Melanie is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist and Academic with a Masters degree and PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology. She has over 15 years of experience conducting clinical neuropsychological assessments and interventions for children, adults and families using evidence-based practice and she has worked in both public health and private settings.
Melanie has an interest in the interface of neuropsychology and the law with extensive medico-legal expertise. She has experience in writing independent expert reports for civil and criminal law, including family law proceedings. She also provides expert reports for the Department of Immigration. She specialises in children and families with complex issues. Her particular areas of expertise include child development, developmental disability (e.g., autism, ADHD, intellectual disability), acquired brain injury, behavioural disorders, mental health, child abuse and neglect, stress and trauma, parenting and (special) education. Melanie is an accredited report writer for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and an authorised health practitioner for the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Melanie is a scientist-practitioner and publishes and teaches on a range of topics including: typical and atypical child development; cognitive, behavioural and mental health disorders across the lifespan; guardianship and capacity; neuropsychological assessment and intervention; parent / child interaction and attachment; and the effects of stress, trauma, maltreatment, and drug and alcohol use on the brain and mind.
Melanie provides clinical and research supervision to psychologists in training. She presents regularly at conferences and training seminars and has been invited keynote speaker at numerous conferences nationally and internationally. She is also on the editorial board for a range of scientific research journals.