Menu
23 Bundock Street, Belgian Gardens, QLD 4810
Belgian Gardens Medical Centre logo
Allied Health
Photo of Shaun Van Der Merwe

Shaun Van Der Merwe

Physiotherapist
Before graduating from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2022, Shaun worked in the mining engineering industry for 18 years where he developed a sound understanding of workplace demands and ergonomics on the human body in industrial settings.
Shaun was born and raised in South Africa and has called Australia home since 2005.  When he is not working, he can be found spending time with his wife (a local GP) and two sons playing golf, hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.
He is also passionate about engaging youth in sports to develop their gross motor skills, specifically cricket, and is involved in community coaching at a local Townsville cricket club.
Shaun has furthered his clinical skills with post-graduate training in Neurological Physiotherapy (APA Level 1) and Dry Needling (Advanced Clinical Education).
General expertise areas include:
  • Post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation;
  • Balance training and functional gait improvement;
  • Hydrotherapy;
  • General musculoskeletal conditions – Upper Body Neck and Shoulders & Lower Body Knee, Hip and Ankle conditions;
  • Community visits – Sport/Gym engagement and Home consults (Reduced Mobility);
  • NDIS – Plan Managed and Self-Managed participants;
  • Workcover Queensland
His primary focus as a physiotherapist is maintaining a personable and goal-based approach to assisting clients with their functional needs and returning to everyday life.

Shaun will be consulting in our rooms on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Photo of Claire Brooks

Claire Brooks

Dietitian
Claire is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian in Townsville, North Queensland. Utilising evidence based practice, she fosters a positive environment to support individuals in achieving their health and nutrition goals. With a passion for sharing her food and nutrition knowledge, Claire seeks to be a valuable resource for people aiming to improve their overall wellbeing through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Claire will be consulting with us every Thursday.

Photo of Rachel Graves

Rachel Graves

Mental Health Social Worker

Rachel is excited to be joining the Belgian Gardens Allied Team as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Medicare and Work-cover Provider.

Additionally, she is now registered as a Self-refer provider for QLD Police, SES and Marine Rescue workers who are eligible for up to 6 free sessions.

Rachel has been in the mental health field for over 10+ years and has extensive experience working in both private and public sectors. Over the course of her career, she has provided integrated evidence-based counselling to individuals and families with a broad range of mental health concerns.

She has been trained in numerous evidence-based therapies; Trauma focused CBT, CBT, ACT and EMDR along with motivational interviewing for dual diagnosis. Her expertise has been in PTSD and complex trauma, Depression and Anxiety. However, she is keen to work with any person who is dealing with a challenging life situation whether it be work-related injury or personal stressors.

Rachel has recently begun to expand her learning into Child Mental Health and is now branching out and offering child-centred capacity building for children from 4 years and older, who are in need of early intervention and are Self Managed or Plan Managed NDIS participants.

She embraces a client-centred approach that seeks to meet the person where they’re at and support them through a strength-based integrative evidence-based approach that fosters a safe and supportive environment tailored to each individual’s needs.

Qualifications:
BA, In Psych. MSW

Fees:

  • $130 for 45-60 mins.
  • Mental Health Care Plan rebate of $85.20

Rachel will be consulting with us every Monday. 

Photo of Megan Fisher

Megan Fisher

Psychologist

Megan is a Townsville local with over 30 years experience as a psychologist; she brings a  wealth of knowledge and experience with her from having worked with clients from all walks of life. She has worked in the private and public sectors with Defence, mining industries, schools, Corrections, hospital and health services including work in rural and remote areas.  Megan considers every  client  to be unique, which means services are tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual.

 

Key areas of support include:

  • Stress management
  • Trauma
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Marital/relationship counselling
  • Parenting issues
  • Grief and loss.

 

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Psychology
  • Graduate Diploma Counselling
  • Graduate Diploma Education
  • Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
  • Full Member of The Australian Psychological Society (APS)
  • Registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA)

 

Referrals and Appointments

  • Appointments can be made by simply contacting our practice, no referral is required.
  • As an alternative, you may be eligible under the ‘Better Access to Mental Health Care Scheme’ to 10 treatment sessions per calendar year; this does require a referral from your doctor.

 

Sessions and Cancellations
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your initial appointment.  Sessions are usually 50 minutes in duration.

Please provide 24 hours notice if you are unable to attend so that your appointment can be offered to someone on the wait-list.

 

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance;  personal information will remain confidential and secure except when:

  • Subpoenaed by Court, or
  • Failure to disclose the information might place you or another person at risk, or
  • You have consented to the release of information for a specific purpose (e.g. communication with legal adviser, employer, family member).

 

Fees

  • $250 for 45-60mins
  • Mental Health Care Plan rebate is $96.6
  • If you have been referred under the ‘Better Access’ scheme, Medicare will pay part with the remainder gap fee to then be paid by you
  • If you have private health cover, your insurer may contribute to the cost.
  • No fees are incurred with DVA, WorkCover or Employee Assistance Programs (where eligible)
  • Payment is required at time of your appointment.

Megan will be consulting with us every Monday. 

Practice Notices

Check our patient notices for the latest clinic information.

Appointment Cancellations

We are a fully booked Medical Practice with a cancellation list...
Learn More

Patient Privacy

When receiving results over the phone, we will always ask you...
Learn More

Nursing Time

Due to the demand on our Nursing time with 5 doctors consulting...
Learn More
Return to Top