Dr Thilak is a dedicated and experienced Development Paediatrician and Adolescent Medicine Physician providing high-quality longitudinal care to individuals with diverse needs.

Professional Background:

Medical Journey: After completing her medical degree in India, Dr Thilak embarked on a journey that led her to Australia in 2006.

Training Excellence: Dr Thilak completed her basic paediatric training in Brisbane, and subspecialty training at Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead Hospital and at Community Child Health at Kogarah which is part of the Development Assessment Services at St. George Hospital in New South Wales.

Areas of Expertise:

Development Paediatrician:

Dr Thilak meets with children and young people and develops an understanding of the child’s strength and weakness and develops an understanding of the child’s predicament in the context of the child’s school, family, and community. Dr Thilak works with the family to develop a hypothesis to understand the child’s predicament. All interventions are planned with aim of improving the child’s function at school, home and in the community.
Dr Thilak guides young individuals who are neurodiverse as well as adolescents with intellectual and physical disabilities and complex medical conditions as they transition to the next phase of their adult life.

Adolescent Medicine Physician:

Dr Thilak has extensive experience working with young people facing chronic and complex medical conditions.

Dr Thilak works in areas including eating disorders, weight management, substance use, gender dysphoria, and adolescent gynaecology.

Patient-Centered Care:

Dr Thilak believes in establishing a collaborative partnership with families to help children and young adults reach their fullest potential.

About Dr. Thilak

As a mother herself, Dr. Thilak understands the joys and challenges of parenting. Her own journey with two premature children has shaped her approach to pediatric care, emphasizing empathy, patience, and a holistic understanding of child development. With kids now thriving in high school and university, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her practice.

A Family-Centered Approach

Dr. Thilak believes in partnering with parents and caregivers to provide the best possible care for each child. She understands the unique needs of families and strives to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

Outside the Office

When not in the office, Dr. Thilak enjoys quality time with her family. You might find her experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, exploring nature through hiking adventures, or enjoying a swim to unwind.

“I graduated with a Master of Psychology (Clinical) in 2009 and have been practicing on a full-time basis since. The majority of my career has been spent working with children, adolescents and families. I have experience with a wide range of presentations and provision of longitudinal care in collaboration with medical specialists and allied health teams. More recently I have been working with Australian Defence Force veterans and families.

I have been providing professional supervision since 2016. Over this period I have acted as both primary and secondary supervisor for numerous provisionally registered psychologists completing the 4+2 Supervised Practice Program. More recently I have been providing supervision to those completing the 5+1 Supervised Practice Program, post-graduate psychology students undertaking externship placements and those completing the Clinical Psychology Registrar Program.

I find it is rewarding to assist with the development of our next generation of psychologists. I will be offering my services as a supervisor to those completing training in the Gold Coast region and also can provide services remotely to those in regional areas who cannot easily access face to face supervision. Any enquiries about accessing supervision can be directed to the clinic and you will be put in contact with myself.”

“I am a General Psychologist commencing the Clinical Registrar program in January 2024. My work has included assessments and treatment of children and adolescents with a range of challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and behavioural and psychological conditions.

I enjoy working with children and their families from a strengths-based perspective. I have a passion for working with children with ASD and anxiety and emotional regulation concerns and incorporating the families into the treatment. I can provide a range of targeted assessments exploring executive functioning assessment, cognitive and learning difficulties assessment, ADHD assessments, and ASD assessments.

I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I take a holistic view of mental health and tailor the support to meet the needs of the children and family.”

Alexandra is a dedicated psychologist born and raised on the Gold Coast. She has completed her Masters in both Professional and Clinical Psychology and is passionate about working with individuals and families to see positive change.

Alexandra conducts thorough cognitive and academic assessments, providing valuable insights into cognitive and academic functioning as well as individual strengths and differences.

Alexandra also offers strengths-based assessments for autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, using affirming practices to do so.

Alexandra’s commitment to holistic care extends beyond individual assessment sessions to include working with families, and the broader community involved in her clients’ care.

At the heart of Alexandra’s work is a commitment to warmth, empathy, and building strong client relationships. She understands that each person’s journey is unique, and tailors her approach to meet the specific needs of each individual and family, to foster growth and resilience.

We are delighted to introduce Babitha, a highly passionate and dedicated General Paediatrician with a special focus on Developmental Paediatrics. With a deep commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care, Babitha believes in a holistic approach to paediatric medicine, aiming to enhance the quality of life for children and their families, both within the comfort of their homes and within the broader community.

Babitha’s impressive educational background includes earning her medical degree and Diploma in Child Health (MBBS and DCH) from Calicut University, India. She further honed her expertise by obtaining a Diploma in Child Health from South Australia and attaining FRACP (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians) in General Paediatrics from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

With a wealth of experience gained from working at Queensland Children’s Hospital, which serves as the tertiary children’s hospital for Queensland, Babitha is well equipped to provide evidence based care to children with a diverse range of complex health conditions. She has also completed Neonatology training at Mater Mother’s Hospital in South Brisbane, further enhancing her skills in caring for neonates and infants.

Babitha has worked in various healthcare settings, including rural hospitals like Rockhampton Base Hospital and metropolitan facilities like Logan Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, and Redcliffe Hospital as part of her training.

Outside of her medical profession, Babitha is a loving mother of two children and resides with her family in Brisbane. She values her free time, which she enjoys by exploring new destinations, experimenting with culinary delights in the kitchen, delving into the world of literature, and embracing the outdoors through biking.

In addition to her proficiency in English, Babitha is fluent in Malayalam, a language close to her heart and native to her hometown in Kerala, India. This linguistic skill enables her to connect with a diverse range of patients and families, fostering a deeper level of trust and understanding.

Babitha is committed to providing exceptional paediatric care with warmth, empathy, and a wealth of experience. Whether you are seeking support for general paediatric concerns or developmental milestones, Babitha aims to use her expertise to guide you and support you, on the journey to your child’s health and wellbeing.

I was a curious and bright child growing up, but I often felt lost in the vast and confusing world around me. Struggling with ADHD made it difficult for me to find my way and understand my place in the world. Today, as a dietitian, I act as a lighthouse for families who are also navigating similar journeys. I strive to help them find their way and show them the path to health and happiness.

During my childhood, I faced various challenges, which resulted in a lot of frustration, unanswered questions, and struggles. My parents, Elena and Ian, who were themselves struggling, tried their best to guide me and find answers to my problems. They put in a lot of effort, attended countless appointments, and endured many sleepless nights and tears to get me where I am today. As I grew older, I realised the pain they went through and made a promise to myself to become the answer to their silent pleas for guidance.

With every step forward on a bumpy path, I transformed my challenges into strengths. My journey with Neurodivergence morphed into a passionate mission: to help children like me and parents like mine run towards a future where they grow into their fullest potential.

I believe that every child’s journey is unique, much like a fingerprint. I go beyond just focusing on their diet and nutrition, by exploring their environment and surroundings, including their homes, schools, and playgrounds. My aim is not only to nourish their bodies but also to stimulate their minds and nurture their souls.

I take immense pride and joy in the positive impact I have on people’s lives. It brings me great satisfaction to see children who once had difficulty eating now exploring new foods with curiosity, or sensory-sensitive children finding joy in meals. Celebrating each small victory with families is what motivates me to continue my work. To ensure that I can assist each family effectively, I make it a point to meet them where they are so that I can walk alongside them every step of the way.

To those parents feeling adrift, let my story be your beacon of possibility and hope. If you are a parent that is struggling at mealtimes, that has lunchboxes coming home full day after day, reach out.  Let me meet you where you are and transform the overwhelming into manageable, and despair into hope. Together, we will navigate this journey, find strength in challenges and build a better future.

My Story;

My Story;
Hi, my name is Cathy, I am a caring and empathetic mother of four young adult children and a grandmother of an amazing vivacious 2 year old. I will be your first contact with CAYA-DS  and i am looking forward to assisting you any way I can with your child’s journey.  

I am  an Accredited Dietitian & Nutritionist based on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Gemma completed her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Griffith University.

I have practised as a dietitian for over five years and have a background working in weight management & bariatric surgery clinics. I work out of our Southport clinic on Wednesdays as part of our clinic as part of our paediatric weight management program. I am  passionate about working with children to help set them up for a healthy future. 

I have also completed extra training in the FODMAP diet for IBS through Monash University and Sports Dietetics through Sports Dietitians Australia. 

I accept both referrals from GPs and direct bookings from patients.

Her extensive teaching career spanned over two decades:

Commencing as a High School Drama and English teacher in the ‘90s, Tammy moved on to teach children with autism, following her nephew’s diagnosis. Tammy facilitated family intervention programmes, provided consultancy services and taught for Autism Queensland. Returning to Education Queensland, Tammy provided consultation for teachers in primary school settings as an Advisory Visiting Teacher in Autism. Tammy then worked as a Special Education Teacher with students with a myriad of learning difficulties and behavioural challenges in both Primary and Secondary Schools for Education Queensland. Tammy went on to head the Secondary Learning Support Centre at Coomera Anglican College on the Gold Coast. Passionate about supporting families, in 2016, Tammy established her own business and moved into Private Practice as part of the Autism Gold Coast Consortium.

 Diverse life experience:

Following university, Tammy travelled for 3 years and then entered a corporate life. From Sales Manager to Westpac Bank Manager to General Manager by age 27. Tammy left corporate life in 1997, qualified as a teacher, and taught for over 20 years. Always learning, Tammy became a Yoga Teacher (B.S.Y.A.) & Zen Thai Shiatsu Massage Therapist along the way and is currently completing her final year of a Master’s in Counselling.

Tammy’s diverse life experience informs her listening and ability to understand the viewpoints of others. An open mind is an open heart. Experience is the teacher.

Most importantly, she loves children, respects adolescents & young adults, trusts parents and is excited to be a part of a multi-disciplinary team!