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Annette D’Amore

I am a Child and Family Therapist with over 15 years experience and hold professional registration with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). I have worked with individuals, children, adolescents and families in home-based therapy, educational settings, therapeutic residential rehabilitation and private practice. I have loved presenting at conferences and schools to share my knowledge and to work collaboratively with educators and professionals. 

I have special interests in working with children, adolescents and families to overcome challenges in areas such as: 

  • Autism

  • ADHD

  • Developmental Delays

  • Social skills

  • Play skills

  • Fears, worries and anxiety

  • Self-esteem

  • Emotional regulation

  • Stress management

  • Peer relationships

  • School transitions

  • Parental separation/ divorce

  • Parenting support and Seminars

Therapy is child centred, drawing from a number of evidence based psychological practices in my counselling, in particular Child Centred Play Therapy principles, Autplay Therapy, Learn to Play therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness. I am extremely client focused in my work and consider how different approaches will improve your situation and overall well- being.

For neurodiverse children, therapy is a collaborative and neuro-affirming. Working with educators, allied health professionals and parents to create acceptance, inclusion and a positive environment where children thrive and are nurtured. Where deemed suitable I attend educational settings to help transfer and generalise skills learnt in therapy. Therapy is nurturing, playful, respectful and strengths based. Meeting children at their current developmental level.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - I also work with children and adolescents who are funded by the NDIS to achieve their emotional, social, behavioural and play skill development as well as addressing and daily living goals to help foster confidence and independence. I am very dedicated to support and empowering children with disabilities to develop skills to build confidence, wellbeing and improve their daily living.

I strive to create an empathetic and positive therapeutic environment in which clients feel comfortable, supported and understood.

In 2019, I became an author of I’m Angry a Rainbow of Feeling Children’s Book and I’m Angry Parent and Educator Guide. These are the first books in “A Rainbow of Feelings” series. I look forward to sharing many more books in the series with my Parent’s Domain Community.

Academic History

My academic history includes studying a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology as apart of my undergraduate degree at The University of Melbourne. I then continued my passion in child, adolescent and family therapy in my post graduate diploma studies in counselling.

I have also completed training at La Trobe University - Bouverie Centre Family Institute in Clinical Supervision and Single Session Family Consultation.

My passion and dedication has always been to support children and their families. I have also completed:

  • Tuning into Kids - Program training through The University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry - Mindful Centre

  • The Heart and Practice of Child Centred Play Therapy through Play Therapy Australia

  • Brick by Brick - LEGO based therapy through Play Included C.I.C. - Cambridge University.

  • AutPlay Therapy - AutPlay Clinic with Dr Robert Jason Grant

  • Learn to Play Therapy - Dr Sioban Casey Learn to Play

I consider professional learning and reflection an essential part of my of professional service, to ensure that my skills and knowledge reflect best practice treatment modalities.