Your Safe Place Psychology & OT

Get to know Your Safe Place Psychology & OT

From Your Safe Place Psychology & OT's website.

• Our approach

  At Your Safe Place Psychology & OT, therapy is grounded in a non-judgmental, respectful approach that prioritises understanding, compassion and genuine connection. Sessions are person-centred and collaborative, tailored around who each child is and what matters most to them. Psychologists draw on evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach, and EMDR for trauma support. Occupational Therapy sessions are play-based and movement-informed, delivered in a dedicated therapy gym space with activities carefully chosen to support emotional safety and engagement rather than task-based performance. The team works to build strong therapeutic relationships where children and families feel safe, understood and respected, forming the foundation for meaningful change.

• Working with families

  Parent involvement in therapy depends on your child's age, needs and goals and is discussed collaboratively during the assessment and feedback process. Natascha Palmer places particular emphasis on supporting and working alongside parents and carers, believing that meaningful change happens when the adults around children feel confident, supported and equipped to respond to their needs. The team works with families to build understanding, reduce stress and create practical, sustainable strategies that can be used in everyday life. For most Occupational Therapy sessions, children are seen independently in the gym space; however, parent involvement may be important for some children depending on individual circumstances. Regular communication ensures families remain central to their child's progress.

• Meet the team

  Your Safe Place Psychology & OT is led by Natascha Palmer, the Principal Psychologist and Company Director, a registered psychologist with over six years' NDIS experience who works across children, adolescents and adults with a person-centred, neurodiversity-affirming approach. Dr Suellen Thomson-Link is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, expertise in trauma and regulation through a body-based, attachment-informed approach, and qualifications in dance/movement therapy and sensorimotor psychotherapy. Farzana Pithawalla is a Registered Psychologist with extensive experience across children, adolescents and adults, fluent in multiple languages and skilled in culturally responsive, evidence-based care. Nikki Wiracita is a Provisional Psychologist completing her internship year, with previous experience in autism support and the NDIS sector. The team is supported by Jackie Tubic, the Practice Admin Assistant.

• Your first visit

  At the first psychology appointment, your psychologist takes time to understand your concerns, background and goals, getting to know your child and discussing what support might be helpful while beginning to develop a shared plan moving forward. For Occupational Therapy, new clients complete a structured assessment process: a 2-hour initial in-person assessment using standardised tools alongside clinical and behavioural observations, followed by a 1-hour feedback and review session where results and recommendations are discussed and therapy planning finalised. This thorough assessment approach ensures your child is understood as an individual—their strengths, challenges and experiences—so that therapy goals are meaningful and sessions feel safe, supportive and effective from the outset.