POSITIVE SULLUTIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Psychologist, Educational & Developmental Registrar
Lara is an empathetic, caring, and supportive psychologist who uses a client-centred approach, individualising and adapting the way she works with different client presentations. Lara prioritises building a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship with her clients to make them feel safe and comfortable when discussing their personal challenges. Lara enjoys working with children and their families who may be experiencing any array of challenges including mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions (such as Autism Spectrum Disorder), and behavioural challenges.
Lara draws on a diverse range of evidence-based therapeutic frameworks which are tailored to suit the needs of those she works with. These frameworks include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Play Therapy. Lara also incorporates principles from other psychological treatments including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy.
As well as providing psychological intervention for individuals and groups, Lara is experienced in conducting developmental and educational assessments, and is a registered Behavioural Support Practitioner.
Qualifications
Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology - Monash University
Bachelor of Psychological Science, Honours - Latrobe University
Job Titles:
- Director & Principal Psychologist, Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Board Approved Supervisor
As a psychologist, I work with children, adolescents and adults who are impacted by disabilities. With 12 years' experience in a variety of roles within the disability field, I understand neither children, youth or adults exist in isolation and take a family/network centred approach and aim to include families and networks in the work I do. I am experienced in:
Positive Behaviour Support
Functional Behavioural Assessments
Parenting training
Social Skill Development
Improving Relationships
Emotional Regulation Development
Anxiety and Depression Treatment
I am experienced in assessments and interventions of neurodevelopmental conditions (such as autism spectrum disorders) and aim to provide assessments and reports that are helpful and insightful for those I am working with (including the individual I am assessing). I do this by keeping jargon to a minimum and providing strategies that are tailored to the individual I'm working with.
I have always been concerned about the rash, often unfair and misguided judgments that are made about children (and sometimes parents too) who for the most part are trying their best and want to do the right thing but don't know how to go about it.
I am passionate about helping children, adolescents and youth to make sense of their world and helping their world make sense of them. I continually to strive to assist children, adolescents and youth to reach their full potential and to foster understanding and supportive networks around those who need our support the most.
Qualifications
Board registered supervisor
Endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology