APS and the team

/ APS and the team

We partner with like-minded organisations

Renowned for our innovation and impact, APS was founded in 2010 by David Burroughs, an accomplished thought leader in workplace mental health and workplace psychology.

Today, we operate through a national and international team of senior psychologists with an emphasis on evidence-informed initiatives that are theoretically robust and highly practical, culminating in our motto “when rigour matters”.

We regularly collaborate with international experts in the psychological sciences and specialise in bringing contemporary research to life in a highly practical and engaging way.

Our preferred approach is to partner with organisations to help meet and exceed their psychological health and safety obligations, enabling people to thrive.

The team

Whether you are based in Australia or operate internationally, the APS team can help.

For over 20 years now, our team has been providing psychological health and safety and psychosocial risk assessment services in Australia and internationally.

david burroughs, founder of aps

David Burroughs

Founder & Principal Psychologist

Dave is a workplace psychologist and recognised industry expert in psychosocial safety with over 15 years at the forefront of PH&S. He's an advisor to leading organisations nationally and internationally, a collaborator with international experts, researchers and practitioners in job design and psychosocial risk management and has a reputation as a no-nonsense pragmatic thought leader.

Outside of work, Dave is a keen traveller, fisherman, and surfer who has a passion for exploring the roads and oceans less travelled. He is happily married with 3 kids all still under his roof, and openly admits that he finds raising kids way more stressful than even the most complex of workplace psychosocial challenges.

Mark Oostergo

CEO & Principal Psychologist

Mark has a broad background beginning his career serving nearly a decade in the Australian Army as a Psychology Officer. This provided him the opportunity to provide individual, team, and organisational psychological intervention both in Australia and overseas on operations. During this time, Mark also had the privilege of working with Australia’s elite special forces, the Special Air Service Regiment in human performance, selection, and workplace mental health. Mark concluded his career in the military as the commander of a health centre with over a hundred staff across multiple allied health professions. He was awarded an Australian Defence Force Gold Commendation for his motivational and supportive leadership in this role.

Mark has held various roles in workplace mental health including General Manager of Communicorp and FBG, Psychosocial Risk Specialist at Australia and New Zealand Bank and is now privileged to lead the team at Australian Psychological Services. He has extensive experience in supporting organisations large and small in proactively addressing the aspects of work that may be harmful to people’s mental health. He is passionate about preventing illness whilst achieving organisational outcomes. Some of his work has included leading the development of the sector-wide Mental Health Strategy for NSW Police and Emergency Services and being the Chair of a Victorian Mental Health Improvement Fund Learning Network. He has worked across federal and state government, the corporate sector, elite sports, and police and emergency services.

When Mark isn’t trying to create thriving and flourishing workplaces, he enjoys being the dad of two girls and going back to his Queensland roots enjoying all things camping, fishing, and outdoors.

Louisa Detez

Partner & Principal Psychologist

Louisa is an Organisational Psychologist and a psychosocial risk management specialist. She has spent her career working internally within and consulting for numerous “high risk” industries to solve complex psychosocial risk issues and to enhance workplace mental health and wellbeing. These industries include funeral services, education, healthcare, mining and resources, insurance, just to name a few.

Louisa’s focus is translating evidence-informed best practice into simple, everyday actions. She is passionate about collaborating with all organisational levels to build understanding, confidence and practical skills with senior executives, middle managers and frontline staff.

In her spare time, Louisa can be found on the netball court or trying local wine bars…just not on the same night.

Katie Alexander

Principal Psychologist

Katie is an Organisational Psychologist with extensive experience supporting organisations to create mentally healthy workplaces. She is passionate about systems-level thinking and translating this into practical solutions to solve for complex psychosocial challenges. Katie has a particular interest in vicarious and cumulative trauma in the workplace, supporting organisations to re-design work to manage exposure to potentially traumatic events and/or materials in the workplace.

During her career, Katie has worked across a variety of industries, including banking and finance, legal, emergency services and law enforcement, mining and construction, and state and federal government to name a few.

Outside of work, Katie loves her AFL and is a keen Hawks supporter. When it’s not footy season though, you can find her reading…she loves all genres but in particular, true crime.

Kath Polglase

Principal Psychologist

Kath is a registered psychologist with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and over 25 years of experience in both organisational and clinical roles. Her diverse expertise spans across multiple sectors, including resources and construction, as well as government and private industries. Kath brings a unique combination of skills in workplace mental health and wellbeing, psychosocial risk management, leadership development, and conflict resolution.

A skilled facilitator and coach, Kath is passionate about empowering individuals to thrive, helping teams perform at their best, and guiding organisations through complex challenges. Known for her practical, no-nonsense approach, she ensures her strategies are straightforward, actionable, and—whenever possible—infused with a sense of fun.

Outside of work, Kath enjoys travelling, fine wine, watching AFL (she’s a passionate Fremantle Dockers fan), going to the gym (CrossFit enthusiast), or just relaxing with family.

Elinda Hartin

Senior Psychologist

Elinda is a registered psychologist with a Master of Organisational Psychology and two advanced diplomas of business and business management. She specialises in psychological health and safety interventions, psychosocial risk management, and workplace wellbeing. She also has a strong interest in research having researched the impact of psychological stress on engagement and burnout in general working populations and within healthcare.

Elinda has worked across various sectors, including state and federal government, health, construction and mining, and emergency services, she also has experience in employment litigation involving traumatic workplace events. Elinda continues to hold an academic position at Macquarie University and is dedicated to applying research to create mentally healthy workplaces.

When Elinda isn’t at work, she’s attempting to find her inner zen as a keen yoga enthusiast, and if she isn’t in a head stand you will most likely find her at the beach!

Stephanie Murphy

Consultant Psychologist

Stephanie is a psychologist with an interest in understanding organisational systems to design and implement effective methods for creating mentally healthy workplaces. With a collaborative and proactive approach, she partners with businesses to understand their needs and implement effective strategies to create safe, thriving workplaces.

Her work experience spans diverse sectors, including academia, health, hospitality, government, fashion, technology, and professional services. Stephanie is also an avid dog lover, running enthusiast, and enjoys studying wine in her free time.

Tayla Julien

Research and Administrative Assistant

Tayla is an administrative and research support assistant, specialised in organisational psychology and consulting. Tayla is committed to helping the team at APS provide practical solutions and liaise with organisations to understand what works best for them. She is experienced in co-ordinating the roll-out of large-scale programs, managing data collection and troubleshooting to ensure smooth implementation.

Tayla has worked with a variety of organisations, including those in the mining, education, and insurance industry. She also has experience working in a clinical administrative setting and brings an understanding of sensitivity and working to meet client needs.

Outside of work, Tayla enjoys keeping active, exploring beaches and parks around her local area. She is also a big foodie and will happily provide the best places for breakfast in your area.