Meet Maddy Burns (Clinical Psychologist and Director)
Maddy is a dedicated Clinical Psychologist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (awarded with Excellence) from Griffith University, a Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from Flinders University, and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of South Australia. She is trained and certified in standard Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) as well as adaptations, including:
- PCIT-Toddler: Designed for children aged 12 months to 2 years.
- PCIT-Enhanced: Tailored for children exhibiting limited prosocial emotions, such as low empathy, remorselessness, insensitivity to punishment, and reduced motivation.
- PCIT for Older Children: Focused on supporting children aged 7 to 10 years.
Maddy has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through her work with Karitane, a leading NSW-based organisation focused on perinatal and child mental health. During her time at Karitane, Maddy ran the Kids Behaviour Clinic, where she provided tailored support to families managing challenging childhood behaviours, as well as attending high risk schools to implement a ‘PCIT for at risk youth’ program.
Her professional development has included collaboration with both Australian and international PCIT trainers, along with the privilege of receiving regular supervision and training from leaders in the field, including the developers of PCIT and its adaptations.
At Parent-Child Psychology, Maddy brings a warm and practical approach to helping families across Australia. She understands that parenting can be tough and believes early intervention and effective strategies can make a world of difference in strengthening relationships and promoting healthy development.
Maddy’s passion lies in equipping families with tools to navigate challenges and build stronger bonds. She combines evidence-based techniques, a compassionate ear, and a sprinkle of light-hearted humour to create a supportive and safe space for families. Her goal is not just to help families overcome difficulties but to empower them to thrive together.
With Maddy, families can expect a professional, approachable, and encouraging partner on their journey—because every family deserves to feel confident, connected, and supported.
“Being able to empower caregivers to utilise new skills in the moment to change behaviour, and build a warm and secure connection with their child is one of the greatest joys of my work”
Making parenting easier!
