PATHS was established in 1997 on the Mornington Peninsula as a specialist paediatric psychology practice, offering a comprehensive range of psychological services including assessment, counselling/ therapeutic intervention and educational consultancy for children, adolescents and their families.
We use a collaborative approach in our work, ensuring that assessments are thorough and interventions appropriate, with follow-up involving school and other professionals when needed. The clinic also has professional associations with consultant paediatricians, paediatric speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who also provide assessment and therapy services.
Referrals to the clinic are made by general practitioners, paediatricians, psychiatrists, schools, preschool settings and parents.
The psychologists in our team at PATHS are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and with Medicare and have further post-graduate qualifications and training in education and developmental psychology.
All our psychologists are committed to working within ethical guidelines developed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and adopted by the PBA, as well as undertaking further training and participating in professional supervision and case discussion as part of our collaborative team.
All psychologists and staff have "Working with Children" registration with the State of Victoria.
Our team:
Ilona Bell
B.A., Grad.Dip.Ed.Psych., M.Psych. (Child & Educational), M.Ed. (Special Ed.), MAPS
Ilona is the Director of PATHS. She has been a registered psychologist for 26 years and has substantial experience in working with children and adolescents and their families in a variety of settings, including primary and secondary schools as well as an Early Childhood Intervention setting where she worked with young children with a range of developmental disabilities. Special interests include the early identification of learning difficulties and giftedness, developmental disorders including developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and working with parents and families.
Emily Settree
B.Hlth.Sc (Psych).,Post.Grad.Dip.Psych., Assoc.MAPS
Emily is a registered psychologist who has experience working within multidisciplinary teams to provide assessment and intervention for children and adolescents with developmental delay/intellectual disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Emily’s special interests include providing support to children and adolescents with anxiety, autism and learning difficulties. Emily also has a keen interest in providing behaviour and sexuality support to parents, teachers and support workers of individuals with an intellectual disability.
Dr Emily Berger
B.A., Post.Grad.Dip.Psych., M. Psych. (Educational & Developmental), PhD., MAPS
Emily is a registered psychologist who has worked with children and their parents in schools and clinics providing counselling and therapeutic intervention services, and assisting parents and teachers to better understand and manage challenging behaviour in children and adolescents. Emily has special interest and experience in working with children and adolescents with school refusal, autism, anxiety, depression, self-injury, and other social and emotional concerns.
Sarah Lee & Amanda Smith
Our receptionists Sarah & Amanda are available to answer queries, take new referrals and to make and change appointments for all our psychologists. Amanda works 10am to 2 pm Mon-Wed and Sarah works 10am to 2pm Wed-Fri. If possible, it is best to call between these hours; otherwise you can leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as practicable. Contact by email is also welcomed at paths@iinet.net.au