Meet Kylie: Clinical Psychologist at Gidget House
Kylie is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience supporting adults and families. Today, she works at Gidget House and in the public sector, helping parents navigate the early days of raising a child — often during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.
Through two decades of clinical experience, Kylie has seen just how powerful early intervention can be.
“There is a joy in perinatal work unlike any other— supporting parents during one of the most significant and life-changing transitions in their life. Being there to help create a good start for them, and for their babies is incredibly rewarding.”
At Gidget House, Kylie sees parents in a chapter of life that is frequently misunderstood. While parenthood is widely portrayed as a joyful time, for many, the reality is far more complex.
“People come in feeling like they’re failing. They feel like they should be coping — and when they’re not, they feel shame or fear being judged. But the truth is, many new parents struggle.”
Accessing help isn’t always easy. For many, simply finding the time can feel overwhelming.
“Parents put themselves last 100 times a day,” Kylie says. “The idea of fitting in an appointment, for something emotional, when you can barely manage a meal or a shower — it feels impossible.”
Financial pressure can also be a barrier to care, especially for families adjusting to reduced income while on maternity or paternity leave.
“Many of the families we see are managing a drop in income, which is already hard enough with current costs of living.”
These are just a few of the reasons why Kylie values her role at Gidget House so deeply. As one of the few bulk-billed perinatal mental health services in Australia, Gidget Foundation Australia provides essential support to families who might otherwise go without.
When asked if one moment stands out in her work, Kylie doesn’t hesitate. “So many!” she says— but one in particular has stayed with her.
“A mum who’d had a traumatic birth and felt completely disconnected from her newborn, later told me that the intrusive images had finally faded. And then she said, ‘My heart is 1,000 times bigger because of the love I feel for my son now.”
It’s moments like these that affirm Kylie’s belief in the long-term value of early intervention— it’s not just for the parent, but for the baby and the whole family.
“This kind of early work is the ultimate in prevention. Supporting parents' wellbeing and confidence doesn't just help the individual; it also sets up a good start for babies.”
24 hours to double your impact
Clinical Psychologists like Kylie understand how essential perinatal mental health care is to the wellbeing of new parents and their families. On Gidget Giving Day, Thursday 26 June, every donation will be DOUBLED, helping give twice the care and twice the hope for struggling new parents.
