Prof. Dylan Flaws

Dr Flaws is both the founder of The Grass Tree Group and our head psychiatrist. His passion for providing a holistic approach to mental health treatments, guides how we treat our patients every day.

Dr Flaws comes from a strong research background, and considers continued learning to be one of the pillars of a strong psychiatry practice. He completed an MSc in Psychology during medical school, exploring how clinicians measure and communicate risk. He also completed a PhD with a thesis focused on exploring the clinical problem of chest pain presentations to emergency departments. The EDACS score, a notable result of his PhD work, has revolutionised how chest pain is assessed in emergency departments across New Zealand and has attracted international accolades.

Dr Flaws has focused his post-doctoral research on the physical, cognitive and psychological recovery journey of patients that survive severe illness or journey. And it’s this research that has informed the current focus of our practice.

Dr Flaws also acts as an adjunct professor of psychology at Queensland University of Technology.

Dr Rashmi Gururajan

Dr Rashmi Gururajan is a consultant psychiatrist and co-director of The Grass Tree Group. Rashmi works closely with individuals navigating the emotional complexities of chronic illness, with special interests in oncology, palliative care, and pain medicine.

Her clinical style is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in evidence. Rashmi believes in walking alongside her patients through some of life’s most challenging moments, ensuring that mental health care is seamlessly integrated with broader medical and personal needs.

She holds a Fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and a Master of Health Leadership and Management from University of New South Wales. Alongside her private work, she also practices in major public hospitals, contributing to consultation-liaison psychiatry services and multidisciplinary pain clinics.

Whether working with patients, families, or medical teams, Rashmi brings a deep commitment to thoughtful, person-centred care.

Dr Palingu Dhanapala

As the dedicated practice manager at Grass Tree Group, Palingu helps create a welcoming and well-organised space where both patients and clinicians feel supported. With a background in research focused on neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, she brings a thoughtful, informed approach to her work in mental health care.

Palingu is known for her warm, approachable leadership style and her ability to keep complex operations running smoothly behind the scenes. She focuses on building systems that prioritise patient care, clinician wellbeing and meaningful connection at every touchpoint.

She excels at creating supportive, efficient environments where both patients and practitioners can thrive. Her strengths in practice operations, workflow optimisation, and team development are guided by a strong ethos of empathy, integrity and innovation. At Grass Tree Group, Palingu plays a key role in nurturing a culture that values clinical excellence, compassionate care and the wellbeing of every individual who walks through the door.

Dr Sarangan Ketheesan

Dr. Sar is a psychiatrist with a strong clinical and academic foundation, bringing a deep commitment to trauma-informed care. He joins Grass Tree Group with extensive experience in acute adult psychiatry and a special interest in working with veterans, first responders and individuals affected by PTSD. 

Alongside his clinical work, Dr Sar is pursuing a PhD at The University of Queensland (UQ), investigating physiological biomarkers of stress and trauma in Australian Defence Force veterans. He also holds an adjunct academic role with UQ and is passionate about psychiatry education and mentoring.

Dr Sar’s approach is warm, thoughtful and research-informed, with a particular focus on personalised care. His dual engagement in frontline psychiatry and mental health research ensures his practice remains both compassionate and cutting-edge.

Mrs Melissa Haffenden

Melissa Haffenden is a dedicated and compassionate Trauma-Informed Mental Health Practitioner with extensive experience supporting individuals through complex emotional and psychological challenges. Grounded in empathy and backed by evidence-based practice, Melissa offers a safe, respectful and empowering space for healing and growth. Holding a Master of Social Work and accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) through the Australian Association of Social Workers, Melissa brings a wealth of expertise to her work across diverse mental health settings. Her holistic approach is shaped by a deep understanding of trauma, resilience and the unique needs of each client.

Melissa offers a range of therapeutic interventions, including:

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness-Based Strategies
• Sensory Modulation Techniques

She supports individuals experiencing a variety of mental health concerns, such as:

• Trauma and PTSD
• Personality Disorders
• Self-Injury and Chronic Suicidality
• Phobias, Anxiety, and Stress
• Identity Development and Bullying
• Self-Esteem, Confidence, and Communication
• Family Conflict and Major Life Transitions

Melissa is committed to walking alongside her clients as they reclaim their wellbeing and build the foundations for lasting change. Her practice reflects a belief in each person’s capacity for healing, resilience and connection

Dr Faith Ng

Dr Ng is a highly skilled and experienced psychiatrist committed to providing  quality care for her patients. She is committed to ongoing professional development to ensure that she stays up to date with the latest advancements in psychiatric research and treatment modalities.  She has been an associate lecturer for the School of Medicine in University of Queensland, is dual certified in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as consultation liaison psychiatry, has developed a home visiting psychiatry service, published on doctor’s health, severe post traumatic stress disorder, neuropsychiatry, eating disorder, and eating disorders. She has received nomination of awards for focus on provision of holistic care in the community, acknowledged for delivery of quality medical education from the UQ School of Medicine, and received research scholarships. Her caring and compassionate approach, combined with her strong clinical skills, enables her to effectively assess, diagnose, and treat a range of mental health conditions with a combination of talk therapy and medication.