Meet Shelley

Clinical Psychologist, Author, Researcher, Human Being

Welcome, I am delighted you are here. Let me tell you about myself.

In my life I take on many roles. I am a clinical psychologist, author, historical lecturer, research psychologist, wife, mother, and human being. I also have lived experience of neurodivergence that I largely did not discover until later in life.

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.

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.

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 with high school students, in organisations, in individuals with sub-clinical OCD, with Italian carers, and with LGBTQIA+ individuals.

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.

I have over 25 years of personal development experience .... I walk my talk. 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.

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 use multiple psychotherapy methods in my sessions with clients, and tailor sessions to suit individuals. I draw from modalities such as:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Schema Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Attachment Based Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Internal Family Systems/Ego State Therapy

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.

I look forward to supporting you towards living the life you want to live.

My SPINs (Special Interests)

People! I have been researching human behaviour for the last 28 years starting with myself. I love therapy and assessment and enjoy finding patterns in people's lives. I am an incredibly sensitive empath that values authenticity and I have been working on being my true self since I was 20 years old and enjoy helping others do the same.
Psychological stuff. I enjoy psychopathology (the study of disorders) and neurodiversity and how these present in others and how the mind works generally (why do we think the way we do, how we form beliefs, how our thinking sets up our reality).
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 times the requirement for CPD every year.
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 development of relationships as the series progress as well as the technical aspects of forensics and profiling.
Planes. I love military aircraft like C17 Globemaster's, F/A-18 Super Hornets, Apache's, and Black Hawks. I got the love of planes from my mother and I recall as a small child watching the F-111's do the dump and burn over my house. I squeal in delight during Riverfire each year (an aircraft event in Brisbane).
The beach. I love the water and find it very restorative. I go to the beach on holiday as often as I can.
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.
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).
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.
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).

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