Sydney Child and Family Practice

Get to know Sydney Child and Family Practice

From Sydney Child and Family Practice's website.

• Our approach

  Therapy at this practice draws on a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), schema therapy, and family systems work. Rather than applying a single model, the approach is flexible and tailored to each person's needs. Therapy is a space to slow things down, make sense of what's going on, and work toward change that feels clearer and more manageable. Sessions happen both in-person from Brookvale and via Telehealth Australia-wide. The focus is on developing deeper understanding of yourself, your child, or your family, and making sense of patterns that may no longer be working, with progress often happening both inside and outside of sessions through small shifts in how families respond, communicate, and understand one another.

• Working with families

  The practice is grounded in a child and family systems approach, focusing on helping families understand what is happening and why. Parents are involved in the assessment process—for autism assessments, the ADI-R is a developmental interview conducted directly with parents. The practice communicates with families through initial consultations, feedback sessions after assessments, and collaborative therapy planning. Short-term parent consultations are also available to help parents better understand diagnoses or to provide advocacy support for school modifications. The goal is to work alongside families in a way that feels safe, respectful, and genuinely helpful.

• Meet the team

  Dr Halaina Winter is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist registered with AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia. She completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney, a PhD in Psychology, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Autism. She is trained and certified in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and as an SOS feeding therapist, and has extensive experience working with children, families, and adults across a range of presentations including anxiety, mood disorders, OCD, PTSD, trauma, autism, and ADHD. She is also experienced in navigating Medicare and NDIS systems to support coordinated, ongoing care. Her memberships include the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, Australian Psychological Society, and Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

• Your first visit

  At your first session, whether starting therapy or wanting an assessment, the focus is on getting to know you and understanding what you're looking for from a psychologist. From there, the team discusses options and plans how to move forward together. The process is calm, professional, and respectful, designed to help families feel understood and supported. This initial conversation sets the direction for the work ahead and answers any questions you may have about what comes next.