Maria Fillipou – Principal Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Registration No: PSY0001356415
Maria is a dual-endorsed Forensic and Clinical Psychologist who works with children, adolescents, adults, parents/carers, and families. She has worked in both public and private sectors including NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), NSW Health’s Diagnostic & Assessment Team at St George Hospital, and Child Protection Counselling Services across SWSLHD and SLHD. She provides expert opinion to legal and government bodies. Her background in forensic and clinical contexts allows her to work confidently across complex family, legal, and clinical presentations.
Areas of Expertise
Maria supports a wide range of presentations including:
– Neurodevelopmental differences (Autism, ADHD, Giftedness, Learning Differences)
– Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
– Behavioural challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, frustration intolerance
– Attachment and relationship difficulties, social skill and peer challenges
– School refusal-’School Cant’, adjustment and grief difficulties, interpersonal stress
– Harmful or problematic sexual behaviours in children under 10
– Trauma, neglect, abuse, and family violence
– Separation, divorce, family conflict, systemic parenting challenges
– Comprehensive assessments (cognitive, adaptive, learning, ADHD, Autism, parenting capacity, mental health) .
Therapeutic and Family-Centred Work
Maria provides therapeutic intervention, parent support, family consultation, and system-informed care. She is skilled in family-inclusive practice, parenting capacity work, and supporting family relationships across:
– Out-of-Home Care, restoration and permanency
– Reunification, placement stability and preservation
– Parenting assessment, coaching, and support
– Domestic and family conflict, court and legal interface
Therapeutic Modalities & Programs
Maria integrates a range of therapeutic approaches, including:
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
– Trauma-Focused CBT (Certified)
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
– Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
– Schema Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy
– Behaviour Play Therapy
– EMDR (Advanced training; certification in progress)
-Motivational Interviewing
– Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Systems/Family Therapy
She is also a trained and accredited facilitator of:
– Cool Kids Program (Child, Adolescent and Autism Adaptation)
– Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)
– 1-2-3 Magic & Emotion Coaching
– Tuning into Kids and Teens
– Reparative Parenting for Foster/Kinship Carers
Professional Memberships & Roles
– Fellow, APS College of Clinical Psychologists
– Member, APS College of Forensic Psychologists
– AHPRA-Endorsed Forensic & Clinical Psychologist
– AHPRA Principal & Registrar Supervisor (Clinical and Forensic)
– Associate Member, EMDRAA
– Approved External Provider for DCJ
– Approved Counsellor with Victims Services (A2528)
– NSW Justice of the Peace
Philosophy of Care
Maria is known for her calm, grounded, and collaborative approach. She is passionate about helping children and families rise above life’s challenges by fostering connection, insight, and growth. Her work is guided by principles of neuro-affirming, trauma-aware, developmentally sensitive, and relationally attuned practice.
Maria believes that change occurs in the context of safety and trust. She is committed to creating a therapeutic environment where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered. Her goal is to walk alongside families with compassion and skill, supporting them to thrive—not just survive.
Jannie Cheng – Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Registration No: PSY0001321328
Jannie is an AHPRA-endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist who works with children, young people, parents/carers, families, and adults. She has practised across schools, NSW Health (Child Protection Counselling Services, Child Mental Health Services), NGOs, and private settings. Her professional approach draws from attachment, developmental, trauma-informed and neuro-affirming frameworks to support clients across the lifespan.
Areas of Expertise
Jannie supports clients presenting with a wide range of challenges, including:
– Anxiety and Depression
– Attachment insecurity, separation, and disruption
– Parenting challenges
– Complex trauma
– Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, Giftedness, Learning Disabilities)
– Low self-esteem and emotional regulation difficulties
– Behavioural challenges
– Friendship difficulties
– Perfectionism and rigidity
– Emotional and social issues
– Adjustment, grief, and low resilience
– Harmful or problematic sexual behaviours in children under 10
– Experiences of domestic and family violence, neglect, and abuse
Therapeutic and Family-Centred Work
Jannie adopts a holistic, family-inclusive lens, supporting stronger relationships and deeper emotional safety within family systems. Her work includes:
– Family preservation and systemic family therapy
– Parenting capacity evaluations
– Support for families involved in child protection, restoration, adoption and Out-of-Home Care
– Placement sustainability, separation and divorce
She also offers psychological assessments (cognitive, adaptive, learning, behavioural, ADHD, mental health, parenting capacity), parenting support and skill-building, foster care training, and tailored therapeutic interventions.
Therapeutic Modalities & Programs
Jannie draws on a range of therapeutic approaches, including:
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
– Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
– Schema Therapy
– Art and Play Therapy
– Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
– Systems/Family Therapy
– Mindfulness
– Motivational Interviewing
She is also a qualified facilitator of:
– Incredible Years Parenting Program
– Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)
– Wrapped in Angels
Professional Memberships & Philosophy
Jannie is a registered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society. She is also a Board-approved supervisor. Central to her practice is the development of a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship. She is dedicated to fostering resilience, supporting recovery from relational trauma, and delivering care that is family-inclusive, developmentally informed, and guided by each client’s unique needs.
Jelena Djukic – Senior Psychologist
Registration No: PSY0001635031
Jelena is a registered psychologist with over 20years experience specialising in child, family, and developmental psychology. She is warm, engaging, and collaborative in her approach, and is passionate about helping children, adolescents, adults, and families build resilience, develop healthy relationships, and manage mental health challenges effectively. Jelena works from a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and systems-based perspective to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes for her clients.
Areas of Expertise
Jelena has particular interest and experience in supporting clients with:
– Trauma (including family violence, neglect and abuse)
– Neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD) and family support
– CALD and First Nations families
– Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents
– Emotional regulation and social skill challenges
– Grief, loss, and adjustment difficulties
– Low self-esteem and self-assertion
– School refusal, bullying, dysregulation, aggression
– Post-natal anxiety and depression in new/expecting parents
– Navigating parenting differences
– Harmful or problematic sexual behaviours in children under 10
– Supporting adolescents/young adults with stress, relationships, identity, HSC-related issues
– Relationship counselling including couples therapy
Jelena also is experienced with the assessment of cognitive, adaptive, learning, and mental health functioning, ADHD, and Autism screeners.
Therapeutic and Family-Centred Work
Jelena is dedicated to working collaboratively with families to build stronger, safer relationships. She supports:
– Parents of neurodivergent children to build confidence, neuroaffirming parenting skills and connection
– Whole-family engagement in therapy to support relational health
– Risk assessments for school reintegration and safety planning
– Holistic understanding of each child’s developmental and emotional profile, and strategies in helping to meet their respective needs
-Helping children to positively adjust following parental separation and working with parents to help keeping the children at the forefront of decisions and being empathically responsive to each other during conflict and transition
– Clients navigating complex relational and life transitions
Therapeutic Modalities & Programs
Jelena integrates a range of evidence-based approaches into her work, including:
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
– Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
– Family Therapy (individual and systemic)
– Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
– Motivational Interviewing (MI)
– Behaviour Play Therapy
– Narrative Therapy
– Mindfulness
She is also trained in:
– Cool Kids Anxiety Program for Children & Adolescents
– Circle of Security Parenting Program (COSP)
Professional Memberships & Philosophy
Jelena holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Western Sydney and a Diploma in Applied Psychology from Macquarie University. In 2016, she completed postgraduate studies in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the University of New York in Prague, with a focus on theoretical and clinical psychoanalysis.
She is committed to building strong therapeutic relationships that provide emotional safety, and works in partnership with clients and families to foster healing, growth, and resilience.
Carmela Graham – Clinic Coordinator
Carmela’s addition to our team brings a wealth of administrative experience and accomplishments. With a background spanning Customer Service and Experience, Project Management, Process Improvement, Account Management, and Business Development, she offers a diverse skill set and invaluable insights. Her extensive administrative expertise ensures smooth operations and support for our clients, their families, and our team members.
Carmela’s commitment to excellence is reflected in her thoroughness and proactive problem-solving, ensuring all tasks are handled thoroughly and challenges are promptly resolved. In addition to her professional skills, Carmela’s positivity, and enthusiasm shine within our administrative team. Her contagious energy and proactive approach cultivate a supportive atmosphere, promoting teamwork and unity.
Her diverse skill set, unwavering dedication, and optimistic outlook contribute to the effectiveness of our administrative operations and our team. We appreciate her contributions and the positive impact she brings to our work environment.
