Dr Katherine Schmidhofer MAPS

B.A. (Psych), Grad Dip Sci (Psych), PhD (Medicine)

Clinic Director

Psychologist

Dr Katherine Schmidhofer is a fully registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Dr Schmidhofer completed her psychology degrees and PhD at The University of Sydney.

Her PhD focused on empathy and behavioural and emotional problems in high-functioning children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

She has worked with children and families for over 15 years in both public and private sectors and has extensive clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of developmental disorders, anxiety and depression.

She has received specialised training in diagnostic assessment tools for developmental disorders, including the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Extended Revised.

Dr Schmidhofer is highly skilled in a variety of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.

She is also a Registered Circle of Security Parent Educator and thereby trained to teach the Circle of Security Parenting Program.

Dr Schmidhofer has been involved in several research projects including assessment and intervention of autism spectrum disorders and factors influencing children’s ability to report on past events.

Her research has been published in international journals and she has presented at national and international conferences.

She has experience in training professionals and parents, as well as consulting to schools and other organisations.

In addition to private practice, Katherine also works at Gidget House at the Mater Hospital treating mothers and fathers experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression.

Commencing her own motherhood journey reinforced her interest in perinatal work and strong desire to focus on helping others who may be struggling at this time.

She compassionately utilises a range of different psychological interventions including CBT, ACT, DBT, Mindfulness, and attachment and family systems frameworks in her therapeutic approach.