About Us

Annie's Centre is Sydney 's first independent health clinic established exclusively for the health and developmental needs of children and their families.

Annie's Centre was launched in December 2004 by Founder and Director, Dr Anne Chalfant, Clinical Psychologist. Anne and her team of health professionals have extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of childhood difficulties such as challenging behaviour and ADHD, learning difficulties, language disorders, fine and gross motor difficulties, anxiety and depression, Autism, Asperger's and related developmental difficulties.

Dr. Anne Chalfant Director and Clinical Psychologist B.Sc.Psych.(Hons.), M.Clin.Psych.(Hons.), D.Clin.Psych, MAPS, MAACBT Member APS College of Clinical Psychologists

Anne has a wide range of experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of developmental, intellectual, emotional and behavioural difficulties within children. She is well regarded by parents, other health and education professionals and the media for her expertise in child health and development.

Anne has presented frequently on “Parenting” on talk-back radio. She has served as a guest expert on Parenting for both Radio 2GB and Radio 2UE in Sydney.

She has trained and worked in a variety of settings including, public health, non-government organisations and Universities both within Australia and Overseas. As a result, Anne has extensive skills in providing clinical consultation to children and families as well as to schools and health organizations both across Australia and overseas.

She is a Lecturer for the University of New South Wales and a Clinical Supervisor for both the University of New South Wales and the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Highly regarded for her clinical work with children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), she is the only diagnostician in NSW using the two major diagnostic assessment tools for Autism in all her diagnostic assessments. These are the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

As a specialist consultant, Anne is highly sought after by both schools and families. She is one of few clinicians in Australia to have trained with the TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and other related Communication-handicapped CHildren) program at the University of North Carolina, USA. Therefore, she has specialist skills in creating effective learning environments for children with Autism, in their schools and homes.

Anne has a strong background in research and training. She has been involved in developing and conducting research projects on various aspects of child health and development including the treatment of anxiety in children, early intervention programs and effective parenting programs.

Anne is noted for her research into the anxiety difficulties of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which she has presented at both national and international conferences. As a part of her Doctoral research, Anne co-authored the first, manual based, cognitive-behavioural intervention program for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and anxiety difficulties. Please feel free to read a copy of Anne’s latest research article as published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

In 2004 Anne was awarded the Australian Psychological Society National Clinical Psychology Conference Prize for Early Career Research. As a highly regarded trainer, Anne has a wide range of experience in running seminars, workshops and professional development courses on child health and development.

She is one of only 2 people in the Asia-Pacific region with international qualifications to train health professionals in the main diagnostic tools for Autism, the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised (ADI-R) and the Observation Schedule" (ADOS) . She has conducted these training courses in Australia, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Lindy Abelsohn Psychologist and Senior Behavioural Therapist B.A. Psychology P.G.Dip. (Psychology) Certificate in Psychological Practice, Assoc. MAPS

Lindy has over 5 years experience in the Educational and Developmental field and an abundance of knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of developmental, learning, and emotional difficulties in children. She has worked in the community, implementing individualised interventions to children with Learning Difficulties and Developmental Disorders such as AD/HD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, she is experienced in working with young people with attention and behavioural difficulties, anxiety and social difficulties in a clinical setting.

As a Psychologist, and associate member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Lindy has successfully completed training in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R). She has also trained extensively in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy and has provided therapy to children ranging in age from infancy to adolescence with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In her vocation, Lindy understands the importance of continued professional development, and has attended workshops on Psychological Assessment, Cognitive Therapy for Children and Adolescents, suicide prevention, crisis intervention and working with children and adolescents.

Lindy recognises the importance of working with children and their families within a clinical setting, as well as liaising with other professionals such as Paediatricians, Psychiatrists, school teachers and counsellors to provide children with the best possible support to reach their full potential.

Lindy is enthusiastic and passionate about her work with children. She is familiar with the challenges many families face when their child is diagnosed with a learning, developmental or emotional difficulty and strives to accomplish client goals and help overcome challenges through her interventions.

Corinne Restuccia Clinical Psychologist B. Psych.(Hons.), M.Clin.Psych. (Hons.), MAPS, MAACBT Member of the British Psychological Society

Corinne is an enthusiastic, warm and professional Clinical Psychologist who is dedicated to working with children, young people and their families to find individualised solutions to their difficulties. She recognises families as experts in their own lives and uses a range of evidence-based strategies to enhance emotional, social and behavioural well-being. She enjoys working with children, adolescents and parents in order to develop realistic and helpful goals.

Corinne has experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of developmental, psychological and behavioural difficulties in clinical and research settings in Australia. In particular, she has experience and a strong interest in working with a range of presenting issues including anxiety, attention and impulsivity, challenging behaviour, emotion regulation and social skill difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, Corinne has spent several years working with children, their parents and educational staff within school settings in the United Kingdom.

Corinne has training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has also completed accredited clinical training in and is experienced in the use of diagnostic tools such as the Griffiths Mental Development Scales- Extended Revised (GMDS-ER) and in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Corinne values and maintains the importance of ongoing professional education in order to enhance her practice and to receive information on the most up-to-date and effective evidence-based interventions.

Corinne is eligible to provide specialised clinical psychology services under Medicare. She is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency as a Clinical Psychologist. She is a member of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, the Australian Psychological Society and also the British Psychological Society.

Keiko Takenami Speech Pathologist B.A. English M.SpchLngPath., CPSP, MSPAA Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, Member of Speech Pathology Australia.

Keiko has extensive knowledge and experience in the assessment and intervention of children with a diverse range of communication difficulties. She has provided flexible, family-centred practice to assist children and their families with articulation delays, phonological disorders, language delays/ disorders, fluency disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dyspraxia, global developmental delay, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and Fragile X syndrome.

Keiko is dedicated to assisting parents with providing continuous opportunities for functional communication skills to develop in their child. She is certified to run the Hanen Parent Training Programs, ”It Takes Two to Talk”, ”More Than Words” and ”TalkAbility”. She is also an experienced certified therapist in the implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

Keiko is also one of the registered practitioners and trainers for the MULTILIT Reading Tutor Program (Revised) at Annie’s Centre. Early speech and language difficulties can be one of the key factors in children not reaching their potential with reading and literacy skills. Keiko is experienced in providing intensive support and systematic instruction to children with delays in literacy skills.

Prior to a career in Speech Pathology, Keiko was involved in international trade and marketing assisting a range of Australian businesses. Keiko has brought her international experience to Annie´s Centre, offering a holistic approach to working with families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Anissa Mouti Psychologist (prov. Registered) and Senior Behaviour Therapist B.Psych. (Hons)

Anissa has knowledge and experience in working with children with developmental difficulties including children with Autism and ADHD. In her role as a Senior Behaviour Therapist, Anissa is responsible for developing, overseeing, and maintaining early intervention programs based on principles derived from Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and the Early Start Denver Model. The programs enable children to develop effective communication and social skills, to become competent in completing a wide range of daily living skills, to manage strong emotions such as frustration and anxiety and to prepare appropriately for their transition into primary school. Programs are taught through interactive and play- based sessions that are implemented within preschool and primary school settings as well as the child’s home. Anissa is also trained in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), a common method used to communicate with children who have communication and language difficulties.

Anissa is a provisionally registered Psychologist completing her final few months of supervised placement, meeting the requirements of The Psychology Board of Australia. She graduated with a Distinction in Psychology with Honours at the University of New South Wales.

Gavin Sladen Senior Behaviour Therapist B.Sc. Psychology (Hons) B.A. Philosophy

As a Senior Behaviour Therapist, Gavin is committed to providing evidence-based early intervention programs for children with a range of disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. The programs address many of the social, emotional, and behavioural challenges that children with developmental difficulties can encounter, and are drawn from a variety of treatment models, including Applied Behaviour Analysis and the Early Start Denver Model. Gavin has received training in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), which provides a means of functional communication to children who have difficulties with the development or use of spoken language. Gavin is also responsible for facilitating the parent education and training components of the early intervention services at Annie´s Centre. These programs are based on both Behaviour and Family Systems Theories, thus ensuring a more holistic approach to early intervention and parent support. Gavin has previously worked with young people with disabilities as a drama tutor at Shopfront: Contemporary Arts and Performance and PACT Theatre. Gavin holds degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of New South Wales.

Jamila Solomon Senior Behaviour Therapistt B.Psych. (Currently Completing Honours)

Jamila is a compassionate and committed therapist, having over 3 years of experience in the field of Education and Early Intervention. She has extensive knowledge in the trajectory and treatment of a range of childhood difficulties such as challenging behaviour, Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental difficulties. Accordingly, Jamila is dedicated to providing evidence-based early intervention programs for children diagnosed with Developmental Disorders, having training in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy and application of the Early Start Denver Model (EDSM). Jamila is also qualified to implement the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), an augmentative and alternative communication aid.

Jamila specialises in tailoring individualised interventions. Her focus is on developing and delivering early intervention that cultivates communication, facilitates functional play and effective everyday functioning, scaffolds social skills and enhances educational opportunities. She holds an onus on conducting child’s play their way and uniquely caters programs to suit both children and family’s needs across school, home and community settings. Jamila administers Parent Education Programs to empower parents to be their children’s primary teachers, ensuring a holistic approach to client care and enabling children to maximise their full potential through a therapy that is friendly, fun and feasible, thereby cultivating their love for learning.

Jamila is currently completing her Honours Year of her Bachelor of Psychology degree and is passionate about her work with children and their families.