Ms Susan Leonard

Background and Experience

Susan is a registered psychologist and endorsed Clinical Neuropsychologist. Her qualifications included a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and a Master of Clinical Neuropsychology obtained from La Trobe University. She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. Previously, Susan worked as an education support staff member providing one-on-one support to students experiencing learning difficulties. Currently, Susan practices as a Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology Group where she works with children and adolescents experiencing difficulties with their cognitive/thinking skills, learning, social-emotional functioning, and behaviour. In addition to her current clinical role, Susan works as a research assistant at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute with the psycho-oncology team. ​

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Clinical Interests

Susan has a particular interest in the assessment of children and adolescents presenting with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Intellectual disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, motor disorders and learning difficulties. Susan’s work is mainly focused on children and adolescents; however, she also has experience providing assessment to young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. ​

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Research Interests

Susan’s Masters research focused on school staff's experiences with and preferences for paediatric neuropsychological assessment reports. Susan is interested in understanding the best way to communicate assessment results and recommendations to increase the likelihood of strategies being implemented in the classroom. Susan’s current research focuses on the cognitive development and quality of life of children and adolescents receiving treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  Susan is interested in understanding how chemotherapy affects thinking and behaviour skills in young people undergoing treatment, and how this relates to their symptom profile, family functioning and overall quality of life. 

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Practice Philosophies

Susan values working collaboratively with families, teachers and other health professionals as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to better understand the child’s pattern of strengths and difficulties. She aims to provide helpful and individualised recommendations that will support the child’s difficulties while maximising their strengths. She is committed to helping the families she works with understand how differences in brain development and common conditions of childhood and adolescence may impact cognitive/thinking skills, learning, social-emotional functioning, and behaviour. ​

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Extra About Me

On the weekends, Susan enjoys spending time with her twin sister! Together, they like going into the city and spending their days shopping away. You will also find Susan at the cinemas, watching the latest movies, or hosting board-game nights with her friends. ​

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Latest Publications

Langborne, S., O’Connell, E. L., Habib, G., Davis, A., & Wong, D. (2021). Does participation in structured group supervision impact experiences of transition to the workforce?: A survey of psychology registrars. Australian Psychologist, 1-11.

 

O’Connell, E. L., Langborne, S., Habib, G., Davis, A., & Wong, D. (2022). Early career psychologists “muddling through the same challenges”: how the experience of structured group supervision can support the transition to work. Clinical Psychologist, 27(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2022.2120385