Our Approach to THerapy and Assessments

In our clinical practice we are guided by neurodiversity affirmative principles based on our understanding of the Neurodiversity Paradigm and Neurodiversity Movement. The concept of neurodiversity honours and values individual differences in how our brains develop and work. Affirming and respecting these differences is central to our work as psychologists. By exploring, celebrating and channelling the inherent strengths of our neurodiverse clients, we move away from practices that seek to 'treat' neurodivergent differences. Instead we endeavor to listen to  and highlight the person's own goals and needs. In all our assessments and therapy supports we prioritise those goals and advocate for accommodations for unmet needs to meaningfully support the children, young people and adults we work with.  

Everyone has differences in how they think and processes their environment. Those differences can lead to unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. This is called “Neurodiversity.”  Neurodiversity is an essential form of human diversity. The idea that there is one “normal” or “healthy” type of brain or mind or one “right” style of neurocognitive functioning, is no more valid than the idea that there is one “normal” or “right” gender, race or culture.

Someone who experiences differences in their brain processing may consider themselves neurodivergent. A neurodivergent person can have many unique strengths and differences.  For some neurodivergent people, their differences are more noticeable to others, and to themselves. Others might not show all of the signs of neurodivergence that people are familiar with. Or, they may be so adept at hiding or masking their different thinking style, that they don’t even realise they are neurodivergent themselves. A psychological assessment with our experienced clinicians can help people  to learn more about about their neurodivergence.