Meet the Team!

Discovering Strength continues to grow each year, with new and exciting people constantly joining the team.

Denise Cran, Psychologist/ Director

Denise Cran has been a Registered Psychologist since 2000.  She is passionate about helping people with disabilities and learning difficulties.  Denise spent the first 10 years of her professional career helping people with disabilities to obtain and retain employment, then moved on to working with children and adolescents, and was also employed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) as a Senior Psychologist.  Denise now runs Discovering Strength, her own Private Practice, where she works with children diagnosed with Autism and other behavioural issues.

Mandy Robinson, Senior Psychologist

Mandy adopts a playful and warm approach to therapy. She utilises evidence-based approaches when working with young people that includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. Mandy has experience working with young people who present with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Trauma. Mandy is also able to provide educational and developmental assessments. 

In Mandy’s words:

After beginning her journey in Psychology in 2007, I completed my Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology in 2015. I have experience working as a psychologist with the Department of Education, in community health, and not-for-profit private practice. I was excited to join the Discovering Strength team in January 2018. I am passionate about helping children, teenagers, and young adults to reach their full potential and enjoy happy and fulfilling lives despite the challenges they may face. Providing caring and understanding, without judgment is something that I feel strongly about. I also have a special interest in assessments and understanding the unique cognitive and learning profiles of individuals. 

Rabia Tanveer, Psychologist

Rabia joined the Discovering Strength Team in 2018 as a Provisional Psychologist, working with children and adolescence with a focus on ASD and School related issues. Rabia is also able to conduct educational and developmental related assessments. She is now a fully registered psychologist who continues this work and is also a regular in face in many groups including Karate and Science.

In Rabia’s words: I work from the belief that the therapeutic relationship is built on trust, respect, acceptance, validation and understanding. My purpose is to get you unstuck, satisfied, confident, emotionally intelligent, and not afraid to face life. I am passionate about working with Individuals, Adolescents & Couples facilitating meaningful and lasting change.
I believe in working in a client-centred way, including working in collaboration with individuals to achieve their therapy goals and potential. I ensure clients are listened to and provides a safe space where they can work through their limiting beliefs. my desire is to help people by providing a safe environment where they can express their emotions, thoughts, fears, and where they can be open about how they feel. Seeing my clients improving their issues, reaching their goals, overcoming their challenges and obstacles are the most fulfilling things for me.

Rachel Oliver, Occupational Therapist

Rachel is an experienced Occupational Therapist with an interest in neurodiversity affirming therapy, cognition, eating difficulties, parental skills training and targeted evidence-based therapy. She works with children from age 2 up, as well as occasional adults. She is trained in sensory intervention, cognitive rehabilitation, functional capacity assessments, housing assessments and equipment assessments, as well as a wealth of experience working with autism and ADHD.

In Rachel's words: I joined discovering strength in 2025, after 9 years working as an occupational therapist and in other disability centric roles. I run cooking and social skills groups, holiday programs, therapy homework programs, home visits and in clinic sessions. I like to use a lot of games and play in my therapy and then assist children to generalise the skills they learn this way: children don’t learn skills when they are unhappy. I believe that every child is doing the best that they can and that what they are doing makes sense to them in that moment: we just have to find the reason why. Parents are an integral part of my practice as parental involvement in therapy almost doubles the outcomes. Understanding and skill development go hand in hand.  I love seeing my clients make progress and celebrating with them when their hard work pays off. I strive to be an open and calming presence for my clients so they can truly communicate their needs with me. I have a passion for assistive with sensory safe eating, executive function training and improving underlying cognitive function through meaningful activities and occupations.

Tamanna Rahman, Provisional Psychologist 

Tamanna is a AHPRA-registered Provisional Psychologist who completed her postgraduate studies in Psychological Science at Monash University. Her clinical experience includes working with neurodiverse children and young people, emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, behavioural concerns, social skills development, and family support. Tamanna has experience conducting psychological assessments, developing treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), behavioural support, and psychoeducation.

In Tamanna's words:   I strive to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and safe. I value working collaboratively with families, schools, and allied health professionals to ensure holistic and meaningful support tailored to each individual’s strengths and needs.  Alongside my clinical work, I have a strong background in community involvement and multicultural engagement through my volunteer role with the Bangladeshi Migrant Women Welfare Association in Melbourne. This has strengthened my understanding of diverse cultural experiences and the importance of compassionate, inclusive care. I am passionate about helping individuals and families better understand themselves, build emotional resilience, and develop practical strategies to navigate everyday challenges.

Adrian Porter, Counsellor 

Adrian is our counsellor at Discovering Strength who joined at the beginning of 2025.  He is a compassionate and dedicated counsellor with a background in supporting vulnerable families and individuals facing complex challenges. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling and has experience working with people impacted by Autism and trauma, bringing empathy, understanding, and a person-centred approach to his work. With over 25 years of involvement in basketball as a player, referee, and coach, Adrian values teamwork, resilience, and connection both on and off the court. Outside of counselling, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, going on holidays, playing games with his children, and exploring nature. He is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow.

Sarah Lawson, Provisional Psychologist

Sarah brings a warm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to therapy. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to work towards their goals. Sarah draws on evidence-based approaches and tailors interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual. Sarah has completed her psychology training across both New Zealand and Australia and holds a Master of Professional Psychology from the Cairnmillar Institute. Her diverse educational background has provided her with a broad understanding of psychological theory and practice across different settings and populations. Sarah enjoys working with children and adolescents, and is passionate about supporting individuals to develop resilience, build on their strengths, and improve their overall wellbeing.

  In Sarah’s words:

 “My interest in psychology comes from a desire to better understand how people think, learn, and experience the world around them. I am passionate about supporting individuals to navigate challenges, build on their strengths, and achieve meaningful goals. I strive to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable exploring their experiences and developing practical strategies to enhance their wellbeing. I  also have a particular interest in cognitive and educational assessments. I find it rewarding to help individuals and families gain a deeper understanding of learning, cognitive strengths, and areas of difficulty. I believe that assessment can provide valuable insight, guide effective supports, and empower people to reach their full potential.”