Emma-Rose Parsons

Director / Psychologist

Emma-Rose opened Spectrum House in 2008, creating a space for young people to access quality psychological support.

She works with children, youth and their parents/guardians and is passionate about increasing a family’s quality of life, by offering Education, Understanding and Skills for Life.

Taking a person-centred, solution-focused, practical and evidence based approach, Emma-Rose tweaks her approach to suit her client’s needs.

Emma-Rose provides supervision for other psychologists and presents at schools and community organisations for professional development. To work with Emma-Rose or to discuss workshop opportunities for your school, please email [email protected]

Ellie Gwyther

Psychologist

Ellie is a registered psychologist who has worked in a variety of settings, including primary and senior schools, and private practice. She prefers to take a relaxed, creative, and collaborative approach in assisting children and adolescents to understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. In sessions, Ellie utilises evidence-based techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to assist her clients to build skills to regulate their emotions and behaviours, develop helpful thinking patterns, strengthen social skills, and increase confidence and resilience, to reduce anxiety, depression, and challenging behaviours.

Ellie also enjoys completing comprehensive assessments, including but not limited to, cognitive, educational, and autism spectrum assessments. She believes in taking a neuro-affirmative approach whereby assessments assist in understanding, lead to acceptance, and clients are celebrated for their uniqueness. Ellie takes pleasure in helping others identify their strengths and find strategies to assist them to utilise their skills to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

When Ellie is out to play, she can be found enjoying the company of her family, friends, and dog (Fred), travelling, appreciating good food and wine, or cheering on her beloved blue boys at the ‘G’.

Emma Ring

Psychologist

Emma is a Registered Psychologist, who loves working with children, adolescents and young adults! In 2012 Emma completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science, where she spent her final year volunteering for Edmund Rice Camps, working with the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency to provide support and promote well-being for indigenous children in the foster care system.

She completed her Masters in Professional Psychology in 2015, where she worked closely with Raise Mentoring Foundation. Here, she was working with at-risk adolescents through in-school programs, with a strong focus on empowering young people to be confident, assertive and goal-oriented.

Emma has worked in the public sector with Eastern Health since 2015, working in addiction counselling services, primarily with clients with drug, alcohol and gambling concerns. Through this service, she has developed strong motivational interviewing skills, and has extensive experience in crisis management.

Emma is a client-focused therapist who concentrates on the individual needs of each client and tailors her treatment approach accordingly. She is excited to be working at Spectrum House to help children and families reach their potential, feel supported and empowered to be the best version of themselves they can be.

Emma enjoys working with a variety of client presentations in a counselling capacity, but also enjoys completing assessments (including cognitive assessments and autism spectrum disorder assessment).

Emily Subara-Zukic

Psychologist

Emily is a registered psychologist who has completed a Master in Educational and Developmental Psychology. She is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in cognitive & motor control of developing children.

Emily has experience in a variety of developmental and socio-emotional issues: including learning, attentional, social and behavioural difficulties, anxiety, depression and neuro-developmental disorders. She has worked with children, adolescents and families across a variety of clinical, school and special development settings.

Emily has particular interests in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, cognitive and learning difficulties. She is highly collaborative with parents, schools, and kindergartens and utilises an evidence-based approach when supporting her clients. Emily tailors her approach to her client’s strengths to best support their unique needs and goals. Her approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), however, she flexibly applies a range of evidence based strategies to ensure individualised care and a strengthening of the support systems within her clients lives. She also conducts comprehensive cognitive/psycho-educational assessments to assist in supporting learning difficulties and school readiness.

In addition to her clinical experience, Emily has spent several years as an athlete, lifeguard and swimming teacher. She has a particular interest in physical activity and the wealth of positive influence this has on mental well-being. Outside of the clinic, she is fitness guru who enjoys running, hikes in the sunshine, crafting and spending quality time with her family, friends and adorable puppy Charlie.

Nia Thavapalan

Psychologist

Following her undergraduate studies, Nia completed her Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) at Australian Catholic University.

Nia is now a Registered Educational and Developmental Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA).

Nia has a special interest in supporting children and families experiencing a range of childhood emotional and developmental disorders including by not limited to anxiety, low self-esteem, grief and loss, social challenges, behavioural difficulties, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Nia has experience working with children, adolescents, and families in a range of settings including not-for-profit organisations, private practice, primary school settings, and early intervention services. She supports each of her clients by delivering individualised treatment plans using evidence-based treatments tailored to her clients’ needs, preferences and personalities to assist in empowering them with the skills to help them function to their fullest potential.

As well as therapeutic intervention, Nia also enjoys providing comprehensive psychological assessments including assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), specific learning disorders (SLD), and giftedness. Through assessment, Nia aims to provide a holistic understanding of her client’s needs, and provides individualised, evidence-based support strategies to parents and school personnel to enhance outcomes for her clients.

Matt Smith

Provisional Psychologist

Matt completed his bachelor's of Psychological Science (Honours) degree in 2021 at the Institute for Social Neuroscience (ISN). Having an enduring passion for mental health and wellbeing, Matt is now very excited to be working at Spectrum House as a Provisional Psychologist.

Matt undertakes a creative and collaborative approach in helping children, adolescents, and young adults to understand their thoughts and feelings, assisting them to reach their highest potential. Matt adapts his treatment to each individual’s circumstance and unique personality, ensuring every client receives the most appropriate care. Therapeutic methods Matt delivers include CBT, psychoeducation and other evidence-based strategies.

Matt provides comprehensive psychological assessments with the aim to assist his client in understanding themselves and their needs. Through these assessments, individualised evidence-based support strategies can be utilised by parents and teachers alike to further support the client’s needs.

In his spare time Matt loves the company of friends and family, whether it be by the campfire with marshmallows or at the table with a boardgame. Matt enjoys creative hobbies such as painting and animating, and absolutely adores his family kitten Maisy.

Amanda Hawker

Psychologist

Amanda is a registered Psychologist with a warm therapeutic approach. She loves working with children, adolescents and their families to improve wellbeing. She applies flexibility, creativity, and humour when helping her clients.

Amanda utilises psycho-education, mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation strategies and skills training.

Amanda is experienced at treating anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, school issues/bullying, challening behaviour and supporting those on the autism spectrum.

Aside from working in mental health, Amanda takes care of her dog, Chewbacca. Her favourite outdoor activities are hiking and camping. Amanda is passionate about all things music and film and loves spending quality time with her partner, friends and family.