We offer a range of psychological services for adults, children, families and other agencies.
forPsych provides services across Northern Tasmania, with outreach into the North West and North East, and other areas or states by arrangement. Additionally, most services are also available by secure telehealth, removing most geographic restrictions to access.
Strong clinical skills underpin all of our psychological services, whether forensic, general psychology or disability. Clinical and forensic assessment, interviewing, report writing, strong verbal communication skills (especially as an expert witness in court) and case presentation are vital elements of our practice of forensic and wider psychology.
With these skills, we effectively perform such tasks as: competence & capacity; psychological impact assessments; family and parenting assessments; psychological diagnoses; criminal & other forensic assessments; NDIS / disability services*; cognitive, achievement and functional assessments; supervision and training programs for psychologists, and services to veterans.
We pride ourselves in all aspects of our work, and strive to provide a non-confrontational, relatable service, where our clients feel comfortable, heard and safe. Affirming neurodiversity and gender are key cornerstones of our practice – with neurodivergent practitioners and staff.
Sam van der Wijngaart
Principal Psychologist
MPsych (Forensic) | BSci (Hons) | BFurtherEdTrg | PGCert (Ed) | GradCert (Crime Analysis)
MAAPi| ANZAPPL | ATSA
Sam started forPsych in 2011, when her family moved from Adelaide to Launceston, a coming home of sorts. She is an endorsed Forensic Psychologist with a breadth of experience working across forensic and general psychology, with a lived experience of Autism and neuro-divergence.
Sam is a proud member of AAPi and was previously a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society College of Forensic Psychologists, and served on the national executive. She is a past president of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. She has active memberships with several professional organisations related to aspects of forensic psychology practice, and is very active in pursuing professional development opportunities.
Sam provides assessments, reports and expert witness testimony for the courts. She has a particular interest in forensic matters pertaining to families and young people. Her master’s thesis considered Fitness to Stand Trial and was published in Psychology, Psychiatry and Law in 2012.
Her working life started with 12 years service in the Airforce, followed by employment in related industries. With this career experience came expertise and training in Information Technology, which culminated in qualifications in further education, and a second career as a training professional. Sam is a proud veteran.
Sam’s passion for training continues through providing seminars, workshops, training and supervision to psychologists. She is a Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development.
Bec Farnell
Practice Manager
Bec keeps the place running smoothly. Bec will be the person that answers the phone or enquiries, and makes sure the cogs all mesh together. Bec would prefer however that the cogs were made of Lego. Bec works part-time, and is generally available 10am – 2pm. If you don’t catch her, she will get back to you when on deck. Her nursing background and quirky personality mean that she gets our clients, and makes everyone comfortable.
When not working, Bec is a full-time mum, Lego fanatic, and Batman afficionado.
James Blair
Provisional Psychologist
James is our voice of reason. Quiet, calm, and with a very quick wit, James brings a maturity to the team that would otherwise be lacking. James, an ex teacher, connects exceptionally well with children and adolescents. He is a great all-rounder, and really strives to bring the best out in people, helping them achieve their goals.
Outside of the office, James manages a small farm, and contains his Star Wars fandom appropriately.
Snowy Schnauzer
Psychology Dog
BPats (Hons) | Director of Treats
Snowy is the newest member of our team. Born in January 2020, Snowy has a lot of training to go before she is fully qualified as an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog. Snowy’s role will be to participate in sessions and to help everyone feel comfortable. By far the cutest and friendliest member of the team, Snowy is already an expert toy chaser, treat tester and door greeter.
Outside of her intensive training, Snowy likes to annoy her older sister, Schnapps the Schnauzer, and sleep in the sunlight.