Who are we

At Sara Balmer Psychologists for Kids, we are dedicated to nurturing the emotional and psychological well-being of children. Our mission is to provide tailored, child-centered care that addresses each child's unique needs.

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Sara Balmer

Director/Registered Psychologist

Sara has a passion for children of all ages. As an adolescent Sara volunteered, helping out at respite centres and special schools. Her passion for kids with special needs led her to study Psychology and train as a special education teacher. Sara loves to see the difference Psychology treatments can make to children and young people, to increase their confidence and. happiness.

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    Sara Balmer is experienced in many evidence-based interventions including cognitive behaviour therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), play therapy and other creative therapies. Sara Balmer is experienced in Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive treatments and counselling for children and adolescents. Sara Balmer uses sand tray methods and other non-directive approaches to give the child the space they need to work through and process things in their own way. Sara Balmer is experienced working with people with disabilities and is an NDIS-endorsed Behaviour Support Practitioner

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Jennifer Cooper

Registered Psychologist

Jennifer is a warm and caring psychologist who has worked professionally with children, adolescents, and families in clinical and school environments. Through her previous work, she has developed strong therapeutic and assessment skills assisting with a broad array of presentations including anxiety, low mood, emotion regulation, ADHD, ASD, learning difficulties, school avoidance, parenting and challenging behaviours. 

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    Working predominantly within a Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) framework Jennifer also draws upon other therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment, Dialectical Behaviour, Solution Focused and Play therapies to tailor interventions to meet specific needs.  Jennifer believes that individuals are best supported using a holistic approach, via individual therapy and collaboration with family, schools and multidisciplinary teams.

     

    Currently completing further training as a Clinical Psychologist, Jennifer is committed to continual growth and development, keeping up to date with the latest research to ensure the best outcome for her clients. 

    Jennifer Cooper

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    PSY0002160732

    • BPsych (hons), MProfPsych
    • Member APS
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Suvangi Koirala (Shuv)

Registered Psychologist

Suvangi (Shuv) is a registered psychologist who has worked in the mental health sector for over 12 years providing counselling and psychological support with various mental health difficulties.  Shuv is very interested in working with children and young people of all ages, providing assessments and therapy to support children and young people with anxiety, behavioural challenges, socialisation, emotional regulation, ASD, ADHD, learning difficulties and parenting support.

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    Shuv works in a gentle, warm and neurodiversity-affirming way, following the individual needs and pace of each child. She utilises various evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness based approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and motivational interviewing.  Shuv is committed to empowering children and enhancing their quality of life and dedicates her work to help achieve this.

     

    Registration and Memberships:

    • Registered Psychologist, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
    • Assoc Member, Australian Psychological Society (APS).

     

    Qualifications:

    • Graduate Diploma in Psychology – Monash University
    • Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)- Charles Sturt University
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Aya Shinooka-Phelan

Registered Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist

Aya is a warm and compassionate psychologist who supports children, teens, and families to feel more connected, confident, and understood. She brings compassion, creativity, and curiosity to every young person she works with

Aya works with young people experiencing anxiety, emotional challenges, behaviour concerns, trauma, and life transitions. She encourages them to love themselves as who they are, while building the tools they need to thrive.

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    With younger children, Aya uses predominantly Child-Centred Play Therapy to help them express themselves in a safe, and natural way. She is also a certified AutPlay therapist, offering playful neurodiversity-affirming support for neurodivergent young people. With teens, she integrates CBT and ACT to build emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience.


    Aya works closely with parents and caregivers to strengthen family relationships and bridge growth between therapy and home. 


    Aya is a fluent Japanese speaker and can provide counselling and therapy in Japanese to all ages. 


    Registration and Memberships:


    • Registered Psychologist, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
    • Member of Australian Association of Psychologists INC (AAPi)
    • Registered Play Therapist, Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)


    こんにちは, 彩です。お子さん、ティーンから成人の方まで、どなたでもお越しください。私は心理士であり、認定プレイセラピストとして、子どもやティーンエイジャー、そしてご家族が「つながり」「自信」「理解」を感じられるようサポートすることに情熱を持っています。ADHDや自閉症といったニューロダイバージェントの子供達やティーンのためのプレイセラピーフレームワークであるAutPlay Therapyのトレーニングも受けています。

    幼い子どもたちには、まだ言葉にできない気持ちを表現できるよう、プレイセラピーを用いてサポートします。思春期の若者や成人の方には、認知行動療法（CBT）やアクセプタンス＆コミットメント・セラピー（ACT）など、エビデンスに基づいたアプローチを取り入れ、感情のコントロールや自己理解、レジリエンスの向上を支援します。

    思春期は大きな変化の時期です。私は、ティーンエイジャーが自分の考えや感情を理解し、健全な対処法を身につけ、自分にとって大切な方向に進んでいけるようお手伝いします。たとえ人生が困難に感じられる時でも、その道を一緒に歩んでいきます。

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Anne McNulty

Administrative Assistant

Anne is a friendly, approachable and helpful member of our Admin team. She loves to chat and helps make everyone feel so welcome.

Anne is originally from Ireland but has lived in Australia for many years. She is a mum, owner of a dog (who likes long walks). Anne also loves teaching French to young people.

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James Mackay

Admin and IT Leader

James is a friendly face at reception, but he does so much more. He supports our team with IT systems, security, training our admin team and NDIS/Medicare compliance. James keeps our calendars ticking along and responds to client queries.  ​


James loves gaming and building Lego technic. He has built the Mars Rover, a helicopter and formula one car. They are on display in our reception, so feel free to ask James to show you. James is also interested in collecting rare Pokemon cards. He loves chatting with kids about their special interests and gaming.


Feel free to reach James by email at: admin@sarabalmer.com.au