Meet Our Qualified Child and Family Wellbeing Experts
Our multidisciplinary team combines extensive credentials and specialised skills to support children, adolescents, and families through tailored therapeutic approaches.
Meet Our Child and Family Wellbeing Specialists
Our team combines diverse expertise to support the developmental and emotional needs of children and families through evidence-based therapies and collaborative care.
Dr Michelle Adams , Child Psyhciatrist
Dr Michelle Adams is a Child Psychiatrist specialising in child development and mental health, with particular expertise in children under 12 years with developmental concerns. Her work considers the whole child, including emotional wellbeing, learning, attention, language, motor development, family relationships, and the impact of parenting a child with complex needs.
Dr Adams provides comprehensive neurodevelopmental and psychiatric assessments, including autism, intellectual disability, and learning disorder assessments, in collaboration with Educational and Developmental Psychologists. She also offers ongoing child psychiatry care, psychotherapy, parent-focused work, and medication management where appropriate. Direct intervention using the DIR/Floortime approach is available for young children with developmental difficulties.
Dr Adams takes a formulation-based approach, focusing on understanding why a child is presenting in a particular way at a particular time, rather than relying solely on diagnostic labels. Parents are closely involved in care, as supporting caregivers is central to a child’s developmental progress.
Referrals:
GP, specialist, or nurse practitioner referral required for Medicare rebates.
Current availability:
Dr Adams is currently accepting new referrals. Typical wait times are
approximately 2–3 months, though appointments may occasionally become available sooner.
Referral enquiries:
Email: info@drmichelleadamspsychiatry.com.au
Phone : 03 7037 4207
Alex Dawson, Psychologist
TBC
Linda Seymour, Psychologist
Linda Seymour is a Psychologist with over 16 years’ experience across public and private settings, specialising in supporting individuals, couples, and families. Her work is grounded in a systemic understanding of relationships and family dynamics, creating a warm, compassionate environment where clients feel safe to explore challenges and work towards meaningful change.
Linda provides support with couples and relationship issues, parent–child and co-parenting guidance, grief and loss, self-esteem and bullying concerns, and workplace-related difficulties. She also delivers services registered with NDIS and WorkCover. Each treatment plan is personalised to the needs, values, and goals of the client, helping families and individuals navigate complex issues with clarity and confidence.
Referrals:
Linda is currently accepting new referrals.
Referral enquiries:
Email: kirstie@medicalcareconnect.com.au
Phone: 03 7037 4207
Yvonne Ellins, play therpaist
Yvonne is an experienced education specialist, Play Therapist, and registered Behaviour Support Practitioner with over 25 years’ experience supporting children and young people in school and community settings. She holds a Master of Play Therapy (Deakin University) and integrates therapeutic and practical strategies to support children and families.
Yvonne has a particular specialty in behaviour-related continence and incontinence supports. She works across trauma and child abuse, autism, ADHD, anxiety, self-harm, complex behaviours, family therapy, and Child–Parent Relationship Training. Her approach is holistic and team-based, shaped by extensive experience working within schools and alongside Child Protection.
Yvonne is a strong advocate for families navigating the NDIS and community support systems and is known for her calm, compassionate, and outcomes-focused approach. She also provides parent education and shares practical guidance for families supporting neurodivergent children through her online content.
Referrals:
Referrals are welcome.
Referral enquiries:
Yvonne@vact.com.au
Karen Collidge- Nurse Practiitioner/ Family Therapist
Karen Collidge is an endorsed Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Therapist who works with children, young people, and families experiencing emotional, behavioural, and mental health difficulties. Her practice is grounded in a deep understanding of child development, attachment, and the impact of life experiences on emotional wellbeing.
Karen works holistically, considering the child or young person within the context of their relationships, family system, developmental stage, and broader environment. She has extensive experience supporting families across hospital, community, and private practice settings and brings a warm, trauma-informed, and collaborative approach to care.
Karen provides comprehensive assessment and therapeutic support, drawing on evidence-based interventions, family-focused work, and careful clinical formulation. Her approach focuses on understanding why a child or young person is presenting in a particular way at a particular time, with an emphasis on safety, emotional regulation, and sustainable change rather than diagnosis alone.
Families and caregivers are actively involved in the therapeutic process, recognising their central role in supporting a child’s emotional and developmental wellbeing.
Referrals:
Referral pathways and eligibility requirements vary depending on the nature of the service.
Current availability:
Please enquire for current availability and expected wait times.
Referral Enquiries:
Email : karen@aboutfamilies.com.au
Phone: 0409 940 200
Dr Sharon Mittiga - Clinical and Educational & Developmental Psychologist
Dr Sharon is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families across a broad range of psychological and developmental concerns. Originally from Mauritius—one of the world’s most multicultural nations—she is fluent in English and French and has lived in Australia for over 22 years. She also has an understanding of Hindi.
Dr Sharon holds a Master’s degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology and a PhD from Monash University. Her clinical work is informed not only by extensive training and research, but also by her personal experience navigating anxiety and attentional challenges during her own schooling, giving her a deep understanding of how overwhelming these experiences can be at any stage of life.
She provides comprehensive psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments, including assessments for Autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties. Reports are thorough, clear, and delivered promptly, including when tight timeframes are required.
Dr Sharon offers therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, mood difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, chronic pain, and related adjustment issues. She also works within family systems to strengthen relationships, communication, and emotional understanding.
Her therapeutic approach is evidence-based and integrative, drawing on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and attachment-based frameworks. She supports clients to explore how early experiences influence current patterns in relationships, self-perception, and emotional responses, with the aim of building greater resilience and more secure connections.
With couples, Dr Sharon utilises her Level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help partners deepen connection, navigate conflict, and strengthen their relationship.
Dr Sharon maintains current best practice through ongoing professional development and brings a warm, collaborative, and compassionate style to her work. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where insight, growth, and resilience can develop.
Outside of her clinical work, Dr Sharon enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and the challenge and energy of CrossFit. Her personal experiences and continued learning underpin her commitment to walking alongside clients on their individual journeys.
Referrals:
GP, paediatrician, psychiatrist, or other specialist referrals are accepted. A GP referral is required for Medicare rebates where applicable.
Current availability:
Dr Sharon is currently accepting new referrals. Wait times vary depending on the type of service requested.
Referral enquiries:
admin@brianhelperspsychology.com.au
rachel wooley, play therapist
Rachael Woolley is a Certified Behaviour Analyst (CBA), Behaviour Support Practitioner, and Director of Play to Learn Therapy. She has over a decade of experience supporting children through to adults with disability and complex support needs.
Rachael provides evidence-based Positive Behaviour Support and early intervention across home, school, clinic, and community settings. Her work focuses on emotional regulation, skill development, communication, and addressing complex behaviours, using trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and play-based approaches. She collaborates closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to create practical, effective strategies tailored to each child’s needs.
Referrals:
- Accepting referrals: Rachael is currently accepting referrals.
- Preferred contact for enquiries: Email is preferred at playtolearntherapy@bigpond.com or via phone at 0438 001 416.
- Referral pathway: Referrals can be sent via email or through Rachael’s referral link: https://forms.gle/pvzeumeH4a6XHCh56.
- Referral response timeframe: Referrals are typically triaged and responded to within 3–5 business days.
Benefits of Our Collaborative Approach
Integrated Expertise
Personalised Care Plans
Holistic Development Focus
Continuous Communication
Contact Time to Grow
Kindly reach out to each therapist individually. if you are unable to get in touch with the desired therapist , you may contact the clinic manager at .
Email Us
admin@timetogrowclinic.com
Call Us
03 7037 4207