About Guiding Pathways

A collaboration of the two directors, Carolyn Cole and Christian Parente, Guiding Pathways seeks to provide reassurance and confidence to families with children and teens who require a diagnosis and/or therapy and support.

Having worked in the health and disability sector both in the government and private sectors, Carolyn and Christian have developed a company which is clinician lead, focuses on working collaboratively with families, and sets individualised programs of support.

Our consulting rooms are easily accessible and conveniently located at Clarence Gardens. Our rooms provide a welcoming and nurturing environment for your child.

Our Rooms

Meet Our Team

Christian Parente

Co-Director / Senior Developmental Educator / Behaviour Support Practitioner (Advanced/Specialist)

Christian has a special interest and expertise in Positive Behaviour Support. Christian focuses on providing support by building lasting relationships with the child and family. Christian’s approach involves working directly with the child, family or other support networks such as educators and support workers.

Christian has experience and expertise in working with children and teens who are struggling with:

Emotional regulation
Self-injurious behaviours
Absconding
Worry and anxiety
School refusal
Assistance navigating and transitioning into education programs
Social skills to support make and maintain peer friendships
Community participation
Behaviour support training for parents, teachers, support workers
Developing Positive Behaviour Support Plans

Christian has a Disability and Developmental Education Honours Degree from Flinders University. Christian has previously worked interstate whereby he contributed to a significant quality improvement project in Tasmania and was also part of the teaching team at Flinders University.

Christian has experience working with young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability and developmental trauma. Christian is a NDIS registered Behaviour Support Practitioner assessed at the advanced/specialist level and is a member of the Developmental Educators Association Inc. (DEAI).

Carolyn Cole

Co-Director / Clinical Psychologist / Behaviour Support Practitioner (Advanced/Specialist)

Carolyn is passionate about working with families to understand their child/teen’s behaviour, identify and build on strengths, and tailoring interventions to suit each family’s unique circumstances. Carolyn has experience and expertise in working with children and teens who are struggling with:

Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or general learning delay
Anxiety
Managing stress associated with school and study, including organisational skills
Social problems
Depression, low self-esteem/ lack of confidence
Angry and frustrated (defiant) behaviours
Sleep difficulties

Carolyn has a Psychology Honours degree from Flinders University and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Australia. Carolyn has worked as a psychologist since 2000 in both the private sector and a range of government settings including disability and health. Carolyn has extensive experience in both diagnostic assessment and therapy with individuals with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. Carolyn is AHPRA registered, a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and supervises Psychologists working towards Clinical endorsement.

Marissa Menezes

Clinical Psychology Registrar

Marissa is passionate about providing child and family-centred service. She has experience in delivering cognitive, academic and socio-emotional and behavioural assessments to young children and adolescents with a range of difficulties and disorders including Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and learning difficulties.

She also has experience in engaging with the adults in a child’s life to understand each child’s unique needs and providing individualized recommendations to support the child.

She has knowledge of evidence-based frameworks such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment Theory.

Marissa holds a Master of Psychology (Clinical) at the University of Adelaide and has experience in the private sector and government settings including health and child protection. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Marissa is currently undertaking the process to become a Clinical Psychologist.

Kylie Broderick

Registered Psychologist

Kylie has a compassionate and caring approach to children and their families. Kylie has experience in providing psychoeducational assessments to a diverse range of students including students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and learning difficulties. She has worked closely with schools and families to support the student in educational and home settings. She has worked in schools in regional areas as well as locally.

She has knowledge of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Kylie holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours) at Flinders University. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Cara Davies

Senior Developmental Educator / Behaviour Support Practitioner (Proficient)

Cara specialises in working with children and families using a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach. Cara has experience and is passionate about supporting children and families in the following areas;

Emotional regulation
Managing violent or dangerous behaviour escalations
Absconding
Assistance navigating and transitioning into education programs
Making and maintaining peer friendships
Teaching daily living and life skills
Behaviour support and training with the child’s support networks
Developing Positive Behaviour Support Plans

Cara has a friendly and engaging therapy style focusing on developing positive relationships and working closely with the child and their family across settings (home, school and community).

Cara has a Disability and Developmental Education Degree at Flinders University and is a member of the Developmental Educators Australia Inc. (DEAI).

Cara is also a NDIS registered Behaviour Support Practitioner assessed at the proficient level.

Adele Demasi

Senior Developmental Educator / Behaviour Support Practitioner (Proficient)

Adele is passionate about supporting children and families using a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach. Adele has an interest in collaborating with families, children and other professionals to improve the following areas:

Emotional regulation
Navigating transitions at either school or post-school education programs
Making and maintaining positive peer friendships
Teaching daily living and life skills
Managing behavioural escalations with a calm nature
Supporting the child’s support network to implement behavioural strategies
Behaviour support training for parents, teachers, support workers
Developing Positive Behaviour Support Plans

Adele has an empathetic and calm therapy style focusing on improving relationships in different settings and contexts (home, school, services, community). Adele was able to implement and improve this style at Guiding Pathways where she completed her 280 hour Placement under supervision in 2018.

Adele has a Disability and Developmental Education (Honours) degree at Flinders University and has recently completed her thesis evaluating a Disability Employment Service that teaches young people skills, assisting them to transition into open employment. Adele is also a member of the Developmental Educators Australia Inc. (DEAI) and was the recipient of the Disability and Developmental Education Student of the Year Award at the DEAI awards ceremony.

Adele is also a NDIS registered Behaviour Support Practitioner assessed at the proficient level.

Sarah Dean

Developmental Educator / Behaviour Support Practitioner (Core)

Sarah is passionate about working with children and families to create opportunities for independence. Through an enthusiastic and friendly demeanour, Sarah has supported children and adolescents implementing therapy programs across home and school settings, including activities of daily living and social skills. Sarah has strong interests in emotional regulation, peer friendship development and Positive Behaviour Support.

Sarah completed a 150-hour Placement at Guiding Pathways in 2021 where she increased her knowledge of different therapy styles and gained experience supporting clients through a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach.

After completing her placement, Sarah continued with Guiding Pathways as an Allied Health Assistant working with our team of Developmental Educators, and has now completed her Disability and Developmental Education Degree at Flinders University. Sarah can assist clients through the development of Positive Behaviour Support Plans, including training in Behaviour Support for parents, teachers and support workers. Sarah is now a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner, assessed at the Core level, and is a member of the Developmental Educators Australia Inc. (DEAI).

Stephanie Reid

Developmental Educator / Behaviour Support Practitioner (Core)

Stephanie is passionate about building relationships with clients, and supporting young individuals and their families to achieve their goals. Stephanie shares knowledge in supporting children through her experiences as a support worker and University Placement.

Stephanie shares a strong interest in diversity and inclusion, building positive peer relationships, emotional regulation, and teaching and supporting individuals with everyday life skills.

Stephanie completed a 100 hour, and a 150 hour University Placement at Guiding Pathways where she further developed her skills and knowledge in Positive Behaviour Support, writing a Positive Behaviour Support Plan (PBSP) and teaching new skills in therapy. After completing both placements, Stephanie began working as an Allied Health Assistant, working alongside our team of Developmental Educators.

After now completing her Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education at Flinders University, Stephanie is continuing with the team at Guiding Pathways as a Developmental Educator. Stephanie can assist clients through the development of Positive Behaviour Support Plans, including training in Behaviour Support for parents, teachers and support workers. Stephanie is a NDIS registered Behaviour Support Practitioner assessed at the core level and is a member of the Developmental Educators Association Inc. (DEAI).

Charlotte Badge

Speech Pathologist

Charlotte recognises the fundamental role of communication in a child’s social and emotional wellbeing. She is dedicated to contributing to the wholistic understanding of each child so that they can reach their unique potential. Charlotte has gained significant experience in the provision of Speech Pathology services to children and teenagers including comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and intervention to children and their families. Her specialty areas include;

Early communication development
Play skills
Language disorders / delays
Speech difficulties
Stuttering
Fussy eating
Social Skills and Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders

Early communication development
Play skills
Language disorders / delays
Speech difficulties
Stuttering

Fussy eating
Social Skills and Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders

Charlotte graduated from the Masters of Speech Pathology Course at Flinders in 2007. Charlotte is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, an accredited Autism Diagnostician and has completed training in various therapeutic approaches such as Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, Marte Meo, The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR®/Floortime™) model, SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding, Lidcombe Program and Social Thinking.

Natalie Kohn

Reception & Administration

With more than 17 years’ experience in customer service and administration, Natalie brings a strong work ethic and exceptional organisational skills to Guiding Pathways.

Natalie has a passion for helping people and has experience supporting and volunteering with children and young people from diverse backgrounds. Natalie’s extensive business experience coupled with her friendly and caring personality means she puts your family first to ensure your experience at Guiding Pathways is positive.

Penny Lane

Reception & Administration

With a warm and welcoming nature, in person or via phone, you will be greeted professionally and compassionately by Penny.

Penny has over 20 years’ experience in customer service and most recently 4 years in medical reception and administration.

Coming from a customer service and medical administrative background Penny prides herself on her organisational skills and she builds rapport with ease. Penny will go above and beyond to ensure your family receive a positive experience at Guiding Pathways.

Holly Hicks

Reception & Administration

Holly will greet you with a warm welcome both in clinic and over the phone.

She has over 16 years’ experience in Reception and Administration with a background in Youth Health Administration and Medical Reception.

She has a passion for working with children, youth and their families. Holly’s goal is to help all clients have a positive experience at Guiding Pathways.