Stacey Lanza

Growing up in regional South Australia, I became acutely aware of the challenges that small communities face in accessing quality healthcare. My parents, and in particular my mother, a dedicated nurse, instilled in me a profound respect for the medical field from an early age and it was the support of a local doctor, a compassionate woman, who ignited my passion to become a psychologist.

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate training in Adelaide and spending a couple of years in the UK, I began my career in private practice in Cairns. It was here that I was able to nurture my interest in working with children and developed a strong professional foundation.

Over the years, my roles and responsibilities have evolved greatly. I became endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist, co-founded North Cairns Clinical Psychology, became the Practice Principal at The Whole Family and eventually became registered as a Board-Approved AHPRA Clinical Psychology Supervisor. Each transition brought new challenges but also opportunities for personal and professional growth. Building strong relationships within the community has been one of my proudest accomplishments. Collaborating closely with local doctors, specialists, schools, and families has been instrumental in creating positive outcomes for my clients. Seeing children, adolescents and my adult clients overcome their struggles brings me immense joy and fulfilment.

The Whole Family is essentially my  return to my core values and vision for mental health care in Cairns. At The Whole Family, we focus on holistic care and multidisciplinary practice. I envision a space where clinicians collaborate to support clients, offering various services, including assessment, treatment, group therapy, and supervision for graduate and registered psychologists seeking clinical psychology endorsement. This approach allows us to give back to the community by enhancing the availability of quality psychology and allied health services for individuals and families in Cairns.

Reflecting on my journey, I am committed to making mental health support more accessible in Cairns, supporting children, adolescents, individuals and parents through the implementation of evidence-based practices, as well as providing more preventative care. I believe that by being proactive, we can significantly improve our community’s mental health. I am dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families in Cairns.