Dr Rabba is a Lecturer and Educational and Developmental Psychologist at Monash University, an Honorary Research Fellow at La Trobe University, and a Senior Psychologist/Coordinator at Monash Health. She is currently Associate Editor of the Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Secretary of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists (Vic) at the Australian Psychological Society.

As a scientist-practitioner, Dr Rabba is passionate about translating research into practice and believes strongly in bridging this gap. Dr Rabba is committed to supporting the next generation of clinicians and researchers in their learning by utilising developmental science across the lifespan.

Dr Rabba combines her academic interests and knowledge with continued clinical practice using education, collaboration and evidence-based interventions. With her roots set in educational and developmental psychology, Dr Rabba understands the intersectionality of conditions and implements a transdiagnostic approach in clinical research and practice.

Dr Rabba's research interests centre on neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan. Her key work explores the intersectionality of autism with mental illness; family and parent wellbeing; assessment and diagnosis of autism from early childhood to older adulthood. Understanding diagnostic overshadowing and autistic burnout is particularly important in this context, given the high co-occurrence of neurodevelopmental conditions with mental illness. From a therapeutic perspective, Dr Rabba's clinical experience has led her to further examine and understand the use of effective brief therapeutic modalities (i.e., single session therapy) and mindfulness based therapies (i.e., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) within a values driven and behavioural framework.  

From a positive psychology perspective, Dr Rabba's research is focused on understanding protective factors in neurodivergent people that lead to resilience and belonging and prevent mental ill-health.

On a broader scale, Dr Rabba is interested in neurodiversity affirming practices and supporting the mental wellbeing of neurodivergent people. She has expertise in co-designed research, qualitative methodology and mixed-methods approaches.

EDF5572 - Professional Experience: Working with Systems and Groups

EDF5570 - Advanced Clinical Interventions in Mental Health

EDF5732/33 - Clinical Placement in Psychology

EDF5724/25 - Research in Educational and Developmental Psychology

MED4100 - Specialty Clinical Practices