We spoke to our newest recruit, Kelly about what inspired her to work with young people and what advice she might have for her teen self, among other things. Kelly has been working at the clinic this year and we are so enjoying having her as a colleague. Her career working with young people has spanned over a decade and a half, firstly as a paediatric nurse practitioner in her home country of the United States and then as a child sleep consultant and psychologist in Australia. She is currently completing her clinical registrar program to obtain endorsement as a clinical psychologist following the recent completion of her Masters in Clinical Psychology. Kelly currently works Wednesdays and Fridays at the clinic and will also be commencing on Thursdays shortly so she will have some prime before and after school spots available very soon!
How did you know you wanted to become a psychologist?
While it wasn’t always a straight path, studying psychology at university in the US was actually where I started, before moving into nursing and working in paediatrics. These roles focused on supporting children and families through developmental and health-related challenges.
Over time, I realised I was most drawn to the emotional side of care, particularly supporting families with behavioural and emotional challenges and helping young people make sense of the world around them. I found myself most invested in those deeper conversations. Eventually, it felt like coming full circle, returning to psychology so I could focus more intentionally on supporting young people’s mental health and development.
What inspired you to work with young people?
I began my university studies in psychology before moving into nursing and working in paediatrics, which is where I discovered how much I loved working with young people and their families. Supporting children through medical challenges reinforced just how important the emotional and developmental side of their experience is as well.
What is your typical therapy mode and why do you find it helpful?
I really believe there’s no one-size-fits-all approach in therapy. Every young person and every family is different, so I prefer to tailor my work to the individual sitting in front of me.
I use a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and parent-focused support and coaching. These are adapted to be developmentally and age appropriate, with a focus on helping young people understand what’s happening in their minds and bodies while building practical skills to manage emotions, thoughts, and everyday challenges.
At the end of the day, my goal is to help young people and families walk away feeling more capable, confident, and supported in real life.
How do you manage your own stress?
This is something I’ve learned and worked on over the years, and it’s definitely changed with different stages of life. I’ve learned that managing stress isn’t about eliminating it, but noticing when I need to slow down and reconnect with what helps me feel grounded.
Spending time outdoors is a big one for me. Even a short walk or a bit of fresh air can create space to reset. I’m also a strong believer in moving your body in a way that feels right for you. For me, that’s usually a mix of running, hiking, and yoga.
And probably the most important piece is protecting time for the people who matter. Life gets busy very quickly, so being intentional about connection and making space for relationships helps keep everything in perspective.
If you could give your teenage self advice, what would it be?
I’d tell myself that the teenage years can feel big and overwhelming at times, and that’s okay. Making mistakes isn’t something to fear, it’s often how we learn, grow, and figure out who we are.
I’d remind myself that uncertainty doesn’t mean failure. Not having everything worked out doesn’t mean you’re behind, it just means you’re learning and stretching into something new.
The biggest piece of advice, though, would be to spend less time worrying about what everyone else thinks. Be kinder to yourself, trust that confidence grows over time, and know that you don’t have to have everything figured out to be heading in the right direction.
We hope you enjoyed our spotlight interview! If you are interested in booking in with Kelly, please get in touch with our admin team.