The Joplin Clinic Team
Meet our Joplin Clinic Team, a group of highly experienced clinical professionals and dedicated support staff. Each person on our team, from mental health experts to administrative staff, works together to provide comprehensive, patient-focused care. Their collective commitment to mental health care and patient wellbeing is what defines us at Joplin Clinic. Learn more about the dedicated individuals who contribute to the high-quality care we’re proud to offer.
Dr. Samantha Joplin
Clinic Director/Supervisor
MAPS, MACPA,
BPsych (Hons1), D. Psych (Clin), PhD(Neuro)
The University of Sydney
Dr. Samantha Joplin is a PhD-qualified Clinical Psychologist and Director of Joplin Clinic. She specialises in complex trauma and neurodevelopmental assessment across Sydney, with particular expertise in diagnostically complex and high-profile presentations.
Sam completed her Doctor of Clinical Psychology and PhD at the University of Sydney. Her doctoral research examined a specific memory phenomenon in paediatric epilepsy, strengthening her foundation in neuropsychological assessment, cognitive processes, and high-precision formulation.
Dr Joplin has worked across inpatient, outpatient, academic, and private practice settings. She provides evidence-informed psychological assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults presenting with complex trauma and PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, dissociation and emotional dysregulation, personality vulnerabilities, and severe relational and attachment disturbance.
A core focus of her practice is gold-standard diagnostic formulation for complex cases where differential diagnosis, comorbidity, and prior misdiagnosis are clinically relevant. She also works with intellectual giftedness and high cognitive ability, particularly where performance pressure, perfectionism, overcontrol, burnout, or interpersonal strain are maintaining factors.
Dr Joplin provides advanced neurocognitive assessment, targeted cognitive strategies and rehabilitation planning where indicated, and medico-legal assessment and reporting. This includes expert reports for criminal jurisdictions, such as pre-sentencing psychological reports, fitness to plead assessments, and section 14 mental health assessments, where clinically and legally appropriate.
Claire Sydney
Relationship Counsellor & Psychotherapist
M.Couns & Psychotherapy, B.LibArts&Sc (Psychology), PACFA (CP), ACA (Member), Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1)
Claire Sydney is a Psychotherapist & Couples Counsellor based in Sydney, holding a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy and membership with both the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). She is passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges, strengthen their relationships, and find greater clarity and balance.
Claire works with individuals experiencing concerns such as relationship conflict, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, attachment-related challenges, low self-worth, and feelings of excessive shame or self-criticism. She is committed to creating a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients can safely explore their experiences and begin the process of healing and growth.
Her therapeutic approach with individuals is collaborative, tailored to each client and evidence-based, drawing on Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)
Claire also offers couples therapy, drawing from Gottman and EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy) techniques to assist couples in distress, seeking reconnection and understanding. Across both individuals and couples work, she helps clients build greater self-awareness, strengthen emotional connection, and create healthier patterns of relating.
Dr Joycelyn Ling
Clinical Psychologist
BSc.(Pysch), M.Sc.(Clin Psych), D.Psych (Clin), PhD.
Joycelyn completed the combined Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Master of Science degrees at University of Sydney. She also obtained a PhD with her research on secondary trauma.
Joycelyn offers an empathic and collaborative approach in working with adults to explore ways to manage challenges in life and promote mental health and well-being. Joycelyn provides client-focused evidence-backed intervention for individuals experiencing mood disorders, stress and anxiety, work-related concerns, chronic illness, adjustment difficulties, and life stage transitions.
Joycelyn has undertaken advanced training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has enjoyed working in a range of public and private health services, as well as in research, program development, and digital health-focused organisations.
Kate Thompson
Registered Psychologist/ Clinical Psychology Registrar
M.Psych(Clin), GradDipPsych, GradCertLGTC, BA(Hons)
Kate aims to create a therapeutic space where individuals feel safe, heard, and able to express themselves. With a focus on compassion and collaboration, Kate supports her clients to make meaningful change in their lives, build on their strengths, and improve their overall wellbeing.
Kate works with adults. She offers shorter and longer-term therapy.
Kate draws from evidence-based therapies to tailor treatment to the individual’s needs, including cognitive behavioural, dialectical behavioural, compassion-focused, narrative, and relational psychodynamic approaches.
Kate’s professional interests include trauma, anxiety, grief and loss, stress, life transitions, as well as fertility issues and assisted reproductive technology/IVF.
Kate is a Clinical Psychology Registrar with general registration as a psychologist. She completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney as well as a Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief, and Trauma Counselling at Flinders University.
Regan Pullen
Registered Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), MTeach (Counselling)
The University of Sydney
Regan is a registered psychologist who completed her Bachelor of Psychology and Masters of Teaching (School Counselling) at the University of Sydney. Regan enjoys working with people from different age groups and from diverse cultural backgrounds, with particular experience working with children, adolescents and young adults.
She has a range of experience with particular expertise in conducting psychometric assessments and providing counselling for anxiety, depression, trauma, peer relationship difficulties and behavioural difficulties.
Joel Volker
Registered Psychologist
Joel completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and a Masters of Professional Psychology. He is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi). Joel has experience helping a diverse range of ages and issues. Joel also has unique experience working with adult males, as well as working within a military setting.
Joel’s experience and areas of interest include: Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Pain Management and Adjustment Disorders. • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Alex McCormack
Reception and Practice Support
B.Psychological Science (Honours) Candidate
Alex McCormack supports reception and practice operations at Joplin Clinic. She assists with enquiries, bookings, and coordination so clients can access the right clinician and pathway with minimal friction. Alex works with a strong focus on clarity, responsiveness, and discretion, and is committed to making the administrative side of care feel organised, respectful, and contained.
