Prof. Dylan Flaws

Prof 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.

Prof 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.

Prof 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.

Prof 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 Ashlea White

Dr Ashlea White is a Fellowship-trained Addiction and Adult Psychiatrist providing specialist care for adults. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and holds advanced certificates in Addiction Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry.

Dr White completed her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Griffith University and also holds a Bachelor of Medical Imaging from Queensland University of Technology. She has particular expertise in substance use disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and trauma-related conditions, including work-related trauma.

Her approach is warm, respectful, and evidence-based, with a focus on comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment planning.

At Grass Tree Psychiatry, Dr White provides thoughtful, collaborative care tailored to each individual’s needs.

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, 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.

Ms Fatima Amershi

Fatima is a specialist Occupational Therapist with over six years of experience helping people living with persistent pain get back to the life that matters to them.

Her approach is holistic, client-centred and trauma-informed — grounded in the understanding that pain is complex and that meaningful recovery looks different for everyone. She integrates evidence-based techniques including motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help individuals make sense of their condition, build practical coping strategies and gradually return to the activities, roles and routines they value most.

Her clinical work is underpinned by evidence and spans pain education, activity pacing, task modification, routine management and structured return-to-work programs — all tailored to each client’s goals and developed in genuine partnership with them and their broader healthcare team.

Fatima brings warmth and genuine care to every client relationship — taking the time to understand what matters most to each person and their family and working alongside them at a pace that feels manageable, toward a life that feels like theirs again.

Dr Crysandra Soon

Dr Crysandra Soon is a Psychiatry Registrar with experience across Caboolture Hospital and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She is recognised for her strong clinical judgement, commitment to patient safety, and collaborative approach within multidisciplinary teams. Her clinical work reflects her ability to apply sound knowledge to patient care and prioritise patient safety.

With a background in psychology, neuroscience, and medical training from the University of Queensland, Dr Soon brings a thoughtful and evidence-based approach to mental health care. She has contributed to research in forensic mental health and has engaged in ongoing professional development, including attendance at the RANZCP Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Conference.

Dr Soon is actively involved in trainee leadership and quality improvement and continues to expand her expertise across a broad range of psychiatric settings. Her practice is grounded in professionalism, compassion and a commitment to continuous learning.

Andre Bauer

With over 25 years of clinical experience, Andre provides a high level of psychological care shaped by advanced training and practice in Germany, the USA, and Australia. Having held senior psychology roles at Queensland’s premier health services, including the Royal Brisbane & Women’s and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, he specialises in the complex intersection of physical and mental health.

Andre is uniquely distinguished by his expertise in supporting adults and older adults, their families, and carers through life-altering medical diagnoses and complex psychological presentations. His clinical depth is further enriched by his contributions to the profession as a Board-approved supervisor for postgraduate students and his involvement in clinical research, including projects focused on psychological adjustment and diagnostics in elderly populations. This blend of academic rigor, supervisory experience, and a compassionate approach to therapeutic practice ensures expert support for those navigating life’s most challenging transitions.

Oakley Adams

As part of the administrative team at Grass Tree Group, Oakley helps create a calm, welcoming and supportive environment for patients, clinicians and visitors alike. With experience across reception, administration, customer service and HR coordination, she brings a thoughtful and organised approach to her role within the practice.
Oakley is known for her warm, approachable nature and her ability to help people feel comfortable and supported from their very first interaction with the clinic. She understands the importance of empathy, professionalism and discretion within mental health settings and approaches every interaction with care and respect.
Her background in both corporate administration and client-facing environments has strengthened her skills in communication, organisation and patient support. At Grass Tree Group, Oakley contributes to the smooth day-to-day running of the practice while helping foster a culture centred on compassion, connection and patient wellbeing.