About Dr Carmela Pestell (nee Mazzella-Connor)
Professor Carmela Pestell is registered with the Psychologists Board of Australia as a Psychologist (Approved areas of practice: Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology) as well as being an Endorsed Supervisor for both Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist Registrars, 4 + 2 Interns and Higher Degree Programs. She is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and a Fellow of the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN). She was the Inaugural Chairperson of the APS CCN [WA Branch] (between 2007 to 2010) and continues to serve on the committee. She was a member of the National CCN Executive Committee and Professional Development Committee (2007-2010).
She has a Bachelor of Psychology (University of WA [UWA]); Master of Clinical Psychology (UWA); Doctor of Psychology (Murdoch University); and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology (UWA).
Dr Pestell has over 25 years experience conducting neuropsychological assessments of children, adults and older adults with known or suspected neurological and or psychiatric conditions within a medico-legal, forensic and/or clinical context. She has been in part-time private practice since 2003 and has a Working with Children Clearance. Dr Pestell has also contributed to the post-graduate clinical neuropsychology programme at the University of WA for many years, in the form of teaching, student selection and clinical supervision.
Dr Pestell was the Director of the state-wide Neurosciences Unit (North Metropolitan Area Health Service, Health Department of WA) between 1996 and March 2010. She completed a secondment at the Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service (CAHDS) as the Team Manager between March 2010 and July 2011. In August 2011 she returned to the Neurosciences Unit to work as a Clinical Neuropsychologist and coordinate the Paediatric Programme; and in January 2012 resumed her former position as the Director of all clinical and research programmes at Neurosciences (NMHS) (until December 2014). She has also worked as the Deputy Area Executive Director (in an acting capacity) for the North Metropolitan Mental Health Service in 2012, which included overseeing a range of statewide services including the Centre for Clinical Interventions, Mental Health Emergency Response Service (MHERL), Specialist Aboriginal Mental Health Service (SAMHS) and the Clinical Research Centre.
Since February 2013 Dr Pestell has been working as an Associate Professor at the School of Psychology (UWA). This tenured appointment includes coordinating clinical services at the Robin Winkler Clinic as well as a neuropsychology clinic for children and adults and all therapy programmes. She is also actively involved in clinical post-graduate supervision, teaching and research (currently co-supervising 15 PhD students & 4 Honours students).
Associate Professor Pestell is also an Honorary Research Associate with the Telethon Kids Institute (see http://alcoholpregnancy.telethonkids.org.au/ for more information). Dr Pestell is a member of the Australian National FASD Network, and contributed to the new Australian FASD Diagnostic Guidelines (see: http://alcoholpregnancy.telethonkids.org.au/resources/fasd-diagnostic-guidelines/) She has also been chosen to be an Ambassador for NOFASD Australia - the national organisation for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (see: http://www.nofasd.org.au/about-us/nofasd-australia-ambassadors). In the past, Dr Pestell has worked as a consultant neuropsychologist for PATCHES Paediatrics, providing assessment services at child development clinics in rural and remote areas of WA and NT. Additionally, Professor Pestell has an adjunct appointment as an Associate Professor with Curtin University, as she is involved in an adult concussion research collaboration.
Previously, Dr Pestell worked at the Neurosciences Unit as a Clinical Psychologist between 1992 to 1996 and at the Selby Child and Adolescent Service (CAMHS) between 1996 and 1997. She has also worked as a Consultant Psychologist for the Disability Services Commission (conducting Eligibility Assessments), as well as Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Her role has also included providing a consultant neuropsychology service to the Frankland Centre (maximum secured psychiatric hospital for state-wide adult mental health forensic patients), based at Graylands Hospital.
Dr Pestell has given 250+ presentations and lectures to a range of audiences including psychologists, psychiatrists and paediatricians. Dr Pestell has supervised over 90 post-graduate trainees and Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology Registrars over the years, and is regularly called upon to provide clinical supervision to more experienced colleagues with specialist registration in school psychology, clinical psychology or neuropsychology.
Please note that Dr Pestell conducts neuropsychological assessments only in her private practice, and no longer has the capacity to provide ongoing counselling or therapy in her private practice. A feedback session and/or school meeting is offered if the assessment is not for medico-legal or forensic purposes. You will usually receive a copy of the neuropsychological report, and can always contact Dr Pestell if you have any further questions.
If you are looking for a therapist or counsellor please contact PATCHES Paediatrics as they offer a range of therapy services under the NDIS scheme; or visit the "Find a Psychologist" link on the Australian Psychological Society website, at: http://www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist/Default.aspx?ID=1204