Susan Smith is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and has a special interest in working with young people with complex medical conditions and neurodivergence. She has over 20 yeas of experience in a range of settings including private, educational and public hospital settings and has worked with clients across the lifespan. She originally trained as a general psychologist in NSW before completing further post graduate training at UWA in Perth.

 

Susan’s areas of expertise and interest include working with young people with diabetes, young people living in  bigger bodies and neurodivergence. She works with all ages under 18.

 

As many families know, living with chronic health conditions can take a toll on the whole family system, as well as the young person. As such, therapeutic interventions need to consider these unique challenges, which often include; adjustment to diagnosis, burnout, stress, behavioural difficulties and other difficulties influenced by the developmental stage of the young person.

 

Where possible, Susan works closely with the whole family system and works in an inclusive style that is person-centred, non-judgmental and collaborative.  She provides evidence based treatments that consider the impact of chronic health conditions and works creatively to help ensure these are engaging for the young person and their families. These interventions include Psychoeducation, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Interviewing Approaches.