PSYCHOLOGY FOR CHILDREN & TEENAGERS
DS Psychology Group psychologists implement a comprehensive, caring and collaborative approach to understanding you and your child’s concerns, making a contextual assessment of how issues developed and providing practical strategies to help.
We employ a multi-systemic approach consulting with parents/caregivers and teachers, in order to fully understand the situation from all angles and ultimately work together with families to achieve the best possible outcome, including implementing strategies and skills, positive action and helpful feedback.
Our psychologists have the knowledge and techniques required to relate to children and teenagers on their level, to engage with them in a positive way and implement strategies tailored to their development stage. In this way we cultivate a nurturing and accepting environment designed to increase the effectiveness of therapy.
We believe in involving parents and caregivers in the therapy process to increase the efficiency of therapy (as appropriate), whether it be to assist in the implementation of strategies or to provide basic feedback about the therapy progress.
DS Psychology Group psychologists have experience in a range of clinical areas relevant to children’s needs and development and are committed to ensuring the best practices are individually tailored to each individual and their family.
IQ, learning, developmental and behavioural assessments are available if you have specific concerns relating to your child’s academic learning or behaviour.
Working with Children
- Anxiety and worry
- Specific fears, separation anxiety
- Autism, aspergers, learning issues
- Social skills
- Sadness and depression
- Eating problems
- Trauma
- Low self-esteem
- Parenting support
- Behaviour management
- Divorce/ separation
- Transitional issues (eg to high school)
Working with Young Adults
- Anxiety, OCD, social anxiety
- Friendship issues
- Academic stress
- Depression
- Transitional issues (eg to high school, change of schools, moving house/state)
- Substance use
- Self-harm, at-risk behaviours
- Eating disorders
- Trauma
- Family problems
- Anger
- Low self-esteem
- Borderline personality traits
DS Psychology Group Clinical Team Members
William Pope
Registered Psychologist BSci (Psyc), GDipProfPsych, MProfPsych
William Pope is a compassionate and friendly psychologist who is particularly passionate about working with children and adolescents.
Sonja Katsivelis
BSci (Physiology), GDipPsych, MProfPsych
Sonja is a provisional psychologist with a Master of Professional Psychology at the University of Melbourne in 2022 and registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Leigh Raymond
Master of Professional Psychology, Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology)
Life can be pretty overwhelming. It can be challenging to find the time in our busy schedules to really stop and reflect on how we are going. Whether you are looking for a non-judgemental listening ear or practical solutions to an
Jovell Hofmann
Registered Psychologist
Psych Science, Grad Dip Psych, Master Prof. Psych.
Areas of Interest – Cultural Diversity, Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety and Adjustment and cognitive assessments
Elizabeth Beyer
Registered Psychologist
Areas of Interest – Low Self Esteem, conflict resolution, Depression, Relationship issues.
Josh Miles
Registered Psychologist
B. App. Sc; Grad Dip Psych. Post Grad Psych. M. Prof Psych
Areas of Interest – gaming and internet addiction, sleep problems, health conditions, trauma and relationships
Ashwini Kulkarni
Psychologist
B.Psych Sc. (Hon). Masters of
App Psych (Community)
Areas of interest – Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Trauma – childhood, sexual, long-term/complex, recent, Personality disorders, Communication issues, Intimacy issues
Andrew Hanna
Registered Psychologist
Clinical Registrar
BSc (Psych), PGDipPsych, MPsych (Clin), PhD Candidate, MAPS.
Areas of Interest – Pain management, Anger, Bipolar, Health Anxiety, Psychotic disorders and Trauma
Rebecca Humm
Registered Psychologist
Masters in Psychology (Clinical), BPsychSci, BPsychSci Honours
Areas of Interest – Mood Difficulties, Anger Management, sleep problems, life transitions and substance use disorders
Dr. Simone Riley
Clinical Neuropsychologist
BSc (Hons), DPsych (Clin Neuropsych)
Clinical Neuropsychologist providing neuropsychological assessments, counselling and reports for children, adolescents and adults
Karla Silva
Relationship, Family
& Child Therapist
Post Grad Dip (Psych),
BSSci (Psych/Marketing)
Karla has a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology and has worked in the helping industry for nearly 20 years, working across educational, community and private settings.