, non-judgmental space where individuals feel safe to explore their inner world and express themselves openly. Drawing on an integrative therapeutic approach, he incorporates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Focusing-Oriented Therapy to tailor support to each person’s unique needs.
With experience across both clinical and school settings, he brings a deep understanding of the developmental and emotional challenges faced across the lifespan. His work is grounded in compassion and a belief in each individual’s capacity for growth, healing, and resilience. He offers services in both English and Spanish, and works with adults and children aged 6 years and over.
Outside of the therapy room, he finds inspiration and balance through nature, music, and creative expression.
Deb Kaita Kakiiza
Psychologist
Board Approved Supervisor
- Telehealth
Deb has more than 20 years of experience volunteering and working in psychology and counselling services. She takes a warm, whole-person approach to mental health, with a strong interest in how mind and body work together. Her areas of focus include trauma, loss and grief, disability (both congenital and adjustment to injury), neurodivergence, chronic and life-threatening illness, depression, and anxiety. Deb draws on a range of evidence-based approaches to suit each person’s needs, including cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, trauma-informed approaches, somatic approaches, and compassion-focused therapy.
At the heart of Deb’s work is collaboration. She sees therapy as a shared process, where both she and her clients bring valuable knowledge and experience. Deb holds Master’s degrees in Counselling Psychology and Health Studies (Loss and Grief), along with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Counselling, and is a board-approved supervisor with AHPRA. She lives in the New England region of NSW and grew up in rural NSW, in the small town of Coolah near Dubbo. This background gives her a strong understanding of regional life and is one reason she values offering phone and video sessions, making psychology services more accessible for people in regional and rural communities.
Peter Bland
Psychologist
- Wollongong and Forbes
Peter provides cognitive, educational, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism (ASD), intellectual disability and adaptive/functional assessments to gain an understanding of the client’s strengths, weaknesses, behaviour and general functioning, with a view to diagnosing where appropriate.
Most assessments can be administered remotely as well as face-to-face. Peter aims to provide clear and understandable reports and recommendations to assist the client’s development and help them reach academic, functional and behavioural goals.
Isabella Goodison
Psychologist
- Wollongong
Isabella provides therapy to adolescents and adults through Medicare, NDIS, and private referrals. She is passionate about supporting young people to discover their strengths, build confidence, and achieve goals they may not have thought possible, within a warm, safe, and nurturing environment.
Isabella has a special interest in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, navigating major life transitions, and supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD and autism. She draws on evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring her approach to meet each person’s unique needs and goals.
Isabella understands that life can sometimes feel overwhelming and believes that everyone deserves a space where they feel heard, understood, and supported. She works alongside her clients to navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop practical strategies that create meaningful and lasting change. Her approach is trauma-informed, compassionate, and strengths-based, with a focus on helping each person feel empowered, connected to their values, and confident in their ability to move forward.
Tully
Therapy Dog
- In Training
Tully is our playful and cuddly cavoodle pup, who is currently in training as a therapy dog. He loves cuddles, meeting new people, playing at the beach with his ball and napping on our laps. He is currently working hard to earn his accreditation, so that he can be our specialist in Animal Assisted Therapy.