Passionate – Dedicated – Professional
Passionate – Dedicated – Professional
improving the mental health and quality of life for children
The purpose of this clinic is to improve the mental health and quality of life of children, adolescents, and young adults. All our Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health OTs are trained and experienced in providing evidence-based therapies in a safe, relaxed and (if developmentally appropriate) fun environment. Therapy will be tailored to meet the individual needs.
Conditions or concerns we can help with
- Mood: depression, low mood, emotional dysregulation, grief and loss, adjustment issues
- Anxiety: generalised anxiety, panic, health anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias (including needle phobias), OCD & body-focused repetitive behaviours (e.g., nail biting, skin picking, hair pulling) – without significant developmental comorbidities, excessive worrying
- School-related concerns: school avoidance, healthy friendships and bullying, perfectionism and procrastination, giftedness, social skills
- Child-parent concerns: behavioural difficulties, attachment related difficulties, emotional regulation difficulties
- Other: Sexuality and gender diversity, appearance concerns, self-esteem, sleep
- Neurodivergence: Autism, ADHD
- Healthy Friendships workshop (Y2-4)
- Growth Mindset workshop (Y2-4)
- Introduction to Neurodiversity
- Working with Gender Diverse clients
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Passionate – Dedicated – Professional
Mental Health Team
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).
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.
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.
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.
Kathryn Monaco provides a sensitive and engaging therapy space for children to develop their skills to cope and adjust to life changes. Kathryn has a rich knowledge of attachment, development, neurodiversity and mental health in children. Through play and conversation, Kathryn works with the child to develop their self awareness and problem solving skills to grow!
Kathryn enjoys working with parents in supporting their parenting journey, and widening their understanding of their child’s needs. Kathryn works collaboratively with medical and health specialists, and educators to assist with a child’s treatment plan. Kathryn frames her child session’s based on the child’s age and ability using the following treatment approaches: cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, acceptance commitment 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.
Keely works across a range of clinics at Western Kids Health, including School Aged Services, Mental Health, Complex Care, and Early Intervention. She values a holistic approach, striving to empower individuals and their families by addressing all aspects of their lives. Keely collaborates closely with the multidisciplinary team at Western Kids Health, ensuring her clients receive tailored and cohesive care.
Outside of work, Keely enjoys spending time outdoors with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Ralph. Ralph is an accredited Level 1 Therapy Dog and a member of the Western Kids Health team, providing emotional support and comfort to children and families as they work toward their OT goals. You might even spot Ralph around the clinic, lending a paw in helping clients through their therapeutic journey.
Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) from Curtin University
Medicare Better Access to Mental Health (BAMH) provider.
- Circle of Security Facilitator Training
Tuning in to Kids Facilitator Training
William Street Family Therapy: Level 1 Intensive in Family and Relationship Therapy
Motivational Interviewing: Psychwire
DBT Skills: Psychwire
ACT for Adolescents: Psychwire
WAAT: Level 1 Therapy Dog Training
The Children Success Foundation: The Nurtured Heart Approach
Play Therapy Australia: The Heart & Practice of Child Centred Play Therapy
CAMHS/ PCH: Gender Diversity
PDA Society: PDA for Healthcare – guidance, evidence & practice
Sensory Tools Australia: The Traffic Jam In My Brain
Keely has extensive experience working with complex presentations, including neurodiversity and mental health. She is committed to ongoing learning and staying up to date with the latest evidence and research to provide the best possible support for children and their families. Her expertise extends to working with parents and families, having completed Level 1 in Family Therapy. Additionally, Keely is an accredited facilitator of parenting programs such as Tuning in to Kids and Circle of Security, which she hopes to bring to Western Kids Health soon.
A strong advocate for children, adolescents, and their families, Keely is dedicated to helping individuals reach their fullest potential, providing holistic and compassionate care throughout their therapeutic journey.
Keely is also passionate about empowering parents to support their child’s development. She is a trained facilitator in programs such as Tuning in to Kids and Circle of Security, which allows her to provide individualised parent coaching. Additionally, Keely has recently completed her Therapy Dog training with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Ralph. Together, they offer animal-assisted therapy, adding an extra layer of support and comfort for her clients as they work towards their therapeutic goals.
Ralph is just as passionate about going to work as he is about going to the beach! As an accredited Level 1 Therapy Dog, Ralph is an important part of the Western Kids Health team, helping children and adolescents achieve their therapy goals.
Ralph works one day a week alongside his handler, Keely Kenton, providing animal-assisted therapy to a range of children and adolescents across our clinics.
In sessions, Ralph offers emotional support, helps kids read and understand body cues to develop social skills, assists with self-regulation, and builds confidence. Outside of work, Ralph is a social butterfly who loves accompanying Keely on adventures—whether it’s to the beach, river, or hikes in the hills!
If you see Ralph around our Shenton Park clinic, feel free to say hello and give him a friendly pat—he might be big, but he’s a gentle giant who loves attention!
Tiffany brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to her practice, as our Lead Occupational Therapist. Tiffany is known for her calm and fun approach to therapy, creating a supportive and engaging environment for her clients. Tiffany is dedicated to providing comprehensive assessments, personalised therapy plans and ongoing advocacy and guidance, that not only address the child’s needs but also support the caregivers in the journey towards improved health and wellbeing. Tiffany considers all environments and works closely with the child’s family, school, day care or work to provide recommendations and support. Tifany works across a range of clinics here at Western Kids Health including the School Aged Service, Mental Health, Complex Care and Early Intervention team.
Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) from Curtin University
Medicare Better Access to Mental Health (BAMH) provider.
- Triple P Facilitator training – Level 3
- Gatekeeper- Suicide Prevention workshop
- Hey Warrior workshop- Karen Young
- Motivational Interviewing: Advancing Down The Path – Dr Joel Porter
- Motivational Interviewing: Beyond Mechanical Pain- Alison Sim
- Pebbles – Bladder and bowel issues in Children
Tiffany has dedicated her career to working with children and adolescents. She has worked as an occupational therapist for ten years in Perth in paediatric private practice and inpatient mental health. Tiffany has experience working with individuals aged 2- 20 years, with a wide range of developmental disorders and disabilities. She is skilled to work with those who have fine and gross motor delays, chronic conditions, pain and fatigue, sensory processing difficulties, handwriting challenges, difficulties with self-care, toileting, sleep, behavioural challenges, attention and concentration, social and play skills.
Tiffany is passionate about advocating for her client’s needs and is able to complete assessment and reporting for School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) applications. Tiffany is a qualified children’s yoga instructor and can incorporate yoga and breathing techniques into the child’s therapy. Tiffany can also adapt yoga to be safe and meet the needs of individuals with connective tissue disorders. Tiffany enjoys running social skill groups, high school readiness groups, yoga groups and has been involved in running the TARGiT program aimed at providing management for teenagers with chronic conditions. Throughout her career, Tiffany has been invited to present professional development workshops and seminars to a variety of organisations and schools, sharing her knowledge and insights with parents, teachers, educators, allied health professionals, specialists and the wider community.
Tiffany’s particular area of interest and expertise is supporting children and adolescents with emotional regulation, distress, anxiety, low mood or diagnosed mental health conditions, assisting them in getting back into the things they love to do. Tiffany is a Medicare endorsed provider under the Better Access the Mental Health scheme, meaning she can support those with a Mental Health Care Plan, access occupational therapy using Focused Psychological Strategies. Tiffany also has a special interest in empowering parents to support their child’s development. In addition to working with her young clients, Tiffany offers individual parent coaching sessions through the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program).
Megan believes that all children have unique strengths, that everybody struggles sometimes and that seeking support is often a difficult step for a family to take. She believes therapy works best when clients and therapists genuinely collaborate towards goals. Within this framework, Megan views families and children as the experts on themselves, their goals and how therapy is going for them. She views her role as providing guidance that can support them as unique individuals to meet their goals.
Megan uses evidenced-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Imagery Rescripting and elements of mindfulness and Mentalisation based approaches.
When not at work, Megan loves taking care of her dog Reggie, going to the pottery studio, exercising and art.
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
