Our Team
Geelong
The Social Learning Studio provides support for children, adolescents and adults.
We are a multidisciplinary allied health practice offering Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers, Speech Pathologists, Mental Health Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants.
Meet Clare Panetta
Educational & Developmental Psychologist
Senior Clinician
Clare Panetta, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, is passionate about supporting children and teens to overcome challenges and reach their potential. Clare has 16 years of experience supporting young people to improve their mental health and functioning and learn psychological skills for enhanced wellbeing. Clare combines experience with genuine warmth and positive energy to develop effective relationships with children and families. Clare has extensive experience working in school settings and with children with learning difficulties and differences. She also has a particular interest in performance psychology, which assists people to learn the mental skills to improve performance confidence and a background in sleep research and intervention
Clare undertakes comprehensive educational assessments for the purpose of determining the presence of learning difficulties and/or ADHD. Clare values working collaboratively with families, schools and other allied health professionals to achieve optimal outcomes. Clare uses an integrative, evidence-based approach, incorporating elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and solution-focused therapy as well as strengths-based and mindfulness approaches. In working with neurodivergent clients, Clare is influenced by neurodiversity affirming approaches. Clare has also recently trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. In addition, Clare provides telehealth therapy to children, teens and adults so they can enhance their mental health from rural areas and/or the comfort of their homes.
Clare is an AHPRA Board-approved supervisor and has experience supporting many psychologists at different stages in their careers. Clare has supervised Masters students as well as provisional psychologists undertaking intern programs (e.g., 5+1 model). Clare is also a registrar program principal supervisor, in Educational and Developmental psychology, and can supervise psychologists seeking endorsement in this area via the registration program, as well as any psychologist seeking further growth in her area of specialty.
Clare highly regards the supervision process and is passionate about supporting psychologists to achieve their professional goals. Whilst being supervised by Clare, you will feel safe to ask any questions, be provided a reflective space in which to formulate and explore, and be supported with your tricky client presentations. Clare currently supervises psychologists in addition to her client work via telehealth or face to face.
To enquire about Clare's availability, please email admingeelong@sociallearningstudio.com
Meet Rachel Hammond
Occupational Therapist
Senior Clinician
Rachel is an occupational therapist with over 10 years’ experience, who is registered with AHPRA, OT Australia and a registered “Better Access to Mental Health” Medicare provider.
Rachel has worked in a variety of contexts including school based settings, mental health inpatient and community and private practice settings. She has worked with neurotypical and neurodiverse clients across the lifespan, including clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and learning differences. Rachel has supported these clients by working together on social skills development, sensory processing challenges, routine and participation, emotional issues (anxiety, regulation, mood and anger, counselling support and executive functioning). Rachel has a strong interest in counselling and working with young people to meet their goals.
Rachel values working holistically with families, schools and other allied health professionals to support clients and their families to reach their full potential. Rachel uses an integrative, evidence-based approach incorporating play skills for her younger clients, and a narrative strengths based approach when working with adolescents and young adults.
She is passionate about supporting clients to increase participation to the best of their ability in meaningful everyday occupations. Rachel has a dynamic, clinical approach informed by the assessment process to focus on supporting an individual’s social, emotional, sensory, mental health, cognitive and developmental goals.
Meet Victoria Columbine
Senior Speech Pathologist
Victoria is a Speech Pathologist who completed her Masters in Speech Pathology in 2016. Victoria currently works with school aged children, teens and young adults.
Victoria found the passion for working in early intervention after training as an Early Start Denver Model therapist after finishing her studies. Through the years Victoria has noticed a gap in therapy for those older children and adolescents trying to find their “tribes” in the world.
Victoria has great knowledge working with neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals and their families focussing on speech sound development, expressive and receptive communication, social communication and alternative forms of communication.
Victoria loves working closely with families to ensure goals fit within their daily routines and that goals are meaningful for all. Victoria enjoys incorporating goals into fun and creative activities.
In her spare time you will find Victoria creating something with her hands such as sewing, crochet, quilting or cross stitch or out in the garden with her nutty Labrador, chickens and duck.
Meet Olivia Hart
Occupational Therapist
Olivia is an Occupational Therapist who completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2023 at Deakin University.
Throughout various placement experiences, it further instilled Olivia’s passion for working collaboratively alongside young people and adolescence, to optimise their participation in occupations meaningful to them.
Olivia is committed to supporting individuals to reach their full potential in all areas of life, through enhancing their functional independence, interpersonal capacity, executive functioning and overall motor skills using a strengths-based and interest-orientated approach.
To relax and unwind, Olivia can be found curled up reading a book, doing a pilates class or taking a long beach walk.
Meet Rebecca Evans
Psychologist
Rebecca Evans is a Psychologist who creates a nurturing and non-judgmental environment for her clients to focus on their well-being and address the challenges they face. With over two decades of professional experience in the corporate and not-for-profit world, Rebecca has transitioned from a successful career in Marketing and Communications to her true calling of directly supporting individuals on their unique life journeys.
Rebecca's tailored approach is characterised by empathy, respect, and collaboration, offering a safe haven where clients can explore their inner world, feel heard, and find understanding. Working across the lifespan to include adults, adolescents and children, Rebecca welcomes both neurodivergent and neurotypical clients. Her holistic approach, particularly when working with children, extends to close collaboration with families, schools, and other allied health professionals to help clients and their families achieve their fullest potential.
Rebecca's practice encompasses various areas of psychological well-being, including managing stress, anxiety, depression, postnatal depression, life transitions and career guidance. She also supports neurodiverse clients, such as those with Autism and ADHD. In her therapeutic work, Rebecca draws from an integrative and evidence-based approach, incorporating a range of modalities, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, as well as strength-based and mindfulness techniques.
Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys running, pilates, surfing and spending time with friends and family.
Meet Lauren Wood
Occupational Therapist
Lauren is an Occupational Therapist who completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2022 at Deakin University.
Lauren is passionate about developing and building capacity in everyday life tasks including emotional regulation, school-based skills, community participation and understanding sensory needs at home, in the community, at school and in the studio.
Lauren has gained valuable experiences in her studies, including school based therapies and social skills group programs. She has previously worked with participants across the age range.
Lauren lives on the Bellarine Peninsula and enjoys playing netball and is heavily involved with her local football and netball club. Lauren enjoys playing with her two dogs, running and going to the beach.
Meet Rhys Mawson
Psychologist
Rhys is a registered psychologist who recently completed his Master of Educational Psychology degree at the University of Melbourne. He is also a registered non-practising teacher in Victoria and has worked across government, Catholic, and independent schools. In addition, Rhys spent several years in youth development and loved the opportunity to see young people participating and making a positive impact in their community.
Rhys sees his role as helping young people answer questions like “Where am I now?”, “Where do I want to be?”, and “How do I get there?”. In educational settings, this involves helping young people understand how their amazing brain works and what supports they might need to reach their learning goals. At home and in the community, this involves helping young people understand and challenge their view of themselves and their place in the world.
Generally based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) theories, Rhys’ approach is specific to each client. However, he has three broad goals for his work across all clients: collaborative (supporting clients is a team effort that takes open communication when appropriate), focused (working with clear and measurable goals in mind), and adaptable (fitting evidenced-based approaches to the strengths and needs brought in by each client).
Rhys has availability from late January 2024. He is available for individual client work and can run sessions in the Studio, in schools or via telehealth. Rhys will be involved in the Studio’s group programs and will also have availability to complete educational & behavioural assessment.
Meet Vanessa
Client Relations & Accounts Manager
Vanessa is the first face you will see when you walk through the doors of the Social Learning Studio, Geelong. She is our number one for client relations, and will always welcome you with her smile and bubbly personality.
Vanessa has a background in studying Psychology, which provides her with underlying knowledge and passion about the work that we do. Vanessa's skill set comprises extraordinary organisation skills, where she manages the diaries of all of our clinicians, as well as ensuring your appointment suits your family and your life schedules. Vanessa is an expert in creating a positive experience for our clients and their families.
In her spare time, she enjoys doing pilates, travelling and hanging out with her fur-babies (kitties).
Meet Ethan Durante
Therapy Assistant
At the social learning studio, Ethan works under the direction of our clinicians to support and work with young people to enhance and practice the skills and strategies they are developing with their counsellor, speech pathologist or occupational therapist. Ethan is a very active person and loves the outdoors. Ethan loves recreational activities such as surfing, mountain biking and cooking. Ethan loves AFL, where he currently plays for the Leopold Lions.
Ethan has a true passion for psychology and mental health. Ethan is working towards a future career as a psychologist. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree at Deakin University.
Ethan is a warm and welcoming person with quality interpersonal skills and a positive
attitude. With Ethan’s attributes, he is genuine in his approach to helping people feel well supported and accepted. He enjoys working with diverse individuals to encourage and ensure they reach their full potential through increasing social skills, independence skills, sensory regulation, and community participation.
Meet Sophie Brumby
Therapy Assistant
Sophie is currently completing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Deakin University, aspiring to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist in the near future.
Through Diverse placement experiences, Sophie’s passion to work with children and adolescents expanded, aiming to maximise their engagement in everyday meaningful occupations.
Sophie is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children. With a dedicated spirit and genuine love for helping others, Sophie is committed to fostering the development of children through her occupational therapy skills.
In her free time, you will see Sophie by the beach, socializing with friends, or playing netball on the weekends.
Meet Bronte McConnachie
Therapy Assistant
Bronte is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Deakin University and is eager to graduate so that she can begin the career that she loves.
Bronte is committed to supporting young individuals in embracing their authentic selves and unlocking their unique strengths so that they can thrive in their occupational development. Through her years of experience as a support worker, Bronte has grown to love helping people engage in meaningful occupations and build their independence.
With a warm and bubbly nature and a passion for helping people, Bronte is dedicated to strengthening the occupational skills and strategies of young people so that they can reach their goals and live a fulfilled life.
In her spare time Bronte loves to be creative and will often be found drawing, painting, or crocheting while watching a good TV show.
Meet Danielle Spencer
Provisional Psychologist - On Placement
Dani is a provisional psychologist, currently in her final year of the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology degree at Monash University. Dani has always had passion for working with young people. She spent 20 wonderful years in the education sector as a teacher, special educator and leader in inclusive education.
An advocate of systems approaches, Dani believes young people thrive when schools, families, and children work together to identify and overcome barriers. Her areas of interest include learning difficulties, ADHD, Autism, and anxiety. In the learning space, she is passionate about supporting families and educators to understand psychoeducational assessments and successfully implement the interventions they recommend.
Dani uses an integrative, strength-based approach in her work drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialetical Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dani especially values working with clients in group settings.
In her spare time, Dani loves gardening, cooking, beach walks and travel.
Meet Samuel Christensen
Occupational Therapy Student - On Placement
Sam is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Deakin University and is currently completing a placement at the Allied Health Studio Collective.
He finds joy in working with kids and young people, collaborating with them to facilitate engagement in occupations and activities that are important to them.
Beyond the realm of OT, Sam enjoys being active and playing lots of sports, especially footy, representing St. Marys Football Club.
Sam aims to bring a warm and energetic personality, and work with and learn as much from the team!
Meet June Bug
The Personality Hire.
June was unfortunately bitten by a snake in February 2022. After a short stay in the animal hospital she required close monitoring for several days. This meant June was required her to attend the studio with her owner, Rachel. By the time her recovery week came to an end, June had melted many hearts. Since this time June was regularly requested to come back into the studio to visit clients, forming a few really special relationships.
June has done some basic therapy dog training, and is looking to further improve her skills in this area. Until then, please excuse the playful excitement she will deliver upon your arrival.
Not a fan of dogs? Not a problem! June has her own office space (crate) and bed where she can snooze the session away while you are in the studio, just let Vanessa know.
In her free time June enjoys chewing sqeuaky toys, belly rubs, running on the beach and long snoozes.
Meet Dr. Connie Buckingham
Practice Director & Clinical Trainer
Connie set up The Social Learning Studio to support children’s social and emotional development over 10 years and since then, had grow the team to bring on like minded, passionate clinicians.
Connie’s PhD research focused on theories the help us to understand social deficits, and how to teach social skills systematically. This includes simple social skills such as listening skills all the way through to higher-order social skills such as social problem solving and reasoning. Connie shares this clinical knowledge with all of the clinician’s at the Social Learning Studio with on-going in-house training. As such, all clinicians share this same specialised approach to teaching social skills.
