The people behind Karuna.

David is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He holds a Master of Psychiatric Medicine, a PhD and a Master of Health Law, and has published and presented widely on trauma-focused care and psychopharmacology. Among Australia's most clinically experienced specialists in medicine-assisted therapies, he is dedicated to veteran and first responder mental health.

Lani is a registered psychologist and social worker with over 20 years' experience across complex trauma, dissociation, disability and suicide prevention, including a long-standing commitment to the Deaf community through therapy in Auslan. A founding board member of AMAPP and an Associate Research Fellow at Swinburne University, she draws on somatic psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, EMDR and transpersonal approaches. Her research and practice explore how insights from deep therapeutic experience, clinical evidence and diverse ways of knowing can be translated into safer real-world practice.

Gianna is a Registered Psychologist and Practice Manager of Karuna, with postgraduate training in Transpersonal Psychology and Transformative Coaching from Sofia University, California. Her background spans counselling, workplace health and wellbeing, human resources, learning and development, organisational change, mental health administration, and business consultancy in the medicine-assisted therapies space. Drawing on varied experience supporting organisations and individuals, and her registration as a psychologist, Gianna brings a unique perspective to caring for Karuna’s patients, from how the clinic operates to how each person experiences their care.

Melissa is a researcher, educator, meditation teacher and contemplative therapist, having supported clients for over 7 years. She is a Director of the Anam Cara Centre and co-developer of CPACT, a 12-month professional training program in contemplative and medicine-assisted therapies. Melissa's work explores how medicine-assisted therapy, contemplative practice, and emerging technologies can support personal transformation and flourishing. This includes research translating nature-based and contemplative practice into virtual reality with The University of Melbourne, the Intangible Realities Laboratory and PRISM, where Melissa serves as Secretary.

Geraldine is a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than three decades of clinical practice, leadership and teaching experience across the NSW public health system. Her work spans consultation liaison psychiatry, acute and community mental health, crisis care and perinatal mental health. She has provided leadership and mentorship in nursing and medicine across hospitals, universities and other agencies, and has mentored and examined Nurse Practitioners across Australia. Geraldine views each person’s story as central to the relationship of care, and believes it is within this human interaction that nursing takes place. She remains curious and committed to lifelong learning.

Shannon is a registered nurse with seven years of experience across Canada and Australia, spanning surgical, acute, medical, palliative and general practice settings.

Her experience across the continuum of care has shaped her holistic approach to healing and deepened her passion for mental health and the connection between mind and body. At the heart of her practice is compassion, empathy and a commitment to creating safe spaces where patients feel heard, supported and empowered.