About Rebecca

Rebecca Cefai (she/her) is a registered psycholgist and the Director of Growing Gently Psychology.

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Rebecca has over 10 years of experience working with families in a range of clinical and non-clinical settings. Rebecca adopts a gentle, neurodiversity-affirming approach to perinatal mental health, parenting and child development which combines the latest scientific evidence in neurodevelopment and attachment theory, with responsive parenting, acceptance-commitment therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and mindfulness.

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​Rebecca offers a compassionate and honest perspective to neurodivergence and parenting, drawing from her lived experience as a neurodivergent mother of 3 young children. Rebecca has been on both sides of medical appointments, IEP meetings, diagnostic assessments, therapy and shopping centre meltdowns, offering valuable insights to parents, health professionals and educators.​​​

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After becoming a mother herself, Rebecca was confronted with the myriad of misinformation and conflicting advice surrounding  parenthood.​ Rebecca reflects...​

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"Even years of study and work as a psychologist could not shield me from the maze of information that surrounds parenting. So much of the science that was in the back of my mind, along with my own instincts, was shoved backwards by feelings of inadequacy as a newborn mother. I feel for parents. Regardless of our prior experiences, parenting is hard. The tonne of conflicting advice makes it hard to align what we do to what type of parent we want to be. "

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Rebecca established Growing Gently Psychology in an effort to support parents in a way which doesn't dictate how they should parent, but empowers them to make their own parenting decisions which are informed, mindful, compassionate, and value aligned.​​

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Through Growing Gently Psychology Rebecca also aims to educate other psychologists and professionals about the gentle, neuroaffirming approach to parenting and development.

 

• Rebecca is a Board-Approved Supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia.

• Rebecca facilitates the Neuroaffirming Families Professional Development Program for health professionals support neurodivergent families, as well as the Psych Parents Professional Development Program for health professionals who are in the early years of parenting.

• Rebecca regularly presents at conferences across Australia on topics such as infant mental health and supporting neurodivergent children and parents.

• Rebecca hosts workshops to groups of health professionals and educators on topics including neuroaffirming practice, self-care, childhood anxiety, and a relational approach to supporting child emotions and behaviours.

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Rebecca is very passionate about her ongoing learning and professional development. Rebecca has completed the below professional development courses, webinars and trainings. (Please note the list is not exhaustive):

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• Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Intensive Training, Perinatal Training Centre, 2025

• Differential Diagnosis: A Spotlight on Autism and ADHD, Amanda Moses Psychology, 2025

• Anxiety in Autistic Children: Causes, Consequences and Considerations, Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy, 2024

• ​Autism and ADHD in Girls and Women: Using Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Throughout the Lifespan, Monique Mitchelson, 2023

• Neuroaffirming Assessment Training, Left of Centre Therapies, 2023

• Compassion Focused Therapy for Perinatal Client, Spilt Milk Psychology, 2021

• Accreditation in Neuroprotective Developmental Care (Mental health Stream), Possums Education, 2021

• Foundation Coach Approach Training, Jacqui Snider, 2020

• A Foundation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Cultural Competence, Centre for Cultural Competence Australia, 2020

• ECIA Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention, ECIA Australia, 2019

• Preschool Yoga Training, Kids Yoga Education, 2019

• Cultural Competency Program, SBS, 2018

• SoSAFE Social Safety Program, SOSAFE, 2018