Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Enhancing the Wellbeing of Trans & Gender Diverse Youth

The Gender Diversity Clinic aims to improve the mental health and quality of life of trans and gender diverse children, adolescents, and young adults through carefully considered, individualised care.

We welcome clients up until 23 years of age.

Presentations we work with
  • Gender dysphoria
  • Gender identity questions
  • Gender diversity
  • Sexuality questions
  • Comorbid mood disorders (such as depression, anxiety and panic disorders)
  • Comorbid trauma- and stressor related disorders (such as adjustment disorder and PTSD)
  • Comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ASD and ADHD)
The purpose of our Gender Diversity Clinic is to provide an evidence-based service to trans and gender diverse people at every stage of their journey within a safe, relaxed, and comfortable environment. Therapy is tailored to the individual’s needs and will always include input from an experienced (Clinical) Psychologist. If appropriate, Occupational Therapy and/or Physiotherapy input can be added also.

All staff working in the gender diversity clinic are LGBTIQA+ affirmative. We provide a safe and affirming space in which individuals can explore all aspects of their gender and sexuality without fear of judgement.

Please note that we do not prescribe medication nor provide gender-affirming medical intervention.

Our Gender Diversity team consists of dedicated clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who are passionate about improving the mental and physical health of the LGBTIQA+ community. Our team works closely together to offer the best therapy. We regularly review the needs of our clients at multidisciplinary team meetings and check how treatment is progressing.

Psychology

Our Psychology team aids in coping with common difficulties that many trans and gender diverse people face and focusses on living a content and meaningful life within a society where discrimination and marginalisation towards LGBTIQA+ people are still common. Our Psychology team can furthermore provide therapy for a variety of comorbid disorders.

Common topics covered in psychology therapy include, but are not limited to: relationships, family, sexuality, coming out, adjustment, hormones, harassment, safety concerns, discrimination, marginalisation, anxiety, low mood/depression and self-harm.

Occupational Therapy

Our Occupational Therapy team can assist with school attendance/liaison, cross-dressing, sleep, social skills, bullying and relationships.

Physiotherapy

Our Physiotherapy team helps to improve physical function and capacity. All our Physiotherapists in the gender diversity clinic have experience with frequently reported problems experienced by clients who wear binders regularly.

Providing Compassionate Support and Services

Inclusive Care for
Gender Diverse Youth

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Gender Diversity Team

Judith Wolters

Lead Clinical Psychologist, Head of Gender Diversity

(Maternity Leave)

Judith Wolters

Judith is a registered Clinical Psychologist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Judith is our Lead Psychologist and Head of our Gender Diversity Clinic at Western Kids Health. Judith grew up in multiple global places which shaped her into the person she is today – at ease in new situations and always open-minded towards people from different backgrounds. She has over 10 years of working experience within the Australian and Dutch healthcare systems and is passionate about providing mental health services to children, adolescents, young adults and their parents.

Masters in Clinical Psychology. Accredited board-approved supervisor for Clinical Psychologists.

Judith has over 10 years of working experience within the Australian and Dutch healthcare systems and most of her experience is in the peadiatric population.

Over the years, Judith has worked with diverse client populations and her therapeutic interests include: anxiety, panic, adjustment, depression, ADHD and Autism. She furthermore has a special interest in working with trans and gender-diverse people, clients struggling with their sexuality and clients diagnosed with complex medical conditions (such as chronic pain, EDS and FND).

rowan pearce

Senior Physiotherapist, Head of Complex Care

rowan pearce

Rowan is a dedicated clinician whose approach is characterised by collaboration and empathy. Rowan excels in navigating the delicate balance of providing a space to hear an individual’s journey while also being proactive in creating a plan for moving forward.

Some of Rowan‘s exceptional qualities is his profound listening skills and collaborative approach. He goes beyond surface-level interactions, diving deeply and comprehensively to truly understand the nuances of what each individual is experiencing. This commitment to understanding enables Rowan to connect with young people then tailor a personalised approach to support the unique needs of each person in his care.

In his spare time, Rowan loves to spend time with his border collie Blu, keeping active with surfing, trail running and getting crafty with DIY home renovations.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science
Graduate Certificate – Paediatric Physiotherapy (University of Melbourne)
  • Project ECHO International- Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Society
  • Current – ECHO QHC Functional Somatic Disorders
  • Paediatric Level 1 – Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)
  • Paediatric Foot & Ankle Conditions- Presented by orthopaedic surgeon Mr Dror Moar
  • Running Across the Lifespan – Annie Chappell (PhD)
  • The Hip Across the Lifespan –  APA
  • Complex pain and scoliosis in the adolescent – APA
  • Dysautonomia in Paediatrics – Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Society ECHO
  • Presented online webinar for fellow physiotherapists – Telehealth in Paediatrics (APA)
  • Eating Disorders – Physiotherapy Management, Perth Children’s Hospital
  • Pain Unstuck – Optimise Rehab
  • Explain Pain – NOI
  • Making Sense of Pain – AOWA
  • Accredited KNEE Netball Australia Provider
  • APA Lift It Two-Part Series – Resistance Training
  • Sports Medicine Australia – Symposium for High Performance Sports 2018

Rowan is a senior physiotherapist and Head of our Complex Care Clinic. He is well-known for his work with hundreds of children and teenagers with diagnoses of JIA, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, hypermobility spectrum disorder, persistent pain or chronic fatigue and functional neurological disorders (FND). As part of his role as Head of the Complex Care Clinic, Rowan leads the multidisciplinary team which includes the POP Program, supporting individuals and families with complex conditions. Rowan places importance on committing his time in the community with his involvement in education and exercise sessions for the Arthritis Foundation WA’s Camp Freedom, hydrotherapy programs and strength & conditioning programs led for children and teens with chronic conditions (hypermobile spectrum disorder/EDS; JIA and persistent pain). He also has run several educational workshops with students and teachers in primary and high schools on hypermobility/EDS and JIA. Rowan‘s role extends into mentoring and teaching other health professionals including physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational therapists within and outside of Western Kids Health. Rowan has recently presented Western Kids Health’s programs and approach at the Ehlers Danlos Society’s Centre of Excellence launch in Baltimore, USA.

Rowan is happy and experienced to see children, adolescents or young adults across the lifespan with a range of different issues. He is particularly interested in the area of pain, rheumatology and functional issues.
Verusha Kander

Clinical Psychologist, Head of Mental Health

Verusha Kander

Verusha is a warm and empathic psychologist dedicated to working collaboratively with young people and their families to develop a deeper understanding of their difficulties in order to identify what skills or strategies may be helpful for them. She utilises a strengths-based approach that incorporates evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, mindfulness, and behaviour-attachment-systems interventions. Verusha is passionate about working with the whole family system to ensure lasting change beyond the treatment sessions.

When not at work, Verusha enjoys spending time at the beach, doing laps in the pool and throwing clay onto a pottery wheel.

Verusha holds a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Sydney and is currently completing her final year in the clinical psychology registrar program. Throughout her registrar program, she has pursued additional professional development in various areas, including the Circle of Security Parenting Program, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, Schema Therapy in Emerging Adulthood, and Functional Neurological Disorder: Psychological Treatment

Verusha’s clinical experiences span across both private and public health sectors in Western Australia and New South Wales. Verusha has worked in Child Development Services, Perth Children’s Hospital, an intensive day-therapy program for adolescents with eating disorders at Sydney Children’s Hospital, an anxiety research and treatment unit, a university-based psychology clinic, and an autism-specific early intervention centre. At Western Kids Health, Verusha works across the Mental Health Clinic, Complex Care Clinic, and Gender Diversity Clinic.

Verusha’s clinical interests lie in working with children and adolescents dealing with anxiety-based presentations, mood disturbances, adjustment difficulties, school-related concerns and medical conditions. Additionally, she is deeply passionate about providing support to gender-diverse youth and their families.

Ashley Slabbert

Clinical Psychologist

Ashley Slabbert
Ashley is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and families. Ashley provides a warm and supportive environment, seeking to develop strong therapeutic relationships with clients and tailoring treatment to the individual or family. She employs a range of evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.

Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical)

Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)

Ashley has a range of clinical experiences, having worked in a variety of settings, including multiple university psychology clinics, multiple private clinics specialising in child and adolescent psychology and as a school psychologist.

Ashley particularly enjoys working with children and young adults who are currently having difficulties with mood (including depression), anxiety, OCD, emotion regulation difficulties and neurodevelopmental disorders. She also has a strong interest in working with parent-child relationship difficulties and family system challenges.

Phoebe Carrington-Jones

Clinical Psychologist Registrar

Phoebe Carrington-Jones

Phoebe knows coming to see a psychologist is often a very challenging decision, so she prioritises using her warmth, compassion and humour to create a safe space and make people feel comfortable. She also works collaboratively with clients and their families, exploring together what their goals are, and what therapy may be most helpful. The therapeutic approaches she uses include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Imagery Rescripting, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and mindfulness interventions.

Clinical Psychology Registrar with a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Australia.

Phoebe has a range of clinical experiences, having worked in a variety of settings, including a university psychology clinic, an intensive CAMHS day-program for children with behaviour and school engagement challenges, a remote private practice in the Pilbara and child protection.

Phoebe particularly enjoys working with children and young adults who are currently having difficulties with mood (including depression), chronic pain, anxiety, sleep and trauma.

Annika Lydiate

Complex Care OT (Maternity Leave)

Annika Lydiate

Annika brings a warm and compassionate touch to her career, where she dedicates herself to supporting individuals facing complex pain, chronic conditions, fatigue, and hypermobility. Her expertise lies in guiding them back to a place where they can engage in the activities they love and need. With a special focus on young individuals, Annika excels in fostering pain management, emotional regulation, distress management, anxiety support, sensory processing, behavioral challenges, energy conservation, and improvement in self-care and sleep. Embracing a holistic and personalized approach, Annika tailors each child’s therapeutic journey, collaboratively working with the young person and their family. Her genuine passion shines through as she crafts effective interventions, strategies, and supports to enhance the child’s functional capacity. In the spirit of fostering a supportive environment, Annika closely collaborates with the child’s support systems, extending her engagement to families, schools, community programs, or workplaces. She is committed to ensuring the most impactful and caring approach is implemented, creating a nurturing space for healing and growth.

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy), Masters of Medical Science (Pain Management)

Annika has been an occupational therapist since 2018. Annika has spent her career developing a range of essential skills to assist individuals with complex pain and functional neurological disorders. Annika has training and experience in:

  • Pain Neuroscience Education
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Insomnia)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Trauma Informed Practice
  • Sensory Processing
  • Emotional Regulation

Annika is deeply invested in collaborating with young individuals grappling with complex chronic conditions, with a specific interest on the interplay between persistent symptoms and neurodiversity. Within this demographic, Annika possesses a special interest in comprehending the intricate connection between a young person’s capacity for self-regulation, their emotional well-being, and the potential impact of their behaviours and environments on these factors. This understanding, in turn, plays a crucial role in influencing their persistent symptoms.

Alyse Kendall

Lead Physiotherapist

alyse kendall

Alyse has extensive experience across the age ranges in paediatrics. Alyse is passionate about working with children, youth and their families to provide early positive experiences in health and movement, facilitating lifelong positive behaviours and outcomes. Alyse believes working at Western Kids, being a part of an integrated team that works collaboratively with families, creates such a positive work environment whilst optimising outcomes.  Outside of work Alyse loves sourcing the best new eateries in Perth! She also enjoys getting outside for a run, hike and camp in nature.

BSc Physiotherapy – Graduate Notre Dame 2014

  • APA Paediatric Physiotherapy Level 1 & 2
  • APA Paediatric Gait & Running
  • APA Respiratory Level 1
  • 2019 World Physiotherapy conference in Geneva
  • Paediatric Dyskinesia, Great Ormond St Hospital
  • Exercise for children with a disability, Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapy

Alyse has been involved in competitive gymnastics since she was young, including as a national levels gymnast. She has also been a coach for over 10 years which has allowed her to develop an excellent eye for movement analysis, and being able to translate observations into areas for improvement in strength and conditioning.

Alyse has worked across many sectors of our health system including community and tertiary care, in a variety of rotational areas including spinal rehab, orthopaedics, neurology and intensive care. Alyse worked in tertiary and community settings and abroad in the UK for two years, working community paediatrics, with children at a special needs school and in various roles across the NHS as a Senior Physiotherapist.

Upon moving back to Australia, Alyse prioritised working in a paediatric setting and had the opportunity to utilise my breadth of experience to help babies and children in early intervention. Now as the Physiotherapy lead at Western Kids, Alyse supports the training of all our new graduate physiotherapists and students.

Alyse loves having variety in her day, between clients, teaching opportunities and working as a team.

Alyse has a special interest in:

  • supporting babies and families from the early weeks
  • working with kids having difficulty being able to engage in the school/community setting due to playground confidence
  • toe walkers a
  • rehab after orthopaedic surgery

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

what parents are saying

Discover the difference we make in children’s lives through the
words of our parents: real stories of progress, care, and breakthroughs.

Absolutely the best place I have ever taken my daughter who has a chronic condition. She felt listened to and the care matched her needs.

Cheryl Kershaw

After our child was diagnosed with a complex pain condition he was unable to walk and was crying in agony 24 hrs a day. We learned more from the first meeting with the Physio and OT than from any other specialist. We are eternally grateful for the help from Nicole and Emily.

Jenny Wright