Nicole is passionate about the assessment and identification of cognitive and executive functioning difficulties.

These challenges can significantly impact how a child presents in their world, and early identification is crucial to learning and growth. This includes Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, development delay and working memory difficulties in children.

Nicole will guide you and your child through the assessment process and provide support for the path forward.

• PhD scholarship (Caring for Carers) focused on research and development of an assessment tool to support those caring for people with additional needs.
• Presenter for the Pearson Academy, Australia’s leading provider of professional development for the education and health industry.
• The first Cogmed Qualified Practice in Victoria, second Australia-wide.
• Research on the impact of pregnancy on memory skills.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary Autism Assessment Team under the guidance of Dr Richard Eisenmajer, Gateway Support Services.
• Support for Preschool children with developmental delays, Specialist Children’s Services.
• Work as a Clinician within the Behaviour Intervention Support Team, Disability Services [DHS].
• Regional Coordinator (Barwon South Western region of Victoria) for the Program for Students with Disabilities, Lewis & Lewis Psychological Consultancy.

“My brother was diagnosed with an intellectual disability as a young child. His diagnosis felt like an insurmountable problem to my parents, and I can vividly recall the sense of hopelessness that overcame my family.

My parents knew that something was different for him but didn’t fully understand what was happening. Instead, they felt confused and overwhelmed until the picture became clearer many years later.

This path is similar for many of the families we meet. They know their child is facing challenges but are unsure what, why or what to do next.

Access to information and social attitudes toward children with a disability have, thankfully, shifted over time. Yet, despite this, many families carry an inheritance of fear and misunderstanding when they walk through my door.

My role is to help families understand what is happening and learn how they can best support their child into the future.”

Nicolette is a compassionate psychologist who has worked extensively with children and adolescents across educational, community and private practice settings.

She collaborates closely with parents, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions tailored to each student’s unique needs.

In addition to her clinical work, Nicolette offers peer supervision at the Think Clinic, supporting fellow practitioners through professional guidance and collaboration.

Nicolette has a particular interest in educational and developmental psychology and is dedicated to supporting young people as they grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Her practice includes addressing a wide range of presentations, such as anxiety, learning difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, and social skills development.

She specialises in the assessment and support of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Specific Learning Disorders (including Dyslexia), and Intellectual Disability (ID). Nicolette is trained to administer a variety of standardised tools, including cognitive assessments and diagnostic tools for ASD, such as the ADOS-2.

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
• Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)
• ADOS-2 trained
• Tuning Into Kids facilitator

“I began my work with young children as a volunteer at a local not-for-profit community organisation. During this time, I met many individuals and families affected by disability. A large part of my role involves advocating for children to help them reach their goals.”

Area of Interest

Ally is passionate about understanding how adverse childhood experiences impact emotions and the nervous system throughout the lifespan. She is particularly
interested in supporting young people to develop strategies to address a variety of presenting concerns, such as anxiety and emotional dysregulation; through a
trauma-informed lens.

Additionally, Ally is skilled in Theraplay®, an attachment-based dyadic therapy focused on enhancing attachment and attunement between children and caregivers, aiming to comprehend the emotional needs that drive children’s behaviour.

• Master of Social Work
• Bachelor of Psychological Science & Bachelor of Criminology
• Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Completed level one Theraplay training, an attachment-based therapy
• Trained in providing Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Trained in the family violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) framework
• 1000 hours of placement experience in mental health social work, providing a range of therapeutic services for young people and families, as well as conducting psychosocial assessments and group work facilitation.

Dani has an interest in sensory based occupational therapy, focusing on supporting an awareness of sensory needs and working towards integration of sensory support into various environments.

Dani is motivated to learn about all areas of paediatric occupational therapy to allow her to continue to learn and grow as a new graduate occupational therapist.

Dani has a Bachelor of occupational therapy (Honours) with her thesis relating to comparing sensory assessments. Dani is currently working on publishing her research in an academic journal.

My passion for occupational therapy was formed through personal and family experiences working with allied health teams including OT.

I was drawn to the variety of learning opportunities and pathways available as well as seeing firsthand how this role has an ability to create meaningful changes to the families we work with.

My passion for sensory based occupational therapy stems from personal experience with sensory processing difficulties, where I have grown to understand and appreciate the impact of sensory regulation in various situations and environments.

During my time at university, I worked as a therapy assistant with families and their allied health teams. I was learning alongside the families and supporting working towards meaningful goals by facilitating each child to peruse their passion and goals.

Lucy is passionate about understanding each child’s unique occupations and learning strategies to support their participation to the fullest extent. She is also focused on enhancing her knowledge in play-based learning and trauma-informed care.

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (2022)
• Member of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA)
• Disability Support Worker for children with non-verbal Autism, ADHD, PDA and Intellectual Disability (2020-2022)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant (2020-2022)
• McHappy Day Event Coordinator (2019, 2020)
• Volunteer at an OT school holiday program for children (2018)
• 1000 hours of placement experience in various settings, including schools, prisons, community health services and hospital paediatric departments

“My passion for occupational therapy began in year ten during a week of work experience at a private adult OT clinic. I was fascinated by the diverse roles and tasks, as well as the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. This experience solidified my desire to pursue a career in occupational therapy, and I have been committed to understanding and supporting the unique needs of children and their families ever since.”

Abbey is passionate about helping people who have experienced significant trauma, understanding its profound impact on their lives and wellbeing. She is also deeply interested in neurodiversity and the unique ways people think, communicate and experience the world.

• Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
• Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Completed training in:
  • Attachment and Trauma
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Aboriginal Cultural Awareness
  • Beginning Practice in Child Protection
• Trained in the family violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) framework
• 1000 hours of placement experience in settlement services and family violence services, supporting migrants and vulnerable families
• Work experience in the family violence sector, using a trauma-informed and family-centred approach to support families facing trauma, family violence, socioeconomic disadvantages, homelessness, mental health issues and substance dependence

“My interest in mental health, personal experiences, and an ADHD diagnosis led me to a career where I could make a meaningful difference for others facing similar challenges. This inspired me to pursue mental health social work, combining my desire to support children with my passion for understanding mental health, trauma, and neurodiversity.”

Bianca is dedicated to creating a collaborative and safe space for children and adolescents to explore their emotional worlds. She is skilled in psychological assessments, diagnosis, and interventions, including cognitive, educational and autism assessments. Bianca has a particular interest in:

• Supporting parent-child attachment and relationships
• Assisting families with complex mental health challenges
• Providing cognitive assessments to help young people and families understand learning strengths and areas of challenge
• Conducting educational assessments to diagnose specific learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) and understand a student’s learning profile

• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology
• Master of Psychology (Clinical)
• Endorsement in clinical psychology with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Board-approved clinical supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia
• ADOS-2 trained

Bianca’s passion for psychology stems from her desire to support family systems.
“I recognise the profound impact that healthy attachments and strong relationships have on overall well-being, especially within the parent-child dynamic. I believe that by fostering a therapeutic space of warmth, trust and empathy, families can embark on a journey of understanding and connection. This belief fuels my enthusiasm for my role as a psychologist, and empowers me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I am fortunate to work with.”

Cassie is deeply passionate about educational and developmental psychology, with a strong focus on the power of assessments to unlock potential and foster growth. She believes that psychological assessments are more than just tools—they are opportunities to deeply understand a client’s unique needs and strengths. Cassie collaborates closely with clients to craft personalised interventions and support plans that promote self-awareness, skill development, and meaningful progress.

Her therapeutic approach is equally tailored, drawing from evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based psychology. Cassie is dedicated to meeting each client where they are, ensuring that her strategies align with their individual circumstances and goals.

Cassie has built a diverse career driven by her dedication to helping others. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology from RMIT and an Honours degree from Federation University. Cassie began her career as an Initial Assessment and Planning Worker at a crisis centre, where she gained invaluable experience supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, family crises, and substance abuse, while refining her skills in assessment and care coordination.

Her passion for working with children and families has been a consistent focus throughout her career. As a personal care attendant, Cassie supported children with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, developing a deep understanding of their unique needs. Her background in education has further strengthened her ability to help young people thrive in school settings.

Currently, Cassie is pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology at ACU, where she continues to deepen her expertise in psychological assessments, interventions, and therapeutic techniques to better support her clients.

“My passion for psychology began at an early age and has been shaped by personal experiences and professional opportunities. Growing up, I was inspired by my younger brother, who has autism spectrum disorder, to understand and support those with diverse needs. This personal connection motivated me to explore how psychology and education intersect to create meaningful change for children and families.

Starting my career in a crisis centre, I gained valuable insight into the complexity of human behaviour and the resilience of individuals facing significant challenges. However, I always felt drawn to working with children, which led me to roles in education and disability support. These experiences reinforced my desire to combine my love for psychology and education, guiding me toward my current focus on educational and developmental psychology.

I believe that every individual has the potential for growth and self-discovery when given the right tools and support. My goal is to help clients find their own solutions and build confidence in their abilities, with me as a guide on their journey.”