Saturday Appointments Now Available with Caitlin Hill
(Clinical Psychologist)
Welcome to
Damien Tuffano Psychology
Sutherland Shire
Damien Tuffano Psychology (DTP) offers expertise in managing mental health challenges in children, adolescents and young adults in the Sutherland Shire and St George region. With over 15 years experience, DTP will ensure a genuine, tailored approach using evidence based assessment and treatment methods.
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Our Approach
Not all psychologists are cut from the same cloth.
Genuine
It's not simply a matter of going through the motions. We care and are committed to use all the evidence based tools at our disposal to improve your mental health.
Individualised
Mental health is complex. Solely treating symptoms will not lead to lasting change. Rather than a cookie-cutter approach, we tailor our treatment plans to each individual and their unique set of circumstances.
Unique
Although mental health issues can be sensitive in nature, the therapeutic process does not have to feel clinical or impersonal. We value genuine relationships and believe therapy can be both meaningfull and enjoyable.
About the Team
Damien Tuffano
Damien is the Principal Clinical Psychologist at Damien Tuffano Psychology and has been working with young people and their families for almost 20 years.
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Damien is known for his energetic, approachable and down to earth style. He values building strong therapeutic relationships where young people feel comfortable, understood and supported. His engaging approach helps clients feel at ease while ensuring treatment is grounded in the highest ethical standards and evidence-based practice.
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Outside of work, Damien is a keen sportsman with a particular love of basketball. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his three young children, whether at the beach, local sporting fields or exploring the national park.
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As both a psychologist and parent, Damien understands the pressures and demands of modern day life. He is passionate about helping children, adolescents, and their families build resilience, strengthen wellbeing and navigate life's chalenges with confidence.
Polly Havard
Available Mondays & Wednesdays
Polly is a registered psychologist with a keen interest in supporting young people towards achieving peak mental well-being. She believes good rapport is key to any successful therapeutic relationship and once established, relies on evidence-based treatments to address a range of presentations including anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotion regulation challenges, school refusal, and parenting support.
Polly is passionate about psychometric testing including cognitive (IQ), academic, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive/ Impulsive (ADHD) Disorder assessments. She works hard to guide families and young people through the process from beginning to end so that they have a clear direction about what to do with their assessment outcomes.
In Polly's spare time, you will catch her swimming off one of Cronulla’s beaches most weekends in summer, or in one of the local dog parks with my ball-obsessed Kelpie, Duke.
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Joe’s is a registered psycholgist whose practice is grounded in curiosity, warmth, and genuine respect for each young person’s unique story. He provides therapy for children and adolescents, working closely within the contexts of their family and schooling environments. He takes the time to understand each child as a whole – beyond behaviours or labels – supporting them to find their voice, develop autonomy, and build confidence in navigating life’s challenges.
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Joe is passionate about a range of presentations – including mood, anxiety, ADHD, and ASD clients. Through an evidence-based and holistic approach, he aims to help young people feel seen, understood, and empowered, while also fostering collaboration with the important adults in their lives.
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Outside the therapy room, Joe lives an active and adventurous lifestyle – competing in triathlons, enjoying surfing, climbing, and soccer – which helps him bring energy, resilience, and a love for growth into his work.
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Joseph Croguennec
Available Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Caitlin Hill
Available Saturdays
Caitlin is a clinical psychologist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She takes the time to understand each young person's unique experiences within the context of their family, school, and broader life. Caitlin values building strong therapeutic relationships where young people feel safe, heard, understood, and supported.
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Caitlin supports a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, social difficulties, school refusal, and emotional and behavioural challenges. She has a particular interest in supporting parents of young children and families adjusting to chronic health issues. Drawing on evidence-based approaches including CBT, ACT, and attachment-based therapies, Caitlin tailors therapy to each individual's strengths, needs, and goals.
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Outside the therapy room, Caitlin enjoys spending time in nature and has a particular interest in native plants and bees. Much of her free time is spent exploring the Sutherland Shire's bush tracks and parks, heading out on outdoor treasure hunts with her children, or searching for seashells along the shores of Kurnell.
Specialising in the Mental Health of Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
Anxiety, OCD & Depression
Our psychologists have experience using a variety of evidence based methods of assessing, diagnosing and treating mental health conditions that impact the functioning of children, adolescents and young adults.
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CBT and ACT are treatment modalities used by Damien to manage a variety of common mental health disorders.
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ASD
Incorporating modified CBT approaches, social skills training and functional behaviour analyses to better understand the factors maintaining problematic behaviour , Damien Tuffano Psychology is able to provide effective intervention in managing challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Behavioural Challenges
We are experienced in providing intervention for behavioural challenges. Behavioural difficulties are often multifaceted and tend to be the combination of a variety of factors which are thoroughly investigated as part of treatment.
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This allows us to identify the factors contributing to the challenges and provide intervention best suited to the difficulties which may incorporate individual sessions and/or parent sessions.
Parent Coaching
A critical component to effective behaviour management. Parent coaching consists of identifying challenges in current systems, improving consistency between parents, clarifying expectations within the family and implementing effective and sustainable reward systems, consequences and routines.
Life Stressors
In addition to diagnosing and treating common mental health disorders, we can also provide support for coping through other life stressors that occur in school environments such as HSC / exam stress and bullying.
Assessments
Damien Tuffano Psychology offers a variety of formal diagnostic assessments using gold standard psychometric assessment tools. This includes assessments that investigate Specific Learning Disorders (e.g., Dyslexia), Intellectual functioning (IQ) and ADHD.
Getting Started
To book your initial consultation contact us at info@dtpsych.com.au or use our Contact Us form. Alternatively, call 0468 770 542 to leave a message and your call will be returned.
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The first session will provide a thorough investigation regarding your presenting concern as well as a detailed history. This will provide sufficient information to identify goals which will guide what assessments and / or treatment will be required.
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Although a referral is not required for services to occur, it is strongly recommended as you may be eligible for a 'Mental Health Care Plan' which provides a Medicare rebate of $149.05 per session for a Clinical Psychologist and $101.55 per session for a Registered Psychologist for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. GPs, psychiatrists and paediatricians are able to provide 'Mental Health Care Plans'. Private health insurance may be used instead of a Medicare rebate depending on level of cover.
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Clinical Psychologist fees are $260 for a 50-minute session. Registered Psychologist fees are $230 for a 50-minute session.
Please ensure that all forms have been completed and submitted prior to your initial session.
Service Explanation
Provides important information regarding the service delivery at Damien Tuffano Psychology including fees, cancellation policy and payment information.
Consent Form
This form must be completed prior to services being provided. It provides consent for Damien Tuffano Psychology to engage in psychological services and clarifies what professionals Damien Tuffano Psychology has permission to liaise with.
Parent Intake Form
The parent/guardian intake form provides insights into the presenting issue as well as a brief history to assist with the initial session.
Teacher / Educator Form
The teacher / educator form provides insights into the child's functioning in the academic environment.
Pre-Assessment Form
Prior to formalised asssessments being administered, this form may be required in order to ensure a comprehensive history has been attanied.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the high demand for psychological services we require 48 hours notice for cancellations. This provides sufficient time for other families waiting for appointments to be contacted and offered the appointment. Cancellation fees are as follows:
24 - 48 hours notice - 50% of session fee
< 24 hours notice - 100% of session fee