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Dr Alison WilbyBSc (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), PhD, MAPS
Clinical Psychologist Hours Wednesday - am, pm Sunday - pm Level 1, 187 Hawthorn Rd Caulfield North VIC 3161 74/1501-1503 Malvern Road Glen Iris VIC 3146 Phone: 0409 237 109 Fax: 9532 4667 Email: alison.wilby@gmail.com |
Background
Alison has a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tasmania and a PhD from La Trobe University. She has worked for over 20 years as a clinical psychologist within the early childhood field in both the public and private sectors as well as in perinatal mental health. In addition Alison has experience in project management at the Victorian Parenting Centre, the Australian Psychological Society and La Trobe University. More recently Alison has worked in a managerial role in public health which involves the supervision of other psychologists treating women with significant depression and anxiety and their young children.
Doctoral Research
Alison’s doctoral research involved an investigation of the role of child temperament and parenting in predicting the occurrence of prosocial (helping) and empathic (caring) behaviour in 3 and 4 year old children. A key finding of this research was the importance of warm and responsive parenting in producing positive social behaviours in difficult to manage young children. The notion of there needing to be a good fit between a child’s temperament and the parenting they receive underlies much of Alison’s current work with parents.
Current Practice
Alison has worked in both private and public outpatient settings providing individual and group-based interventions to young children presenting with anxiety, behavioural issues and developmental difficulties. A core component of these interventions is working with parents to provide them with both the tools to manage difficult behaviour and to gain an understanding of what might be the underlying causes. Alison provides assessment and support for parents who are concerned about the development of their infant or child.
Alison has a particular interest in anxiety disorders in early childhood, including young children with selective mutism. Autism is another area of strong interest and Alison provides assessments for autism spectrum disorder in children under the age of 8 years. When appropriate, cognitive and educational assessments are also offered for children who are experiencing difficulties in learning or who may be having problems with attention and concentration in the classroom. Where concerns are evident at kindergarten, child care or school, visits to these settings can be arranged and secondary consultation provided to teachers and child care staff to help manage the child in these environments.
With her background in parent-infant settings, Alison works with children who have been affected by a parent’s mood disorder. In situations where mothers have been hospitalized, Alison supports children who are struggling with the distress of separation.
Approach to therapy
Alison provides both short and longer term therapy to address both the child and family’s concerns. Using a combination of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness and play based interventions, Alison works with children to encourage emotional self- regulation and positive social behaviour. Working collaboratively with parents is an essential adjunct to the direct therapeutic work with children. Alison assists parents to build confidence in their parenting and she works with couples to help them to determine optimal strategies for parenting their particular child.
Alison has a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tasmania and a PhD from La Trobe University. She has worked for over 20 years as a clinical psychologist within the early childhood field in both the public and private sectors as well as in perinatal mental health. In addition Alison has experience in project management at the Victorian Parenting Centre, the Australian Psychological Society and La Trobe University. More recently Alison has worked in a managerial role in public health which involves the supervision of other psychologists treating women with significant depression and anxiety and their young children.
Doctoral Research
Alison’s doctoral research involved an investigation of the role of child temperament and parenting in predicting the occurrence of prosocial (helping) and empathic (caring) behaviour in 3 and 4 year old children. A key finding of this research was the importance of warm and responsive parenting in producing positive social behaviours in difficult to manage young children. The notion of there needing to be a good fit between a child’s temperament and the parenting they receive underlies much of Alison’s current work with parents.
Current Practice
Alison has worked in both private and public outpatient settings providing individual and group-based interventions to young children presenting with anxiety, behavioural issues and developmental difficulties. A core component of these interventions is working with parents to provide them with both the tools to manage difficult behaviour and to gain an understanding of what might be the underlying causes. Alison provides assessment and support for parents who are concerned about the development of their infant or child.
Alison has a particular interest in anxiety disorders in early childhood, including young children with selective mutism. Autism is another area of strong interest and Alison provides assessments for autism spectrum disorder in children under the age of 8 years. When appropriate, cognitive and educational assessments are also offered for children who are experiencing difficulties in learning or who may be having problems with attention and concentration in the classroom. Where concerns are evident at kindergarten, child care or school, visits to these settings can be arranged and secondary consultation provided to teachers and child care staff to help manage the child in these environments.
With her background in parent-infant settings, Alison works with children who have been affected by a parent’s mood disorder. In situations where mothers have been hospitalized, Alison supports children who are struggling with the distress of separation.
Approach to therapy
Alison provides both short and longer term therapy to address both the child and family’s concerns. Using a combination of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness and play based interventions, Alison works with children to encourage emotional self- regulation and positive social behaviour. Working collaboratively with parents is an essential adjunct to the direct therapeutic work with children. Alison assists parents to build confidence in their parenting and she works with couples to help them to determine optimal strategies for parenting their particular child.
