Russina Harris

Russina is a passionate and enthusiastic therapist who looks for the strengths in everyone she works with. She has great observation, clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills and her approach enables her to get to the bottom of issues quickly. Russina strives to work closely with children, their families and teachers, to achieve their goals through fun and meaningful therapeutic activities. She graduated from the University of Queensland with honours.

Russina has experience working with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), mental health issues, challenging behaviours, social skill difficulties and academic challenges. She has been working at Kids Matters since 2018.

Russina has worked with children and their families in private practice as well as conducted individual and group-based sessions at schools. She has experience working with Speech Pathologists and liaising with teachers. Previous work as a Residential Youth Worker and Tutor has helped develop her understanding and manage behavioural and learning challenges. She has experience with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Challenging behaviours
• Social skills
• Motor coordination difficulties
• Sensory processing challenges
• Handwriting issues
• Learning challenges

• Sensory Processing in Everyday Life Seminar 2017
• Mastering Handwriting 2018
• Learning and Executive Function made Easier 2018
• Extensive clinical training, supervision and work shadowing at Kids Matters (2018)

Russina uses a strength-based approach to help children work through their challenges to feel confident and successful in everything they do. Russina also understands the importance of working with families to develop individualised therapy plans for each child. She believes that therapy should be both meaningful and enjoyable to ensure the best possible opportunity for growth.

Russina is enthusiastic about working with children of all ages who have behavioural challenges, learning difficulties, handwriting difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and developmental delays. Russina is fun and kids quickly warm to her. She pairs this with effective treatment strategies to get the best outcome for kids.

Russina has lived in SEQ for most of her life, she briefly lived in Tasmania but did not agree with the cold so quickly moved back. Russina loves the outdoors and spends the weekends with her family and pet dogs, one of which has been trained as a certified therapy dog.

Russina’s favourite things are dogs, crafts and having fun. She feels lucky to have a career which she can incorporate all three. Russina also loves to travel, her dream is to travel to all 7 continents.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts you or the therapist may find that you are not a good fit. If your therapist feels that he or she is not best suited to you, he/ she will discuss this with you and recommend a more appropriate therapist.

If you feel that your therapist is not a good fit within the first three sessions, simply discuss this with our admin team who will find a more suitable therapist.