Meet the Mind Connections team
Our specialists
The Mind Connections team comprises expert psychiatrists and general and clinical psychologists who provide the best professional services to any age group in Australia.
Our consultant psychiatrists are fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), and our psychologists are members of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Below, you can learn more about our professionals’ qualifications, specific interests, and skills, so you are familiar with our specialists.
Dr Padmini Howpage
Psychiatrist and Psycho-geriatrician (Dr Howpage is fluent in Sinhalese)
Dr Howpage is a leader in her profession and a leader in community volunteer work. She was awarded the 2019 Woman of the West prestigious award by Western Sydney University and chosen as a finalist for the 2020 Citizen of the Year, Australia day awards by the Hills Shire Council. Dr Howpage has a wealth of clinical experience in all aspects of mental health and mental disorders, with demonstrated ability to work with people of all ages. She leads the expert team at Mind Connections, and together they all strive for excellence.
In addition to being the Clinical Director of the Mind Connections Specialist Health Services, she also works as a Staff Specialist at Northern Sydney Area Mental Health Services at Hornsby Hospital. Dr Howpage is a champion of community based volunteer programs that advance better health. More than a decade she dedicated time and energy establishing Hills Mental health Interagency, the Women’s Shed Hills Shire and Mind Connections Foundation, networking and charity organisations which she chairs with pride and commitment. From 2014 until 2018, she served as the founding chair of the Positive Vibes Foundation; an ACNC recognised charity.
Dr Howpage is the author of two books, “Mindful Coco” and “7 Magic Moments for Today.” Her pet dog Coco, and her patients inspired her to write these books.
Dr Howpage is a conjoint lecturer at Western Sydney University’s Faculty of Medicine. She takes great pleasure in training young doctors for tomorrow as she supervises 4th & 5th-year medical students for clinical placements and research activities. Dr Howpage also supervises and mentors registrars in training for RANZCP examinations.
Dr Padmini Howpage specialises in:
- Depression, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma, OCD, Domestic Violence, Bipolar, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Anger, Aggression, Dissociation, Transgender, Stress, Grief, Interpersonal Conflict
- Australian Defence Personal – (ADF/DVA)
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Assessment for Parkinson disease
- Workcover
- Medico-Legal
- Addiction – Drug (Trained and registered prescriber in NSW Opioid Treatment Program)/Alcohol (Prescriber of triple pharmacotherapy)/Gambling
- Aged Care
- Eating Disorder
- Perinatal
- Schizophrenia/Clozapine
- Family & Community Service (FACS)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Direct Current Stimulation techniques (TMS & DCS)
- ADHD/ADD
For more information
Dr Raiz Ismail
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Ismail is a consultant psychiatrist and a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He works with people from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Dr Ismail received his medical education, psychiatric training, teaching experience and career in India, the United Kingdom and Australia.
As a consultant psychiatrist at Nepean Hospital, Dr Ismail provides comprehensive psychiatric treatment in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Dr Raiz currently consults at our Norwest office on Tuesdays.
Dr Raiz Ismail specialises in:
- Depression, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma, OCD, Domestic Violence, Bipolar, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Anger, Aggression, Dissociation, Transgender, Stress, Grief, Interpersonal Conflict
- DVA
- Psycho-Geriatrician (Aged Care)
- ADHD/ADD (Prescribing Only)
- Sexual Abuse
- Schizophrenia/Clozapine
- TMS
Dr Mark Lin
Consultant Psychiatrist (Dr Lin speaks Mandarin)
I completed my medical degree from the University of Sydney and trained in Psychiatry at various hospitals throughout New South Wales and am a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. My specialist training included experience working in Psychiatric Emergency care, Consultation-Liaison, Child and Adolescent, Rehab, community and inpatient settings, as well as Addiction psychiatry in both public and private hospitals.
I have experience in caring for patients presenting with a broad range of symptoms, and distress. The expression and experience of one’s struggles can be different depending on how we grew up, our personalities, values, cultural expectations and roles, work environment, religion, families and partners, to name but a few factors. I grew up in sunny Singapore, a city-state blessed with a tapestry of cultures and languages, trained in Australia, and understand how the social environment is critical for one’s well-being.
I enjoy spending time with my 2 children and family, reading, and strumming the guitar when not caring for patients. I would love to learn how to drum one day.
Dr Mark Lin Specializes In:
- Depression, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma, OCD, Domestic Violence, Bipolar, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Anger, Aggression, Dissociation, Transgender, Stress, Grief and Interpersonal Conflict
- ADHD/ADD
- Sexual Abuse
- Addiction – Drug/Alcohol/Gambling
- Schizophrenia/Clozapine
- TMS
Dr Amit Gupta
Geriatrician
Dr Amit Gupta graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2005 and then completed physician training at Concord, Westmead and Nepean Hospitals before completing specialisation and obtaining FRACP in 2018.
His clinical privileges include Nepean Hospital, Holroyd Private Hospital, and Minchinbury Community Hospital and Westmead Rehab Hospital. He also makes home visits to the frail elderly and sees patients in residential care facilities.
Dr Amit Gupta specialises in:
- Aged Care
- Cognitive Assessments
- Assessment of Falls
- Depressive Disorders in the Elderly
- Parkinson’s Management
- Chronic Medical Illnesses – Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal & other conditions
- Capacity and Capability Assessments
- Dementia
Dr Jasbeer Kaur
Rehabilitation Medicine Physician
Dr Jasbeer Kaur is a Rehabilitation Medicine Physician with over a decade of experience in neurological disorders. Dr Kaur is the Head of Department – Spinal Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. Jessy specialises in traumatic spinal cord injuries, chronic diseases, and general rehabilitation.
She has Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) positions at several leading and reputable rehabilitation institutions in Sydney, including Lady Davidson Rehabilitation Hospital, Hirondelle Private Hospital, and The Hills Private Hospital.
Dr Kaur is also an authorised health practitioner with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), having completed permanent impairment training in the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme and the CTP Scheme. She works as a Consultant for IMMEX (Specialised Occupational Health Practice), providing independent medical reports.
Dr Jasbeer Kaur specialises in:
- Traumatic spinal cord injuries – work cover, 3rd party insurer
- Rehabilitation of Neurological Disorders – Post stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Spinal Cord Injury
- Management of falls in the elderly
- Multidisciplinary management of chronic pain with medication and no medication therapy
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Rehabilitation post Orthopaedic Surgery
- Reconditioning of Chronic Disease – Heart and Pulmonary disease
- General Rehabilitation from medical and surgical conditions.
Mr. Robert Craig
Registered Psychologist
Mr Craig has over 25 years of experience as a consultant psychologist. Since 1990, he has maintained a private practice in the Hills.
Mr Craig has extensive experience working with children and adults and is a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessor certified by NSW Work Cover.
Mr Robert Craig specialises in:
- Depression, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma, OCD, Domestic Violence, Bipolar, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Anger, Aggression, Dissociation, Transgender, Bullying & Relationships, CBT, Stress, Grief, Interpersonal Conflict, Sexual Abuse
- ADF/DVA
- Workcover
- Addiction – Drug/Alcohol/Gambling
- Aged Care
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- NDIS (Plan Managed)
- Couples Counselling
- Family Counselling
- Faith Counselling
Rosemary Hawke
Registered Child Psychologist
Rosemary Hawke has twenty years of experience as a Registered Psychologist with a Masters in Educational/Developmental Psychology. Rosemary has extensive experience working in schools and conducting psychometric assessments to examine and identify developmental issues (e.g. learning, behavioural & social).
Rosemary employs various therapeutic techniques, such as CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness training for depression/anxiety and the Gottman framework in relationship/family therapy. In addition, Rosemary utilises evidence-based therapy techniques to tailor treatment around the client’s objectives and requirements.
Rosemary specialises in:
- Depression, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma, OCD, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Anger, Aggression, Transgender, Bullying & Relationships, CBT, Stress, Grief, Interpersonal Conflict
- Addiction
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Couples Counselling
- Family Counselling
- NDIS (Plan Managed)
Mr Paul Salviani
Registered Child Psychologist
Paul has experience treating clients with several presentations. These include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, acute stress disorder, PTSD, OCD, phobias, panic disorder and adjustment disorder.
Paul has 8 years of experience offering psychological assistance in schools. His responsibilities have included providing counselling services, psychometric assessments, diagnosis, and working with NGOs and other parties to assist people and families with complicated welfare requirements.
Mr Paul Saviani specialises in:
- Depression, Psychosis, PTSD, Trauma, OCD, Domestic Violence, Bipolar, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Anger, Aggression, Dissociation, Transgender, Bullying & Relationships, CBT, Stress, Grief, Interpersonal Conflict, Sexual Abuse
- Cognitive Assessment
- Eating Disorders
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- NDIS (Plan Managed)
- Couples Counselling
- Family Counselling
- Assessment of Intellectual Function (IQ), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)
- Autism/Asperger’s – Including Assessment
- ADHD/ADD (Treat Only)
- Psychometric assessments to assess and diagnose developmental concerns (e.g. learning, behavioral, social)
Sienna Rizzo
Sienna is continuing her psychology degree and currently completing the Global Leadership program at Macquarie University. She treasures the opportunity to combine her studies with clinical work under expert supervision from clinicians at Mind Connections Specialist Health Services. She is passionate about social justice, research and clinical work. She enjoys the work environment with ever-growing and abundant opportunities for carrier advancement available at Mind Connections.