Partners
At Bright Start Speech Pathology we are fortunate to work with a variety of Allied Health professionals that provide complimentary services. If you are looking for additional supports or just curious, take a look at some of the people we work with.
Maria Dhroso
Educational & Developmental Psychologist
Member of the A.A.P.i
My Vibe Psychology is a small, boutique practice which enables Maria to really focus on client’s needs.
Maria has 20 years of experience with children and young people and offers an individualised, tailored service.
Maria uses gentle, child-centred, and strengths-based approaches, and draws on evidence-based practice to help develop proactive and collaborative solutions.
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To request an appointment please complete the ‘Request an appointment form’ on the website.
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​Website: myvibepsychology.com.au
Peita Bouziotis
Psychologist
BSc, PGDip Psychology,
MPsych (Child&Family)
Peita is an accomplished Educational and Developmental Psychologist. She is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi). She has spent many years working in various primary schools and also in private practice settings and has extensive experience in providing psychological assessments for children and adolescents.
Peita has a strong background in conducting psychoeducational assessments and diagnosis of specific learning disorders (impairments in reading; written expression; mathematics), cognitive and intellectual presentations including intellectual disability and giftedness, adaptive functioning assessments, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Peita enjoys working with preschool and school aged children and their families with a range of client concerns.
Website: www.peitabouziotis.com
Email: peita.bouziotis@gmail.com
Phone: 0466 325 619
Dimi Poulos
Psychologist
BA, (Genetics, Psych) Grad. Dip (Educational Psychology),
MPsych (Ed &Dev)
Dimi is an experienced psychologist and has worked in a range of settings, in Group Private Practice, Community Health, (Better Health Network) and Independent schools as a school psychologist. Dimi has extensive experience working alongside other allied health professionals, Pediatricians, educators and families.
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Dimi has extensive experience in assessing children with a range of neurodevelopmental and neuro-diverse presentations such as Autism. Attention-Deficit Disorder, (ADD) Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Specific Learning Difficulties and Giftedness. She has also worked with children with a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, selective mutism, and stress-related mental health conditions. Dimi recognizes the importance of working closely with families to ensure the best outcomes for the child or young person. She utilizes treatment techniques including Solution Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness.
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In addition, she has experience offering counseling to children with school related issues such as bullying, school refusal, and social difficulties. Dimi takes a client centered approach and builds on the child or young person’s strengths.
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Phone: 0400 636 897
Email: dimipoulos@optusnet.com.au
Dr Shalya Hirschson
Psychologist
PhD/D. Ed Educational Psychology
Dr Shalya Hirschson holds a Doctorate (PhD) and a master’s degree in educational psychology and provides counselling and assessment to children, adolescents, and adults in her private practice in Melbourne.
Shalya’s special fields of interest include parenting support, social skills, childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, loss, ASD, ADHD, school refusal, learning difficulties and the impact of medical conditions on psychological well-being.
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Shalya has worked as an educator and psychologist in schools, universities and private clinics in South Africa, UK and Australia. Prior to her emigration to Australia in 2017, she served as Director and Head of Clinical and Counselling Services within a paediatric oncology ward. Here, she supported child patients, their parents and siblings, helping them navigate the impact of life-threatening illnesses. She also trained allied health and medical professionals in the use of play therapy, filial therapy and creative expressive arts in psychotherapy.
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Shalya’s compassionate and warm approach enables her to connect with her clients, empowering them to overcome adversity and live their lives with a sense of confidence, purpose, and hope. She enjoys facilitating training and professional development and providing supervision for other therapists.
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Phone: 0401 800 248
Email: drshirschson@gmail.com