Meet the Listen And Learn Centre Team

Martha Mack - Psychologist - Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (La Trobe Uni), Grad.Dip.Counselling (RMIT Uni), MAPS, MANSA.

Martha is the founder and director of the Listen And Learn Centre and has been a practising psychologist since 1991. Since 2001, Martha has been dedicated to assessing, treating and assisting individuals with a variety of disorders and difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Learning Difficulties, Communication and Language Delay, Dyspraxia, and behavioural problems. She has undergone training in ABA and is the senior therapist and supervisor at the centre for behavioural management programs based on ABA principles.

Martha leads a group of therapists and assistants trained in Educational and Developmental Psychology, Teaching and Developmental Movement Therapy in order to provide a combined approach with individualised programs.

Martha is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society and Member of the Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia. In addition to her work with children, Martha has worked extensively in the area of counselling, treating individuals with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, panic disorder and pain.

Dr. Susanne Dopke - Speech Pathologist - PhD in Linguistics, MA in Speech Pathology

Dr. Susanne Dopke has 5 years experience in the ASD field and works with pre-school and primary school children with ASD, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS and language delays at the Listen And Learn Centre and at Sunshine Christian School. Susanne does assessments and implements individual speech and language therapy. She uses a range of alternative augmented communication systems such as objects, pictures, keyword signing and electronic systems as well as kinaesthetic techniques to assist with articulation. Susanne is also experienced in programs for parents to assist with their child's communication.

Dione Freedman - Educational & Developmental Psychologist - B.Psych Mgt Mkt, Post Grad. Dip (Psych),M.Psych., MAPS

Dione Freedman is a qualified Educational and Developmental Psychologist. She has experience working with children and their families to identify and address educational, behavioural, emotional and developmental problems. At the Listen And Learn Centre, Dione works with the children and their families from the initial assessment through to the implementation of intervention. She is responsible for conducting social-emotional,developmental, cognitive and educational assessments at the centre. Dione also engages in child (individual and group) counselling, in addition to conducting parenting and behaviour management courses. Dione has experience working with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-NOS.

Robert Postlethwaite - Clinical Psychologist - B. Behavioural Sciences, M Psych., MAPS

Robert Postlethwaite is a Clinical Psychologist with 27 years clinical experience working with adults and families. At the Listen And Learn Centre, Robert has focussed on assisting parents cope with the stresses associated with maintaining a healthy relationship in the context of children with difficulties and disabilities. Robert provides parent counselling and support.

Felicity Ebdon - B.App.Sc.(Psych), PGrad.Dip.Psych,
Candidate for Master of Educational Psychology University of Melbourne

Felicity has completed post graduate studies in psychology. Her research thesis investigated the role of neurobiological bases of behaviour on coping with life events. Felicity’s previous work experience has seen her work with a diverse group of children, including children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, ADD/ADHD and children at risk of harm.

Felicity is a certified Integrated Listening Systems Consultant (iLs) and has experience in providing listening programs that are specifically tailored to address individual needs. Felicity is also trained as a Fast ForWord, Neurofeedback, and Interactive Metronome Provider.

Anna Crowley – Provisional Psychologist – B.A. Hons, M.A., Grad. Dip. Gest. Th.

Anna Crowley – Provisional Psychologist – B.A. Hons, M.A., Grad. Dip. Gest. Th. At the Listen And Learn Centre, Anna is assisting the psychologists with assessments and implementing the various interventions and programs being provided to children within ASD, Asperger's Syndrome and PDD-NOS.

Dr Joseph V. Nastasi - General Practitioner - MBBS BSc Dip. Acu Post Grad Dip. App. Sci (Swinburne Uni) Member ACNEM AIMA IFM RSM (London)

Dr. Joseph Nastasi completed his MBBS at Melbourne University and prior to this completed a Bachelor of Science at the same establishment. He has spent the last 30 years in a family medical practice and over the last 10 years he has become increasingly involved in integrative medicine initially obtaining a Diploma of Acupuncture and a Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Environmental Medicine at the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine (GSIM) at Swinburne University in Melbourne. It is here that Dr. Nastasi became a senior lecturer for 2 years.

Over the years Dr. Nastasi has established ties with AIMA and ACNEM and IFM (USA) and has become extremely interested in Behavioural and Spectrum Disorders in children. He is a qualified DAN (Defeat Autism Now) practitioner and assesses and manages Autism Spectrum Disorders. He is also experienced in teasing out the causative aetiology behind the development of Neurocognitive and Behavioural Disorders like ADD and ADHD as well as a host of Developmental Delay Disorders in a Multidisciplinary Care Approach that minimizes overlap and maximizes outcome for parent and carer.

Rocco Di Vincenzo - Consultant Dietitian (APD) - BSc MND PGrad Dip App Sci (Swinburne Uni)
Member DAA CMA ACNEM AIMA AAOH IFM
PhD Candidate Swinburne University School of Life and Social Sciences (LSS), Hawthorn, Vic

Mr. Rocco Di Vincenzo is a Consultant Dietitian (Accredited Practising Dietitian - APD) and works privately in a variety of clinics around metropolitan Melbourne. Rocco has worked as a Community Senior Dietitian for over a decade and as the Swinburne University Hospital Chief Dietitian. Rocco has completed a Bachelor of Science (Monash University), a Masters in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (Deakin University), Postgraduate qualifications from the Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine and most recently a Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine at Swinburne University's Graduate School of Integrative Medicine (GSIM). Rocco is a certified practitioner of NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique).

Rocco has a particular interest in individually tailored, patient-centred nutrition intervention programs and the justifiable, evidence-based, strategic use of pharmaceutical grade natural nutritional supplements (as a treatment adjunct) in treating the cause of disease and alleviation of patient symptomatology. Rocco has a special interest in how food and nutrition (including nutritional supplementation) is crucial in the treatment of gastrointestinal and liver dysfunction and disorders; neurological/neuropsychiatric conditions such anxiety/depression, ADHD/Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, including learning and behavioural difficulties; autoimmune diseases (such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis) and people with syndrome x (including people with diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, obesity and the like).

Cheryl Song - Education Support/Psychologist Assistant - B.A. (Psychology and Management), Grad. Dip. Primary Teaching ( Monash)

Cheryl also provides educational support to clients, by designing and implementing individual literacy programs. This requires her to liaise with schools and teachers. Cheryl plans program schedules and coordinates therapy programs. She provides support for clients and parents, including formulation and preparation of appropriate activities to suit the individual client needs; and monitoring and recording program strategies and progress. Cheryl also provides educational support to clients, by designing and implementing individual literacy programs. This requires her to liaise with schools and teachers. Cheryl has completed training conducted by Monash University including: “Working with Primary School Aged Students with Autism” and “Educational Planning for Students with Special Needs”.

Alexie Mack - Psychology Assistant and ABA Therapist

Alexie plans program schedules and supervises Listening Programs, Developmental Movement activities, Interactive Metronome and Neurofeedback. Alexie provides support across all Centre activities.

Alexie enjoys working with all the children that visit the centre. Alexie is currently undertaking undergraduate studies at Swinburne University and plans to major in Psychology and Sociology.

Alexie has been trained as an ABA therapist and she assists the Centre's psychologists with interventions and implementation of programs.

Madonna Holmes - Bachelor of Education, Training in Developmental Movement Therapy

Madonna has been working with children from infants to upper primary aged children for 20 years working in both a therapeutic and educational settings including special schools.

Madonna has done specific training in Developmental Movement Therapy and Bothmer Gymnastics, and has been working with therapies to address primal reflexes, sensory integration, motor planning and coordination difficulties.

Madonna uses movement protocols that specifically address partially retained primitive reflexes, sensory integration issues and physical challenges using movement and exercises that are creative and fun, to extend the child’s gross and fine motor abilities and skills.

Marianne Judd - Psychologist - B.Sc (Psych), M.Ed. (Counselling), Grad.Dip.Ed., PhD candidate.

Marianne Judd has been working in the area of educational psychology in school environments for the last eight years where she has written, implemented and monitored Individual Education and Support Programs for children with special needs. For ten years prior to her registration as a psychologist in 1977, Marianne was a Pre-school Director working with children from 2.5 to 6 years of age and was responsible for programs to integrate children with special needs into mainstream education. At the LALC Marianne provides behaviour management programs based on ABA principles and conducts ASD assessments including ADOS and ADI-R.

Angela McGuire - Centre Coordinator

As the Coordinator of the Listen And Learn Centre, Angela provides a key interface between the team and inquirers and professionals seeking to find information about the centre’s programs and how these assist in alleviating difficulties and disorders.

Angela has managed a number of businesses and is the mother of two children. Angela has extensive knowledge about all the programs and interventions that the centre offers.