Danuta is a Clinical Psychologist with a strong background in Developmental Psychology, and is the author of the books: "I am an Autistic Girl"(2023) and "I am an Aspie Girl (2015)". She has spent the last 20 years, working with autistic children and adults and their families, and her work with them has been extensive and effectual in improving and enhancing the quality of their lives.
Since 2008 until 2011, she worked—thus refining and expanding her skills—at Minds & Hearts, the pioneering and successful clinic in Brisbane that specialises in diagnosis and providing therapy for Asperger's syndrome and autism; her mentors and colleagues there were Professor Tony Attwood, Dr Michelle Garnett and the team of expert psychologists, with whom she remains in professional contact. While there, she also conducted workshops, training sessions and seminars for parents of autistic children and for professionals in Australia and in New Zealand. Prior to her time at Minds and Hearts Danuta was employed as the sole Psychologist at Autism Victoria (Amaze), where she provided counselling and therapy to families of clients recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition, teaching them about the nature of the condition, their unique strengths, and subsequent challenges.
Danuta has also worked in research at Latrobe University administering psychological and neuropsychological assessments on autistic children and adults, as well as families with fragile X syndrome. Danuta began her career working in early intervention in both public and private settings.
Danuta is a mum to 3 beautiful kids and in her spare time she loves dining out, reading, learning the piano, decluttering, and experimenting with healthy baking.
Emma is a Clinical Psychologist with an interest in supporting autistic individuals, ADHDers, and their families. She enjoys working with clients of all ages, listening to their lived experiences, and personalising therapy to each individual.
Bree is a Clinical Psychologist with a background working with individuals who are burdened by their historical trauma. She is driven to create a safe space where curiosity, compassion are collaboratively directed towards your internal world. She has had experience working with individuals of all ages who have concerns around being stuck, struggling to make changes in their lives
Bree is passionate about empowering women, LGBTQ+ community as well as other marginalised groups in society to actively unburden from parts of their past that are impacting their current functioning. She will meet you where you are at on this journey and provide a nonjudgmental and highly collaborative space.
Bree comes to us with experience working in trauma. Her experience started with working in a variety of public mental health services including trauma specific service for children, adults and families, inpatient units, residential, recovery care as well as long term treatment for clients with multiple diagnosis or complexities within a non-government organisation prior to settling into private practice. Throughout her work with trauma in the general population she has picked up on the traits of undiagnosed autistic and ADHD adults and this has led to an emerging interest in the cross-section of neurodivergence and trauma. Bree is passionate on focusing on strengths, normalising different brains and developing therapeutic interventions that are directed towards meeting her clients' goals.
Treatment will be informed by; Schema therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), trauma informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Internal family systems (IFS) and Mentalizing.
In her down time, Bree enjoys combining mindfulness with cycling on her Dutch bicycle (observing everything that passes her by), reading in coffee stores and in parks, and going for jogs.
· Masters in Clinical Psychology from Central Queensland University
· Graduate Diploma (Psychology) from Deakin University
· Graduate Diploma (Psychology) from The University of Melbourne
· Masters of Political Economy from the University of Sydney
· Bachelors in Business from Swinburne University.
Emilia is a warm, friendly, and compassionate Clinical Psychologist who enjoys working with people of all backgrounds across the lifespan. She is passionate about developing a solid therapeutic relationship and collaborating with clients to adapt therapy to meet their specific needs creatively.
Emilia provides neuro-affirming and person-centred therapy and works to support clients' understanding and acceptance of themselves. She also provides the tools and strategies required to help with clients' challenges and navigate their environment. Emilia particularly enjoys learning from clients who themselves have the greatest understanding of their own experience, and she strives to help her clients thrive in the life they want.
She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families gained during work in government and community-based settings. Her clients' personal needs guide Emilia’s therapeutic approach where she draws upon a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Mindfulness, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy frameworks.
Emilia likes to spend quality time with friends and family, playing board games, and exploring new places and activities.
Justine is a Psychologist with an interest in providing neuroaffirming, person-centred care. Justine has worked in private, public and community settings. She has experience working with children, adolescents, youth and enjoys supporting their networks to understand their experiences.
Justine strives to create a warm and safe environment for each client. She believes strongly in setting collaborative goals and using individual interests for growth. Justine’s approach is flexible, creative and relaxed. Justine utilises a variety of approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and play. Justine comes from a background of multi-disciplinary team approaches and believes the best work happens when we help parents, families, teachers and other professionals to understand the unique experiences of neurodiversity.
Justine is also a Registered Music Therapist and enjoys bringing these skills to her sessions to support and connect with families and individuals through joint interests and new creative ways.
In her spare time, Justine enjoys sweating it out at hot pilates and baking.
Dana is a Psychologist from Monash University with experience across the out-of-home care, family violence, and disability sectors. With a person-centred and strength-based approach, Dana believes in helping individuals achieve what is important to them.
Dana prides herself on building a strong and positive therapeutic connection with her clients, regarding them as empowered and capable individuals. In her work, Dana draws on several therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Dana is also passionate about challenging the wider community to expand their understanding of neurodivergence, as she strongly believes that neuro-affirming practices will benefit everyone.
In her downtime, Dana enjoys taking her dog for walks, listening to podcasts, and reformer pilates.
The heart of Sophie’s counselling approach lies in the desire to create a judgement-free space where clients feel understood, empowered, and accepted. Drawing on the principles of person centred, unconditional positive regard, she builds relationships to safely explore and reflect on challenges to develop practical, meaningful ways to foster well-being and self compassion. She is a passionate advocate for the visibility, inclusion, equality and access for all neurotypes and genders.
With a background in education support, and extensive experience with “school “can’t”, demand avoidance and executive functioning challenges, Sophie is passionate about her work with autistic and ADHD individuals across all ages. She works with students and parents to support their needs, address trauma and work towards personal and shared goals. She also has interests in chronic health issues and their impact on the family, anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction, grief, loss and body image.
Sophie has an eclectic approach drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness and Co-regulation strategies.
Sophie loves spending time cooking for family and friends, gardening, live theatre and reading.
Jasmine is a psychology graduate with aspirations of becoming a social worker. When she's not working she enjoys playing the piano, travelling, reading, going on picnics, yoga/pilates and discovering places around Victoria.
Felicia holds a Masters degree in Psychology(Clinical) from India, and has since been working in various roles within the field. When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and indulging in her love of books and movies. With a passion for mental health and a belief in the importance of a holistic approach to wellness, Felicia hopes to one day become a licensed therapist herself!
Em is a psychology graduate who is studying teaching and loves assisting autistic individuals and their support networks. In her free time Em loves going to the movies, spending time with her Border Collie and helping out on her family's farm.
