About Unique U Psychology

About Unique U Psychology

Unique U Psychology is a Melbourne-based clinic specialising in diagnostic assessment and therapy of girls and women with ASD, run by Danuta-Bulhak-Paterson. Danuta is a Clinical Psychologist with a background in Developmental Psychology. She has spent the last 12 years, working with children and adults who have Asperger’s Syndrome, autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS), and with their families. She assessed, diagnosed and gave ongoing therapy to children, adults, couples and family members of persons with Autism Spectrum Conditions, and her work with them has been extensive and effectual in improving and enhancing the quality of their lives. Since 2008 until recently, 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/ or autism; her mentors and colleagues there were Prof. 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 children with Autism Spectrum Conditions and for professional practitioners in Australia and in New Zealand. As the Psychologist at Autism Victoria, where Danuta had worked before she joined Minds & Hearts, she provided counselling and therapy to families of clients recently diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Condition, teaching them about the nature of the condition, ways of dealing with their initial reaction to the diagnosis and subsequent challenges.

Before that, Danuta worked in scientific research into Autism Spectrum Conditions for several years, assisting and implementing research results; this involved extensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments of people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and of their family members. Danuta had also worked in the public sector assessing and intervening on behalf of pre-school children who had developmental delays and disabilities, which included autism. At the beginning of her career in working with Autism Spectrum Conditions, Danuta worked closely within a team that implemented Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children with autism.

Qualifications

University

Master of Psychology (Child & Family) MPsych Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology (Postgrad. Dip Psych) Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Professional Boards/Accreditations

Australian Psychological Society (APS) member Clinical College member Registered member of the Psychology Board of Australia, Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Accredited Supervisor of psychologists and intern psychologists (STAP trained)