Staff

All the clinical psychologists at Kids & Co. Clinical Psychology have extensive experience and training in child and adolescent mental health, child protection and working with adults, young people, children and families. We specialise in the assessment and treatment of childhood emotional, behavioural and family problems.

Amanda Frawley, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS52228
M.Clin.Psych, B.Beh.Sc(HonsI)Psych
MAPS

Amanda is one of the co-founders of Kids & Co. and has significant experience working with children and families in the private sector, and in the public health sector within a specialist NSW wide tertiary level child and family treatment service. She has been working professionally with children and families since 1999, and for five years prior to that, Amanda worked with adults and their families who were experiencing serious psychiatric illness, and with disabled children and their families in Queensland. She has also worked with the Macquarie University Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic in Sydney. Amanda is highly committed to supporting her clients to make change, and has strong skills in parenting and behaviour management, anxiety management, and providing individual and family therapy.

Anna Cohen, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS52890
M.Clin.Psych, B.Psych(Hons)
MAPS

Anna is the other co-founder of Kids & Co and has been working with children, young people and families for over 14 years in government and non-government organisations. She specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children and young people presenting with psychiatric, emotional and behavioural problems and in assisting parents with parent management strategies. Anna's commitment is to work towards supporting families with the difficult challenges they often face and in doing so helping children to re-engage with ordinary everyday childhood tasks. Anna is currently completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Lisa Benjamin, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS0051776
M.Clin.Psych, B.Sc. Psych(Hons)
MAPS

Lisa Benjamin has a 15 year track record successfully treating children, adolescents and young adults with a wide range of personal issues. Lisa assists those she is working with to function well with everyday life tasks and to utilize their creative potential. Lisa is a well respected Clinical Psychologist and has recently joined the Kids and Co team combining this with her established private practice. In addition to a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, Lisa has extensive post-graduate training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. Working closely with parents or guardians, she specializes in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with a wide range of psychological, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Lisa also works closely with medical practitioners, school counsellors and others in the community as appropriate. Prior to practicing privately, Lisa's wealth of experience includes working in public health (Department of Health Adult Mental Health Service; Department of Health Child, Adolescent and Family Community Health Service), with public and private schools across the Sydney metropolitan area and with community groups (WAYS - Waverley Action for Youth Services, Jewish Care).

Jessica Byrne, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS73683
M.Clin.Psych, B.Sc.(Hons) Psych
MAPS, MAACBT

Jessica has completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology and has worked with young children and their families since 2003. Over 2003 - 2006 Jessica worked for a specialist NSW-wide tertiary level child and family treatment service where she assisted the service to develop targeted, intervention programs for anxiety as well as new ways for the service to assist families who have separated or divorced. In October 2005 Jessica co-presented a paper at the Australian and New Zealand Family Therapy Conference summarizing the ways in which mental-health and broader community services could better consider the needs of children and parents of separated families. Jessica has gained experience in the Russian Federation working with non-profit organizations to improve the local community's recognition of children's needs and to protect children at risk of harm. Jessica is committed to working together with children and their families to find solutions to difficulties big or small and to achieve change.

Chantalle Chapman, Senior Psychologist
Registration PS0074260
B.Psych, Grad Dip Ed (School Psych.)
MAPS

Chantalle has been working with children, adolescents and families for over 10 years. She has consulted to Government, Christian, Catholic, Montessori, Steiner and Islamic schools. As a Registered Psychologist and a trained Teacher, Chantalle specialises in the assessment and treatment of children and young people who experience anxiety, depression, anger, bullying, behaviour and learning difficulties. Chantalle draws on a number of empirically-based treatment therapies in order to bring about positive outcomes for the young person. Chantalle provides psychometric and educational assessments of children experiencing learning difficulties as well as those of exceptional ability (Gifted and Talented students). She is experienced in working with parents in addressing the challenges of parenting children and adolescents.

Marlene Chong, Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS97236
M.Clin.Psych, B.A.(Hons)Psych
AMAPS, MAACBT

Marlene has worked with children, adolescents, and their families within Singapore and Australia since 2002. She currently works part-time with Kids & Co. and part-time with a non-government organisation researching, assessing and treating children and adolescents with behaviour difficulties. Marlene has worked in the areas of child protection, juvenile justice, child and family counselling, and anxiety management. She has a wide range of experience in the assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioural difficulties, and with managing anxiety and trauma reactions in children and adolescents. Marlene is also experienced in treating adults experiencing depression and anxiety. Marlene is highly committed to supporting children, adolescents and their families in building resilience, and fostering strong family and social relationships.

Vee Kee Chong, Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS0106427
M.Clin.Psych B.Sc.(Hons) Psych
MAPS

Vee Kee has worked with children, young people and their families in hospital and community settings, as well as private practice. Her approach is about respect, patience and compassion. She believes in the inherent potential of each family to achieve the change they want, and is committed to supporting this process. She places emphasis on a thorough understanding of each family, working collaboratively, and helping them to draw on their natural resources to resolve difficulties. Vee Kee constantly applies up-to-date evidence-based approaches to ensure she provides the best possible care in her assessments and treatments. She has also volunteered with non-profit mental health and domestic violence agencies in both Australia and Malaysia.

Michelle Ingram, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS55836
M.Clin.Psych, B.A.(Hons)Psych
MAPS, MAACBT

Michelle has worked with children and families since 1994. She works with both the Association of Independent Schools as a School Counsellor, and with Kids & Co. Michelle has worked in non-government organisations, Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit, and the Department of Health. She has wide ranging experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental, psychiatric, emotional and behavioural problems in children, adolescents, and their families.

Rhonda Ltaif, Educational & Developmental Psychologist
Registration PS0105608
M. Psych (Ed & Dev), B. Psych.
MAPS

Rhonda has been working with children and families since 2007. She specializes in the educational and developmental assessment of children and adolescents who are experiencing academic or learning difficulties, including difficulties in sustaining concentration, and also children who are performing beyond their expected abilities. Rhonda is also experienced in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties. In her intervention, Rhonda utilizes a number of different evidence-based psychological treatments, as she believes that each child is unique and may require a different approach to therapy. Rhonda is systemic in her therapy approach and places an emphasis on the understanding of family dynamics whilst also involving families in the treatment of their child in order to achieve therapy goals and overcome difficulties. Rhonda has also worked in government agencies such as Child Protection and Department of Health.

Melinda Price, Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS59290
M.Psych (Clinical) B.Sc (Psych) (Hons)
MAPS, MAACBT

Melinda has been working with children and families since 1999, primarily in the community child and adolescent mental health system. She has also worked at the University of NSW Psychology Clinic, and on a number of research projects in the child psychology field. Prior to that, she worked for four years with children and families where child protection and out-of-home care was the focus of her involvement. Melinda is experienced in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of child and adolescent emotional, behavioural and social difficulties, and is highly committed to working collaboratively with families and young people to achieve the changes they desire for their lives.

Jodie Sinclair, Psychologist
Registration PS 0045956
M.Fam.Ther, B.Arts Psych

Jodie has specialised in working with children, adolescents and their families. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings since 1995. She has experience working in various locations both in Juvenile Justice and Department of Health. Jodie has a broad range of skills related to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent emotional and behavioural problems, and mental health issues. Jodie has recently completed her Masters in Family Therapy and she is committed to working in a collaborative manner with families to assist them to draw on their strengths in overcoming difficulties.

Dr Sharifa Syed, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Registration PS94557
DocClin Psych/MSc, B.Arts (Hons)
MAPS

Sharifa has worked with children, young people, and their families in Singapore and Australia since 1999. She specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents who present with developmental, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and distressed families. She is adept in utilising a variety of empirically-based psychological therapies. Sharifa has worked in the areas of child protection, juvenile justice, foster care, and anxiety clinics; as well as providing training and consultation to government and non-profit organizations. She is also involved in community and voluntary services. Sharifa is committed to working collaboratively with children, adolescents and their families to resolve the problems they are experiencing.