Background
A decade spent as a Primary School Teacher ignited Tania’s interest in helping children and families to flourish. Tania developed a passion for working with hopeful and new parents through her training in Psychology, when she saw the opportunity to make a difference in the childhood trajectory by focusing on the earliest stages of parenting.
In 2001, Tania graduated with an Honours degree in Psychology from Swinburne University, and then gained experience in a range of mental health settings. Tania worked as the Resilient Families Program Manager at the Royal Children’s Hospital where she developed the Resilient Families Student Curriculum implemented in schools and facilitated parent education. Tania also provided support to parents with children experiencing behavioural and emotional difficulties in the Kool Kids, Positive Parents Program at Eastern Health.
Tania went on to complete a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, during which time, she began working in the perinatal field. Since then she has specialised in this area, providing assistance with family planning, pregnancy, parenting and loss.
Tania has worked at Mitcham Private Hospital Perinatal Mental Health Unit providing care for women with mental health conditions that develop or exacerbate during pregnancy or after birth. Tania has also been a Locum in the residential unit at the Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre supporting new mothers experiencing difficulties with their newborns and toddlers.
Research
Tania completed her Honours Thesis on the effect of parental warmth, punishment and control on children’s global self-esteem. For her Doctoral Thesis she investigated the impact of guided meditation on children’s behaviour, mental health and wellbeing. Tania has also co-authored several research articles based on her work at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Current Practice
Tania works in private practice focusing on the perinatal period and infant mental health. She supports clients with a wide range of presentations including antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, adjustment disorder, attachment difficulties, birth trauma, grief and loss, family of origin issues, and parenting challenges. She enjoys supporting clients through their journey and helping them make a smooth transition into family life. Tania also recognises the profound nature of perinatal loss, and assists clients through this difficult experience.
Approach to Therapy
Tania believes in taking a holistic approach to health care that considers all members of the family unit. In her clinical work, she draws from a wide range of psychological approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Attachment Theory, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Tania works collaboratively with her clients to understand their therapeutic goals and tailors her care to suit their specific needs.
Professional Affiliations
Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
Registered with The Perinatal Loss Centre
Member of the APS Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group (PIPIG)
Member of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Networks in Kew, Northern, and Outer Eastern Regions
Registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
Parenting Adolescents, A Creative Experience (PACE) Facilitator
Publications
Buttigieg, J.P., Shortt, A.L.k Slaviero, T.M., Hutchinson, D., Kremer, P., & Toumbourou, J.W. (2015). A longitudinal evaluation of the Resilient Families randomized trial to prevent early adolescent depressive symptoms. Journal of Adolescence, 44, 204-213. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.07.014
Slaviero, T. (2001). The impact of parental warmth, punishment and control on children's global self-esteem: Reality through the eyes of the beholder (Unpublished Honours thesis). Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne.
Slaviero, T. (2003). Resilient Families Program: Enriching the lives of young people and their families. Paper presented at the Australian Family and Community Strengths Conference, Newcastle, Australia.
Slaviero, T. (2017). The impact of guided meditation on children’s behaviour, mental health and well-being(Published Doctoral thesis). Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne.
Slaviero, T., & Toumbourou, J. (2003). Resilient Families Student Curriculum: Pilot Program. Melbourne: Centre for Adolescent Health.
Slaviero, T., & Toumbourou, J. (2004). Resilient Families Student Curriculum: Trial Program. Melbourne: Centre for Adolescent Health.
Toumbourou, J.W., Gregg, M.E., Shortt, A., & Slaviero, T. (2004). Advancing the health of young Australians by improving early high school environments: The Resilient Families program (abstract). Australian Journal of Psychology, 56, Supplement, pp. 229-230.
Toumbourou, J.W., Gregg, M.E., Shortt, A.L., Hutchinson, D.M., & Slaviero, T.M. (2013). Reduction of adolescent alcohol use through family-school intervention: A randomized trial. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53 (6), 778-784. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.07.005
