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Meet the Springfield team

The Early Start Australia Springfield team provide assessments, early intervention therapies and support to help you thrive.

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Carissa Bernal Carrillo

Practice Principal & Occupational Therapist

Carissa

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
  • Master of Neurological Occupational Therapy

Carissa enjoys working with children of all ages and their families to identify their goals and assist their child with reaching their full potential in a fun and supported environment.

Carissa graduated from James Cook University in 2007 and has experience working in private and public hospitals and in private practice roles.

Carissa has experience working in developmental, neurological and physical impairment, including working with children with cerebral palsy in the CP health role.

Carissa was also part of the ADOS team for early identification and assessment of children with suspected autism spectrum disorders in her role in the Child Developmental Service in Townsville.

Carissa has also completed parent and staff coaching through local kindergartens and completes group-based therapy at our Springfield clinic.

Registration

  • Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
  • Working with Children Check

Recent professional development

  • Feeding Therapy Australia Masterclass Series (2021)
  • DIR Floortime 101 and 201 (promoting basic functional emotional developmental capacities) (2022)
  • Interoception (2023)
  • ADOS (2024)

Areas of interest

  • Fine and gross motor development
  • Increasing play and social/ engagement skills
  • Increasing cognitive skills including executive function, attention, regulation, planning and problem-solving skills
  • Increasing developmental skills and building independence in daily tasks

Paris Benoit

Team Leader & Senior Speech Pathologist

Paris

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Paris Benoit graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2012.

Since graduating from university, Paris has worked solely in private practice, supporting children and their families to achieve their goals in a fun and supported environment.

Paris has experience providing therapy supports to children in many different settings, including in clinics, schools, kindergartens, day cares, and homes.

Paris has experience working with children of all ages with autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, global developmental delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and speech, language, and literacy delays.

She has completed specialist training in PROMPT, Sounds-Write, It Takes Two to Talk (Hanen Program), and orofacial myology.

When Paris is not working, she is chasing after her two young boys and enjoys getting out and enjoying the sunny Queensland weather.

Tina Bettinzoli

Senior Psychologist

tina bettinzoli

Qualifications

  • B Psych (Hons)

I am a registered psychologist and have over 17 years of experience working across community mental health care and private practice.

Although I have worked across the lifespan I have spent the majority of my time working with children, adolescents and their families, including perinatal, postnatal and infant mental health.

My treatment approach draws from a range of therapeutic approaches primarily acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and developmental and attachment theory.

I am a registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, and use the Circle of Security model to help parents build secure attachments with their children by being ‘bigger, stronger, wiser and kind’ figures in their children’s lives.

I am also trained in Tuning into kids.

This program focuses on the emotional connect between parents and children while also teaching parents and carers skills in recognising, understanding and managing their own and their child emotions.

Registration

  • Member of Australian Association of Psychologists
  • Psychology Board Approved Supervisor

Tyrell Champion

Registered Psychologist

Tyrell

Qualifications

  • BPsySc (Hons)

Tyrell obtained his Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) from the University of Queensland in 2017, followed by three years as a provisional psychologist, and has now been fully registered as a psychologist since 2021.

Across this time, Tyrell has worked with a wide range of clients across the lifespan and in various settings.

Tyrell is passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ clients and working in a neurodiversity affirming way.

He has experience supporting clients who are autistic and ADHD, and with topics such as anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, relationships and communication difficulties.

Tyrell enjoys supporting young children and teens to build their skills, improve their wellbeing, and positively shape their own lives.

Tyrell aims to be client-led and always learning through his clients and ongoing development.

Tyrell is excited to shift his focus to learning in the area of paediatric psychology.

Registration

  • Registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists

Recent professional development

  • Initial specialist training in Perinatal Mental Health through COPE
  • Neurodiversity affirming practice

Areas of interest

  • LGBTQIA+ wellbeing
  • Anxiety
  • Social skills
  • Self-esteem and identity
Alicea

Alicea Nicholas

Provisional Psychologist

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of arts and psychology- Macquarie University
  • Graduate diploma of Psychology (Advanced)- Monash University
  • Master of Professional Psychology – Macquarie University

Alicea completed her masters degree in professional psychology at the end of 2022.

Following this, Alicea made the move from NSW to sunny QLD mid-2023 and started with ESA at the end of June 2023 to complete her internship as a provisional psychologist.

Alicea has always had a passion for helping people challenge their thoughts, face their fears and find their voice.

Taking a neuro-affirming approach to therapy, providing a safe space for children to discuss their feelings, thoughts, choices and life experiences.

Alicea has previous experience working across different settings, working within the home, schools, in the community, in hospitals and within a clinic setting.

Alicea has experience administering a range of psychological assessments.

Outside of work setting, Alicea spends as much time as possible in nature on the weekends, hiking, swimming, reading books and spending time with her loved ones.

Registration

  • Registered as a Provisional Psychologist with AHPRA
  • Member of the Australia Psychological Society (APS)
  • Working with Children Check

Recent professional development

  • Alicea has recently begun training to administer the ADOS-2 assessment

Areas of interest

  • Working with neurodivergent children, client centred and holistic approach involving schools, allied health and families
  • Parent-focused strategies

Maleesha Abeysinghe

Occupational Therapist

Maleesha

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours

Maleesha completed a bachelor’s honour degree of Occupational Therapy at The University of Queensland in 2022.

In her time in university, she has practical experience in a variety of settings including QLD health, community and paediatrics.

Maleesha is passionate in providing neuro-affirming practices for children and their families and working within the multidisciplinary team to provide quality care.

During Maleesha’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and doing arts and craft activities.

Registration

  • Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Working with Children Check

Recent professional development

  • DIR Floortime 101 (2023)
  • Responsive Feeding (2023)
  • Toileting (2023)
  • Interoception (2023)

Areas of interest

  • Neuro-affirming practice
  • Daily living skills and building independence
  • Fine motor skills
  • Play and social skills

Iris Liu

Occupational Therapist

Iris

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours IIA)

Iris is passionate in supporting children who are neurodiverse and/or facing mental health challenges to explore and further develop their skills in different areas of their lives, such as social skills, emotional regulation, self-care skills etc.

She is also passionate to help parents to be equipped to better support themselves and their children to go through the obstacles in their daily living.

With a trilingual background, Iris can provide OT services in Cantonese and Mandarin fluently and intermediate level of Japanese.

Her interests in games (especially Nintendo Switch games) and art and craft help build rapport with children and make the sessions become more fun and motivating for the children to participate in.

Registration

  • Registered as an Occupational Therapist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Medicare provider through Enhanced Primary Care
  • Working with Children Check

Recent professional development

  • Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) Introductory Workshop (2023)
  • Autism and Executive Functioning Skills (2023)
  • Anxiety and Autism (2023)
  • Overcoming School Refusal (2023)
  • Understanding Sensory Processing Differences for Individuals on Autism Spectrum (2023)
  • The Zones of Regulation Comprehensive Training (2022)
  • Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention Training (2022)
  • Play for Children with Complex Needs (2021)
  • Secret Agent Society Facilitator Training (2021)
  • Team Teach (Positive Behaviour Strategies) (2021)
  • Handwriting & CO-OP: Evidence to Practice (2021)

Areas of interest

  • Neuro-affirming practice for neurodiverse people (e.g., autism, ADHD etc.)
  • Supporting skill development (e.g., self-care, community access etc.) for people with mental health challenges
  • Social and play skill development
  • Emotional regulation support
  • Sensory processing
  • Fine motor skills (e.g., handwriting, drawing, cutting etc.)

Mina Bae

Speech Pathologist

Mina Bae

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
  • First AID and CPR

Mina joined Early Start Australia after completing her Bachelor of Speech Pathology with Honours at the University of Queensland in 2023.

Mina has completed her clinical education in a variety of settings, however, found her passion in the paediatric context.

Mina enjoys working closely with children and their families within a multidisciplinary team to deliver the best possible therapy and care.

Outside of work, Mina enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, trying out new activities, and going for walks outside in nature.

Registration

  • Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
  • Working with Children Check
  • National Police Check
  • Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) member

Areas of interest

  • Expressive language development
  • Sounds-Write literacy program
  • Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
  • Pre-literacy and literacy skills
  • Articulation and phonology

Kyra

Speech Pathologist

Kyra

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology (Honours)
  • First Aid certified
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

I completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at The University of Queensland in 2023, and I have experience working with children and their families in clinics, school and the home environment.

I have a special interest in working with and supporting neurodiverse children and their families.

As a neurodiverse person myself, I like to work flexibly with clients in their various environments: in-clinic, home, and school.

And I like to work closely with parents, to work towards the most meaningful and valuable goals for them.

I’m all about teamwork!

Registration

  • Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
  • Speech Pathology Australia membership
  • Working with Children Check
  • NDIS workers check

Recent professional development

  • Currently completing: Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) Training and Gestalt Language Processing for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (GLP for AAC)
  • Plans to complete: More Than Words (MTW), Sounds-Write Literacy Program and AEIOU Feeding course

Areas of interest

  • Neurodiverse affirming practice
  • Expressive language development
  • Key word sign
  • Multimodal communication
  • Functional communication

Louis Sungkana

Occupational Therapist

Louis

Qualifications

  • Bachelors of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland

Louis works with children off all abilities and ages.

He takes a holistic approach, focusing on the family’s unique needs and goals to develop a personalised therapy plan.

Whether the family is managing a chronic condition or simply looking to improve your daily routines, he is here to support the family on their journey towards independence and a fulfilling life.

In his spare time Louis enjoys all forms of gaming (PC, switch, PlayStation, mobile) and exploring the outdoors through 4WDing and camping.

Zoe

Zoe

Administration Officer

Zoe is an Administration Officer here at our Springfield clinic.

Her experience in administration varies across different industries and she has always enjoyed working with children and families.

Zoe loves being a familiar face at the front desk and interacting professionally and personally with new and existing clients.