meet the team

ABOUT US

The Social Space Psychology Clinic was created to fill the gap in evidence-based services for neurodiverse individuals with social vulnerabilities. Limited access to these supports can affect confidence, relationships, education, and wellbeing.

Our passionate team is dedicated to changing that. We provide a safe, supportive space for children, teens, and young adults to build social-emotional skills, strengthen their sense of self, and achieve their goals.

Through tailored individual support and group programs across the lifespan, we help reduce the risks of isolation, anxiety, and low self-esteem—empowering people to grow their confidence and thrive in every area of life.

CLINIC DIRECTOR & CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

KATERINA STRATILAS

CLINIC DIRECTOR & CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Katerina Stratilas is a Clinical Psychologist specifically endorsed as a specialist in working with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders due to her specific clinical experience and training. Katerina has been involved in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of developmental, learning, and behavioural disorders in both clinical and educational settings.

She has also been actively involved in running group programs and workshops that have targeted individuals of all ages experiencing social and emotional difficulties.

Katerina is professionally recognised as a certified facilitator of the Secret Agent Society Small Group Program (SAS) and the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for adolescents and young adults.

Katerina has always had a particular interest and passion in working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum, and its co-morbid counterparts, such as ADHD and anxiety.

Her vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to have positive and enjoyable life experiences.

The Social Space prides itself on providing a safe and comfortable space that allows vulnerable individuals, who see and experience the world differently, to embrace their strengths and individuality, and then use these strengths to overcome social and emotional challenges. Our goal is to empower people to be more resilient, confident and regulated within themselves allowing them to engage more positively with people and the world around them and to pursue their life goals and dreams.

REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST

JULIETTE KRATOCHVIL

REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST

Juliette is a registered psychologist and a certified PEERS®, SAS and NeuroACT facilitator.

Juliette has experience providing intake assessments and delivering the PEERS® and SAS group programs and is trained in a range of therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and solution-focused treatment (SFT) to address the emotional, interpersonal and occupational needs of our wonderful clients. In addition, Juliette has experience in care and community service; providing complex mental health support as a 24/7 live in carer, and in a voluntary capacity within her university’s academic society. Juliette has additional experience in mental health and social support work for the disability sector, and has received formal accredited training in crisis intervention through her work with Lifeline.

Juliette understands that navigating the social scene can be fraught with many challenges, and sometimes we can all benefit from extra guidance. She prides herself on cultivating an environment that is warm, supportive and attentive to individual needs, while acknowledging the role of family systems and school for targeted outcomes. Juliette is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and mental health awareness, and feels privileged to help empower our youth and adults alike to renew their sense of self confidence, independence, resilience and optimism for the future.

PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

STEPHANIE KARAM

PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Stephanie is a graduate psychology student completing her first year of Masters following completion. of her psychology honours degree, maintaining a High Distinction average. Stephanie is a lead facilitator in the PEERS, NeuroACT and Minecraft programs, and is a co-facilitator for SAS. Stephanie is also an Evidence-Based program developer, spearheading the Minecraft program, as well as lego-based therapy, and transition to high school confidence and resilience workshops and more. Stephanie adapts her extensive knowledge of ASD and ADHD in youth to create impactful programs. Stephanie is also responsible for events management, including running bootcamps across the country, as well as social media and marketing aspects.

In her commitment to providing the best evidence-based treatment, Stephanie is trained in the Qualified Autism Services Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S) and holds a Level 5 accreditation for SCHADS, the Social, Community, Home Care, and Disability Services Industry, and has over four years experience working with children and young adults with intellectual and neurodevelopment disabilities.

Stephanie recognises the importance of neurodiversity and understands the unique challenges it can present. Working with a variety of ASD individuals, her workshops are thoughtfully designed to support this transformative journey, ensuring each individual feels valued, understood, and capable of achieving their personal goals. With a warm and understanding approach, she is dedicated to working closely with her clients to achieve the best possible outcomes, always keeping their best interests at heart. As a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and mental health awareness, she is deeply committed to empowering her clients by facilitating the process of rebuilding their self-confidence and independency.

PRACTICE MANAGER & ADMINISTRATION

SASKIA PARSLEY

PRACTICE MANAGER & ADMINISTRATION

Meet Saskia – Admin & Operations Coordinator at The Social Space

Saskia brings her strong background in Army HR and logistics to The Social Space, where she plays a vital role in ensuring our clinic runs smoothly and efficiently. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional organisational skills, she manages bookings, coordinates daily operations, and works closely with our team of psychologists to align therapy schedules and programs with client needs.

Her ability to streamline processes and manage time-critical tasks helps The Social Space deliver a consistently high standard of care and support. Saskia also plays a key part in planning and executing group programs and community-based activities—ensuring they’re scheduled at the most accessible and effective times for clients and practitioners alike.

By improving client communication, reducing wait times, and enhancing the overall service experience, Saskia contributes directly to the growth and success of The Social Space. Her work behind the scenes enables our psychologists to focus on what they do best—providing quality mental health support—while she ensures every client’s journey is smooth, positive, and well-managed.

GAMING CLUB MENTOR

DAYNA THOMPSON

GAMING CLUB MENTOR

An experienced producer of broadcast and digital content, with a special interest and knowledge of video games, television, arts and culture. Dayna has spent several years working at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) including as a production coordinator on Play School and ABC Arts programs, and 6 years as a producer on Good Game Spawn Point, a beloved long-running show all about video games for younger gamers aged 7-12. She is currently studying a Master of Digital Communication and Culture at the University of Sydney.

As a Mentor for The Social Space’s Gaming Club, Dayna encourages a shared interest in gaming as a gateway to social bonding and community building. Sessions typically involve casual discussion activities such as sharing game reviews and recommendations, gaming tips or highlights, as well as developing individual interests in games or technology-based creative projects and solo or multiplayer free play.

CERTIFIED SPEECH THERAPIST & PEERS CO-FACILITATOR

ALISSA GARGANO

CERTIFIED SPEECH THERAPIST & PEERS CO-FACILITATOR

Alissa is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with Advanced Practice in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since graduating from the University of Sydney, Alissa has worked in Singapore and Sydney, across a range of different settings including private practice, non-government agencies (NGO) and education settings. Alissa is very passionate about forming collaborative and supportive relationships with clients. She works with clients of all ages to help them reach their goals with communication, language and connection in relationships.

With a passion for lifelong learning, Alissa has continued to develop her knowledge of the brain and nervous system to better understand her clients and support them to achieve their goals. This has led Alissa to gain certification in Relation Development Intervention (RDI), a parent coaching program to help unlock dynamic thinking within the guiding relationship between parents and child. Alissa has also worked in teams to deliver the PEERS Program with older teens and young adults, supporting Social Coaches to develop and extend on social skills and peer relationship building.

Alissa believes that applying evidence based practice to fit in with the needs of her clients and their families is fundamental to helping them reach their goals. She works together to understand the uniqueness of each person she meets, and can make the therapeutic process as meaningful, supportive and beneficial as possible. Every client Alissa sees is capable of the growth and change they desire.

feedback and complaints

We value feedback about our services / team to ensure we provide quality services for our clients and families. Please use the ‘register’ tab for enquiries about our services.

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