Dr Rosa Galante

My journey

My journey into psychology began long before I stepped into a university lecture theatre. As a child, I watched someone very close to me experience significant mental health challenges, and those experiences taught me just how important it is to feel understood, supported and never alone. They inspired a lifelong passion for helping children and families through life's challenges.

I always knew I wanted to work with children. I've always been fascinated by their curiosity, honesty, imagination and resilience. While I once thought I'd become a teacher, I soon realised psychology would allow me to combine my love of children with my desire to support their emotional wellbeing and help families thrive.

Experience & qualifications

After completing my Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology in 2012, I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents and families across many settings — including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Continuing Care Teams, Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams, community counselling services, university psychology clinics, private practices, and schools throughout Victoria.

Every child, family and colleague I have met has shaped the psychologist I am today and the values that sit at the heart of Happy Hearts: kindness, compassion, collaboration and genuine connection.

My philosophy

As both a psychologist and a mum, I know that every child is wonderfully unique. I am also a neurodivergent clinician and the proud mum of three amazing children, two of whom are neurodivergent. In our family, neurodiversity is embraced as a natural and valuable part of who we are.

I believe children deserve to be understood, supported and celebrated for exactly who they are — not changed into someone they're not. My goal is to help every child recognise their strengths, build confidence and feel proud of their unique identity.

When you walk into Happy Hearts, I want you to feel like you've entered a space that is warm, welcoming and safe. A place where children can laugh, play, learn and simply be themselves — and where parents feel listened to, supported and understood.