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CALL US: 0435 910 447

About Us

About Us

Director | Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist | Research Fellow

Dr Jennifer Papoutsis

Dr Jennifer Papoutsis is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist and the director at Minds That Matter Psychology. She has extensive experience working in general paediatric psychology and neuropsychology. Dr Papoutsis has worked across the private sector and within the public system, including at Monash Children’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital. She has held senior leadership roles, including as the Discipline Senior Psychologist at Monash Children’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, where she oversaw the clinical governance and professional development of psychologists. 

In addition to her clinical work, Dr Papoutsis is a Research Fellow at Monash Children’s Hospital and she holds an Adjunct lecturing position at Monash University.

Dr Papoutsis is passionate about supporting both neurotypical and neurodiverse children, along with their families, carers, and key support people such as teachers and schools. She takes a collaborative, strength-based approach, believing that meaningful outcomes come from working closely with the child’s broader support network. 

Her areas of expertise include: 

  • Mental health support for children and young people, focusing on anxiety, low mood, emotional regulation, and building emotional resilience.  and mental wellness. She also provides parent support to enhance outcomes for children.
  • Neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation, particularly in the context of neurodevelopmental condition such as ADHD, acquired brain injuries, cerebral palsy and FASD.
  • Comprehensive educational assessments to diagnose and guide treatment for learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dygraphia and dyscalculia. 

Dr Papoutsis is a published researcher with articles in peer reviewed journals and presentations at both national and international conferences. She is endorsed in Clinical Neuropsychology by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and is a registered supervisor.

Outside of her professional life, Dr Papoutsis is kept on her toes by two very energetic young children – and she never says no to packet of salt and vinegar chips!

Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr Rebecca Brown

Rebecca is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and holds a PhD from Monash University investigating outcomes of children born prematurely. As well as working at Minds That Matter Psychology, she also works at Monash Children’s Hospital servicing the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service and VicFAS, and previously worked in mental health and paediatric inpatient neuropsychology. 

Rebecca’s interests include: 

– Rebecca is dedicated to supporting children and young people through thorough neuropsychological and educational assessments, providing tailored recommendations for home, school, and community settings. Her goal is to empower children and families by ensuring everyone involved has the knowledge and tools to help the child reach their full potential. Specializing in ADHD, learning differences, acquired brain injury, neurodiversity, cerebral palsy, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Rebecca offers a holistic approach to assessment and intervention.

– with a passion for translating assessment into everyday solutions, Rebecca provides intervention and rehabilitation strategies to help children and young people reach their potential at home and school.

– comprehensive assessments for individuals suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With her background in neuropsychology and experience working with neurodivergent children and acquired injuries, she is well placed to assess children with complex presentations

Rebecca has published articles in peer reviewed journals and enjoys sharing research findings through presenting at conferences. Rebecca is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and Clinical College of Neuropsychologists. 

Outside of work, Rebecca loves playing sports, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with her dog. She also enjoys crafting, though most projects remain forever unfinished!

Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr Kavi Jayasinghe

Dr Indranath (“Kavi”) Jayasinghe is a warm and experienced Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist who is passionate about helping individuals and families better understand their cognitive, learning, and neurodevelopmental strengths and challenges. He completed his Doctor of Clinical Neuropsychology at La Trobe University in 2016, where his research explored emotional reactivity, cognition, and behaviour in children with and without autism. This work contributed to a novel approach for understanding the diversity of presentations seen across the autism spectrum.

Since then, Kavi has worked across a range of public and private health settings throughout Victoria, providing neuropsychological assessment and diagnostic clarification for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. He has particular expertise in complex diagnostic assessments, including neurodevelopmental conditions and cognitive disorders.

Alongside his work at Minds That Matters Psychology, Kavi is employed as a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist with Eastern Health, where he works within the Complex Diagnostic Eastern Cognitive Disorders Clinic and across adult inpatient services at Box Hill Hospital and Maroondah Hospital. Kavi is known for his thoughtful, collaborative approach and his ability to translate complex assessment findings into practical recommendations that support individuals, families, schools, and treating teams. He is a registered supervisor with AHPRA.

Outside of neuropsychology, Kavi enjoys spending time with his family and can often be found being subjected to his daughter’s latest young adult novel recommendations, music playlists, and Netflix selections—often against his will, but usually with surprising results. This ongoing exposure has helped him stay far more up to date with popular culture than he ever expected.

Clinical Neuropsychologist

Dr Sarah Carrier

Sarah is a Clinical Neuropsychologist with a PhD from Monash University. She works in both clinical practice and research, with a focus on supporting individuals living with acquired brain injury. Sarah is passionate about helping people understand and adjust to changes in their thinking, memory, and mood, and works collaboratively to develop practical, personalised strategies that promote recovery and wellbeing. She is committed to providing evidence‑based assessments, tailored feedback, and interventions that align with each person’s goals and values.

Sarah has experience in neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychological intervention across hospital and community settings, including at Alfred Health and Eastern Health. She also delivers neuropsychological intervention and memory rehabilitation programs for stroke survivors within the Young Stroke Service.

Alongside her clinical work, Sarah is a Research Fellow at La Trobe University. She has published her research in peer‑reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Sarah is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI).

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys running and hosting dinner parties for friends and family.

Psychology Registrar (Clinical Neuropsychology)

Dr Elana Forbes

Elana is a Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar who recently completed her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology at Monash University. Her doctoral research explored neurobiological features of Autism and ADHD in children. With over seven years of experience in child and family psychology research, Elana has worked at The University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre and continues her work with the Speech and Language Group at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Her doctoral training included clinical placements at Monash Medical Centre and the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

Elana is committed to providing collaborative, neuroaffirming, and individualised care that best supports children, their families, and their community. She is dedicated to equipping children and families with the understanding and support they need to help each child thrive. Her clinical interests span assessment and intervention across neurodevelopmental conditions and acquired brain injury in children.

Elana has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented her research at conferences nationally and internationally. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Originally from sunny Brisbane but now a proud coffee-loving Melburnian, Elana enjoys outdoor adventures, bringing her friends together, and challenging herself at her local Pilates studio.

Senior Psychologist

Caroline DeFina

Caroline is a Senior Psychologist at Minds That Matter Psychology with special interest in autism and neurodiversity, and over 20 years of experience supporting children and families across Australia and the UK. She holds a Masters in Psychology (Educational & Developmental) from Monash University and a Masters in Cross-Cultural Child Development from Brunel University London, bringing together strong clinical training with a deep understanding of how individual difference, experience and environment shape children’s development and wellbeing. Caroline has worked extensively across both school and clinic settings, supporting children and their families through a range of developmental, emotional, and behavioural needs.
Beyond her clinical work, Caroline has established and led state and national multi-disciplinary teams and previously developed a national diagnostic service. She is an experienced supervisor who has established national training programs for psychologists new to assessment and diagnosis, and as a Certified ESDM Trainer, she continues to train and supervise clinicians in this model.
 
Caroline’s areas of expertise include:
  • Early identification, support and parent coaching, empowering parents with practical strategies and knowledge to support their child’s development at home and in everyday life, including guidance in navigating the NDIS and school needs.
  • Working with kindergartens and schools, partnering with educators to support children’s learning, development, and inclusion in early education and school settings.
  • Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), as a Certified ESDM Trainer, Therapist and Parent Coach, supporting neurodivergent young children and their families through this evidence-based, play-based approach.
Caroline takes a fun, play-based, and collaborative approach, working closely with children, parents, to ensure support is tailored to each individual context. With extensive experience supporting families through the NDIS, she helps families access and make the most of the funding and services available to them. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and is a member of the Australian Association for Psychologists.
 
Outside of work, Caroline is mum to three gorgeous children and enjoys the practices of yoga, both on and off the mat.
Provisional Psychologist / Admin Support

Rachel Munyard

Rachel is a Provisional Psychologist and final year PhD candidate in Clinical Neuropsychology at Monash University. Her research is in cognitive rehabilitation following Acquired Brain Injury and she is passionate about growing her skills in paediatric rehabilitation and assessment, with particular interest in neurodevelopmental syndromes, brain injury and intervention. She supports the Minds That Matter Psychology team through administrative assistance and enjoys her role creating a positive and supportive intake experience for families.

Rachel’s doctoral training included clinical placements at the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at The Royal Children’s Hospital, and she subsequently work in cognitive assessment at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She is provisionally registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and serves as the Global Engagement Representative for the International Neuropsychological Society and as a committee member on the Australian Paediatric Neuropsychology Research Network Student and Early Career Research Committee. Outside of work and research (if there’s ever time!), Rachel can probably be found somewhere near the ocean or deep in a good book.