Katherine is a senior mental health occupational therapist and psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience working therapeutically with children, adolescents, parents, adults and families.
Her approach is deeply rooted in evidence-based practices, integrating psychodynamic, attachment, cognitive-behavioural, and neurobiological frameworks to address a wide range of mental health concerns across the lifespan.
About Katherine
Katherine brings a wealth of clinical experience to her practice, having worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, and families facing complex mental health challenges. Her diverse professional background spans psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and group therapy settings within the public mental health sector, where she developed specialised skills in mental health assessment, brief and long-term psychotherapy, clinical case management and crisis intervention.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from La Trobe University and a Master of Mental Health Science in Child Psychotherapy from Monash University. She is proficient in a wide range of evidence-based psychological treatments and is dedicated to continuous professional growth. Katherine addresses a broad spectrum of mental health and well-being concerns throughout the various stages of life, including childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the perinatal period.
Katherine’s approach to therapy is characterised by warmth and engagement, underscored by a commitment to collaboration, trust, safety, and transparency. She believes that effective treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of individuals and families, ensuring that therapeutic interventions are meaningful and applicable to everyday life.
Katherine is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), is a practicing member of the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and holds a current Working with Children’s Check.
Services
Assessment
Katherine prioritises gaining comprehensive understanding of the underlying biopsychosocial factors that influence and maintain clients' concerns. Typically, this assessment process takes approximately two sessions, during which clear feedback and recommendations are provided to clients and their families. The involvement of caregivers and families is strongly advised for children and adolescents seeking treatment.
Following the assessment and feedback, there will be an opportunity to collaboratively tailor treatment goals that are meaningful to both clients and their families.
Please note that transparency is prioritised and referrals to other specialists will be discussed if considered more appropriate.
Treatment
Katherine offers brief intervention and long-term therapy drawing upon psychodynamic, attachment, cognitive-behavioural, and interpersonal neurobiology theories to guide treatment.
Common Concerns and Conditions Treated:
- Depression and mood difficulties: including low mood, irritability
- Stress and burnout
- Anxiety: including generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, perfectionism, panic disorder/symptoms
- Emotion dysregulation: including difficulties with distress tolerance, understanding triggers, under and over responding to triggers
- Reliance on unhelpful coping mechanisms: including substance use, avoidance, gaming, gambling
- Difficulties with relationships such as within the family, parent-child relationship, co-parenting relationship, intimate partner relationship or friendships.
- Self-esteem and confidence
- School refusal
- Body image and eating disorders
- Adjustment difficulties and exposure to adverse life events such as loss of loved one, experience of bullying
- Post-natal depression and anxiety
- Caregiver burnout
- Parenting concerns
Common Treatment Modalities Offered:
- Play Therapy:
Play therapy for children is offered, with recognition to the importance of using play as a means of facilitating their self-expression and encouraging the development of social and emotional skills. It is recommended that primary caregivers are involved during this process, either during or in adjunct sessions. - Individual Talking-Based Therapy:
A range of reflective and skills-based talking psychotherapies are offered for adolescents and adults, including psychodynamic-informed psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, sensory modulation and distress tolerance work, and mindfulness and relaxation training. - Parent/Caregiver Consultation and Therapy:
Support for caregivers is offered, ranging from brief consultation around specific parenting concerns (such as navigating difficulties with behaviour/symptoms) or longer-term support to improve parental confidence, manage their own responses to child behaviours, and break unhelpful generational cycles. - Dyadic and Family Therapy:
Support for children, adolescents, and their family systems to strengthen communication, build shared understandings, and improve bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to from here?
Katherine can arrange a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns and suitability for referral.
Where and when?
Katherine currently consults in Hawthorn on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Can I use a Mental Health Care Plan?
Yes. Medicare rebates are available for up to 10 sessions per calendar year for eligible clients who have obtained a Mental Health Care plan from their GP. It is best to obtain a Mental Health Care Plan prior to your first appointment to ensure you receive this from the beginning as the rebate cannot be backdated. Most GPs require you to book a double appointment.
Contact
Katherine Miles
Ph: 0401 886 156
Email: info@kmilestherapy.com.au
704 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn East
Please note: Katherine does not have the capacity to provide crisis assessment or intervention. If you require immediate support, please contact 000, attend your local emergency department, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.