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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.
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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 is the regular guest expert on Parenting for Radio 2GB’s Weekend Good Life Program with Murray Wilton on Sunday afternoons.
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.
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Andrea Davidoff
Clinical Psychologist
B.A.(Hons.), M.Psychol.(Clin.), MAPS, Member of APS College of Clinical Psychologists |
Andrea is a registered Clinical Psychologist with a post-graduate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of NSW. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and has been a member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists since 1990. Andrea has over 25 years experience in working with children and their families. She has worked in a range of settings including residential care settings with children diagnosed with emotional adjustment difficulties and intellectual impairment. Andrea's professional experience has involved a broad range of paediatric problems including developmental delay, bonding and attachment issues, problems associated with abuse, trauma and neglect, learning difficulties, anxiety, depression and adolescent issues. She has worked extensively with child care workers, training them in the management of problem behaviour, as well as being involved in parent effectiveness training programs for both natural parents and foster parents. Much of Andrea's clinical work has involved diagnostic testing and educational programming, in addition to therapeutic interventions.
Andrea has provided consultancy services for many years to various government departments including the Department of Community Services and the Department of Veterans' Affairs. She has extensive experience in preparing diagnostic assessment reports. As a result, she has been asked to appear as an expert witness in Children's Court, Family Court and the Supreme Court.
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Alice Berry
Senior Speech and Language Pathologist
B.App.Sc. (Speech Pathology), MSPPA
B.Sp.Ed., Dip.T. (Junior Primary) |
Alice has been working as a Speech Pathologist for the past ten years and has extensive clinical experience in the assessment and management of children presenting with speech and language delay and disorder, verbal dyspraxia, stuttering, global developmental delay and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Alice is also a qualified primary teacher with a degree in Special Education. Consequently, the unique combination of her health and education qualifications make her a specialist in working with children with a wide array of learning and developmental difficulties.
Alice has worked in a range of settings including disability services, education, community health and private practice. She is passionate about providing early intervention support using therapeutic approaches that address the holistic needs of individual children and their families. She also has extensive experience in developing and providing group programs and parent training workshops.
Alice is a well regarded clinician in her field. She has trained and worked as a Clinical Educator at Flinders University of South Australia. This involved the supervision, training and professional development of Speech Pathology Students, Speech Pathologists and other early intervention professionals.
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Sheree Tyrrell
Occupational Therapist
B. H. Sc. (Occupational Therapy),Member of Australian Association of Occupational Therapists – NSW. |
Sheree is an experienced Occupational Therapist who has worked in both Occupational Rehabilitation and Paediatrics. She has worked in both the private and public sector, including working as a Paediatric School Based therapist.
Sheree has extensive experience in providing physical and cognitive therapy to children and adolescents both individually and through group skill programs such as social and life skill groups. She has worked with children with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
Sheree has specialist skills in sensory integration therapy. She has developed and provided in-services and workshops for schools and health professionals on sensory integration support. Sheree also brings specialist expertise in trialing and applying for Assistive Technology to support and enhance academic learning and in providing hydrotherapy. Sheree works collaboratively with families and other health professionals to ensure that therapy goals are achieved.
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Amanda Goh
Psychologist (prov. Registered) and Senior Behavioural Therapist
B.Com, B.Psyc., Grad.Dip.Sc. (Psychology) with Merit, Assoc MAPS
Member of APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists
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Amanda has extensive knowledge and experience in developing, overseeing and conducting behaviour and relationship development intervention programs for children with Developmental Difficulties. She has over 5 years experience working under an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) methodology with children with special education needs including children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning difficulties and significant health conditions such as cancer. Amanda has worked with children from a broad spectrum of ages including infancy through to adolescence. She has offered behaviour support programs within homes, preschools, primary schools and community centres. As a result, Amanda understands the importance of a holistic approach to a child’s intervention program.
Amanda has specialist skills in developing programs that address a child’s social and emotional development. The programs enable children to develop effective friendships skills as well as practical ways to deal with emotions such as frustration and anxiety.
Amanda values the importance of continued professional development. Consequently, she has completed specialist courses in parent training, developing social skills programs and the use of video modelling techniques in therapy. Currently, Amanda is completing her Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology.
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Anna Demetre
Receptionist
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Anna brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Annie’s Centre in dealing with children and the general public. She has worked with various organizations including work as a receptionist in High Schools as well as travel and recruitment agencies. Anna has also worked as a functions manager in sports clubs and function centres.
As a mother of 5, Anna has extensive experience in supporting children and families. She has participated in reading and maths programs at her childrens' schools to help promote better reading skills and to enhance understanding of maths concepts. Anna also assisted in canteen duties when required over many years.
Anna is able to assist and communicate with families and children at Annie’s Centre with ease and confidence, making their visit to the Centre comfortable and stress free. Please feel free to contact Anna at the Centre to make an appointment or to arrange professional services for your family or organisation.
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