Hi there!
Meet Vanessa
She/Her
Hello, I'm Vanessa.
I'm an AuDHD Educational and Developmental Psychologist with more than 10 years’ experience supporting Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD people, from childhood through to late adulthood.
The central focus of my career has been on supporting people with the internalised/high-camouflaging presentations of Autism and ADHD (often seen in but not exclusive to individuals who identify as women), which are often overlooked.
I'm especially passionate about working with Autistic and ADHD people from the following populations:
∞ Giftedness
∞ "Highly sensitive persons" (HSP)
∞ Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
∞ Living with chronic health conditions
∞ Allied health and medical professionals
∞ Animal lovers (this is always clinically relevant!)
I recently transitioned my practice fully to telehealth. When I provided in-person services, I was accompanied by my amazing therapy dogs, Mikro and Megiddo. I honour their years of dedication and service by keeping their faces on my website (and perhaps attract animal loving clients)!
My Experience
For several years, I worked at a Melbourne clinic with a special focus on supporting Autistic girls and women, where I provided assessment and therapy support. I've also worked in paediatric practice, a school setting, and early intervention supporting Autistic and ADHD children and adolescents, and assisted their families and schools to better understand and support their needs. Additionally, I've co-facilitated peer support and supervision groups for Autistic and ADHD mental health professionals across Australia.
My approach is grounded in many years of neurodiversity-affirming practice and a nuanced understanding of internalised Autistic and ADHD experiences. I continue to develop my knowledge through ongoing professional development and peer supervision with experienced, neuroaffirming colleagues across disciplines.
My Passions
Supporting Autistic and ADHD people must extend outside of the therapy context and involve dismantling barriers they face each day in the neurotypical world. As such, I'm passionate about advocating for the neurodivergent community towards greater acceptance and equity, and teaching others about the neuroaffirming perspective.
I'm also invested in animal welfare and learning about dog training methods where dogs' needs, welfare, and bodily autonomy are respected (just like with humans). Outside of work, you'll find me bushwalking with my three dogs, playing video games (Assassin's Creed and Skyrim are still my favourites), memorising dinosaur facts that I'll never use, and trying to keep houseplants alive.
My Qualifications & Memberships
∞ Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental), Monash University
∞ Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)
∞ Member of the League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC)
∞ Full Member of the Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA)
∞ Certified Advanced Multidog Handler (Lead the Way Institute)
Meet The Therapy Dogs
Mikro's
Qualifications
∞ Advanced Therapy Dog Certification (Lead the Way Institute)
∞ A generally good boy
Megiddo (or Megi) was an Irish Wolfhound with a heart as big as herself.
The epitome of calmness, she always had an old soul who moved at the unhurried pace of molasses and enjoyed staring into space. But when something captured her attention, her focus was unwavering. She taught us that just because you have the size/strength/power, it doesn't mean you have to use it. Megi retired in 2025 and spent her days going for gentle walks then lying on the couch in front of the TV. She crossed the rainbow bridge in 2026 after an illness. She was a wonderful therapy dog who is greatly missed every day.
Megi's
Qualifications
∞ Advanced Therapy Dog Certification (Lead the Way Institute)
∞ A very good girl
∞ Walks on rainbows