Association of Child and Family Development
Who's Who on the
Executive Management Committee
Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven
President
Ruth is a child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist and Director of the Centre for Child and Family Development in Melbourne. She was formerly inaugural Chief Psychotherapist at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Originally from the UK Ruth trained at the Tavistock Clinic in London and was a pioneer in the UK in the field of parent education. She runs training programmes throughout Australia and overseas through the Child and Family Wellness Consultancy and is the author of Growing Kids: Nurturing Relationships from Tots to Teens, Emotional Milestones, principal author of Rethinking ADHD, author of Core Principles of Assessment and Therapeutic Communication with Children, Parents and Families, Time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy with children and adolescents; as well as various papers and articles on child and family development.
Lydian Conway
Lydian has taught in a range of early childhood settings and in the TAFE sector in both New South Wales and Victoria for 40 years. Her latest position has been with Eco Explorers Playgroups which are facilitated outdoors in all weathers and aim to give parents a point of connection and an opportunity to introduce their children to learning in and from the natural world which has been popular in a Covid affected community.
Nicole Tonn
Secretary
Nicole is a psychologist who works with children, parents and families as part of a multi-disciplinary child development team in a community health service and in private practice.
Dr. Kirsten Meyer
Kirsten is a South African born, UK trained drama therapist. She has worked in clinical, educational and community settings, with a particular interest in children and young people, understanding their experiences within their psycho-social and political contexts. Currently she leads a team of creative arts therapists in a community-based organisation, working with children, young people and their carers who have experienced family violence.
Janice McDonald CPA
Accountant
Dr. Susan Emmett
Dr. Susan Emmett, Senior Lecturer and Program Coordinator in Early Childhood at Federation University Victoria. Susan has been involved in early childhood education and research for over 30 years.
Brydie Huggins
Brydie Huggins has worked as a school psychologist since graduating from Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology in 2007. She has worked across the developmental spectrum from kindergarten age to Year 12 and enjoys seeing students grow and develop throughout their years at school. Brydie enjoys working in a school system to support young people by utilising the different systems available such as teachers and parents. Brydie has enjoyed working at different school settings from the Department of Education and an Independent School in Melbourne to a rural Independent School, where she is currently working.
Georgia-May Parker
Georgia-May is a Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist with experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults. Georgia-May has been inspired to work in a counselling capacity since the beginning of her career, having worked in a high school setting, primary school settings and with children, parents and adults in private practice. In the context of working with young people, Georgia-May is very aware of the impact of early intervention and the value of a warm, understanding psychologist to a young person experiencing the natural vulnerability of growing up. She also understands the importance of supporting parents as they navigate the needs of both their child and themselves in their journey as a parent.
Amanda Stone
Amanda Stone has qualifications in education, training and child psychotherapy and spent more than 30 years working in education and student welfare in the state education system. She is currently an education and training consultant with a small multi-disciplinary practice.
Emil Neven
Head of Pastoral Care and Counselling Monash Medical Centre