Dr Brooke Van Zanden
Clinical Psychologist
MCP – Master of Clinical Psychology; PhD – Psychology

Brooke is a clinical psychologist who values a warm, conversational and collaborative approach to therapy. Brooke enjoys working with new parents and infants to help navigate the ups and downs involved in family life, and throughout the challenges of conception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Brooke thinks it’s important to acknowledge that the perinatal period can be a lot harder than what is typically recognised, and that there is value in holding space for both the delightful and difficult moments that occur throughout (and sometimes all at once!).

Brooke’s approach to therapy is informed by Attachment Theory, and she really enjoys helping people to understand themselves and their past and current relationships through this lens. Brooke also has a special interest and experience working in conjunction with other health professionals (e.g., GPs, gynaecologists, and pelvic floor physiotherapists) to support people experiencing painful intercourse (including vaginismus and vulvodynia), which can be a common, but underreported difficulty in the perinatal period.

Outside of clinical practice, Brooke is currently undertaking research exploring how breastfeeding parents navigate infant sleep. Brooke has completed introductory training in this area with the Possums Neurodevelopmental Care Model for infant sleep.

Having a baby is a family affair, and Brooke welcomes babies, partners, and support people to appointments.

Areas of Special Interest

• Pregnancy
• Antenatal depression and anxiety
• Postnatal depression and anxiety
• Parent-infant attachment
• Adjustment issues
• Infants
• Toddlers
• Parenting
• Fathers

Professional Memberships

• Member Australian Association of Infant Mental Health (AAIMHI)
• Member Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)

Fees & Rebates

Cost: $200 per 50-minute session *Medicare Rebate:   $136.35
Out-of-pocket: $63.65 per session

*Medicare rebates are available to those who have a referral and Mental Health Care Plan from their GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician.  This must be in place prior to the first claimable session.

Available: Mondays
Contact: 0483 924 055 (SMS only) or use the ‘contact’ button below to make an online enquiry direct to Brooke