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Vision Statement

Positive Sullutions’ vision is to assist parents, carers and individuals impacted by disability to understand and work through challenges in their day to day life. We aim to improve the overall wellbeing and functioning of the individual and their family unit by delivering accessible and evidence based psychological services to our clients.

Mission Statement

Positive Sullutions delivers psychological services that foster understanding of individual needs, strengths and areas for growth and how to incorporate, develop and accommodate these aspects into the family and wider community. This is achieved through a continual focus on quality and a continuing commitment to incorporating new advances in the field into our practice.

Positive Sullutions is committed to working with those impacted by disability as well as those who have concerns relating to development or mental wellbeing. We provide a flexible approach to service delivery that caters to family’s needs when and where they need it.

Positive Sullutions Child Safe Policy

Our Team

Veronica Sullivan

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

Professional Associations / Accreditation’s

  • Registered Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Member of Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)

Lara Osgood

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

Professional Associations / Accreditation’s

  • Registered Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Ebony Melzak

Provisional Psychologist; PhD Candidate (Educational & Developmental Psychology)

Ebony is a provisional psychologist, registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Ebony is passionate about supporting the learning, development, and wellbeing of her clients. With previous experience working with clients across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, young adults and older adults, she understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Ebony will work with clients to individualise sessions to meet their interests and needs.

Ebony has experience in providing psycho-educational assessment and evidence-based therapies for a range of learning, emotional, and developmental concerns. These include intellectual disabilities, specific learning disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders (such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), giftedness, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety. Integrating strategies from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and humanistic approaches, Ebony will aim to support and assist her clients in a caring and empathetic manner.

Qualifications

  • Master of Educational & Developmental Psychology/Doctor of Philosophy - Monash University - currently underway
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Monash University

Professional Associations / Accreditation’s

  • Registered Provisional Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Australian Psychological Society - Associate Member

Rhea Jain

Provitional Psychologist; PhD Candidate (Educational & Developmental Psychology)

Rhea is currently completing a PhD and is provisionally registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  
 
Rhea draws from evidence-based interventions including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), Family Systems Therapy and mindfulness to support her clients and their network in understanding themselves and working towards their chosen goals.
 
Rhea has an interest in developmental assessments, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression  across all ages. 

Qualifications

  •  Master/PhD Educational and Developmental Psychology (underway)
  • Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts

Professional Associations / Accreditation’s

  • Registered Provisional Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Hannah Tuncer

Provisional Psychologist; PhD Candidate (Educational & Developmental Psychology)

Hannah is a provisionally registered psychologist and is currently undertaking a PhD. Hannah adopts a holistic approach to support the development and wellbeing of her clients and collaborates with important members of their care team, including educators and family members.

Hannah has experience working in multiple settings, including private practice and schools (primary and secondary), and has a special interest in assessing Intellectual Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and supporting individuals presenting with social, emotional and behavioural concerns. While she prides herself on her ability to make sessions fun and engaging for her clients, Hannah also refers to evidence-based therapeutic frameworks such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support the individualised needs of each client.

Qualifications

  • Master of Educational & Developmental Psychology / Doctor of Philosophy – Monash University – Currently underway
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – La Trobe University

Professional Associations / Accreditation’s

  • Registered Provisional Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Sharon Sullivan

Administration Manager

Sharon comes to us from a nursing and woman’s health background, is highly knowledgeable and has a passion and commitment to community and positive care for all. She is warm, companionate, caring and willing to go the extra mile for those she works with.

Sharon enjoys the “family kitchen”, the sharing of food and idol “chit chat!” . Sharon has set up a clinic garden at Lalor and is always happy to share. If you feel the need for a “cuppa” when visiting just ask!

Moxie

Therapy Dog (in training)

Moxie is a 2 year old Aussie Shepard x Poodle. She is a smart, very friendly, happy, cheeky girl, who loves to be with people, especially children! She loves to play, and when she’s not playing she loves a good cuddle and pat. She is still learning and can be overly friendly and has been known to jump and lick but doesn't bite!

Moxie is at the Lalor clinic most days. She has been assessed as being safe around the public including new people, children, adults & other animals. She will mostly be with Veronica and will not be roaming free around the clinic. However if you are a bit worried about dogs please let us know and we will make sure Moxie is with another clinician when you visit.