About Us
Step by Step Psychology promotes collaboration and support among our team and with our community, enabling us to maximise positive outcomes for our clients and their families.
Visit Careers at SBSP to find out more about joining our team.
At Step by Step Psychology, our mission is to:
- Empower families to achieve greater happiness and build resilience through education, guidance and support
- Provide strategies to improve emotional health and wellbeing.
- Support parents and families to enhance their children’s mental health.
We achieve this through:
- Individual counselling and skill development
- Family counselling and support
- Assessments to provide accurate diagnoses and subsequent treatment plans
Our Team
Hayley Jennings
Director
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Hayley is the founder of Step by Step Psychology, establishing the Blackburn Clinic in 2015 after having worked with young people and their families in psychology settings since 2008. Hayley has a passion for helping families take steps toward a brighter future. She utilises a neuro-affirming approach with clients and tailors her work to suit each individual client. Hayley particularly enjoys working holistically to ensure that external factors such as diet and lifestyle are conducive to positive well-being.
While not currently seeing clients, Hayley works closely with the Step by Step Psychology team to support them to provide excellent care for their clients, as well as developing knowledge and a career in psychology. Outside of work, Hayley is kept busy raising her three young girls and loves to set time aside to exercise and try new hobbies, such as learning pottery.
Ellie Fabbri
Team Leader/Senior Psychologist
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Ellie is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who has a passion for working with children and adolescents, along with their families. Ellie has experience working with both neurotypical and neurodivergent clients regarding a range of concerns such as emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, mood difficulties, and behavioural challenges.
Ellie is experienced in conducting comprehensive psychoeducational assessments for the purposes of understanding why a student is experiencing learning difficulties. She is also experienced in diagnostic assessments for Autism and ADHD.
Ellie takes a highly collaborative approach with families and those involved with the child in order to fully understand her clients’ needs. Ellie’s approach when working with her clients is strengths based and tailored to best support each individual’s unique needs and goals.
Emma Trifiletti
Team Leader/Senior Psychologist
(maternity leave for 2024)
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Emma has been a Psychologist since 2015 and has been working at Step by Step Psychology
since 2017. She is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and is a Board Approved
Supervisor. Emma enjoys working with a variety of ages; from preschoolers to young adults
and parents. Emma has a passion for supporting and advocating for her neurodivergent
clients, but also enjoys supporting all children and young people with managing their
emotions and stress, and developing adaptive and helpful coping strategies. Emma is also
experienced at administering comprehensive assessments.
Emma utilises strengths-based approaches and works in a holistic way with her clients and
their allied health teams. She aims to work with her clients to achieve their goals and
improve their overall wellbeing.
Emma is a warm and caring therapist. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her
son and husband, doing pilates, and enjoying a good cup of coffee at a café.
Olivia Burton
Psychologist/Clinical Psychology Registrar
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Olivia is a Psychologist and Clinical Psychology registrar who has been working in different
capacities at Step by Step Psychology since 2017.
Olivia has experience working with older children adolescents and adults to provide person-
centred, evidence-based mental health treatment and support. Olivia conducts thorough
psychological assessments and uses this information to inform appropriate treatment
approaches.
Olivia has a particular interest in working with adolescents and young adults who are at risk.
Olivia has experience in conducting risk assessments and developing action plans and
working to improve the overall quality of life of her clients.
Dr Kate Horner
Psychologist
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Kate is a Psychologist who has been working at Step by Step Psychology since August 2021. Kate has a particular interest in working with adolescents experiencing a range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties and trauma. Kate takes a client-centred approach and focuses on building a strong therapeutic alliance with each client to address their unique needs. Outside of work, Kate enjoys staying physically active and loves running.
Daina Krasts
Psychologist/Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar
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Daina is a Registered Psychologist who completed a Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) at Australian Catholic University. Daina has experience working with children and adolescents in private practice and primary and secondary school settings.
Daina is passionate about working with children and adolescents and their families to support mental health and wellbeing. Daina has a special interest in emotional regulation difficulties such as anxiety, social skills and parental support. She also has an interest in the assessment and diagnosis of learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Daina utilises a variety of evidence-based treatment methods to support children and adolescents including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy and play-based strategies. Daina takes a strength-based and client-centered approach by working collaboratively with clients and their families to identify their unique needs and goals and tailoring interventions to their individual needs. Daina also administers comprehensive psychological assessments including for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD).
Laura Payne
Psychologist/Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar
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Laura began working as a Psychologist at Step by Step Psychology at the beginning of 2023, following the completion of her Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology. Laura is experienced in working therapeutically both in primary and secondary school settings as well as private practice. Laura has a special interest in working with children and adolescents who have learning difficulties, emotional regulation challenges and anxiety. Laura enjoys taking a client-centred, strengths based approach to help families achieve their goals. She is passionate about collaborating with families to deliver neuro-affirming care. In sessions, Laura enjoys using creative approaches and bibliotherapy. On the weekends, Laura enjoys playing music and checking out different coffee spots!
Melody Ooi
Psychologist
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Melody is a Registered Psychologist who completed a Master of Professional
Psychology and a Master of Professional Psychology Practice. Melody has experience working therapeutically with children, adolescents, and adults from
various backgrounds. In particular, she has an interest in supporting neurodivergent client populations through a neuro-affirming lens, and aims to help clients develop
lifelong skills. Her genuine and client-centred approach provides an environment for clients that makes them feel welcome and supported. On the weekends, Melody enjoys doing creative projects with friends.
Jessica Gralton
Psychologist
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Jess is a dedicated General Psychologist with a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology from Monash University. She enjoys working with individuals across all age groups and is skilled in using CBT, ACT, strength-based, and play-based approaches to support emotional regulation, school avoidance, anxiety, and low mood. Jess has a strong passion for working with neurodivergent clients, particularly those with ADHD, Autism, or SLD, and is committed to creating tailored, neuroaffirming strategies that help each person reach their full potential. Originally from Brisbane, Jess moved to Melbourne in 2022.
In her free time, she loves playing sports, travelling, catching up with friends, and spending time at the beach
Client Support Team
Abbi Cameron
Business Manager
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Abbi has been working at Step by Step Psychology since 2016 when she started as the first administration assistant. Her role has developed and she now co-ordinates the overall running of the two clinics as the Business Manager. Part of her current role is to provide support to the Clinic Managers at each clinic to enable them to provide a helpful and streamlined client experience from an administration perspective.
On the weekend, you’ll find Abbi watching her kids play basketball or socialising with friends over a few cocktails.
Laura Nugent
Nunawading Clinic Manager
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Laura currently works full-time as part of the Client Support Team at the Nunawading clinic. Laura holds a Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) and spent 2 years living in Toronto, Canada, before returning to Australia in 2019. Whilst she has a passion for sport, her reception and administration experience at home and abroad brings a diverse skill set to the team. She thoroughly enjoys interacting with children and their families on a daily basis.
Georgia Mahoney
Blackburn Clinic Manager
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Georgia currently works full-time as part of the Client Support Team at the Blackburn clinic. Georgia holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science, and has recently travelled Europe in order to expand her experiences. What Georgia loves most about working at Step by Step, is the chance to support people, and create a warm and inviting environment for clients. Georgia has a passion for people, and in her spare time loves going on walks, and spending time with her pets.
