Dr Rachael Macdonald - Principal Psychologist and Clinical Neuroscientist

B.A. (Psych); M.Litt. (Clin.Psych); M.Psych.Ed; D.Psych.Ed., BCN
MAPS, FCEDP, MANSA, MISNR

Dr Rachael has worked as a Clinical, Educational and Developmental Neuropsychologist with infants, children, adolescents and adults across a variety of settings, including:

• Royal Children’s Hospital (Brisbane) – Dr Rachael worked at the RCH for 13 years, including 9 years as the Senior Clinical, Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Head of Department for the RCH Outpatients Department Psychology Service.

• Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (QPRS) – A service for children with acquired brain injuries.

• Adolescent Mental Health Unit, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital – a service for young people with acute mental health issues.

• Queensland Cerebral Palsy League – A service for people with cerebral palsy and other severe neurological disabilities.

• Numerous schools and pre-schools – Consultation and diagnostic assessment.

• Neurodevelopmental delays

• Autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopment disorders

• Hearing Impairment

• Paediatric cochlear implantation

• Phenylketoneuria (PKU)

• Galactosaemia

• Cleft Palate

• Acquired Brain Injury

• Paediatric cancer

• Genetic disorders

• School-readiness assessment in children with Neurodevelopmental disorders.

• Dynamic Assessment and Intervention methods for students with learning and developmental difficulties.

• Parent perceptions of paediatric cochlear implantation.

• Accelerated Learning methods for children with specific learning difficulties.

• Behavioural Family Intervention and the Triple P Positive Parenting Program.

• Pearson Clinical and Talent Assessment – Dr Rachael was a major contributing examiner for the Australian and New Zealand WISC-V and WIAT-III norming and standardisation project to develop new cognitive and educational assessments for use by psychologists. (Dr Rachael was also involved in the WISC-IV standardisation project whilst working at RCH).

• Dr Rachael is currently involved in the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - 4th Edition (BSID-4) norming and standardisation project. The BSID-4 is a comprehensive cognitive and developmental assessment for infants and toddlers. If you know of any young children who would like to be involved in this research project, please contact Dr Rachael at UNIQUE BRAINS.

• Private Practice

• Providing outreach to rural areas in Central and Western Victoria

Dr Rachael has completed extensive University training including:

• Clinical Neuroscience and Psychophysiology (BCN) (2018) - BCIA-A

• Doctor of Educational Psychology (2006) - University of Queensland

• Master of Educational Psychology (2001) - University of Queensland

• Master of Letters (Clin. Psych) (1994) - University of New England

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (1991) - University of Queensland

Dr Rachael has also completed post-Doctoral training and research in Applied Clinical Neuroscience, using QEEG and EEG-based neurodiagnostic assessment and intervention. She has completed the Internationally recognised BCIA-A Certification and is currently completing QEEGD qualification.

Other qualifications (trained by Professor Matt Sanders):

• Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) - Level 4 (Standard) and Level 5 (Enhanced) Treatment Programs.

• Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) for children with Developmental Disabilities.

Dr Rachael is a member of the following professional organisations:

• Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with Endorsement in Educational and Developmental Psychology

• Australian Psychological Society (APS)

• Fellow of APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists (FCEDP)

• Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia (ANSA)

• Biofeedback Certification International Alliance - Australasia (BCIA-A)

• International Society for Neurofeedback & Research (ISNR)

• EEG Education and Research (EEGer)