Dr Behi Bastami, General Psychiatrist
Dr Behnam (Behi) Bastami (she/they) is a transfeminine psychiatry fellow with over 14 years of experience in Australian mental health, fluent in both Persian and English. Her clinical approach is holistic and grounded in the biopsychosocial, with particular expertise in general psychiatric conditions, neurodevelopmental conditions (Autism and ADHD), trauma-informed care, and affirming mental health support for LGBTIQ+ individuals. Drawing on both her lived experience of gender diversity and her professional background, she offers compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally attuned care for adults, with a commitment to informed consent, patient autonomy, and inclusive practice. She is a proud member of AusPATH and dedicated to advancing the mental health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse communities. Read more about her approach here.
Dr Israel Berger, Youth & General Psychiatry Fellow
Dr Israel Berger (he/him) provides a variety of psychiatric services to our clients, including ADHD and Autism assessments as well as helping with broader mental health difficulties. Whilst he often sees youth, he sees people across the lifespan for Autism and ADHD assessments and general psychiatry in the LGBTIQ+ and neurodivergent communities. Israel is Queer, AuDHD, Indigenous (Catawba/Cherokee/Jewish), and has a lived experience of depression and PTSD. He has 20 years experience in mental health and brings an eclectic approach to his interactions with clients. He is passionate about innovative treatments, including rTMS, medicine-assisted psychotherapy, and medication management. He is currently completing the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Advanced Certificate with RANZCP and the Master of Medicine (Pain Management) with the University of Sydney. To read more about Israel's approach, visit his website here.
Mr Michael Brew, Counsellor & Advocate
Michael Brew (he/him) is a proud Wiradjuri man. He is a compassionate and experienced counsellor dedicated to supporting individuals of all backgrounds. He provides a supportive and evidence based, solutions-focused environment for his clients to navigate their unique journeys without judgement in a culturally safe space. He addresses a wide spectrum of client concerns, specialising in working with the LBGTIQ+ people, trans and gender diverse or gender questioning young people and their families, and LGBTIQ+ people planning to have children. He also specialises in working with anxiety, stress, relationship challenges and anger management; families who are separating, family violence, alcohol and other drug use, and mental health specific support. You can read more about Michael here.
Ms Sue Burmeister, Practice Manager (Mental Health Hub)
Meet our practice manager Sue (she/her). She holds experience ranging from office management, customer service, business operations, and health administration. She is diverse in both her personal and professional life. She’s a proud advocate for both the LGBTIQ+ community and the neurodivergent community, with lived experience in both. She’s friendly, quirky and always up for a cuppa and a chat.
Sandra Dodlen, Provisional Psychologist
Sandra Dodlen (they/them) is a Provisional Psychologist known for their calm demeanour, genuine compassion and wicked sense of humour. They take a direct yet gentle approach to therapy, fostering authentic, non-judgemental connections in which no topic is off-limits. Sandra has a particular interest in sexual health, sexual dysfunction and exploration, working with clients from neurodiverse, gender diverse, disability, kink and non-monogamous communities, and they especially enjoy supporting teens and young adults in their journey of self-discovery. Their broader areas of experience span emotional literacy, neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues (including non-monogamy), LGBTQIA+ and gender identity, self-worth, parenting, and sexual exploration and dysfunction. Outside of clinical work, Sandra is learning French, enjoys hiking, cooking and has recently taken up Parkour. Read more about their approach here.
Dr David Graham, General Psychiatrist
Dr David Graham (he/him) enjoys working with people on medicolegal and incapacity assessments. Dave came to medicine after a stint in the military and doing a PhD in mathematics. He has a passion for innovative approaches to psychotherapy and enjoys learning about people. He is passionate about innovative treatments, including rTMS, medicine-assisted psychotherapy, and medication management. Read more about Dave's approach here.
Dr Justin Ha, General Practitioner
Dr Justin Ha (he/him) is a general practitioner, having moved to Bendigo in 2022 to complete his internship and junior hospital years at Bendigo Health and Echuca Regional Health, before training as a GP registrar at Headspace Bendigo and fellowing as a GP in 2026. He offers comprehensive care to all patients, with particular interest and additional training in mental health, gender-affirming care, preventative health, and chronic disease management. Outside of clinical practice, Justin enjoys video games, tap dancing, and karaoke. Read more about Justin here.
Mr Vic Harden, Practice Manager (Physical Health Hub)
Vic Harden (he/him) joins The Bendigo Rainbow Hub as Practice Manager for the Physical Health Hub, bringing clinical experience as a Registered Nurse and a deep commitment to community wellbeing. He has trained doctors and healthcare workers across Australia in LGBTIQA+ affirming care and are dedicated to strengthening access to safe, inclusive healthcare.
Vic has held leadership roles on the board of AusPATH and is proudly queer and neurodivergent. His work is grounded in both lived experience and professional practice, and he enjoys working collaboratively to build services that truly reflect the needs of our LGBTIQA+ and neurodivergent communities.
Mx Nik Knighton, Occupational Therapist
Nik Knighton (they/she) is a Senior Occupational Therapist with 25 years of clinical experience. They have experience with mental health and chronic conditions, chronic pain, lymphoedema and lipoedema, pelvic pain, cancer recovery, and amputee rehabilitation. They are a Certified iRest Teacher (Yoga Nidra) and a Yoga Australia registered Level 1 Yoga Teacher. At The Bendigo Rainbow Hub, Nik supports trans and gender-diverse people with safe binding and tucking practices, post-surgical recovery and compression garment care after gender-affirming surgeries, and sensory and nervous-system regulation for neurodivergent and trauma-affected clients. They work with people across Central Victoria and beyond via telehealth, grounded in trauma-informed care and a commitment to autonomy, choice, and respect. Read more about Nik’s approach here.
Ms Nomusa Napier, Nurse Practitioner
Nomusa Napier (she/her) has extensive experience in mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), primary care, correctional health, and neurodiversity-affirming practice, holding postgraduate qualifications in public health sciences and mental health nursing and a Master of Nurse Practitioner completed in 2021. Nomusa brings a compassionate, culturally responsive, neuro-affirming, and holistic approach to care, and is passionate about creating safe, inclusive services that empower individuals to better understand their health, identity, and wellbeing.
Mx Jacinta Sherlock, Dietitian
Jacinta Sherlock (she/they) brings over 10 years of experience as a trauma-informed dietitian and eating behaviour therapist to The Bendigo Rainbow Hub community. Jacinta is Queer, Autistic and has lived experience healing from an eating disorder, depression, dissociation, and PTSD. Jacinta is a curious, compassionate, authentic, holistic, and non-judgemental dietitian. She specialises in assisting adolescents and adults improve their relationship with food and trauma histories. Jacinta works extensively with people who have eating disorders (Binge Eating Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, ARFID), are neurodiverse (e.g., Autism and ADHD), and/or are LGBTIQA+. They are also passionate about gut health and weight management support. Read more about Jacinta's approach here.
Mx Jen Swan, Mental Health Social Worker
Jen Swan (they/them) brings 15 years of experience as a Mental Health Social Worker. They focus on neurodiversity, trauma, and plural systems (also called dissociative identity disorder or DID). They enjoy working with people in an art therapy context as well as talk therapy and are available to assist with applications for services such as NDIS or DSP. Read more about Jen's approach and experience here.
Ms Kirsten Taylor, Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Kirsten Taylor (she/her) is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist and counsellor with ten years of experience. Kirsten’s work focuses on mental health and wellbeing, sensory health, identity and belonging, as well as navigating life with persistent pain, disability, or ongoing health conditions. Her approach is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and grounded in respect for each person’s experience. She utilises skills in psychotherapy, coaching, and occupational therapy. Kirsten has worked in community mental health, private practice, and hospital/outpatient care. Read more about Kirsten's approach here.