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Caterpillar Clinic aims to provide the Cairns region with effective psychological assessments and interventions that results in positive life changes to children and their families.
Dr Rachel Pearce
Clinical Director, Psychologist &
Board Certified Behavior Analyst®
Dr Rachel Pearce is a registered psychologist, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst® and Clinic Director. She works with children/adolescents across many areas including anxiety, depression, neurodevelopmental delay, learning disorders, and trauma. She has a special interest in working with older children/adolescents and applying CBT, ACT, and/or DBT-informed interventions.
She is a registered supervisor for provisional psychologists undertaking the 4 + 2 or 5 + 1 registration pathways. Rachel completed her PhD studies on factors that influence anxiety for young autistic children.
Early Intervention Program Director, Psychologist & Board Certified Behaviour Analyst®
Kayla Rack is an Early Intervention Program Director, psychologist & Board Certified Behaviour Analyst®. She oversees all the behaviour therapists who implement programs for young autistic children, teaching valuable communication, play, and self-care skills.
Kayla also completes diagnostic assessments for autism, provides parent- only education and support sessions, and runs individual sessions for children requiring behavioural and/or mental health support.
Registered Psychologist
Lisa Zappala is a registered psychologist who has experience in assessment and support planning for children with disabilities. She can administer a range of assessments, including cognitive (intellectual impairment, cognitive profile, giftedness), adaptive functioning, autism and ADHD. Lisa has a special interest in supporting children with selective mutism.
Lisa has excellent clinical and sector knowledge, and enjoys working directly with children and their families to address psychological concerns and meet child and family goals.
Registered Psychologist
Rebecca started her time with Caterpillar Clinic as a Behaviour Therapist whilst she completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science at JCU. After graduating with honours in 2021, she commenced her provisional registration in 2022 and completed her training to become a fully registered psychologist in 2024.
Rebecca continues to work in the early intervention space overseeing program content and reviews. Rebecca can also administer cognitive and ADHD assessments and sees many Clinic-based clients to help support anxiety management, mood disorders, eating disorders, challenging behaviours, social abilities, and trauma recovery for both neurodivergent and neurotypical clients.
Pyper is a registered Provisional Psychologist holding a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology) and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). She is currently undertaking her Master of Psychology (Clinical) at ISN Psychology. Pyper has previously worked in ABA therapy and is recognised by the NDIS as a Proficient Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. Additionally, she has 7 years of experience working with clients diagnosed ASD Levels 1-3, ODD, PDA, OCD, ADHD, Pica, Anxiety, Depression, self-injurious behaviour, food aversions, Intellectual and Developmental delay, Sensory Processing Disorder, Language Delay and Speech Disorders. When not at work, Pyper enjoys going to the beach with her two dogs and collecting shells, and has an extensive indoor plant collection!
Sara is a registered Provisional Psychologist and who has completed her Master of Professional Psychology and is in her final year of training towards full registration. Sara also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). Through her academic training, she has gained experience in delivering therapeutic interventions and conducting psychological assessments in a supervised setting.
Sara has supported children and young people in both therapeutic and community settings, and brings a client-centred, strengths-focused and developmentally informed approach to her practice. Sara values client collaboration and draws from a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to tailor support to everyone’s needs and interests. Sara is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces where children and young people feel empowered to explore, grow, and work toward their goals. She has successfully worked with children (neurodivergent and neurotypical) and their families to help them re-engage with school, manage their anxiety, decrease anger and aggression, improve social skills and develop social and family relationships.
Iona Greenfield and Kealey Gibson are our early intervention behaviour therapists who work with Kayla and Rebecca to deliver the early intervention programs for young autistic children.
They attend schools, daycares, kindergartens and run Clinic-based sessions to teach children a range of developmental skills, including self-care, self-regulation, academic, social, play and language. These superstars are fun, playful, and dedicated in their work to support children learn and develop to reach their potential in their younger years.
Deb Meyer and Sofia Trinca are our admin superstars who are responsible for providing information on our services, referral pathways, completing intake forms, managing bookings, taking payments, and supporting our clinical team in a million different ways!
Deb and Sofia can help advise on what service might be most appropriate for you, what is the best referral pathway, and which clinician might be the best match for you and your family. Deb and Sofia are our ‘go to’ people at the front desk and over the phone who keep the Clinic running in the best way possible and offer a bright, smiling welcome when you arrive!
Caterpillar Clinic specialises in diagnostic assessments and clinical interventions for children and adolescents in Cairns.
We’ll get back to you within one business day.
Creating Change for Children
Private child and adolescent psychology practice in Cairns, supporting families through assessment and intervention.
ABN: 35 164 743 846
© 2026 Caterpillar Clinic
