Ivanhoe

Susanna is currently open to new families. 

Susanna Stefano is a registered Provisional Psychologist, currently undertaking the Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Melbourne. Susanna has experience working with children and adolescents, having been a therapy assistant and neuroimaging technician in private practice, and a research assistant in youth mental health at Orygen (on three clinical trials). She is a strong advocate of early intervention with the aim of providing compassionate, family-centred care to young people and their loved ones. Having graduated with majors in the disciplines of Art History and Philosophy prior to Psychology, she hopes to combine her clinical skills with her love of art when working with children. Play, drawing, and stories can be creative tools for children to access their inner thoughts, feelings, and real-life experiences in a way that builds insight and resilience.

Having completed a placement at the University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic, Susanna has foundational knowledge and skills in evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has Masters level training in formulation, psychological assessment, interviewing, ethical practice, safety planning, and risk assessment. She has developed strong skills in cognitive-behavioural and emotion-focused therapies aimed at building confidence and reducing distress, all of which can be applied to young people. Susanna aims to create a warm, inclusive, therapeutic space that ensures that each child’s strengths and unique interests are brought into treatment. For parents and teachers tasked with providing support, she can also provide individualised, confidence-building advice. Whilst her therapeutic approach is grounded in CBT, Susanna is happy to apply a range of evidence-based practices tailored to the individual child.
Outside of work, Susanna draws, reads, cycles, and climbs rocks at her local bouldering gym.