Social Work

Social Workers are allied health professionals informed by principles of human rights, and social justice

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Independent & Staff Social Workers Consulting at Adelaide Paediatrics

Social Workers work with, and on behalf of, individuals and families to enhance child wellbeing and social development, resolve personal and interpersonal problems, improve and facilitate engagement with the broader society, address systemic barriers to achieve full recognition and participation, and protect the vulnerable from oppression and abuse.

Sessions may take place onsite within Adelaide Paediatrics clinics, in educating settings, care facilities or at home. Phone consults are also available if appropriate. Sessions are available through the NDIS or private fee paying.

How does a Social Worker help?

Social Workers can assist in many ways, including the following areas:

  • Emotional self-regulation

  • Developing and improving social skills

  • Managing unhelpful behaviours

  • Self-esteem and child wellbeing

  • Advocacy and liaison services

  • Navigating and maximising supports

  • Counselling support to assist with mood and anxiety

  • Trauma informed care

Meet Consulting Social Workers

  • Independent Consulting Social Worker
    ABN 85 871 732 127

    Kimberley completed her Bachelor of Social Work in 2009 and is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

    As an experienced healthcare practitioner Kimberley is passionate about assisting children and families through her role as a Social Worker offering brief intervention, counselling, advocacy and psycho social education. Following 14 years in an acute hospital setting, Kimberley has vast experience in the multi disciplinary sector with various health conditions that can have an impact on the whole family. Kimberley has extensive experience in providing counselling and support in the areas of Ante natal, Neo natal and Paediatric healthcare.

    Kimberley consults in her private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics Ashford, Mile End and Mt Barker locations and her areas of interest include Type One Diabetes, allergy, asthma, food intolerances, auto immune, chronic health conditions and mental health.

    Kimberley is highly experienced in assisting families with complex disability, navigating NDIS, complex care needs and comorbidities.

    Kimberley is a mother of three young children herself, and is passionate about assisting other children and their families through the different phases of life.

    Kimberley can assist in the areas of:

    Understanding and adjusting to a new diagnosis; Complex disability and navigating NDIS; Chronic disease counselling; Behavioural Management/ Emotional Regulation; Antenatal/Neonatal Care, emotional support and counselling; Parenting Education and Support; Trauma and Attachment/ Circle of Security; Family Safety; Youth Mental Health; Disordered Eating; Counselling for complex medical conditions; Anxiety and Mood Disorders; Behaviours of concern; Divorce and Separation; School Bullying & Engagement; Grief and Loss/ Crisis Intervention counselling; Advocacy and referral support; Psycho social education.

    Make an appointment:

    Adelaide Paediatrics Ashford
    Suite 15, Level 3 Ashford Specialist Centre
    57-59 Anzac Highway
    Ashford SA 5035
    T: 08 7123 6171

    Adelaide Paediatrics Morphett Vale
    221-223 Main South Road
    Morphett Vale SA 5162
    T: 08 7123 6163

    Adelaide Paediatrics Mount Barker
    2/50 Victoria Road
    Mount Barker SA 5251
    T: 08 7123 6175

  • Independent Consulting Social Worker
    ABN 31 408 570 919

    Qualifications: BSocWk

    Sonia completed her Bachelor of Social Work in 2001 and has over 20 years’ experience working with children of varying ages, their parents, carers and large multi-disciplinary teams to ensure every child receives continuity of care. Sonia possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to inspire, positively influence and foster strong collaborative relationships with children, young people and their families.

    In addition to her Bachelor of Social Work, Sonia has completed further training in trauma informed interventions.

    Sonia consults in her private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale and Wayville locations, and has an interest in working to build networks within and around families to bring about safety and promote wellbeing for children. Sonia remains passionate about working with vulnerable families and children to bring about stability, safety, wellbeing and a sense of belonging and connection to self, family, community and culture.

    Sonia has extensive experience in assessing parenting capacity and identifying risk and safety. Sonia has worked with parents and caregivers on issues that impact on their parenting such as drug dependency, mental health issues and the effect of trauma, abuse and violence.

    Sonia has worked with parents and carers to assist in repairing relationships and supporting children to manage complex and challenging behaviours. Sonia enjoys working with individuals in a holistic way to help change their environment or personal circumstances in order to improve their situation.

    Sonia enjoys working with children of all ages, is flexible in her approach and able to support children and families in-clinic or the school setting.

    Helping children and families with:

    Behavioural challenges; School difficulties and engagement issues; Social skills and peer relationships; Self-esteem; Emotional regulation; Understanding and adjusting to a new diagnosis; Support with the NDIS process; Coping skills and resilience building; Practical supports for families and children; Advocacy and referral support; Trauma and attachment disorders; Anxiety and depression.

    Make an appointment:

    Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale
    32 Oldham Road
    Elizabeth Vale SA 5112
    T: 08 7123 6148

    Adelaide Paediatrics Wayville
    The Terraces
    4-6 Goodwood Road
    Wayville SA 5034
    T: 08 7123 6177

  • Staff Consulting Social Worker

    Victoria is originally from the United Kingdom. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Social Work with Honours in 2012, and has extensive experience working with children of varying ages, their parents, carers, and large multi-disciplinary teams to ensure every child receives continuity of care.

    Victoria is skilled at working with children who have experienced trauma; children who may not reside with their birth parents; and children who may have experienced a compromised start to life. This may include children who have been exposed to family violence, relationship breakdowns or a change in family circumstances; children who have experienced multiple care arrangements; and children who may have experienced maltreatment. Victoria has a strong understanding of child development and is able to support children and families to develop an understanding of the impact of early experiences, and how nurturing relationships can promote long-term healthy development across multiple domains of the family life.

    Victoria enjoys working with children of all ages who require social and emotional support, and draws on the strengths that children and families already have in order to ensure the best opportunities for support, change and progress. Victoria is flexible in her approach and is able to support children and families in the clinic, at school or in the home environment.

    Helping children and families with:

    Trauma-informed practice – supporting parents and carers to understand their child’s experience of trauma and support them to have a better understanding of the behaviour their child may be exhibiting as a result; Mentalisation-Based Therapy skills – supporting children to understand the effects their emotions, thoughts, and actions have on themselves and others; Anxiety and self-esteem – supporting children to understand and manage their anxiety-related behaviours. This may include helping children to foster better social, familial and peer relationships; supporting children to build positive self-esteem despite challenging negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves; and helping children to achieve personal goals, for example, returning to school or a sporting activity; Emotional regulation – supporting children, parents and carers with techniques to manage difficult emotions which may be impacting on a child’s daily routine; capacity to engage in education, or ability to build and maintain healthy relationships; Family, peer and social relationships – supporting children, parents and carers to build positive and healthy relationships; Child Development – supporting parents and carers to understand their child’s development, and how to achieve developmental milestones. This may include expectant mothers/fathers, new parents and foster/kinship carers.

    Make an appointment:

    Adelaide Paediatrics Morphett Vale
    221-223 Main South Road
    Morphett Vale SA 5162
    T: 08 7123 6163

    Adelaide Paediatrics Mount Barker
    2/50 Victoria Road
    Mount Barker SA 5251
    T: 08 7123 6175

  • Independent Consulting Social Worker
    ABN 47 903 714 644

    Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work (Honours); Child-Centred Training Play Therapy Course Certificate

    Vanessa is a qualified and registered Social Worker with experience working in a school setting supporting learners who are severely intellectually disabled, while implementing individual one-on-one therapy and group interventions, as well as creating educational programs for both learners and teachers. More recently Vanessa worked in private practice in Adelaide as a child-centred therapist, focusing on mental health and well-being with children and adolescents. Prior to commencing her private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale and Mile End locations, Vanessa worked in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings in South Africa, the United States of America and Australia. She specialises in the use of play-based therapeutic techniques in assisting with and improving human wellbeing.

    Vanessa is passionate about working with children and their families on emotional, behavioural and social development to achieve goals and provide support through therapeutic intervention. She is empathetic, respectful, patient, friendly and organised. Vanessa believes in the value of a child-centred and a strengths-based approach in order to meet goals and achieve positive outcomes.

    Helping children and families with:

    Emotional regulation; School issues; Bullying at school and or at home; Sports and peer pressure; Emotional distress; Developmental delays and regressive behaviour; Aggression, frustration, anger; Concentration issues; Enhancing social skills and relationship building; Mindfulness and relaxation techniques; Bereavement; Family problems such as divorce, separation or death of a relative; Low self-esteem and self-confidence; Sleeping and eating difficulties; Anxiety, depression, grief and trauma; Problem solving skills; Behavioural problems; Puberty and hygiene education.

    Make an appointment:

    Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale
    32 Oldham Road
    Elizabeth Vale SA 5112
    T: 08 7123 6148

    Adelaide Paediatrics Mile End
    71 Henley Beach Road
    Mile End SA 5031
    T: 08 7123 6147

  • Independent Consulting Social Worker
    ABN 53 617 925 767

    Qualifications: MSW

    Katherine is a fully accredited Social Worker and has many years of experience working with children, families and carers across Mental Health, Disability and Government care sectors. During her career in the social and community fields, Katherine has supported children and families to work with challenging behaviours, assisting clients with physical, psychosocial, developmental, and learning disabilities. Her background in Domestic Violence has made her a passionate advocate for creating and maintaining safety for women and children and promoting a healthy and loving family environment. Katherine has recent experience as a Counsellor, and as a facilitator of therapeutic groups that aim to promote optimal mental health outcomes for clients.

    In additional to her Master of Social Work, Katherine has completed further training in trauma informed interventions and applies specialised knowledge around childhood trauma and attachment to her practice. Katherine consults in her private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park and Mile End locations. She is passionate about creating and holding a safe space for people, and recognising the diversity, yet oneness, of the human experience. She utilises person-centred and empowerment approaches to support clients to explore themselves in a non-judgemental setting, to increase self-awareness, self-management skills and intrapersonal connection. Katherine believes that everyone has the capacity to move through their life and their healing journey on their own terms and will respectfully navigate this space with you and your children. Employing her knowledge of social-ecological principles and a systems framework, Katherine prioritises creating a safe, working relationship with families and children based on her values of empathy, trust and respect. Having two children of her own, Katherine acknowledges the unique journey of parenthood and is passionate about early intervention, psychosocial education and supporting parents, and expecting parents, to navigate the path of a changing family.

    Helping children and families with:

    Emotional regulation; Behavioural challenges; Anxiety and Depressive disorders; School difficulties and engagement issues; Social skills and peer relationships; Trauma, attachment and adjustment disorders; Increasing parenting skills, support and education; Preparing and adjusting to changing family circumstances; Counselling support; Working with parents/carers of children with disabilities; Practical supports for families and children; Advocacy and referral support

    Make an appointment:

    Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park
    Mark Oliphant Building
    8/5 Laffer Drive
    Bedford Park SA 5042
    T: 08 7123 6149

    Adelaide Paediatrics Mile End
    71 Henley Beach Road
    Mile End SA 5031
    T: 08 7123 6147

  • Independent Consulting Social Worker and Clinical Counsellor
    ABN 93 151 345 303

    Qualifications: MSW, MSc(Psych&Couns), BPsych&Couns

    Esra is an experienced and accredited Social Worker and Clinical Counsellor specialising in providing support to children, young people, and families. With a Master's degree in Social Work from Flinders University, as well as a Bachelor of Science and a Master's degree in Psychological Counselling, Esra brings a comprehensive understanding of mental health and well-being to her private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park.

    With over 14 years of experience managing complex cases in schools, disability services, and mental health settings across Australia, Turkey, and Europe, Esra is skilled in providing crucial information about mental health conditions, treatment options, and community resources.

    Utilising psychosocial assessments, Esra identifies the needs and goals of her clients, working collaboratively with parents and allied health professionals to provide comprehensive case management. She believes that every child and young person experiencing distress deserves timely, compassionate, and high-quality support, including assessments tailored to their unique needs. Esra finds great meaning in walking alongside children and young people on their journey towards improved well-being and also offers support and psychoeducation to families and caregivers. She guides families through the school system, helping them access necessary support services.

    Esra's expertise covers a range of areas, including autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression, emotional dysregulation, relationship issues, anger management and conflict resolution, bullying, self-harm and suicide prevention, adjustment to life changes, school avoidance, and school support.

    During therapy sessions, Esra utilises evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Crisis/Suicide intervention, Brief Intervention Counselling, and Gestalt Therapy. She tailors these modalities to meet the unique needs of each individual client.

    Make an appointment:

    Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park
    Mark Oliphant Building
    8/5 Laffer Drive
    Bedford Park SA 5042
    T: 08 7123 6149

Make a booking

Independent Medical Specialists consulting in private practice at Adelaide Paediatrics triage incoming referrals and aim to accommodate urgent referrals as soon as possible, offering the earliest available appointment with a paediatrician

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Ashford
    Suite 15, Level 3 Ashford Specialist Centre
    57-59 Anzac Highway
    Ashford SA 5035

    T: 08 7123 6171
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park
    Mark Oliphant Building
    8/5 Laffer Drive
    Bedford Park
    SA 5042

    T: 08 7123 6149
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale
    32 Oldham Road
    Elizabeth Vale
    SA 5112

    T: 08 7123 6148
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Kensington Park
    360 Magill Road
    Kensington Park
    SA 5068

    T: 08 7123 6176
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Mile End
    SuperGym Therapy & Rehab Centre
    71 Henley Beach Road
    Mile End SA 5031

    T: 08 7123 6147
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Morphett Vale
    221-223 Main South Road
    Morphett Vale SA 5162

    T: 08 7123 6163
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Mount Barker
    2/50 Victoria Road
    Mount Barker SA 5251

    T: 08 7123 6175
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics North Adelaide
    Calvary Hospital
    89 Strangways Terrace
    North Adelaide SA 5006

    T: 08 7123 6173
    F: 08 7123 0821

  • Adelaide Paediatrics Wayville
    The Terraces
    4-6 Goodwood Road
    Wayville SA 5034

    T: 08 7123 6177
    F: 08 7123 0821