About The Jacaranda Centre
Vision | Mission | Values
Vision
At The Jacaranda Centre we envision a world where all children are safe.
A place where families and communities empower and equip children and adolescents to follow a path that
- maximises their potential
- encourages them to grow into the best version of themselves
- affects others and their environment with compassion
Vision
At The Jacaranda Centre we envision a world where all children are safe.
A place where families and communities empower and equip children and adolescents to follow a path that
- maximises their potential
- encourages them to grow into the best version of themselves
- affects others and their environment with compassion
Mission
At The Jacaranda Centre we are committed to providing high quality and personalised clinical psychology services to children and their families, in a warm and inviting environment that lets you know we care.
We support parents and carers of children of all ages with strategies to manage and understand complex behaviours, emotional regulation, anxiety, neurological disorders and psychological difficulties.
We strive to empower and equip both children and their families to work together to reach the child’s full potential in all areas of their development.
We actively look for new and fun ways to engage with our clients, to help them feel safe, valued and heard during each therapy session.
Mission
At The Jacaranda Centre we are committed to providing high quality and personalised clinical psychology services to children and their families, in a warm and inviting environment that lets you know we care.
We support parents and carers of children of all ages with strategies to manage and understand complex behaviours, emotional regulation, anxiety, neurological disorders and psychological difficulties.
We strive to empower and equip both children and their families to work together to reach the child’s full potential in all areas of their development.
We actively look for new and fun ways to engage with our clients, to help them feel safe, valued and heard during each therapy session.
Values
- Safety – We promote and role model physical and emotional safety in all aspects of our work and relationships, both with each other and with clients and their families
- Professional Standards – We prioritise best practice standards and principles to ensure that we remain leaders in psychology care
- Innovation – We continuously develop our professional skills and knowledge for innovating practices that enable our clients to flourish
- Ethical Integrity – In all that we do, in all that we say, in all that we stand for, without compromise
- Flexibility and Creativity – We strive to find opportunities to work ‘outside the box’ and deliver service supports that are playful and engaging – to match the energy and enthusiasm of our young clients
- Collaboration – We believe that each child deserves a support team who collaborate and work together to ensure the child reaches their full potential in all areas of their development
Values
- Safety – We promote and role model physical and emotional safety in all aspects of our work and relationships, both with each other and with clients and their families
- Professional Standards – We prioritise best practice standards and principles to ensure that we remain leaders in psychology care
- Innovation – We continuously develop our professional skills and knowledge for innovating practices that enable our clients to flourish
- Ethical Integrity – In all that we do, in all that we say, in all that we stand for, without compromise
- Flexibility and Creativity – We strive to find opportunities to work ‘outside the box’ and deliver service supports that are playful and engaging – to match the energy and enthusiasm of our young clients
- Collaboration – We believe that each child deserves a support team who collaborate and work together to ensure the child reaches their full potential in all areas of their development
Meet the Team
Our Psychologists
Emma Langham - Founding Director and Principal Clinical Psychologist
BA (Psych) Hons, M Psych (Clin), GradDip (Dev Trauma) | Member APS, Fellow CCLP, Member AAPI
Emma has 25 years of experience as a Psychologist throughout a range of services in the Hunter region, working with families and children amongst multidisciplinary teams. Emma is dedicated to working with children and their families for almost any issue that is preventing them living a full and happy life. This passion led Emma to establish an accessible family friendly centre with a team of dedicated, warm and engaging therapists for the provision of high quality interventions for which she is immensely grateful.
Read more about Emma
Emma enjoys providing assessment and intervention for children where the cause of challenging behaviour is unclear and complex, and where differential diagnoses (other explanations for the problem) need clarifying. This is particularly relevant regarding children who have suffered family based trauma or neglect and are experiencing developmental, behavioural or emotional concerns such as anxiety, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviours, or obsessive concerns. Emma welcomes referrals for children in Out of Home Care where it is unclear whether the child may have a developmental/ behavioural disorder, (such as ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum) and/or trauma. Emma is accredited to use the Griffiths (developmental assessment), Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Interview in her assessments, and uses a wide range of other evidence based assessments in her work.
Emma also has particular expertise and interest in working therapeutically with children who are in Out of Home Care and their carers. Emma works from an attachment model (considering key relationships between children and their carers) and is trained in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (Family Focused Psychotherapy), having undertaken training with American Psychologist Dan Hughes in his first ever Australian based training in 2014. Emma also utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative and other Family Therapy frameworks in her work. Emma is also accredited in Triple P parenting coaching, Tuning Into Kids parenting, the parent-child Exploring Together program, is a Fun Friends facilitator and is Circle of Security trained.
Emma also provides assessment and consultation regarding problem eaters with limited diets and for children with food aversion utilising the Sequential Oral Sensory model, with limited therapy appointments.
Adding further to Emma’s extensive knowledge base she completed a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma through the Australian Childhood Foundation in 2016.
Emma is a Psychology Board Approved Supervisor of psychologists in training at all levels, including for Clinical endorsement and higher degree students. Emma also does some casual lecturing to Masters and PhD candidates at the University of Newcastle.
Outside of work, Emma spends time with her young family bike riding and exploring the outdoors.
Ciara Fletcher - Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor Psychology (Honours) | Master of Clinical Psychology (currently on maternity leave until 2025)
Ciara is a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for working with children, adolescents, and families. She offers a warm and compassionate approach and is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment. Ciara takes a collaborative approach to working with young people and works to empower families to support children and adolescents to face the challenges associated with growing up. She has experience working with children and adolescents with a range of psychological and behavioural concerns and adopts an evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment.
Peta Meyerink - Consultant Psychologist
B Soc Sc (Soc Welfare), B Soc Sc (Psychology), Grad Dip Psychology (Advanced), Masters of Professional Psychology | Member APS & AAPI
Peta Meyerink is a registered Psychologist who is extremely passionate about improving the lives of children, adolescents and families who she works with.
Through a lens of connection and curiosity, Peta is passionate about providing a supportive space for children and adolescents navigating neurodiversity, creating meaningful relationships and developing skills to overcome life’s challenge.
Read more about Peta
Peta is passionate about building a relaxed, playful supportive environment with focus on creating safe and trusting relationships.
Peta loves the joy, unpredictability and energy that comes from working with children and their families.
Dr Suzanne Stevens - Consultant Senior Clinical Psychologist
BA Psychology (Hons), Doctorate of Psychology Clinical
Suzanne is a fully registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience across a broad range of clinical teams in both Australia and the UK. She has worked in both the public and private sectors and has extensive knowledge and skills, having worked with clients of all ages. Suzanne is committed to helping children and their families presenting with a variety of difficulties including anxiety, low mood, ADHD, ASD, ODD, and other emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Read more about Suzanne
Suzanne has expertise and training in evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Suzanne has as a special interest in applying Ross Greene’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model as an accredited therapist. CPS is an evidence-based, trauma-informed, neurodiversity affirming model of care that helps caregivers focus on identifying the problems that are causing concerning behaviours in children and solving those problems collaboratively and proactively.
Suzanne provides a range of cognitive (IQ), memory, behavioural and personality assessments and is able to provide development assessment for children in early childhood utilising the Griffiths 3 assessment.
Suzanne is dedicated to supporting others on their Psychology career journey and is a Psychology Board Approved Supervisor of psychologists in training at all levels, including for Clinical endorsement and higher degrees.
Lisa Bailey - Senior Consultant Psychologist
GradDip SocSc (Psych), BSocSc (Psych) (Hons), BEd (Mathematics)| Member APS
Lisa is a caring and compassionate registered Psychologist who is committed to helping children and adolescents realise their best lives. She is trained in the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and uses humanistic psychology methods based on a holistic approach that focuses on the whole person.
Read more about Lisa
Lisa is experienced in providing comprehensive psychological assessments and treatment across a broad range of areas.
Her areas of interest include psychometric testing, learning difficulties and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Outside of work Lisa loves gardening and playing with her pups Apollo and Maeve.
Our Client Support Team
Jaki
Client Support Officer
Jaki has been our casual client support officer for over five years. Jaki recognises that our clients are young humans who are mostly feeling vulnerable or anxious, as are their parents and carers.
Read more about Jaki
Jaki aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Jaki says that children and teens surprise and inspire her every day with their extraordinary resilience and endless curiosity. It is rewarding to see the kids grow, heal, learn and become happier versions of themselves by working together with our talented and nurturing psychologists.
Kylie
Client Support Officer
With over 15 years of medical administration experience across various private and public health teams, including in community mental health, we are excited to welcome Kylie as our newest member of the admin team.
Kylie enjoys seeing children grow with confidence and learn new skills so being part of a psychology dedicated team fits well with her life values. Kylie is a mum of 4 children and can relate well to children of all ages. Being part of a large extended family, Kylie spends most of her time when not working with her family enjoying the water, whichever way they can.
Mia
Offsite Admin
Mia has been with our team for five years and helps us keep our finger on the pulse with all things reporting and numbers. Mia also streamlines our NDIS processes and manages the backend of our financials. We’d be lost without her!
Giving Back – Charities
The Jacaranda Centre values giving back to the community and understands the importance of taking care of our planet, our environment, and our animal friends.
We believe that it’s important to instil values of respect and care for the environment in our children, and one way we do this is by supporting charities.
Every time you visit the Centre for an appointment, a portion of your fee is donated to one of our charity partners.
Our Logo
The Jacaranda Tree
Similar to the ‘tree of life’ concept; the logo is designed around a tree, which provides shelter from the elements, and nurturing.
The tree became a symbol for The Jacaranda Centre to represent the welcome we provide, and the shelter we offer children and families who need psychological support from the weathers of life, as well as the care we offer to promote their life journey.
Leaves as Concentric Circles
This symbol is grounded in Aboriginal heritage.
“The significance of the circle is evident for Aboriginal people in many ways. The circle is a sacred symbol of the interdependence of all forms of life; the circle is a key symbol in Native spirituality, family structure, gatherings of people, meetings, songs and dances (Pewewardy, 1995).”
We wanted to respect the local culture and Awabakal land on which The Jacaranda Centre is built, while also indicating that we are a gathering place and all are welcome.
Green & Purple
The colours relate to women and children and are particularly meaningful to us at The Jacaranda Centre in our work advocating for child safety in all that we do.
“Historically, purple was a colour that denoted justice and dignity, and now it is used to represent women. Green is a symbol of hope. Today, purple is the colour of International Women’s Day, and combined with green represents the feminist movement.”
The Jacaranda Centre
The name of the centre was to represent nature, shelter and welcome, and was inspired by the largest Jacaranda tree Emma had ever seen, located at the Old Maitland Hospital outside her office window.
‘It felt like a spiritual tree full of wisdom – in full flower, it was mesmerising” – Emma Langham, Director of The Jacaranda Centre
Enquiries and Referrals
51a Main Road, Boolaroo, NSW 2284
Email: admin@thejacarandacentre.com.au
Phone: (02) 4954 8822
Fax: (02) 8331 5789
- Mon 8.30-5pm
- Tue 8.30-6.00pm
- Wed (currently closed)
- Thurs 8.30-5pm
- Fri 9-5pm