Our Psychologists
Dr Catherine de Vaus - Clinical Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor
Catherine is a Clinical Psychologist whose passion for rock climbing and the outdoors led her to move from Melbourne to Natimuk in 2014. Catherine completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2006 at La Trobe University in Melbourne. She has 20 years experience working in both the public and private sector. She spent several years working at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and has previously worked for the Department of Education and Training. She offers a full range of learning and developmental assessments.
Catherine is a board approved supervisor able to supervise Provisional Psychologists, 5+1 interns and Clinical Psychology Registrars.
Catherine specialises in working with children and adolescents across a wide range of issues including general anxiety, OCD and phobias, depression, body image difficulties and social difficulties. She has a particular interest in assisting families with assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly in girls. She uses a range of evidence-based strategies in her work, drawing from cognitive behaviour therapy, child centred play therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness based techniques, tailoring the specific treatment approach to the child’s needs.
Catherine lives with her husband, her toddler and their elderly cat. She is an avid rock climber and mountain biker and generally enjoys being outside, cooking, and with her family.
Anne Penny - Registered Psychologist
Anne Penny is a registered Psychologist at Grampians Clinical and Child Psychology. She has been working in the field of psychology for over six years and joined the Grampians team in January 2024. Prior to this, she worked as a College Psychologist at Holy Trinity Lutheran College, Horsham, where she supported students and families within an educational setting.
With a strong background in working with children and families, Anne is particularly interested in supporting children who present with challenging behaviours, both at home and in school environments. She also has a keen interest in working with children who have neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and ADHD.
She is trained in several therapeutic approaches, including Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her clinical work typically focuses on individuals aged 4 to 21, though she also supports young adults based on their individual needs.
Originally from the United States, Anne earned her psychology degree 27 years ago before relocating to Australia. It was approximately 10 years ago that she made the decision to return to study and become fully registered as a psychologist. Her diverse career history includes roles as a special education teacher and family services worker—experiences that deeply inform her therapeutic approach today.
She feels privileged to work alongside young people and their families, supporting them to make meaningful and positive changes in their lives.
Outside of work, Anne lives with her husband and three children on their farm in Douglas, VIC. She enjoys spending time with her family and helping out with the sheep whenever she gets the chance.
Suzi Koene - Provisional Psychologist
Suzi Koene is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing her placement through the Master of Professional Psychology program at La Trobe University. Originally from sunny Ballarat, she is extending her time in Horsham to undertake her internship with Grampians Clinical & Child Psychology, commencing in July 2025.
Suzi works with clients in both individual and group settings, supporting therapeutic and assessment needs. Her involvement in group programs includes contributions to evidence-based interventions such as Secret Agent Society and Cool Kids.
Gaining provisional registration in November 2023, Suzi brings with her a wealth of experience from the education sector. She worked as a teacher's aide at the Ballarat Specialist School from 2010 to early 2018, then transitioned into administrative and therapy support roles within the same setting until 2022. This background, combined with her lived experience as a mother, enriches her empathetic and collaborative approach.
Her clinical interests are broad, with a strong focus on working with children and young people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, intellectual disability (ID), and cerebral palsy (CP). Currently, she primarily works with clients presenting with anxiety, ASD, and ADHD.
Suzi is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and is actively upskilling in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She has experience working with children across all ages and developmental stages.
Suzi's passion for psychology was first sparked during her teenage years by Patricia Cornwell novels, but it was a professional development seminar with child psychologist Andrew Fuller in 2016 that truly inspired her career change. His message—that psychologists don’t have to fit a particular mould—resonated deeply, and she began her psychology journey that same year. Now, with full registration just around the corner, she remains driven and grateful for the path she has taken.
She is guided by the words of Mads Mikkelsen: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others, that’s beyond us,” and, as a lifelong Star Wars fan, lives by Yoda’s wise words: “Do or do not; there is no try.”
Mya Jones - Provisional Psychologist
Mya is particularly passionate about early intervention and preventative psychological therapy for young people. Her work often draws on cognitive restructuring techniques to help clients better understand and manage their emotions and experiences. Her therapeutic approach is strengths-based and neuroaffirmative, and she enjoys using creative mediums—especially art—to connect with young clients in a way that feels accessible and engaging.
She is open to working with clients across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults. Her decision to pursue psychology came from a fascination with the brain and a desire to work in a profession dedicated to helping others. After initially studying archaeology—admittedly influenced by a few too many Indiana Jones films—Mya discovered a deeper calling in psychology, where she has also personally experienced the transformative impact of effective mental health support.
One of her favourite pieces of advice, passed down from her great-grandmother, is: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Kerrie Hamilton supports group programs at Grampians Clinical and Child Psychology, including Secret Agent Society, Cool Kids, and Brick Club. With 14 years’ experience as a secondary teacher, she brings a strong foundation in child development to her work as a group facilitator.
Kerrie has a keen interest in child and adolescent mental health, particularly in supporting social and emotional skill development. She enjoys the practical, skills-based approach of her role and is passionate about helping young people build confidence and connection.
Her longstanding interest in psychology—sparked through teaching VCE Psychology—evolved into a career shift, driven by a desire to better support students who struggled with mental health and had limited access to services.
We DO NOT complete assessments for legal or court matters or provide legal reports (e.g. for the family court) as this is a specialist area.