Dr Philippa (Pip)
Pyman
Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar
BAPsych, PhD (Clinical Neuropsychology)
Background and Experience
Pip practices as a Psychologist at the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology Group. She has completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate training at Monash University and has recently completed the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology. Previously Pip has worked across a number of settings and populations including typically developing and neurodiverse children in school and home settings, with adults following a brain injury and with older adults living with dementia.
Clinical Interests
Pip’s clinical interests include working with children and their families to understand a child’s unique strengths and weaknesses and how to best support the development. She has a keen interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities, as well as psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders and how this presents in childhood.
Research Interests
Pip’s doctoral research focused on common alcohol consumption patterns during pregnancy and whether this was associated with changes in childhood neurodevelopment including exploration of motor, cognitive, psychological and neurological domains. Pip has also been involved in exploring the relationship between academics and brain white matter structure in children born very preterm to better understand the biological factors underpinning variability in performance during childhood. Alongside paediatric research, Pip is also working with adult populations to understand the factors that predict long term recovery following brain injury to inform tailored rehabilitation programs.
Practice Philosophies
Pip values a collaborative and neuroaffirming therapeutic approach, focused on bringing the child, their family, teachers, and supporters together to foster a shared understanding that emphasises the child’s strengths and embraces their individuality. She believes in encouraging children and those around them to understand and advocate for their needs by providing tailored strategies and resources for communicating about neurodiversity.
Extra About Me
In her free time, Pip enjoys experimenting in the kitchen – using a recipe is optional! This has led to some amazing creations and disgusting disaster. Beyond the kitchen, she also enjoys exploring new paths or the open road on a long run or drive with friends. Family time is also important to Pip who enjoys playing with a chaotic clan of nieces and nephews.
Latest Publications
Pyman, P., Collins, S. E., Muggli, E., Testa, R., & Anderson, P. J. (2021). Cognitive and Behavioural Attention in Children with Low-Moderate and Heavy Doses of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Neuropsychology review, 31(4), 610–627. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-021-09490-8
Ponsford JL, Spitz G, Pyman P, Carrier S, Hicks AJ, Nguyen JV, Sander AM, Sherer M. Multidimensional Classification and Prediction of Outcome Following Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2025 Jan 30. Doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001018. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39882986.
Collins, S. E., Spencer-Smith, M., Mürner-Lavanchy, I., Kelly, C. E., Pyman, P., Pascoe, L., Cheong, J., Doyle, L. W., Thompson, D. K., & Anderson, P. J. (2019). White matter microstructure correlates with mathematics but not word reading performance in 13-year-old children born very preterm and full-term. NeuroImage Clinical, 24, 101944–101944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101944
Collins SE, Burnett AC, Pyman P, Mainzer RM, Pascoe L, Haebich KM, Cheong JLY, Doyle LW, Thompson DK, Anderson PJ. Executive function is associated with the development of math performance in children born at <30 weeks’ gestation or <1250 g birthweight. Neuropsychology. 2024 Nov;38(8):714-726. Doi: 10.1037/neu0000970. PMID: 39480350.