NEWS
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CONTACT
Get in touch with us!
Address
97 Thomas street Subiaco WA 6008
Contact
info@swissfamilyclinic.com.au
Phone: +61 (0)8 6255 5333
Fax: +61 (0)8 6478 8946
HealthLink: swissfam
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 08:30-18:00
Sun: closed
ABOUT US
Welcome to the Swiss Family Clinic!
WHO
We are a private multidisciplinary service, providing expert assessment and treatment for young people and families.
HOW
We accept referrals from General Practitioners or Medical Specialists. Typically, referrals from GPs are valid for longer, and are preferred by our clinic, as we like to know that your GP is helping co-ordinate all aspects of your healthcare.
WHAT
We may accept new referrals for young people aged up until 16 years of age. For a range of health problems, we can offer medical, psychological, developmental or therapeutic assessment, treatment and longer-term support, ensuring that young people have the best chance possible of moving forwards with their lives.
WHY
We strive to provide excellent, collaborative, relationship-focused care for young people and families. Offering a range of services under one roof, we hope to simplify health assessment and treatment for WA families. We aim to provide efficient, timely help, and our professional and friendly clinicians will help make the journey as clear and understandable as possible.
SERVICES
What we do
Ages we see
We see young people from a range of ages: young children not yet at school, primary school-aged and high school-aged/adolescent. We may accept new referrals for young people aged up until 16 years of age.
We routinely see young people in conjunction with their parents and family. Sometimes, working with the family as a whole is the focus of the work we’ll do (family therapy). We also offer a range of services for parents.
Therapies we offer
The Psychotherapies our clinicians offer vary: including Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Adolescent Interpersonal Therapy, Attachment-based and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. We see individuals, parent-child pairs (dyads), families or small groups. Our clinicians will advise which of the therapies is recommended after the assessment phase is complete, and if it’s not something we offer within our clinic, we have a great network of other clinicians we work closely with.
All of the clinicians at the Swiss Family Clinic set their own fees. At the time of booking an appointment, we can advise you of the individual clinicians fees, as well as Medicare rebates available. Our clinicians come from a variety of backgrounds – including Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Occupational Therapy and Social Work – which are all eligible for different Medicare rebates in conjunction with specific GP referrals.
In a limited capacity, we also offer training sessions for professionals, supervision for individuals and small groups, and other events that you can find in the “News” link on our homepage or by contacting us directly.
WHAT TO EXPECT
What might happen when you come to see us
BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT
- We will already have received a referral from the health professional, so no need to bring this.
- What you will need to bring: your Medicare card, any relevant reports (e.g. school reports, assessments by other health professionals like OT, Speech therapy, Paediatricians), payment for the appointment.
- At the time of making the booking, our friendly reception staff will advise you of likely fees.
AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT
- Initial appointment: typically 1-1.5 hours. Please come at least 15 minutes prior to your first appointment.
- You’ll be seen together with your child, or even the whole family.
- We also allow for individuals within your family to be seen separately, if they’re comfortable and happy to. Sometimes talking to a stranger is overwhelming for young people, so we have a range of ways of engaging them, with play, games, creative and fun activities to help make this easier!
- Many questions will focus on your child’s physical, emotional, and mental health. We will want to understand about their growth and development, social skills, about the family, schooling and much more.
- We’ll discuss who else – with the parent’s permission – is suitable to provide feedback on your situation, for example, the young person’s school teacher.
- Some parents bring a list of important information or questions they want to cover.
- We’ll often provide feedback around initial ideas and plans, as well as recommend a therapeutic approach for moving forward.
- It’s at this appointment where together we’ll discuss if the Swiss Family Clinic is the right service to meet your needs on an ongoing basis.
- Payment must be made on the day. Credit card and EFTPOS are preferred, cash and cheque are also accepted. You’ll be guided through accessing Medicare rebates. This is often done at the time of payment, for your convenience.
- The main aim of this first appointment is for you and your child to discuss worries, concerns or problems you want to talk about.
AT SUBSEQUENT APPOINTMENTS
- We will continue the assessment and treatment process, providing regular updates on progress.
- We also aim to provide timely feedback to your referrer – written, by phone, or sometimes both.
- If at any stage you or we feel that the Swiss Family Clinic is not the best fit for you and your family, we’ll happily discuss with you alternatives.
- To make sure we offer the best possible service, we will sometimes ask you about your experience with us. We welcome feedback at any time.
MEET THE TEAM
Mental health clinicians of the highest quality
Dr. Hayden Wilson
Role: CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIST/MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Hayden is passionate about the health and wellbeing of young people and their families. He brings deep empathy to his work, always seeking to understand how families function, their strengths and difficulties, and how best to support young people grow and develop to the fullness of their potential. He’s lived mostly in Perth, but travelled the world at every opportunity. He studied Medicine at the University of Western Australia, worked at times in Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine – completing a Diploma in Child Health – but his main work as a doctor has been within Psychiatry. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Psychiatrists with an additional Certificate in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and has worked in a variety of settings in Perth and other parts of WA. He has experience in hospital and outpatient settings, private and public sector work, and has expertise in assessment and management of a range of mental health problems affecting young people and families.
In 2016, Hayden was inspired to develop new ways of working within private sector mental health, and left Australia to complete an Executive MBA at a Swiss University, with a focus on Healthcare management. He is a co-founder of the Swiss Family Clinic, bringing the Swiss ideals of ‘consensus, concordance and compromise’ to Australian shores. These ideals are especially important for working with families, reflecting fair decision making, ensuring each individual has a right to be heard, respected and valued. Outside of work, you might find Hayden using his creativity by playing music, cooking, or writing. He loves keeping fit with the gym, swimming and walking outdoors.
Hayden is available for assessment and management referrals for infants, young children, primary and secondary-school aged young people. He has a particular interest in psychotherapy, including individual and family therapy. He is a RANZCP Supervisor, has a passion for teaching, and provides psychotherapy and group supervision to professionals on a limited basis.
Dr Donald Payne
Role: ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT MEDICINE PHYSICIAN
Dr Donald Payne is a consultant paediatrician with specialist training in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Having trained in the UK, he moved to WA twenty years ago and has been working with adolescents and young adults ever since. He has previously worked at Princess Margaret and Perth Children’s Hospitals, the WA Child Development Service, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, headspace Midland and MercyCare. In addition to his specialist medical training, Dr Payne has recently obtained a postgraduate diploma in Family Therapy.
Helen Thomas
Role: PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Helen is a psychotherapist and clinical social worker with over 20 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and their families. She’s worked in education, mental health and private settings. Helen has provided individual, dyadic and family therapy and group programs for parents and children as well as delivering organizational training in mentalization based interventions, trauma and attachment.
Helen loves to work creatively with children and young people and incorporates play and expressive therapy in her work. For young children play is how they explore and make sense of the world. Helen utilizes play to support children to understand their difficulties and explore new possibilities in a natural and spontaneous way.
Helen has a gentle and intuitive style and tailors the work to address the unique needs of each client. She believes children and young people have an innate wisdom and capacity for healing.
Her special areas of interest are working with trauma and relationship or attachment difficulties, but she’s also worked extensively with grief and loss, depression, anxiety, school refusal, family separations and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Helen utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) to assist in resolving trauma and anxiety. She also draws on other therapeutic models including mindfulness and body-oriented therapy, mentalization based therapy (MBT), family therapy, child and adolescent psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
Helen works in close partnership with parents or carers and families and believes they are an essential part of supporting change and maintaining gains into the future. She sees challenges as an opportunity for growth and believes families can deepen their relationships through these experiences.
When Helen’s not at work you may spot her hiking, cycling or kayaking around the Swan or more remote parts of WA.
Helen is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (Medicare rebates available with GP Mental Health Care Plan or Chronic disease Management Plan) and current member of the Australian Association of Social Workers and Australian Association of Infant Mental Health. She is an accredited EMDR practitioner with the EMDR Association Australia and an accredited Mentalization Based Therapy practitioner. Helen is also a facilitator of Circle of security Parenting and Lighthouse Parent groups.
Kristy Casella
Role: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Kristy Casella is an Occupational Therapist who has more than 15 years’ experience working with children and their families. She has worked primarily within the WA Health Department at Child Development Services in West Perth. She is passionate about working with children to improve their performance and enjoyment of learning across different environments.
Kristy’s approach to assessment and intervention is gentle and practical. She loves to make therapy sessions fun and a positive experience for children and their families.
Kristy is a mother of two energetic children, who can relate to and appreciate the challenges experienced during the parenting journey. Outside of work, Kristy loves to cook for her family, read and cheer on her children at their chosen sports.
Occupational Therapy can assist with the following areas;
Motor Coordination Skills: Fine Motor Skills: difficulties with manipulating small objects or holding a pencil, cutting with scissors, drawing and handwriting. Gross motor skills i.e. jumping, hopping, skipping, balance, ball skills and core strength.
Self Care Skills: dressing, using cutlery, toileting, tooth brushing.
Play and Learning
Sensory Processing: Self- regulation skills, sensitivities, seeking behaviours affecting function and participation, attention and concentration.
Kristy is available for assessment and treatment of children 0-8 years who have developmental delays, motor coordination difficulties and sensory processing challenges affecting their function and participation.
Accepting referrals from parents, teachers, GPs and other health professionals. NDIS self and plan managed clients are welcome to refer.
Kristy is currently registered with AHPRA. Medicare Rebates apply for Chronic Diseases Management Plan.
Nina Casella
Role: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Nina is a Clinical Psychologist dedicated to working with children, adolescents and their families. She has over 20 years’ experience working within public sector specialist services and in private practice. Nina focuses on using a strengths based approach to work together with children and their families to develop individual skills and build fulfilling relationships.
Nina completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of Western Australia. She has worked within multidisciplinary teams to assess the needs of children and adolescents presenting with neurodevelopmental concerns. She uses her assessment background to assist parents, carers and teachers to understand the areas of weakness and strength behind the difficulties. Nina has a particular interest in understanding executive functioning skills and how to assist children and their parents when there are struggles in areas such as planning, attention, working memory and emotional control.
Nina uses evidence-based practices to address concerns such as anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties and draws on multiple therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioural, attachment, neurobiological and family systems approaches to suit each client’s needs. Nina’s aim is to create a safe therapeutic space where each client can feel supported to explore their emotions and thoughts, build coping skills and develop their personal strengths to meet their goals. Nina is also available to liaise with teachers and other professionals and likes to work collaboratively.
In addition to being a psychologist, Nina loves to spend time with her family and friends, planning travel adventures and keeping up with her active and fun-loving sons.
Ana Lacey
Role: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Ana is a Clinical Psychologist with specialist training in working with children, families, parents and couples. The focus on relationships is crucial in her work and wherever possible she seeks to improve children’s relationships with those closest to them. She has a compassionate, non-judgemental, safe and playful approach and seeks to work collaboratively to support children and their families to reach their potential and thrive.
Ana completed the Master of Clinical Psychology at Curtin University in 2009 and has experience working in child and adolescent mental health settings in Melbourne and Perth, providing her with the opportunity to work with children and families who have experienced significant trauma and challenges in their lives. Working with such families highlighted the significant influence of the family and people surrounding a child and as such pursued further training in Family Therapy, completing the 2 year Family Therapy Training at the William Street Family Therapy Centre, Perth. Ana’s work is informed by Family Systems Theory, Attachment Theory, Neurobiology, Psychoanalytic theory, and is trained in the Circle of Security model of treatment. She is also available to liaise with schools wherever necessary and attend school meetings if required.
Dr Emma Restifo
Role: CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Emma Restifo is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working with children, adolescents and their families. Emma has a warm, genuine, flexible, and playful approach to therapy, and believes young people are best understood and helped by working collaboratively with family and other professionals.
Emma completed her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at The University of Western Australia in 2013, and has worked across a variety of roles in child and adolescent mental health, university, disability, and private practice settings. Emma enjoys working with a range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, adjustment, grief and loss, peer and school challenges, relationship and attachment difficulties, self-regulation challenges, and difficulties associated with neurodiversity.
Emma is trained in multiple therapy modalities for children and youth, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Schema Focused Therapy, and Mentalization-based therapy (MBT).
Emma is passionate about supporting young people and their caregivers find connection with each other during periods of rupture and change, and to help young people feel understood by the adults in their world around them. As such, her work is informed by Attachment Theory, Family Systems Theory, and Interpersonal Neurobiology. Emma is a trained facilitator of Circle of Security Parenting, and has a special interest in working with parents. A mother of two, Emma can appreciate the worries and challenges of raising children, and the difference it can make to have a non-judgmental and empathic listener.
Outside of work, Emma enjoys singing in a choir and painting, and loves any opportunity to escape for an ocean swim.
Emma is available to liaise with schools, attend meetings, and advocate for your child’s needs in and out of the classroom. Emma is also a Board-approved supervisor and is available to provide supervision to other mental health clinicians.
FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Contact us to discuss referrals directly with our friendly staff
WHAT WE ACCEPT REFERRALS FOR
- Mood disorders, such as depression
- Anxiety disorders, including separation anxiety, OCD, phobias
- Trauma-related problems
- Behavioural problems
- Parenting and family relationship difficulties
- Peer relationship difficulties and bullying, school avoidance
- Complex or undifferentiated disorders for assessment
- Psychotherapy: individual, family, small group
- Motor difficulties: fine motor and gross motor
- Sensory processing difficulties
WHAT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT REFERRALS FOR
- Where risk to self or others is present
- Patients requiring inpatient admission
- Medicolegal assessments or reports, including Family Court and Forensic assessments
- Eating Disorders
- Psychosis
- Drug and alcohol problems
WHAT WE MAYSEE
- Neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Somatoform disorders
- Mental health problems related to chronic medical conditions
- Problems related to gender identity and sexuality
- Emerging Personality Disorders (noting our statement regarding risk)
- Motor Skill Disorders
- Sensory Processing Disorders
FOR PATIENTS
Frequently asked questions
COSTS
We are a private billing service and are unable to offer Bulk Billing. Each practitioner has their own fee structure, which will be discussed when you book the appointment. Fees may be subject to change on the advice of the specialist. All patients are requested to make payments in full on the day of appointment, via credit or debit card, cash, cheque or eftpos. Once the account is settled in full, you will have the option to claim to medicare yourself or allow us to claim on your behalf where you will get an immediate refund of the medicare rebate.
MEDICARE REBATES
Our different clinicians are eligible for Medicare rebates, which vary depending on their specialty. Below is some information to help understand this, but more detailed information is available through the Human Services website, https://www.humanservices.gov.au
Useful information on Medicare rebates and safety nets is also available at https://www.mydr.com.au/first-aid-self-care/australian-health-system-how-it-works.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Medicare rebates are available for Clinical Psychology services provided under a Mental Health Care Plan. This Plan is a referral that is completed by a GP and provides access to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per person, per calendar year. In some instances, this may be extended for further sessions beyond the initial 10 sessions.
Your referring GP will schedule a return visit to review your progress after the first six psychological therapy sessions. At this point your GP can provide a referral for an additional four sessions, if required.
PSYCHIATRY
Medicare rebates are also available to patients referred by a GPunder the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (or “Better Access”) initiative. When referred by another Psychiatrist or Paediatrician only a referral letter is required.
For more information visit the Human Services website.
SOCIAL WORK
As Accredited Mental Health Social Workers, all of our Social Work clinicians are eligible to access Medicare rebates: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/6053
The Medicare Better Access initiative allows GPs to refer patients for Mental Health treatment with our superb therapists – something less widely known by clinicians and the general public!
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational Therapy (OT) can help your child develop their skills in the areas of movement, coordination, play, learning, self-care and self-regulation.
- Fine Motor Skills- includes manipulating objects, pencil/scissor skills, colouring, drawing, play
- Gross Motor Skills – general coordination, ball skills, being able to sit on the mat or at a desk to complete tasks for an extended period.
- Self-Care- getting dressed, using cutlery, manipulating buttons/zips, organisational skills.
- Sensory Processing – discovering your child’s sensory preferences and how their response may impact on their participation in tasks across the home, school and community environments.
CANCELLATIONS
We have a strict 24 hour cancellation policy. Any cancellations or changes must be made more than 24 hours prior to your appointment, otherwise a full or partial fee may be charged. Cancellations or changes can occur prior to this by contacting our friendly staff.
USEFUL LINKS
For an overall view of how the Australian health system functions, and various funding sources, visit https://www.mydr.com.au/first-aid-self-care/australian-health-system-how-it-works
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists: https://www.ranzcp.org
Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
Headspace: https://headspace.org.au
GALLERY
Impressions from our clinic
