Q Psychology St Kilda

Get to know Q Psychology St Kilda

From Q Psychology St Kilda's website.

• Our approach

  The clinic works within a person-centred, evidence-based approach and is LGBTQIA-affirming and neuroaffirming. Sessions are tailored to meet individual needs, with the team dedicated to providing compassionate mental health support. The clinic uses best-practice approaches based on science and research to ensure comprehensive and accurate care. Many of the psychologists bring lived experience alongside their clinical expertise, and therapy sessions are designed to be authentic and creative while respecting each person's unique circumstances and identity.

• Working with families

  Parents and carers are actively involved in the assessment and support process. For children under 18, a parent, guardian, or caregiver is interviewed as part of assessments, and parents can elect to attend their child's sessions if the child prefers this or shows distress when separated. The clinic collects collateral information from important people in the child's life such as teachers, and provides detailed reports with tailored recommendations that can be shared with caregivers and educators. Communication happens throughout the process, with clinicians advising families if additional information is needed and providing feedback sessions to help parents understand results and recommendations.

• Meet the team

  The team at Q Psychology includes psychologists at various experience levels, from clinical psychologists and senior psychologists to provisional psychologists and counsellors. Several team members are trained specifically in autism and ADHD assessments, including Dr. David Demmer, Emily Alexander, Rene Pirrotta, Holly Pretorius, and Alyssa Cvetkovski, among others. Many staff bring lived experience alongside their clinical qualifications, and the team is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate mental health support using person-centred, LGBTQIA-affirming and neuroaffirming frameworks. The clinic also has a certified therapy dog, Cashew, who practices alongside one of the clinicians.

• Your first visit

  The initial process typically includes at least one individual interview with the child, and for those under 18, an interview is also conducted with a parent, guardian, or caregiver. A series of questionnaires are usually completed online between appointments, and collateral information may be collected from teachers or other important people in the child's life. An assessment report and feedback session are also generally part of the process, with sessions typically lasting 90 minutes to minimise disruption and reduce anxiety. The clinic bases its approach on evidence-based practice and national guidelines to ensure comprehensive and accurate assessment.