About Kirrilie Smout

Kirrilie Smout completed her secondary education at Aberfoyle Park High School, in Adelaide, after receiving the School Prize for dux of her year. She then went on to study psychology at Flinders University of South Australia. In the course of completing her undergraduate and First Class honours degree, Kirrilie received the 1994 Australian Psychological Prize for her work in the area of children's self esteem and presented her research at a national psychology conference. As well as receiving other academic commendations through her degree, Kirrilie was also selected to receive an Australian Post-Graduate scholarship to undertake a Masters of Clinical Psychology degree.

Kirrilie now specialises in working with young people as well as those who care for them. She has been employed as a youth worker and consultant on youth issues for over a decade, holding places on several State-wide committees concerned with the welfare of young people. She is frequently consulted by print and national radio media to speak on youth issues, regularly writes articles for local and state wide newspapers and other publications, and was selected as an Australian Youth Ambassador at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Kirrilie currently works as a Registered Psychologist and is the director of Innovate Psychology and Education. She works with children, adolescents and young adults, helping them with problems of education and learning, career selection, study skills, family conflict, anxiety, depression, relationship issues and other life difficulties.

Kirrilie is also a Professional Speaker to youth and those working with youth, and speaks to over 2000 young people, parents, teachers and community members each year. She is regularly employed as a keynote speaker for schools, colleges, universities, community groups and conferences. She teaches teenagers and young adults about finding a life vision, creating community among each other, persistence, self-belief, study skills and overcoming obstacles.

Kirrilie also speaks to parents, teachers and youth leaders about youth issues in Australia; focussing on young people's needs and desires, and how to inspire and effectively lead young people. She has recently been awarded the Australian National Speakers Association "Rising Star" award for most promising new South Australian speaker. As a speaker Kirrilie has recently returned from a tour of the United States
(sponsored by the Australian Youth Foundation) in which she was selected to speak at a number of US high schools and also to research American suicide prevention and life skill programs for teenagers.

Kirrilie is married to Matthew, also a psychologist. She loves to read, play basketball and have quiet time with family. Finally, one of her guiding life principles is as follows:

Destiny: Not a matter of chance, a matter of choice.


KIRRILIE SMOUT

BA (Hons), M.Psych (Clin), MAPS

Member, Australian Psychological Society
Member, National Speakers Association

Registered Psychologist