About Me
I’m Lisa Butcher, a Clinical Psychologist based in Grafton, NSW, with over 10 years’ experience supporting children, adolescents, and families across government, non-government (NGO), and private settings.
A significant part of my career has been spent working with adolescents in headspace and Youth Justice services, supporting young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs. This work has been incredibly meaningful — and it’s also what inspired my strong commitment to early intervention. Time and again, I’ve seen how different a young person’s pathway can be when their needs are understood and supported earlier in life. My goal is to help children and families access clarity, understanding, and the right supports as early as possible.
I hold a Bachelor of Psychology with First Class Honours and a Master of Clinical Psychology, both completed through the University of New England (UNE). My professional interests centre on working with children and young people with complex presentations, and supporting families to make sense of challenges that can feel overwhelming or confusing.
My primary focus is on the assessment and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions in children and adolescents aged 4–17 years. I have specialist knowledge in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and have completed further postgraduate training through the University of Western Australia (UWA), including a Graduate Diploma in the Assessment and Diagnosis of FASD.
I take a child-centred, neuro-affirming approach, aiming to understand the whole child — their strengths, challenges, and environment — not just a diagnosis. My hope is that families leave the assessment process feeling informed, supported, and confident about the next steps for their child.
If you’d like to learn more about my services or discuss whether an assessment might be helpful for your child, you’re very welcome to get in touch at:
About Patronus Psychology
Patronus Psychology was established in July 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, Lisa saw the need to adapt quickly to the changing world, which included a major shift towards telehealth services. Patronus Psychology was founded with the aim of providing accessible, flexible support to children and families during a time of uncertainty and isolation.
The name “Patronus” is inspired by Lisa’s lifelong love of Harry Potter. In the wizarding world, a Patronus is a magical guardian—a positive force that wards off negativity. This idea captures the heart of Lisa’s approach: empowering young people and families to find hope and resilience even in challenging times.
“Patronus” also comes from the Latin word for “patronage,” symbolising a supportive relationship built on trust and shared goals between psychologist and client.
The owl in our logo represents Lisa’s own Patronus and is a tribute to her late Nanny, who shared both a love of owls and the name Lisa. The owl stands for wisdom, guidance, and the enduring connections that shape who we are.
At Patronus Psychology, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care—whether in person or via telehealth—to help young people and their families thrive.