About W.A.G. Therapy
W.A.G. Therapeutic Service is a private psychology practice founded by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Michelle Farbotko.
Dr Michelle has worked in, and help set up, some of the most highly specialized mental health services within the Queensland government . When she decided to "go private" and open her own clinic, she wanted to develop a practice that provided quality, evidence-based mental health treatment in a relaxed environment. In particular, she wanted to use the playful, non-judgemental, nonverbal, and friendly attributes of animals to facilitate safe and trusting opportunities for therapy.
Animal- Assisted Therapy
WAG Therapy is the only clinic in Brisbane formally trained in the use of animals in a therapeutic capacity by the International Institute of Animal Assisted Play TherapyTM. Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a form of creative therapy that utilises highly trained and credentialed therapy animals (not just pets!) to provide goal-directed interventions to individuals of all ages. AAT can be used with various types of psychological, emotional, developmental, cognitive, motivational, or physical impairments.
Our Team
Ash
Ash is a 9 year old black Labrador. He is an energetic and affectionate dog and loves to be cuddled.
Ash's favourite activity is to retrieve. Ash helps clients reach goals related to self-control, depression, emotion regulation, and self-esteem
Loki
Loki is a 4 year old Golden Retriever. As a puppy, he was originally being trained as an Autism Service Dog but unfortunately was unable to complete the program. Loki is an affectionate boy who loves pats. Loki helps clients reach goals related to anxiety, depression, emotion regulation and self-esteem. Loki particularly loves walks and jumping in muddy puddles.
Smudge
Smudge is a 10 year old black Labrador. He is an old soul, intelligent, and has plenty of personality. Smudge is very curious and loves to supervise people! Smudge helps clients reach goals related to self-esteem, anxiety, emotion regulation, friendship, and attention issues. He loves to play frisbee and tug.
Arya
Arya is an (almost) six year old Samoyed, a breed known for their bond with their humans. Arya loves making people smile and helping them with their self-esteem and emotions. She is excellent at sharing, mostly in the form of white fur that randomly reappears days later to remind you of your new strategy.
Dr. Michelle Farbotko - Founder
BSc(Hons) DPsych(Clin) MAPS(CClin)
Dr Michelle Farbotko is the founder of WAG Therapy and is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years' experience working with children, teenagers, adults, and families. She has completed a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Dr Michelle is a former Senior Clinical Psychologist with Child and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) has has both worked in, and set up, some of the Queensland governments most specialized mental health teams.
Dr Michelle has significant experience working with clients of all ages experiencing mental health difficulties, in both public and private settings. She practices a client-centred approach utilising strategies from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), and Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT).
Dr Michelle is a clinical supervisor (STAP-trained), is accredited in Triple P and Circle of Security parenting programs, and the FRIENDS resilience programs, and has completed Level 2 with the International Institute of Animal Assisted Play TherapyTM.
Angelica (pronounced An-HEL-ica)
BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin)
Angelica has worked with people across the lifespan and from diverse cultural backgrounds, addressing a wide range of concerns including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, grief, stress management, emotional regulation difficulties, and challenges associated with neurodiversity.
Angelica utilises a person-centred therapeutic approach to assist individuals in identifying their strengths and navigating their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. She provides a warm, genuine, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel validated and empowered. By highlighting their strengths and validating their experiences, Angelica supports her clients in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals. She takes great joy in seeing her clients grow and develop resilience.
Angelica believes that a strong therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is essential for effective therapy. She applies an integrative approach to therapy, drawing on a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focussed Therapy (SFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other therapeutic frameworks.
Jay
BA (Psychology, Sociology), BSc Psych, MClinPsych
Justin is a general psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Clinical Registrar. Psychology is a late career choice for Justin followed by careers in international aid and development, housing advocacy for people with brain injuries, crisis support, professional musician, and a very long time ago… helicopter pilot.
Justin often reflects that people are amazing, and with the right assistance can improve their lives. He believes a meaningful and authentic relationship with a therapist is the engine room of what brings about healing. The creation of a safe environment allows for curious exploration of one’s life that makes way for hope that things can change.
Justin’s therapeutic interests are across the life span in areas such as relationship difficulties, traumatic life experiences, anxiety and low mood, grief and life transitions, unique stressors impacting creative professionals, parenting stressors, low motivation and self-esteem, and personality vulnerabilities. He is informed by a range of therapies such as schema therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, and solutions focused therapy. Justin’s approach to therapy is warm, empathetic, and non-judgemental; he welcomes people from all walks of life.
Loren
BA (Psych), BA Honours (Psych)
Loren is a General Psychologist, registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She has over twenty years of experience in engaging with children, young people and adults in a multitude of therapeutic settings including out-of-home care, early intervention settings, in-home therapy, not-for-profit organisations in the child protection sector, and private practice. Loren is also a Psychology Board of Australia, Board Approved Supervisor.
Loren believes that clients should look forward to coming to therapy sessions - even if there is a little worry mixed in. Working in partnership with clients (and their families), Loren is dedicated to ensuring that therapeutic interventions are delivered in a way that is both what the client wants and what the client needs, to create meaningful change.
Sessions with Loren include ideas from a range of therapies, particularly Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Loren focuses on psychoeducation to build clients’ self-awareness and understanding of their challenges, combined with a strengths-based approach which allows clients to identify their resources and realise great things about who they are and what they can do.
Narissa
BPsychSc(Hons), MProfPsych
Narissa is a General Psychologist who is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists(AAPI). She has completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honors) and a Masters of Professional Psychology.
Narissa has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families in an educational (mainstream and special assistance schools) and private practice settings. She also works with adults.
Narissa creates a safe and supportive space to work collaboratively with clients to enable them to gain a better understanding of themselves to overcome their challenges. Narissa has experience delivering evidence based interventions including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) for a range of presenting issues including but not limited to anxiety, depression, social difficulties, emotion regulation, learning difficulties, and ASD. She has experience administering psychometric assessments including the WISC-V, WAIS-IV, and WIAT-III.
Narissa enjoys working creatively with clients to reach their full potential and has special interests in adolescent mental health and animal assisted therapy.
Paola
BPsySc(Hons) G.Dip(Psych), MCJC, MAPS(Assoc)
Paola is a General Psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA). She completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in Santiago, Chile (2005), and a Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice in Brisbane, Australia (2011).
In addition to these, she also completed several post graduate diplomas related to modern childhood and adolescence behavioural issues and learned the systemic family approach strategies.
Paola's experience in Australia and overseas is broad and diverse. She has worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings, including private practice, aged-care facilities, and correction services.
Paola takes an integrated approach to therapy based on an individual’s goals and needs, drawing from a range of evidenced based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Person-Centred Therapy (PCT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Motivational Interviewing.
Paola speaks fluent English and Spanish. She is passionate about helping others, bringing warmth and compassion in her approach and giving her clients the tools and techniques to empower them to make positive changes by working through their challenges to achieve their goals.
Suzanne
BPsychSc (Hons), MBioch MProfPsych MAPS (Assoc)
Suzanne is a general psychologist registered with the Australian Health
Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological
Society (APS). Suzanne has completed a Master of Biochemistry, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology and a Master of Professional Psychology. Suzanne has
experience working with children and families in the child protection sector including
out-of-home care and reunification. Suzanne has also worked with children, adults,
and older adults in a non-for-profit agency in a therapeutic setting.
Suzanne is a compassionate and dedicated therapist who uses a holistic approach
to foster resilience, self-awareness, and self-efficacy by drawing on
strategies from interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), therapeutic play and art, Dialectical
and Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based approaches. Suzanne’s
work with clients involves helping them to navigate life's challenges, from anxiety and
depression to relationship issues and trauma recovery.
Suzanne’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-
based techniques, empowering clients to uncover their strengths and develop
practical strategies and build skills for positive change. Suzanne creates a safe
space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors within an empathetic and supportive environment.
Maddy
Practice Manager
Maddy has been with W.A.G. Therapy since we opened our first standalone clinic in June 2020, and she strives to ensure all clients feel supported as they work towards improved mental health.
Maddy is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences with hopes to become a Clinical Psychologist in future.
Our therapy dog, Loki, lives with Maddy, and they share a passion for walks, fun, and long blonde hair.