Want to access some of Emma’s favourite resources? You can access her virtual therapy room by clicking HERE.

Emma offers a safe space for her clients to feel heard, whether in-person or via telehealth. Her therapeutic approach is informed by an understanding of each client’s unique brain style, preferences, and needs. Emma supports her clients to improve their quality of life by exploring and honouring their values, co-designing strategies and workarounds, and working with those in their environment (e.g., parents, school, workplace, partner). Emma particularly likes to provide parenting support. She applies knowledge of the social model of disability and the principals of neurodevelopmental-, attachment-, and trauma-informed (NATI) positive behaviour support (PBS) to help parents and carers understand their child’s unique brain style and attune to their needs.

Emma has a special interest in neurodevelopmental differences such as Autism and ADHD, and she is an advocate of neuro-affirmative practice. She understands that differences in brain wiring are a normal part of human genetic variation. It is important to her that people are not forced to act in ways that work against their neurology. Emma acknowledges that the world is not intuitively set up for neurodivergent brains and that this can have significant negative impacts on mental health. She likes to help clients who are experiencing challenges commonly associated with Autism, ADHD, or social/communication differences. This includes anxiety, depression and mood difficulties, interpersonal and relationship difficulties, adjustment difficulties, stress, and burn out.

Emma is able to provide diagnostic assessments of neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, Specific Learning Disorders, FASD, etc.). She aims to prepare assessment reports that help clients to better understand their strengths and differences and that advocate for appropriate supports including school/work accommodations and funding (if applicable). Emma can also complete the functional assessments required to support applications to access the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and/or the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), for those with an existing diagnosis of Autism, Intellectual Disability, or a fully treated and stabilised mental health condition.

Emma feels strongly about the benefits of psychology for all individuals. She completed two research projects investigating what gets in the way of seeking help from a psychologist. You can view the abstracts HERE and HERE. She found that common barriers to seeking help included the direct and indirect financial costs, a preference for self-reliance, and a belief that psychologist input was not needed. Emma endorses the view that psychological support is appropriate for a wide range of issues that impact well-being and quality of life, regardless of perceived severity. She hopes to see an increase in public health campaigns that aim to enhance perceptions about the benefits of psychological support.

Emma is passionate about supporting the helping profession to grow to meet demand, particularly in the local community. In her past role as Secretary of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Tasmania Branch, Emma was able to provide psychology students and early career psychologists with opportunities for networking, mentoring, and career guidance. In her current role as Clinical Lead at Healthy Mind Centre Launceston (HMCL), Emma is driven to ensure efficient management of our clinical services, to provide high-quality experiences for our clients, and to support the wellbeing and professional development of our clinicians. She also facilitates University student placements at HMCL.