Our Melbourne Team
Don’t hesitate to reach out and come visit us in our practice located in South Morang VIC, we’re proud to introduce our dedicated team below.
Elsa Yohannes-Mcpherson
Occupational Therapist Assistant
When I’m not working, you may find me at church, playing basketball, dancing in random places I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, travelling, and participating in sports. I’ve always been interested in health, but my interest in occupational therapy began when my mother needed a liver transplant and needed to visit an OT. My curiosity in this field increased from there, and I fell in love with everything OT.
Areas of expertise:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Down Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental delays
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Intellectual disabilities
Treatment Modalities:
- Treatment Modalities-
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Proprioception (our awareness of where our body is and how it moves)
- Emotional regulation
- Self-care routines
Steven McPherson
Occupational Therapist Assistant
I am a positive and hardworking individual, driven by my passion for those who feel stuck or left behind. I’m a problem solver who is always looking for new and more efficient ways, to conquer challenges and find solutions. A warm and empathetic person, who’s calm demeaner and excellent interpersonal skills create a safe and positive environment for growth. I have chosen Occupational therapy as my profession because it perfectly complements my passion for peoples’ development and my empathetic and problem solving abilities.
Areas of expertise:
- I have worked with people with a variety of challenges such as;
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Anxiety disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Non-verbal
- Down syndrome
- Developmental delay
- Various learning/mental disabilities.
Treatment Modalities:
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Proprioception (our awareness of where our body is and how it moves)
- Emotional regulation
- Self-care routines
- Sequencing
- Planning
- Routine
- Toileting
- Play and social skills
- Confidence and self-esteem
Jacqueline Benedict
Speech Therapy Assistant
I am a mother of 2 and have come from an industry completely different to my current role. I have been a Patisserie trainer for the past 14 years. 2020 sparked my interest in Mental health and I pursued a Certificate IV in Mental Health. My curiosity for Speech Therapy resulted in my Godson being diagnosed with ASD since he was 2 years old. I have always wanted to work with kids but not in a childcare setting and when this opportunity came, I fell in love with the job immediately. I have so much to learn but I also have so much that I can give. The ability to make even the smallest difference in a child’s life is rewarding.
Areas of expertise:
- Developmental delays Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Early language intervention
- Phonological processes
- Language difficulties and disorders
- Developmental delays
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Treatment Modalities:
- Fine motor skills Gross motor skills
- Multimodal communication therapy
- Play therapy Emotional regulation
Madi
Provisional Psychologist and Behavioral Therapist
As an AHPRA-registered Provisional Psychologist, I have accumulated four years of experience working with neurodiverse children and five years of experience working with children with intellectual difficulties in an educational setting.
My professional interests focus on family dynamics, relationships, and the development of self-concept. Additionally, I am passionate about identifying and addressing stuck points in children with special needs.
I have extensive experience providing psychological interventions for children with neurodiverse conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Intellectual Disability. These interventions include psychoeducation and cognitive/behavioural support.
Areas of expertise:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Relationship issues
- Stress
- Adolescents
Treatment Modalities:
- Fine motor skills
- Play therapy
- Group therapy
- Behavioural Management Plan
- Zones of regulation
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Ayshah Alqaisi
Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
Ayshah is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with a wide range of paediatric experience. Ayshah is passionate about working closely with her clients, building trust and a relationship to fully understand their strengths and needs. Ayshah’s vision is to help her clients and their families reach their full potential by making sure they are involved in goal setting and progress each step of the way. Ayshah has experience working in multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams in private practice and school-based settings. Throughout her clinical experience Ayshah developed an interest in: Autism, Disability, Early Intervention as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication approaches.
Areas of expertise:
- Bilingual Language Development (Arabic and English)
- Early Language Intervention
- Language Difficulties and Disorders
- Social Communication Skills
- Developmental Delay and Disability
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Treatment Modalities:
- Treatment Modality-
- Parent Education and Training
- Multimodal Communication
- Play Therapy
- Language Stimulation
Other Areas:
- Speech Sound Difficulties
- Literacy skills
- Stuttering
- School Readiness
Lianna Pavlov
Speech Therapy and Occupational Assistant
Clinic Director
I am a mother of 3 and have been in the healthcare industry for almost 18 years. My love for Speech and Occupational Therapy came when my son was diagnosed with Autism at 3.5 years old. Through his journey I have a true passion for early intervention, parent support and working hard with families and allied health professionals to help achieve the best outcomes for clients.
Paula Lamaris
Administration
Clinic Director
Androulla
Psychologist
Androulla is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and an associate member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She has over 8 years experience in mental health having worked for the Department of Justice and Regulation and in private practice.
Androulla is committed to providing evidence based psychological interventions and is skilled in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and Schema Therapy.
Treats issues such as:
Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Issues, Post Traumatic Stress, Grief and Loss, Sleeping Issues, Weight Management, Substance Abuse Issues Work-Related Stress, Self-Esteem and Confidence Issues, Relationship Difficulties, Anger Management, Conduct Issues, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Androulla is passionate about helping people and uses a nurturing approach when working with clients.
Poonam Pundkar
Speech Therapy Assistant
I have been in the healthcare industry for almost ten years. My love for Speech Therapy came when my son was diagnosed with Autism at 3.5 years old. Through his journey, I have developed a passion for supporting and empowering individuals with communication difficulties and families to become confident speakers and enjoy their life to their full potential.
I enjoy all speech pathology areas but have developed a particular interest in supporting early language development, social skills, and literacy. I love to provide my clients with the best possible intervention, with sound evidence basis and effectiveness, while making therapy fun and enjoyable and helping them express themselves.
Areas of expertise:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Early language intervention
- Phonological processes
- Language difficulties and disorders
- Language delays
Treatment Modalities:
Multimodal communication therapy
- Play Therapy
Yanni Galanos
Occupational Therapy Team Leader
and Senior Occupational Therapist
I am a passionate and proud Occupational Therapist and I love what I do. I work with a wide range of individuals aged between 4 and 75 years of age. Seeing people achieve their goals is the best part about being an Occupational Therapist and it’s the reason I go to work. I pride myself on being a warm and empathetic person as I endeavour to make my Occupational Therapy sessions as engaging, practical and interactive as possible.
Areas of expertise:
- Psychosocial Disabilities
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental Delay
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
- Down Syndrome
Treatment Modalities:
- Routine management
- Social Skills development
- Fine and gross motor skill development
Soshanna Nair
Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy Assistant
I’m a student from Singapore and am currently in my final year of my Master’s in Occupational Therapy Practice at Latrobe University. I am a dedicated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, with a compassionate approach to those struggling. I am particularly interested in pediatrics – I enjoy interacting with children and assisting them in excellent client-centered care to achieve their individual goals.
Areas of expertise:
- Developmental delays
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD)
- Handwriting
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
Treatment Modalities:
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Self-regulation
- Play therapy
- Self-care routines