Justine Brogna
Justine Brogna – 9397 4499
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
Psychotherapy & Counselling
B.App.Sc (Dis St), B.S.W
Member AMHSW, ACP
Justine Brogna is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Justine has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Disability Studies with a major study in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work. She is the founder and director of TreeHaus Williamstown created and inspired from her years of work with patients experiencing mental health difficulties.
Her experience in mental health has been in both public and private sectors since 2002, including having worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Psychiatric Inpatient Unit and at the Inner West Area Mental Health Service (IWAMHS) providing case management to clients. In addition, she provided to the IWAMHS staff; team leadership, undertook the role as acting manager and social work supervisor. Justine has worked at Headspace for adolescent mental health and in multiple private practices across the area of Hobson’s Bay. She has worked and continues to work with a broad range of age groups including; young children, mothers and their babies, adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Justine is a member of the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis (ACP). She has completed the introductory course in psychoanalysis and is currently studying the four year Program of Theoretical and Clinical Studies in Psychoanalysis at the centre, having already completed 3 years of the program. In 2016 Justine was formerly accepted by the centre as an Analyst-In-Training. Justine is also trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to treat self harming behaviours, borderline personality disorder and suicidal ideation. Justine treats difficulties associated with childhood trauma, social and emotional difficulties, anxiety, phobias, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, pregnancy concerns, parental/marital/transitional issues, addictions, grief and loss, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia.
Justine is on the Women’s Advisory Committee for the Hobson’s Bay Council. Her role is predominantly advocacy for women, with a particular focus on mental health issues that face women in their multiple roles; mothering, wife/partner and within the workforce. Justine is also experienced in working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. She held a cultural and bilingual case management portfolio within the IWAMHS.
Justine endeavours to work with people to improve their mental health to enable their full potential to be reached.
Medicare rebates available with a Mental Health Care Plan from the GP.
Dr Claire Mayers
Dr Claire Mayers - 0417 391 148
Clinical Psychologist
BSc, DClinPsy (University College London)
Claire trained in England and has lived in Melbourne since 2006. Since in Melbourne she worked in the CAT Team, with adults in crisis with mental health issues; the Adolescent Forensic Health Service, for young people who have offended and suffering with psychological issues; and at the Royal Children’s Hospital in the Integrated Mental Health Program. She set up her own private practice in Moonee Ponds in 2008, which grew to the point that she left her role as Senior Psychologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Claire joined us in 2016.
Claire works with adults, children and families on a broad range of psychological and mental health issues. Her main approaches are CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), Narrative and Systemic. Claire likes to collaborate with her clients and work together to craft an intervention tailored specifically to their strengths and aims.
Medicare rebates are available with a Better Access to Mental Healthcare Plan from the GP. The rebate covers most of the fee.
Claire specialises in focused psychological service
Dr Rachel Madhwan
linkDr Rachel Madhwan - 9397 4499 or 0473 755 484 or admin@williamstownkids.com.au
MBBS (Hons), BMedSci, DCH, FRACP
Consultant Paediatrician
Rachel is a Paediatrician with over 10 years of paediatric experience specialising in newborn care and General Paediatrics. She trained as a Paediatrician in Melbourne predominantly at the Royal Children’s Hospital and completed components of her training in both Adelaide and Tasmania. Rachel has an interest in providing comprehensive care to children of all ages from birth to adolescence. Whilst Rachel enjoys the challenges of General Paediatrics she is also completing Dual training in Perinatology/Neonatology. She has a young family of her own.
Special Interest Areas:
Neonatal medicine
Unsettled babies
Feeding and sleep issues
Developmental and behavioural problems including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Acute Paediatrics
Childhood asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, food allergies
Professional Associations:
Paediatrician and Director WyndhamKids Paediatric Clinic, Werribee.
Werribee Mercy Hospital:
- Consultant Paediatrician
- Director of Clinical Training (Joint)
Preterm Follow-up: Royal Women’s Hospital, MCRI (Royal Children’s Hospital)
Clinic Times: 1pm-5pm Tuesdays
To make a booking
1. Please call 9397 4499 or 0473 755 484. Please note that it may be necessary to leave a message and you will be contacted within 1-2 business days. You may also email your query to admin@williamstownkids.com.au
2. To assist in making an appointment for your child, please email your referral to
admin@williamstownkids.com.au or fax to 9397 6112.
3. Once an appointment has been made you will be provided with details to access your patient portal where you can view your welcome pack. You can also complete your registration details and privacy information online if you choose prior to the appointment.
Click here to go to the TreeHaus Autism Assessment Therapy (THAAT) team page.
Sarah Gatt
Sarah Gatt - 9397 4499
Psychologist
BAppSc (Psych)(Honours), MPsych (Ed & Dev)
"I am passionate about providing early intervention services to young children in order to help aid their development and reach their full potential. I aim to create a warm and safe therapeutic environment for children, by providing therapy in a creative and individualised manner.
When working with children who present with challenging behaviours, I utilise the principals of reinforcement (as opposed to punishment or negative consequences) to minimise the child’s challenging behaviour and teach more helpful behaviours.
I believe that working collaboratively with parents is an important aspect of the therapy process and the child’s progress. I empathise that parenting a child who presents with challenging behaviours and/or strong emotions, can be stressful and overwhelming.
I aim to provide parents with additional strategies and tools they can use to reduce their stress, support their child’s progress, enhance co-operation, and minimise challenging behaviours. Parents can use these tools and strategies during and after the therapy process to help provide ongoing positive changes in their child’s development."
Sarah also provides psychological assessments including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments in collaboration with our Autism Assessment team which includes Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy. See our Autism Assessment Team page linked below.
Sarah can also provide ongoing therapeutic support and interventions to children with a diagnosis of ASD.
Click here to go to the Autism Assessment Team page (THAAT team)
Click here to go to the Psychology Service page
Vaughn Rogers
Vaughn Rogers – 0439 565 784
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
B.A (Hons), MSW
Vaughn Rogers is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). He has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with honours in literature and history from La Trobe University, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Melbourne.
Vaughn is also a member of the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis (ACP), has completed the a four year Program of Theoretical and Clinical Studies in Psychoanalysis 2012-2015 and is an active participant in the centre’s various activities.
He has and continues to work in the field of community mental health: initially as a Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Service (PDRSS) worker through North Yarra Community Health, and currently as a Mental Health Community Support Service (MHCSS) worker through cohealth. As such, he has experience working from a strengths-based recovery framework with people across the lifespan suffering from a wide variety of problems. He is also comfortable working with other supports such as family, friends, carers and professionals such as GPs, psychiatrists and other allied health practitioners.
In addition to studying psychoanalysis, Vaughn has been trained in a wide variety of recovery-oriented modalities and focussed psychological strategies, such as: the Collaborative Recovery Model, Recovery Star, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and Motivational Interviewing.
Vaughn offers his services at an affordable private fee, and Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan are also available.
Sally Rigley
Sally Rigley - 9397 4499
Psychologist
BA (Psych), Grad Dip (App Psych), MEdPsych, MAPS
Sally is a Psychologist who holds a Masters Degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology, specialising in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She completed her graduate thesis on the Development of Play in children with ASD and my Masters Thesis on the Early Diagnosis of ASD.
Whilst completing her studies she worked as a specialised therapist for 8 years assisting children and adults with ASD to increase their skills both academically and socially within both educational and home settings.
Since the completion of her degree in 2000 she worked in a specialist clinic in Geelong conducting ASD assessments of children and running groups for parents on understanding and parenting a child with ASD. She also worked for the education department providing counselling and running groups for children with anger management difficulties and anxiety. For the past 13-years Sally has been working in private practise assessing adults and children with ASD, seeing parents to give assistance with their understanding of their children’s behaviour and strategies to assist them in their parenting as well as providing counselling for people with ASD. She also conducts talks throughout Australia on Girls with ASD and how they differ from boys as well as providing strategies for the classroom.
Her main areas of interest is ASD, girls with ASD, Anxiety and Anger management/school refusal.
Hours for Treehaus Williamstown are 9-3pm Fridays.
Sally also works at the ASD Clinic in Kew with Dr Richard Eisenmajer and other practitioners.
Programs running in 2018 at Treehaus
Cool Kids programs including, Child Anxiety Program, Child and Adolescent Anxiety Program, Adolescent Anxiety and Depression Program and Study Without Stress.
Superflex: A superhero social thinking program for preschool children and children aged 8+ to assist with social skills. Kids enjoy being superheros in training, flexing and building their social thinking and social skills.
Sandra Richards
Sandra Richards – 0490 044 151
Mental Health Social Worker
Psychotherapy and Counselling
Grad Dip Ap Psychology, BBSc.
Sandra works in the mental health field as a Social Worker and is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. In addition to a Master of Social Work with a specialization in mental health, Sandra has a Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling and four years of accredited studies in psychology (BBSc, Grad Dip Applied Psychology). Additionally, she has undertaken studies in psychoanalysis and completed the four-year introductory course with the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis. She has experience in the family and children’s services, mental health community support and public clinical mental health services.
Since 2015 Sandra has predominantly worked with adults aged 18 to 65 years experiencing a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She has training and experience in focused psychological strategies and recovery oriented techniques and offers a person-centred, recovery focused approach. This approach acknowledges and builds on the unique strengths of people to support them with their therapeutic goals. Sandra has also collaborated effectively with carers, family members and health and other professionals to support people with their recovery.
Sandra offers services at an affordable private fee.
Click here to view practitioner's service
Josie Penna
Josie Penna - 0409 357 757
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
Psychotherapy, Counselling and Debriefing
Laughter Yoga Teacher
Grad Dip Psychological Studies, BSW, BA (Youth Affairs)
Member Eligibility for Aust Assoc of Smoking Cessation Professionals
Josie Penna has a Graduate Diploma of Psychological studies, a post graduate Bachelor of social work and a Bachelor of Arts (Youth Affairs). She is also in the process of completing her degree in Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). Josie has also completed various courses in counselling, suicide intervention, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and Smoking Cessation. Josie is also an accredited Laughter Yoga Teacher and Leader. She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers, and is eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Smoking Cessation Professionals.
Josie has a range of experiences working with in public health, mental health, aged care, addictions, sexual assault, forensics, family services and disability which spans over 28 years, 18 of those years have been in the capacity of social work. She has worked with children, youth, adults and seniors with a range of complex mental health and general health issues. In particular, Josie has extensive experience treating people who have alcohol and other drug addictions, and also supports families affected by someone with an addiction. Josie is also able to assist individuals with Nicotine dependence wanting treatment and support to quit smoking.
Josie works from a strength based perspective and can also treat difficulties associated with past personal trauma, sexual assault, emotional difficulties, anxiety, depression, loss and grief, relationship issues, anger management, bipolar, psychosis and schizophrenia.
At present, Josie also works for the North West Mental Health Services as a Senior Clinician specialising in people who have serious mental health issues and co-occurring substance use disorders. She provides consultation to Werribee Mercy Psychiatric Unit and Sunshine Adult Acute Psychiatric Unit. Within this role she has also consulted to Orygen Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Drug Health Services and Regen Alcohol and Other Drug Service. Josie also provides a number of training to mental health staff and Alcohol and Other Drug staff. Training topics include mental health and substance use concerns and interventions.
Josie currently also volunteers her time providing debrief and support to staff at Melbourne Health as part of the Peer Support Program and also undertook this role within St Vincent Hospital. Josie is very passionate about wellness and stress management. To enhance the work she does within the mental health sector, she also conducts Laughter Yoga/ Stress Management, and Laughter Meditation sessions for large and small businesses, hospitals, community groups and individuals.
Avrille Burrows
AVRILLE IS CURRENTLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE UNTIL 2018
Avrille Burrows – 0422 688 600
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
Creative Arts Therapist (infant, child and family practitioner)
Event Manager
B. Social Work(Hons), Advanced Diploma Transpersonal Art Therapy, Advanced Diploma in Events Management
Member ANZATA, AASW, AAIMHI
Avrille Burrows is a qualified Mental Health Social Worker, Creative Arts Therapist and Event Manager. She has worked with vulnerable youth, children and families for the past 9 years, providing support during difficult transitions and helping to further develop and strength skills that can be used in the future.
She uses a a number of creative approaches to support talk therapy, such as arts, play and sandplay therapy and works alongside the family in a client centred manner. Avrille provides both individual counselling as well as parent-child interaction/dyadic therapy for families.
Avrille works with individuals and families who have experienced trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges and conflict, behavioural challenges, and a variety of other challenges that impact on mental health.
Avrille supports individuals and families 'in the moment' and uses videos, role modelling, coaching, creativity and reflection in her sessions. Her specialisation in supporting the infant-parent dyad draws from attachment theory, developmental theory and a number of evidence-based parenting interventions.
From her Social Work foundation Avrille uses a mix of theoretical approaches and models such as psychodynamic theory, social learning theory, psychoeducation, interpersonal therapy and transpersonal therapy.
Complimentary to this, Avrille's skills in Art Therapy are supported by a humanistic and phenomenological approach and the early work of Freud and Jung.
Avrille is a member with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA), Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMHI), and the Western Infant and Perinatal Mental Health Network (MHPN).
Avrille is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Arts Therapist.
MEDICARE REBATE available through a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
Click here to link to Avrille's website
Click here to view practitioners services
Georgie Labb
Georgie Labb - 0401 144 129
Speech Pathologist
Georgie is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and a member of Speech Pathology Australia. Georgie has worked as a Paediatric Speech Pathologist since 2008, providing assessment and therapy services to children in a variety of settings, including child-care centres, preschools, schools, specialist educational settings, the community and private practice.
Prior, Georgie worked in a large tertiary hospital in rehabilitation services and acute care. Georgie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Behavioural Studies and a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology.
Medicare rebates are available via GP and Paediatrician referral.
Private health insurance may be utilised for eligible services.
Georgie is a Helping Children with Autism and Better Start Provider.
Danica Djaja
Danica Djaja - 0427 388 798 (admin@pointcookspeech.com)
Speech Pathologist
Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (SPA)
M.S.L.P (Hons), B.A., B.Med.Sci
Danica is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist who is passionate about working with children with various speech, language, fluency, social-communication and literacy difficulties. She has been a practising paediatric speech pathologist since 2011. Danica is a registered service provider with DSS and NDIA, therefore she is able to provide services under HCWA, BSI and NDIS packages. Danica graduated with a Master of Speech Language Pathology with honours from the University of Sydney.
Danica has a special interest in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech and stuttering. She is committed to supporting children with developmental delay and those with additional needs to develop and gain confidence in their communication. She has worked with many toddlers, preschool and school-age children and their families in clinical settings, as well as in children's natural environment such as their home, childcare, kindergarten and school.
Danica is trained in several speech pathology programs and approaches such as Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, Hanen More Than Words, PROMPT (treatment for Dyspraxia), PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Lidcombe Program for Early stuttering, and SOS feeding program.
Click here to link to Danica's website
Click here to go to Autism Assessment Team page (THAAT team)
Vanessa Korfiatis
Vanessa Korfiatis - 0423 214 404 or email vkorfiatis@outlook.com
Accredited Practicing Dietitian
Accredited Practicing Nutritionist
BAppSc (Hons) MDiet
Vanessa Korfiatis is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist with a Masters degree in Dietetics and Honours degree in Health Promotion. She is the founder of Olive Glow, a Melbourne based nutrition consultancy practice inspired by the traditional Mediterranean diet. Vanessa has wide-ranging experience across sectors including public health nutrition, research, food industry and private practice. Vanessa was awarded a scholarship by the Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health Services and completed a food security project in remote Cape York Queensland in 2013.
Vanessa has expertise across a range of clinical areas with a particular interest in paediatric nutrition and assisting children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, fussy eating habits and aversions to food. Other areas of interest include weight management, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance (chemical & FODMAPS), fertility/pregnancy and sports nutrition. Vanessa provides individual and family nutrition and dietary consultations, nutrition counseling, support and education.
Care plans and Medicare and Private Health Fund rebates available.
Click here to view practitioner's service
Alison Lee
Alison Lee - 0438 211 539
Maternal and Child Health Nurse
Registered Nurse Dv1
Registered Midwife
Alison Lee is an experienced Maternal and Child Health Nurse and Midwife. She has multiple years experience in both hospital and community based settings. At TreeHaus, Alison provides Sleep and Settling Advice to parents. She can help parents to identify their baby's tired signs and unsettled behaviours. As well as provide general baby care, help with sleep routines and feeding support. Alison will also be providing group programs to pregnant women and their partners and to new parents when their newborn baby arrives.
Alison completed a Bachelor of Nursing Science at the Australian Catholic University (Melb) in 2003. She then worked as a General Nurse enjoying a variety of fields, but particularly enjoyed Gynaecology and Paediatric nursing. Alison was accepted into a Midwifery program through La Trobe University and Goulburn Valley health and completed a post graduate certificate in Midwifery in 2005. While studying and working, Alison gained exceptional experience in the birthing processes, and the postnatal periods. She gained valuable special care nursery experience and honed her clinical nursing and midwifery skills working in a busy and unpredictable birthing suite.
Alison then moved to Melbourne where she continued to practice Midwifery working at Western Health (sunshine) and working casually at the Royal Women’s Hospital and some private hospitals around Melbourne.
During this time Alison worked mostly in birth suite, but also managed a regular antenatal clinic and provided Antenatal education sessions on a weekly basis.
In 2008 Alison completed her Masters in Community, Child and Family health, which qualified her to practice Maternal and Child health Nursing. This further education and extension of midwifery has enable her to broaden her breastfeeding knowledge, and extend her clinical assessment skills.
Her aim is that she can pass on her knowledge and provide practical help that is empathetic and evidenced based to parents in need of extra assistance.