top of page

Many neurodivergent people experience living in a society that often lacks the structures and understanding to fully support their ways of being.

​

This can lead to their voices being overlooked, misunderstood, or excluded.

I support individuals to explore and express their values, voice, and identity authentically.

​

Together, we work towards affirming their unique place and contributions in the world, fostering self-compassion, self-advocacy, and unconditional self-worth.

Network Of Diverse People

Neurodiversity-affirming support

Neurodiversity-affirming support:

  • Recognises and values the natural and meaningful variation in human brains and cognition

  • Embraces brain differences and neurotypes as neutral variations, not deficits

  • Acknowledges that each individual brings:

    • Unique strengths and perspectives

    • Their own challenges and support needs

  • Prioritises:

    • Individualised, person-centred care

    • Compassion and genuine understanding

    • Creating environments that better fit each person’s needs

  • Emphasises:

    • Self-advocacy and autonomy

    • Challenging stigma and ableism

    • Promoting equity and access

  • Aims to:

    • Empower neurodivergent individuals

    • Celebrate diverse ways of thinking, feeling, and experiencing the world

 

I am committed to ongoing learning in Neurodiversity Affirming practices and to respecting each person’s preferred language and identity. I proudly uphold the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ and continuously reflect on the lived experiences of those I support.

Special interest (SpIN) areas

I have experience supporting individuals to understand and navigate their experiences of anxiety, burnout, mood variations, emotional regulation, beliefs, and values, while collaboratively exploring ways to create environments that better fit their unique neurodivergent ways of being.

 

I work with a diverse range of neurodivergent strengths, needs, and experiences. My lived experience alongside ongoing research deepens my appreciation for the varied and rich ways my clients experience the world.

Glimmers

People experiencing joy!

Things that bring Sharmayne joy (glimmers) include:​​

​

Bubbles

Cold mornings with clear skies and wispy clouds

Unicorns

Neurokin

Shiny things

LEGO

Christmasy smells like cinnamon and cloves

Blueberries

Sour lollies

Dopamine dressing!

Travel

Animals - especially squirrels!

Quiet spaces in nature

The icy spray from waterfalls

Glitter

Qualifications and experience

Professional Registrations:

  • Registered Psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) since 2022 - PSY0002605750

  • Member of Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) 

  • Member of League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC)​

University Education:

  • 2021: Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology Advanced (GDPA), Monash University, off-campus (honours equivalent)

  • GDPA Thesis - Empathy and Pet Acquisition: Influencing the Better-Than-Average Effect

  • 2015: Bachelor of Psychological Science, Griffith University, QLD

  • 2015: Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, QLD

Recent Professional Development:

There are actually a lot more than this but I just don't have the capacity to list all that I do in my need to know all the things!

​​​

  • Divergent Futures - Neurodivergence and Sexuality, Square Model

  • Lumen Gorrie - Appetite for Change Conference 2026, Gender-affirming Practice 101, Don't Burn Out 

  • Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia 2025, 2026 (also presenting)

  • Australian Conference for Neurodevelopmental Disorders* 2025

  • 2025 Neurodivergence Wellbeing Conference

  • Neurodivergent Clinician Symposium 2025

  • NovoPsych: Trauma Informed Practice

  • Kristy Forbes: PDA Masterclass

  • Ross Greene: Introduction to Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) – Advanced course

  • Amanda Moses: Autism Burnout webinar, Self-care workshop

  • 2023/2025 Autism Summit: 5 days of webinars with speakers with lived experience

  • Divergent Phoenix - MIGDAS training through Neuro-diversity affirming Comprehensive Autism Assessment Training

  • 2024 Lives in the Balance - summit

  • 2024 PDA summit

  • 2024 QLD ADHD conference - My Spirited Child

  • Yellow Ladybugs - 2024/2025/2026 Conference, PMDD, Hormones and Neurodivergence workshop

  • The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast with Dr Michelle Livlock & Monique Mitchelson

  • The AuDHD IRL podcast with Brianna Thomas (also a guest)

bottom of page