Meet Dr Vanessa Petersen
I provide understanding that goes beyond diagnoses, revealing the complete, beautiful complexity of every child.
The difference experience makes
I'm Dr Vanessa Petersen, and I believe every child deserves to be fully understood.
My experience working alongside psychiatrists, paediatricians, occupational therapists and speech therapists in Monash Health's Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry Team has given me deep insight into complex cases where multiple conditions intersect.
The workshops I lead for healthcare and education teams focus on seeing beyond the surface to understand what children really need. This means your child's assessment won't just be thorough — it will reveal insights that lead to practical, meaningful support.
My approach
I threw out the rigid, clinical approach years ago. Your child won't feel like they're being tested or judged in the traditional sense. Instead, I create an environment where they can feel as comfortable as possible.
I meet your child where they are. If that means becoming a unicorn to explain tasks, taking movement breaks for star jumps, or adjusting my entire approach to match their comfort level, that's what I do.
Want to see what assessment actually looks like? I've created a child friendly guide called "My Brain Adventure" that you can explore together. It explains the whole process in a way that makes sense to kids. (The book works best when viewing on a computer).
In my free time
I love exploring local trails and beaches with my family and our black Lab, Luna. I'm a bit of a coffee nerd who gets way too excited about finding the perfect cup.
My kids keep me up to date on Pokemon (though I'm still learning!), and I'm always catching up on the latest science videos on YouTube. When I get some time to myself, you'll find me at the gym lifting heavy things!
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your child's needs and find the right path forward.