About Rebecca

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

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Rebecca has over 15 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.

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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. She understands the realities of parenting, from medical appointments and school meetings to diagnostic assessments, therapy and shopping-centre meltdowns, as well as the many joys of raising young children.

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Rebecca supports parents without prescribing how they should parent. Instead, her focus is on supporting parents to understand themselves, their children and their experiences, and to make parenting decisions that are informed, mindful, compassionate and aligned with their values.

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Rebecca works with parents experiencing perinatal anxiety and mood difficulties, sensory overwhelm, identity exploration, adjustment to parenthood, and the experience of parenting children with additional needs. She also supports parents with early childhood concerns including infant and child mental health, infant sleep, developmental differences, sensitivity and anxiety, attachment, neurodivergence, and transitions to care and school.

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Rebecca provides a safe, non-judgemental space to explore the ups and downs of parenthood. Her approach is collaborative, strengths-based and family-centred, recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Together, she helps parents find practical and sustainable ways forward that fit their child, family, values and circumstances.

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

 

• 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 Clients, Spilt Milk Psychology, 2021

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

• Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health, Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE), 2020

• 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

• Key Worker Online Course, Early Childhood Intervention Inclusion, 2016

• Creative Therapy Workshop, Sydney Centre of Creative Change, 2015

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Memberships and Affiliations

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• Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI)

• Member of the Centre of Perinatal Psychology

• Member of the League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC)

• Member of the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH) - NSW Branch

• Member of Childbirth and Parenting Educators of Australia (CAPEA)

• Registered Provider for The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)