Psychology Team
Please note, our team includes practitioners based in-clinic as well as those delivering services externally including via Telehealth and within school settings.
Meet Emily
Educational & Developmental Psychologist
Emily Edwards is an Educational & Developmental psychologist, member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (APPI), and a board-approved supervisor. Emily is the founder and director of Peninsula Child Psychology since it was established in 2021. She has worked within the private paediatric space for the last five years, as well as in the education department since 2020. Her client base includes neurodiverse children and adolescents, specifically females with ASD and ADHD, clients with social and emotional difficulties, grief and adjustment disorders, and mood disorders. She is trained in a range of therapeutic interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and grief counselling, as well as range of parent support programs such as Tuning Into Kids (TIK). She is also trained in completing cognitive, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental assessments. Emily adopts a holistic and family-centred approach when working with her clients, and enjoys working within systems. She enjoys supporting families in understanding the processes associated with assisting their child and tailors this experience to every family she works with. Emily divides her professional time between the provision of therapeutic and assessment services for clients, and the supervision, training, and professional development of clinical staff.
Meet Emily W
Psychologist
Emily Williams is a general psychologist and an educational/ developmental psychology registrar, having completed a Masters of Psychology (Educational and Developmental). She has experience across a range of settings, including community services, primary and secondary schools, a university clinic, and a public hospital. Emily is passionate about supporting children, adolescents, and their families, and has particular experience providing assessment and therapeutic support for young people with neurodevelopmental conditions. Her areas of interest also include anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, sleep, behaviour, and the role of sport and exercise in mental health. Emily brings a warm, energetic presence to her work, creating a safe and supportive space where young people feel heard and understood. Her approach is evidence-based, client-centred, and grounded in a strengths-based perspective to empower individuals to reach their goals.
Meet Jade
Psychologist
Jade Duran is a General Psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical), and is currently a clinical psychology registrar. She is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of children, pre-teens, and adolescents. She is passionate about creating a safe and nurturing space where young people feel heard and empowered to express themselves. With experience working across a range of presentations including anxiety, mood difficulties, emotional regulation, social challenges, ASD, and ADHD, Jade brings a calm, collaborative presence to her sessions. She draws on a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), play therapy, and art-based approaches to suit each child’s individual needs.
Jade works holistically with children and their families, tailoring strategies to the developmental stage and personality of each young person. She values a personalised, strength-based approach, supporting families to navigate challenges together and build lasting skills.
Meet Tiana
Psychologist
Tiana Nikolova is a provisional psychologist with a passion for supporting children to build the foundations to improve their mental health and well-being. She has a Master of Professional Psychology and prior experience supporting children and their families within home and school based settings. Tiana has a wide-ranging experience working with neuro-diverse children offering a play-based and child-centered approach to counselling. She offers a warm and collaborative approach with a strengths-based focus to create a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for young people and their families. Tiana has experience supporting young people for a variety of presenting reasons including anxiety, depression, bereavement, emotion management and educational and behavioral concerns. She draws upon an integration of evidence-based practices and theoretical models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as guided by the client’s goals and individual needs.
Meet Alex
Psychologist
CURRENTLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE
Alexandra “Alex” Nixon is a dedicated provisional psychologist with a Master of Professional Psychology. Alex is passionate about helping families lead meaningful lives aligned with their values. She specialises in supporting children, adolescents, and families, with a strong interest in perinatal psychology, helping parents navigate pregnancy and the transition into parenthood and beyond. With a warm and compassionate approach, Alex creates a safe and calming atmosphere where clients and their families feel heard and comfortable sharing their stories. Therapy with Alex draws upon an integration of evidence-based principles, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Integrated Family System (IFS) as guided by each client's needs, goals and context. Alex takes a holistic, collaborative approach, working with clients and their families to develop personalised strategies that promote growth, resilience, and emotional well-being. Alex wholeheartedly believes the foundation of effective therapy lies in self-honesty, commitment to growth, and a genuine connection between therapist and client. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, Alex offers a practical approach to facilitating meaningful change, with a focus on individuality, empathy, and genuine connection.
Meet Liv
Psychologist (Provisional)
Olivia Hamilton is currently completing her Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) at the Australian Catholic University. She brings a warm, strengths-based, and collaborative approach to her work, placing great value on building genuine partnerships with the individuals and families she supports.
She is particularly passionate about working with individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and has a strong interest in supporting those experiencing anxiety, depression, and challenges with emotional regulation. Olivia also enjoys helping young people build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. Her therapeutic style is compassionate and tailored to each individual. She draws on evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices. Olivia is committed to creating a supportive and respectful space that honours each person’s individuality and helps them connect with what matters most to them. Olivia has gained experience across a variety of settings, including primary schools, private practice, and a university clinic, and we’re confident she will be a wonderful support for you moving forward. Olivia is well versed in the processes and procedures at PCP, and has worked in an administration and client support role for almost two years.
Meet Jess
Psychologist (Provisional)
Jessica "Jess" Naskopoulos is a provisional psychologist with a Master of Professional Psychology. She is passionate about supporting children, adolescents and families to build confidence, develop self understanding and navigate life’s challenges in a way that promotes emotional wellbeing. Jess brings a warm, compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy, creating a safe and supportive environment where young people feel heard, understood and valued. She takes a strengths based and individualised approach, recognising that each child and family has unique experiences, strengths and goals. Jess has experience supporting children, adolescents and families across private practice and disability support settings. She has worked with individuals with diverse needs, including neurodivergent clients and supported young people experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties and adjustment concerns. Jess draws upon evidence based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness based strategies to tailor therapy to each client’s individual needs.
Meet Elle
Provisional (Psychologist)/ Placement Student
Elle van Basten Batenburg is currently completing her Master of Professional Psychology and will be undertaking her placement at Kunyung Primary School, with the professional support from Peninsula Child Psychology. She is passionate about supporting children and adolescents to better understand themselves, navigate challenges, and build skills that enhance their overall wellbeing and quality of life. She has a particular interest in anxiety, emotional wellbeing, and supporting young people through periods of stress, uncertainty, and transition. Elle is also interested in working with neurodiverse individuals and appreciates the importance of incorporating different support techniques to each person’s unique strengths, experiences, and needs. Elle values creating a therapeutic space that feels welcoming, genuine, and non-judgemental. She understands that seeking support can feel daunting, and aims to help clients feel comfortable, supported, and respected throughout the therapeutic process. Her approach is grounded in curiosity, empathy, and collaboration, with a strong focus on helping individuals feel empowered in working towards their goals.
Please note, for any Kunyung Primary School students whom wish to schedule support with Elle, please email kunyung.ps@education.vic.gov.au.
Independent Psychologists
Please see below for our independent psychologists that operate out of Peninsula Child Psychology
Meet Breanna
Psychologist (Independent)
Breanna Davis is a general psychologist with a Master of Psychology (Clinical). Breanna is currently completing a clinical psychology registrar. She has extensive experience working with neurodivergent children, adolescents, and their families, providing tailored support to meet each family's unique needs. Breanna is skilled in cognitive, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental assessments and is dedicated to delivering tailored, compassionate support that respects each client's unique needs. Her practice emphasises a collaborative and inclusive therapeutic approach, creating a safe environment where clients and their families feel heard and valued. At Peninsula Child Psychology, Breanna is available specifically for psychological assessments, including those related to cognitive, learning, and neurodevelopmental areas. Please note that Breanna’s current availability does not include ongoing counselling and intervention support.
Meet Jodie
Psychologist (Independent)
Jodie van der Elst is a general psychologist and a clinical psychology registrar, with a passion for early nurturing of emotional wellbeing and agility. She has a Master of Psychology (Clinical) and prior experience supporting young people and their families within the community youth space, university clinic setting, and private hospital. Jodie offers client-centred therapeutic counselling and intervention to support pre-teens or youth, and their families to navigate a range of presenting challenges. With a warm and collaborative approach, she draws upon evidence-based and theoretical foundations and tailors her approach to the needs of the client and their family. These might include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, role-modelling, play, and more. Jodie also appreciates that families might benefit from support coping with life transitions, bereavement, medical diagnoses and health-related challenges. Jodie is also trained in cognitive, educational, and clinical assessments for a range of presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, school disengagement, OCD, and ADHD.
Meet Rose
Psychologist (Independent)
Rosemary Kucan is a general psychologist who has completed a Master’s degree in Educational and Developmental Psychology. She possesses extensive expertise in working with children and adolescents across a broad spectrum of presentations, including anxiety, mood difficulties, learning challenges, behavioural concerns, and emotional regulation. Her practice also encompasses supporting neurodiverse children, particularly those diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. Rosemary is skilled in assisting supporting neurodiverse children and young people to develop strategies for managing social difficulties, anxiety, burnout, and mood, while working collaboratively with schools to ensure consistent and holistic support. Her professional background spans primary schools, secondary schools and private practice, affording her a comprehensive understanding of the diverse contexts in which children and families navigate challenges. Rosemary’s therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative and pragmatic. She is committed to working in partnership with children and their families, ensuring that interventions are carefully tailored to individual needs and aligned with each child’s developmental stage. She draws on evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). With an emphasis on skill-building, she is dedicated to equipping children and young people with the tools necessary to enhance their resilience and wellbeing. In addition to her therapeutic work, Rosemary has considerable experience in administering neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and educational assessments. These assessments provide valuable insight and inform targeted recommendations to guide both families and educators. She is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and empowering environment in which children and families feel understood, respected and positioned to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Meet Stu
Psychologist (Independent)
Stu Cunningham is a General Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Registrar with experience supporting children, adolescents, and young adults across community, school, and public mental health settings. Before entering psychology, Stu spent over 16 years working with young people in a variety of sport and recreation coaching roles. This background continues to shape his warm, engaging, and down-to-earth approach, helping young people feel comfortable, understood, and empowered. Stu works with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental concerns, including anxiety-related difficulties, mood challenges, stress, trauma, adjustment concerns, and school-based challenges. He is also experienced in supporting neurodiverse young people and their families. Stu provides cognitive, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental assessments to assist with diagnostic understanding and educational planning. Therapeutically, Stu draws on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), exposure-based interventions, and grief counselling. He adopts a collaborative, strengths-focused style—structured yet flexible—tailoring each session to the developmental needs and goals of the young person and their family. Above all, Stu is committed to creating a space where children, adolescents, and their caregivers feel heard and supported. He values working alongside families to develop practical, evidence-based strategies that promote resilience, confidence, and meaningful progress toward their goals.
Client Support & Administration Team
Meet Mel
Client Support & Administration
Melissa Boyd provides a warm and friendly welcome to our clinic. In her role as clinic receptionist, Melissa is there to ensure our clients feel comfortable, nurtured, and supported. Melissa is very approachable with her sunny nature and the genuine compassion and care that she shows to all.