During my time as a social work student, I began volunteering with a social group of young people who identified as transgender, gender diverse and non-binary. This experience was genuinely life changing and I was honoured to meet the most kind, considerate and warm young people and be welcomed into their space. It was then that a new passion was born - to advocate loudly for my LGBTQIA+ community (especially for young people that struggle to have their voices heard) and to create safe, affirming and supportive spaces for queer and trans folks.

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Post graduation, I have had the privilege of working with LGBTQIA+ young people at risk of homelessness, violence and discrimination; people who live with psychosocial, intellectual and learning disabilities; and Autistic and ADHD'ers in a private practice counselling-based setting. 

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Values

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It is important that I share my personal values with you, as a big part of being an Accredited Social Worker is being transparent with my positionality in the world. My values impact the way that I work, so it is crucial that you know what they are, so that you can determine whether they align with your values and are indicative of the type of support you are looking for. I believe that social work is inherently political, as is my identity as a queer, neurodivergent and gender-diverse person; so you are always welcome to ask me what I believe in. 

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My values are self-determination, inclusion, acceptance, authenticity and kindness. I am a staunch advocate for social justice and commit to continuously working towards decolonising my practice, as I acknowledge that I am a white social worker working on stolen land (the land of the Turrbal and Jaggera people).

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Practice Framework 

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The following theories inform my therapeutic social work practice:

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• Neurodivergent-Affirming Strengths-Based Practice

• Anti-Oppressive Practice

• Trauma-Informed Approach

• Harm Reduction Approach

• Intersectional Feminist (Queer & Trans Inclusive) Theory

• Systems Theory

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Therapeutic Modalities 

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I am trained in and utilise a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities in my practice, including:

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• Integrative Sex & Relationship Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Solution Focused Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

• Narrative Therapy

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Please note that I do not utilise Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in its entirety, as many folks in the neurodivergent community anecdotally report this modality to be ineffective and inflexible. However, I will occasionally utilise some interventions that are derived from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy if they are appropriate and helpful for the context.

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Qualifications and Professional Memberships

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• ​Bachelor of Social Work (with Distinction) - 2023

• ​​Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional

• Australian Association of Social Workers Member #491235

• AusPATH Member

• Society of Australian Sexologists Member

• Sexual Health Society of Queensland Member
   

​Professional Development

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It is a requirement of maintaining my Accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers that I undertake 20 hours of continuing professional development every year, alongside at least 10 hours of professional supervision by a qualified social worker.

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Here is a non-exhaustive list of professional development courses I have completed to date:

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• Alcohol and Other Drugs Harm Reduction

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• ASIST Suicide Prevention Training 

• Building on 'Adolescence': Unpacking the Language & Tactics of Hateful Ideologies

• Child and Adolescent Suicide Risk Formulation

• Consent Education - Beyond Yes & No

• Decolonisation of Social Work Practice

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

• First Do No Harm: The Need for Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness

• Healing Through Kink

• Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy Certification

• Introduction to Narrative Therapy

• Sensate Focus

• Strengths-Based Approach

• LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity Training

• Love Bites - Respectful Relationships Program Facilitator (Senior School)

• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: Understanding Intense Emotions

• Sexual Attitude Reassessment (2024)

• Sexual Trauma First Aid

• Supporting Intimacy, Sexuality & Sex

• Supporting Trans & Nonbinary Communities in Post-Election Distress

• The Flogger Keeps The Score: Navigating Kink Through A Trauma-Informed Lens

• Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Care

• Widen the Window of Tolerance: Three Proven Ways to Support Clients' Resilience

• Working With Autistic Youth

• Working With People Who Hear Voices

• Working With People with Intellectual and Learning Disabilities