Practice Overview

Psychiatric services are provided by five independent practitioners, each with extensive experience in the Central Coast region. These practitioners operate autonomously and utilise the facilities at this location to deliver mental health care tailored to individual needs.

Each practitioner brings clinical expertise, a commitment to evidence-based approaches, and a compassionate style of care. Consultations are conducted in a respectful and supportive environment, with a focus on personalised treatment and patient wellbeing.

The practice premises have been established to support the delivery of high-quality psychiatric services to the Central Coast community-now and into the future. 

  • Dr VASANTHA BHANU POTHALA

    Dr VASANTHA BHANU POTHALA

    MBBS, DCP (Ireland), FRANZCP

    Dr Vasantha Bhanu Pothala is a general adult psychiatrist and a Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

    Dr Pothala has expertise in management of a spectrum of mental health issues, including Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Psychosis, PTSD, ADHD, personality Disorders and Addiction Psychiatry.

    Show More

    He has extensive experience working in psychiatry in various countries around the world. Dr Pothala has trained and worked in UK, Ireland and New Zealand in a wide range of specialties in Psychiatry.

    He is familiar with Central Coast and Hunter New England regions as he worked as a Consultant psychiatrist at Toronto Private Hospital, Mater Hospital in Newcastle and also at Maitland, Taree and Wyong hospitals. He is currently working as a VMO at Berkeleyvale Private hospital where he has admission rights.

    Dr Pothala has sound clinical knowledge with excellent empathic skills and offers comprehensive patient centred care with a bio-psycho-social approach.

    Dr Pothala has extensive experience in providing Independent Medical Examination (IME) reports under NSW workers Compensation and is a SIRA Authorised Health Practitioner for motor accidents. 

    Interests

    • Mood Disorders

    • Bipolar Affective Disorder

    • Anxiety Disorders

    • rTMS

    • Workers Compensation Permanent Impairment Assessor

    • SIRA Authorised Health Practitioner - Motor Accidents Authority

  • Dr JOTHI RAMALINGAM

    Dr JOTHI RAMALINGAM

    MBBS, MRCPsych, FRANZCP
    Consultant Psychiatrist

    Dr Jothi Ramalingam is a compassionate and highly experienced psychiatrist dedicated to helping adults and older adults improve their mental health and wellbeing.

    After completing his medical degree in India, Dr Ramalingam trained in Psychiatry in the United Kingdom and became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) in 2006. He went on to earn Fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 2009 and is also a member of the Faculties of Psychiatry of Old Age and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

    SHOW MORE

    For more than 16 years, Dr Ramalingam has worked as a specialist across both public and private psychiatric hospitals on the Central Coast. He currently consults at Central Coast Psychiatry and holds admitting rights at Berkeley Vale Private Hospital, where he serves as Medical Superintendent and Chair of the Medical Advisory Council. He is also a Visiting Medical Officer in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Northern Beaches Hospital.

    Dr Ramalingam provides care for a wide range of mental health conditions in adults and older people. He has a particular interest in mood and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (including in first responders), neuropsychiatric conditions, ADHD in adults, and psychiatric presentations in individuals with autism or medical and neurological illnesses.

    He is also skilled in neurostimulation treatments such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

    Patients appreciate Dr Ramalingam’s thoughtful and collaborative approach. He takes the time to understand each person’s concerns, ensures a clear and accurate diagnosis, and works closely with GPs, psychologists, and other specialists to create a treatment plan that is tailored to each individual’s needs.

    His calm, respectful manner and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes help patients feel supported and confident throughout their recovery journey.

  • Dr SATHISH THANGAPANDIAN

    Dr SATHISH THANGAPANDIAN

    Dr Sathish is a Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists with interests in the areas of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, mood disorders, along with depression and bipolar disorder, as well as obsessive-compulsive and other anxiety disorders. Dr Sathish has obtained significant experience working with complex clinical presentations in various specialized mental health units. 

    SHOW MORE

    Dr Sathish obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in 2001 at the Stanley Medical College in Chennai, one of the oldest centres in India in the field of medical education. Dr Sathish moved to the United Kingdom in 2002, having subsequently pursued psychiatric training in the Charring Cross Rotational Training Scheme, one of the most reputable psychiatric training programs in London. Dr Sathish attained the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2006, having moved to Australia in 2009, when he joined the Central Coast Local Health District.

    Dr Sathish works in close collaboration with GPs in the Central Coast, Northern Beaches and Northern suburbs in Sydney.  Dr Sathish has been praised by colleagues for his compassionate attitude and genuine willingness to help his patients. Dr Sathish is a Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists with interests in the areas of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, mood disorders, along with depression and bipolar disorder, as well as obsessive-compulsive and other anxiety disorders. Dr Sathish has obtained significant experience working with complex clinical presentations in various specialized mental health units.

    Interests

    • General Adult Psychiatry

    •  ADHD

  • Dr SURESH GORIPARTI

    Dr SURESH GORIPARTI

    We have the pleasure in announcing Dr Suresh Goriparti, Consultant Psychiatrist, who joins our team of Psychiatrists at Berkeley Vale Clinic

    Dr Goriparti trained in Psychiatry in the UK and obtained membership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK). Upon arrival in Australia, he became a Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

    SHOW MORE

    Since moving to Australia, Dr Goriparti has concentrated all of his work on the Central Coast and Hornsby. He initially started at the Lyndsey Madew Unit at Hornsby Hospital and has worked in a broad range of areas within Mental Health in Northern Sydney and on the Central Coast.

    He is currently working as a Staff Specialist in Community Psychiatry at Hornsby Hospital and as a Visiting Medical Officer in Wyong Hospital. In addition to his clinical role, he has a special interest in teaching medical students (University of Sydney) and Psychiatry trainees (Northern Sydney and Central Coast).

    Dr Goriparti uses both Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapeutic interventions when treating his patients across a broad range of Psychiatric conditions in adults and the elderly. His special interests are psychotic mood disorders and Electroconvulsive Therapy.

    Interests

    • General Adult Psychiatry including Mood and Anxiety Disorders

    • Psychosis

    • Bipolar Disorder

  • Dr. Gopalakrishnan

    Dr. Gopalakrishnan — Consultant Psychiatrist

    Dr. Gopalakrishnan is a consultant psychiatrist with over 17 years of experience working in Central Coast mental health in providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to the Central Coast community. She completed her postgraduate degree in Psychiatry in India, before becoming a Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 2017. Having trained and worked extensively in the region, she understands the unique needs and challenges faced by the local population.

    SHOW MORE

    Currently serving as a Staff Specialist in Adult Mental Health at Wyong Hospital, Dr. Gopalakrishnan works across both public and private settings, caring for people with a wide range of mental health concerns — from anxiety and depression to complex and severe mental illness. She has particular expertise in cross-cultural psychiatry and a special interest in working with young people aged 18 years and above. Her previous roles include Consultant Psychiatrist with the Young People’s Psychosis Early Intervention Team at Central Coast Mental Health.

    Dr. Gopalakrishnan offers both short- and long-term interventions, including evidence-based psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamically informed psychotherapy. She works collaboratively with other health professionals and support networks to ensure her patients receive the most effective and holistic care possible.

    Interests

    • Mood disorders

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    • Adult ADHD

    • Depression

    • Anxiety disorders

    Dr. Gopalakrishnan provides a safe, understanding space to discuss your concerns and explore the right treatment path. She offers both therapy and medication management, working collaboratively to help you feel supported in the recovery journey.