Dr Sarah Woodland
Clinical Director and mental health GP
Dr Sarah Woodland grew up in Perth and graduated from UWA in 2006.
Working in various locations around Australia, including ten years in remote Northern WA, Sarah has developed a holistic understanding of mental health care. As a mental health GP, her experience involves addressing the needs of both the body and the mind with sleep, nutrition and movement, forming the foundation of good mental health. Supporting people through mental health challenges by empowering them to understand and change the factors affecting their recovery is the core of treatment.
Working with an innovative and passionate team of skilled professionals at NeuroOptimize to provide high-level care while also contributing to research is an exciting privilege. Outside of work, Sarah spends her time with her family, hiking and swimming in the ocean.
Dr Woodland is certified in rTMS, University of Western Australia.
Michelle Nurkowski
Practice Manager and Director of Services
With over eight years of nursing experience, including seven years specialising in acute mental health care within private settings, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to NeuroOptimize. A graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of British Columbia, Canada, Michelle has developed a profound understanding of mental health disorders and innovative treatment approaches.
Michelle's international experience in rural Zambia, where she contributed to health promotion and provided comprehensive care, including in psychiatric settings, has enriched her professional perspective with global insights. Passionate about mentorship, Michelle has guided new graduate nurses, sharing her expertise to foster their growth in the mental health field.
Joining NeuroOptimize as the Director Services, Michelle appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the organisation's mission. She is enthusiastic about collaborating with the team to create a brighter, healthier future for the community. Michelle is committed to not only teaching mental wellness but also practising it. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, beach combing, and expresses creativity as a ceramic artist, reflecting a balance between professional dedication and personal well-being.
Michelle is certified in rTMS, University of Western Australia
Dr Diego Milani
MBBS, Ph.d Neuroscience and clinical research director
Dr Diego is a medical doctor from Italy who graduated from the University of Perugia. Following graduation, he worked in both Hospital and General Practice settings, during which he had the opportunity to spend a few months as a Registrar in London at the University College Hospital.
In August 2013 he moved to Australia, where he started his PhD in Neuroscience, which he completed and graduated in December 2017. Following the PhD completion, he has worked as a Research Officer and Lecturer until 2018. His research in Neuroscience has been published and presented internationally.
Since gaining medical registration through the Medical Board of Australia, he have worked in a variety of clinical areas, in both metro and rural settings, where he spent time in Medical and Surgical Disciplines, as well as in the Emergency Department. More recently, he has been working in mental health and progressing through the fellowship. His professional philosophy is putting the most effort into reaching the best clinical outcomes for his patients by combining the best clinical practice with the requirements and expectations of his patients and their loved ones.
He has a natural predisposition and deep passion for mental and physical health and all activities that can improve the body's general well-being. He believes that in order to achieve the best results, individuals should be treated following a holistic approach to enhance their confidence and natural healing processes by creating the natural equilibrium and physiological balance between body and mind.
When not working or studying, he enjoys scuba diving, travelling, motorbike riding, reading, watching movies and cooking.
Languages: English, Italian
Dr Milani is certified in rTMS, University of Western Australia
Dr Lucy Fitton
Mental health GP
Dr Lucy Fitton graduated from UWA Medical School in 2004 and worked in various hospitals over a number of years, including SCGH, Fremantle Hospital, and KEMH, before completing GP training in 2015.
Lucy has worked across three metropolitan and outer metro general practices over the past ten years and strives to provide inclusive and non-judgemental care to all of her patients. She takes a holistic approach to mental and physical health and believes in using a collaborative approach based on trust and autonomy to empower people to work towards their own health goals.
Lucy has a keen interest in the mental health space in which NeuroOptimize operates and is excited to join the dedicated and passionate team at NeuroOptimize.
Dr Fitton is certified in rTMS, University of Western Australia
Natasha
Registred Nurse
Natasha grew up in England and moved to Perth when she was 14 years old.
She has been in a caring role for six years and a Registered Nurse for four years. She graduated from Murdoch University in 2020 and has worked rurally around WA hospitals, gaining experience in emergency medicine, working with children, and mental health.
She is very passionate about holistic nursing care, focusing on an individual holistically to help them achieve a greater sense of well-being. She is interested in human behaviour and how to help people live meaningful lives.
Currently, she is completing a dual certification as a Certified Holistic Life Coach and Mind-Body Practitioner. The course focuses on nervous system regulation, stress education, mind-body practices, behaviour change, and positive psychology, which aligns with the way NeuroOptimize operates.
As a Registered Nurse at NeuroOptimize, she wants to make an impact by helping people overcome emotional struggles and live with a better quality of life. She is excited to work with NeuroOptimizes’ mission to empower individuals and enable them to live a more joyful life.
In her spare time, she likes to read books, travel, spend time in nature, practice yoga and meditate.
Tash is certified in rTMS, University of Western Australia
Martha Farat
Psychologist
Martha is a registered psychologist with a wide array of experience including working with depression and anxiety, grief and loss, trauma/PTSD, anger management, relationship issues, suicide prevention, settlement and cultural issues. She is trained in a range of counselling methods:
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy
- Trauma informed practices
- Cultivation of Emotional Balance and Emotional Regulation
- Client-centred approaches
- Relaxation strategies
- Meditation and related contemplative practices
- Cross-cultural approaches
Martha has a holistic approach which is also reflected in her personal life. She has lived In Dharamsala, India where she has been studying Buddhist Psychology and Science of Mind and Tibetan language. What she found was a very profound inner science that has been exploring the mind and its potentials for millennia. The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices have been studied by modern neuroscience and research suggest that meditation can “rewire” the human brain via neural plasticity, which is the brains capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Thus, meditation practices are valid tools to enhance our well-being.
Her main interest is in exploring the interface between contemplative sciences and western psychology and neuroscience. She is passionate about combining eastern and western sciences and her goal is to promote human flourishing through a twofold approach: to reduce the impact of negative emotions and to enhance the positive emotions that naturally exist within us.
She is also fluent in Brazilian Portuguese and speaks intermediate Tibetan.
Lene-Christine Winther
Founder and partner
Founder of NeuroOptimize Pty Ltd and NeuroOptimize Heart.
Danish citizen who moved to Australia in 2023. Working as an independent consultant for multiple years, assisting companies and executive management teams with organizational and leadership development. Has a background in the financial sector, a diploma in Leadership and Sustainability, Strategic Leadership, Communication and Organization, Personal Leadership, Employee Management, and Professional Development, as well as Organizational Development and Co-Creation. She is part of Huthwaite International trainer faculty and has an executive board education. Lene-Christine has been working with coaching veterans in both related personal development and the transition into civilian society.
Lene-Christine is certified in rTMS, University of Western Australia
Diana
Finance
Diana has over 30 years of accounting experience in various areas. She specialises in assisting family businesses with insolvency and asset valuation, manages a university program that includes hospital services, and has started multiple businesses. Diana has also worked on government programs focusing on managing cash flow. She's skilled at teaching accounting software to individuals and groups and provides advice on rental property taxes. Diana continues to offer taxation, accounting, and mortgage brokering services, providing comprehensive financial assistance to her clients.
Coming up - Psychiatrist
