Providing evidence-based yet compassionate care
to children and young people

Our Team

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.

Kayla Rack

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.

Lisa Zappala

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 excellent clinical and sector knowledge, and enjoys working directly with children and their families to address psychological concerns and meet child and family goals.

Caroline Kornek

Registered Psychologist

Caroline Kornek is a registered psychologist who is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families. She is accredited with a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Class I Honours) from the University of Wollongong and has previously worked as a community support worker supporting adults and children with disabilities and mental health challenges.

Caroline is very interested in taking a holistic approach to mental health and well-being, with a special interest in incorporating art into therapy. Caroline finishes at Caterpillar Clinic in February 2025 due to her move back to NSW.

Rebecca Byrne

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 is 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.

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 is our admin superstar who is 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 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 is our ‘go to’ person at the front desk and over the phone who keeps the Clinic running in the best way possible!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Join our vibrant team at Caterpillar Clinic and make a difference in the lives of young people! We are looking for a passionate and dedicated psychologist—whether registered or provisional—who loves working with children, young people, and their families. If you’re someone who thrives in making a real impact, we want to hear from you! This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working with young people and is genuinely passionate about making a difference in their lives. You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your caseload based on your area of interest and expertise, and you’ll be part of a supportive, energetic team that shares your passion for helping others. Whether it’s guiding young people through difficult challenges or supporting families, your role will be impactful and fulfilling. Email director@caterpillarclinic.com.au to express your interest and take the next step to a fulfilling career!
Caterpillar Clinic