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Meet Shelley
Clinical Psychologist, Author, Researcher, Supervisor, Human
Welcome, I am delighted you are here. Let me tell you about myself.
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In my life I take on many roles. I am a clinical psychologist, author, historical lecturer, research psychologist, supervisor, wife, mother, human being, and animal lover. I also have lived experience of neurodivergence that I largely did not discover until later in life. Whilst I suspected I was an ADHDer from how I did at school, being Autistic took me by surprise later in life and answered so many unresolved questions I had about myself.
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My road into psychology has been long and started with my own personal development to improve my life at 22 years old. I remember at this time in my life not believing much in myself and thinking that I was just dabbling in psychology as a hobby, that it would never really go anywhere. I had no idea I would go on to be a practising therapist, obtain a PhD or a clinical masters. Yet here we are. Never give up on yourself even if it takes a long time to achieve your dreams. As long as I am breathing, I am learning about myself, my clients, and life.​​
I fell in love with research after I finished my undergraduate degree. Research has the ability to influence the field and make large scale changes to people's lives. It is where we test what works and how effective things are. Best of all is when it is used to inform clinical practice. I have always been good at talking and played with the idea of being a lecturer but there was not enough of the good stuff that I was really passionate about in the role that I needed to flourish.
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My PhD research investigated using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT said as a word not individual letters) as a mental health promotion tool with university students. My program, YOLO (You Only Live Once) continues to be offered as a wellbeing tool for students to access. I am also involved in research evaluating YOLO in other populations and investigating various issues within neurodivergence. I do this in all of my spare time (wink). ​I am a published author in both magazines and peer reviewed scientific publications and when time permits I work with students and peers on worthwhile projects.
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I have over 27 years of personal development experience and every year i do 3-4 times the recommended professional development .... I walk my talk and I love to learn. Working on myself continues to be one of my main values for my life. I know what it is like to suffer, as I am sure you do also - life is full of it. I also have 10 years of clinical experience as a psychotherapist in addition to my extensive training and work as a psychologist.
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My aim is to use research based practices in order to decrease the suffering of others by teaching skills that lead to resilience, well-being and self-management. I have a special interest in working with 2E (Twice Exceptional) individuals as I feel my style fits well with this presentation. I love helping people figure out who they are and helping them to rebuild themselves from the ground up. More about my areas of interest and therapy modalities used can be found here.​
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I am a foundation member of the League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC)
meaning I am dedicated to neuroaffirming and trauma-informed care of my fellow neurokin.
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I look forward to supporting you towards living the life you want to live.
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My SPINs (Special Interests)
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People! I have been researching human behaviour for the last 28 years but started as a child where I avidly observed others to figure them out. I love therapy and assessment and enjoy finding patterns in people's lives that keep them stuck. I am an incredibly sensitive empath that values authenticity, self-development, and helping others.
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Psychological stuff. I enjoy everything related to psychology, what can go right or wrong, and how the mind works generally (why do we think the way we do, how we form beliefs, how our thinking perpetuates our reality).
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Learning. I have loved learning since realising I learnt differently. I did not do well in school and for a long time thought I was stupid. Once I realised my learning had to be tied to an interest and I could make accommodations, I leaped in and have done 3 degrees, 3 diplomas, and do 3-4 times the requirement for CPD every year.
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Crime novels. I particularly love Kathy Reichs (who is a real Anthropologist with a PhD) and Patricia Cornwell. I tend to reread these books and love the relationship development and the technical aspects of forensics and profiling.
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Planes. I love military aircraft like C17 Globemaster's, F/A-18 Super Hornets, F1-11's, Apache's, and Black Hawks. I got the love of planes from my mother and I recall as a small child watching the F1-11's do the dump and burn over my house (they dumped fuel and shot fire out the back). I squeal with delight during Riverfire each year (an event in Brisbane).
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The beach. I love the water and find it very restorative. I go to the beach on holiday as often as I can.
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Animals. I love almost all animals, especially cats (I have a Mink Tonkinese and a blue point siamese), dogs (love sausage dogs but am amused by all dogs), and birds. I also recently got 3 dexter cows.
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McDonalds. I don't eat this much any more but I have a soft spot for as for a long time it was an emotional comfort for me, especially amongst difficulty with food sensitivities. I have eaten it in 10 different countries and enjoy seeing and discussing the different menu options (e.g., like beer on the menu in Europe; chunky chips still called "fries" in Fiji).
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Sport. I enjoy watching a diverse range of sport with my husband including tennis, golf, NBA, and cycling. I hope to one day travel to France and follow the Tour de France over a few days.
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Television shows. Some of my faves are Brooklyn99 and Schitt's Creek. I used to watch movies over 100 times as a teen (such as Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Grease, Ferris Bueller's Day off). I revisit these.