My story and career development expertise
As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent professional with autism (AuDHD) and ADHD, I bring a unique perspective to my work as a rehabilitation counsellor and career development practitioner. Living with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and orthostatic intolerance (OI), I understand the challenges of managing complex health conditions.
This real-life experience enables me to empathise with my clients and advocate for their needs with authenticity, compassion, and a strengths-based approach.
Whether you’re navigating a health diagnosis or seeking career support, I’m here to guide you with empathy and expertise. Contact me today to take the next step towards your goals.
Professional expertise and values
With a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counselling and extensive professional development in mental health and disability support, I specialise in helping individuals navigate educational, vocational, and personal challenges. As a career development practitioner, my role involves guiding people through key transitions—whether they’re entering the workforce, returning after a break, or seeking a new direction.
If you’re wondering, “What does a career development practitioner do?”—we support you by identifying your strengths, setting achievable goals, and providing practical strategies to achieve meaningful outcomes. At Inclusion at Heart, my practice is built on a foundation of inclusion, neurodiversity affirmation, and the belief that everyone deserves meaningful opportunities to thrive.
My approach and strengths
A career practitioner plays a vital role in addressing the unique needs of individuals by tailoring guidance and support. I understand firsthand the complexities of managing multiple diagnoses and navigating systems that may overlook individual needs. This insight shapes my collaborative, strengths-based approach, which focuses on empowering clients to achieve their goals in ways that honour their individuality.
Advocacy and passion
Living with my own challenges has fuelled my passion for creating inclusive systems and improving access to support. A key part of a career development practitioner’s role is advocacy—ensuring that every person has the resources they need to succeed. I became a Rehabilitation Counsellor after experiencing the challenges of a poor return-to-work (RTW) journey following a vertebrae fracture. My mission is to empower individuals and families to build on their strengths, overcome barriers, and lead fulfilling lives.
What Is a career practitioner?
A career practitioner is a professional who offers guidance and support to individuals facing career challenges, helping them set and achieve meaningful goals. Whether you’re seeking clarity about your career path, re-entering the workforce, or managing a disability while pursuing employment, I’m here to support you. Let’s build a path toward your goals, grounded in understanding, compassion, and empowerment. Contact me today to learn more.
Invitation to connect
Whether you’re navigating career challenges, managing health conditions, or seeking a professional who truly understands, I’m here to support you. Let’s work together to build a path toward your goals, grounded in understanding, compassion, and empowerment.
Achievements & professional contributions
Translational impact
I am deeply committed to driving change and creating practical solutions. Since becoming a Rehabilitation Counsellor, I have led or advocated for several significant projects, including:
- Neurodivergent Practitioners Database: Developed the first comprehensive database of neurodivergent practitioners throughout Australia, connecting individuals with professionals who possess firsthand experience of autism, ADHD, and related conditions.
- Guidelines for career practitioners: Co-developed CDAA guidelines on using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and case note writing for career development professionals.
- Podcast guest: Featured in an episode of the Rehabilitation Counsellors of Australasia podcast to increase knowledge and awareness of our profession.
- ANZSCO review collaboration: Worked with eight rehabilitation counsellors to propose updates to the Rehabilitation Counsellors lead statement and tasks and to suggest a new code for Rehabilitation Consultants.
- National autism guidelines: Responded to Autism CRC’s guidelines on assessing, diagnosing, and supporting autistic individuals and families on behalf of ASORC (and the former RCAA).
- Labour market tool for career practitioners: Advocated for creating a Jobs and Skills Atlas to visually represent comparative labour markets across Australia. This suggestion, proposed during a Career Industry Council of Australia webinar, was taken up by Jobs and Skills Australia.
Professional involvement
Memberships include:
Vocational:
- Lead a bi-monthly peer supervision meeting for RC professionals focused on enhancing expertise and opportunities
- ASORC NDIS/DES community of practice
- OECD Southeast Asian Regional Policy Network on Education and Skills
- CDAA QLD community of practice
- CDAA bimonthly peer supervision for those working with neurodivergent clients
- Supervisor of multiple university students studying for a Rehabilitation Counselling degree
Hypermobility:
- EDS ECHO Multidisciplinary Team Practice (MDTP) Australasia
- North American EDS ECHO
- Australian FND Clinician Network
- Sunshine Coast Hypermobility Practitioners Network
Neurodivergence:
- MHPN National Neurodiversity-Affirming Mental Health Network
- MHPN Lived and Living Experience Practitioners’ Network
- MHPN ADHD Sunshine Coast Network
Mental Health:
- Brain Builders ECHO
- Qld Health Qld Child and Youth Clinical Network
- MHPN Sunshine Coast Eating Disorders Network
- Caloundra MHPN
- MHPN Sunshine Coast LGBTQI+
- MHPN Online Mental Health and Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
- MHPN Ipswich/West Moreton Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- MHPN Online Emerging Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Plant Medicine
Research & community engagement
Research involvement
As a lived experience researcher, supervisor, and consumer Chief Investigator, I actively contribute to research. Current and recent projects include:
- University of Sydney research projects: Supervisor for two honours students researching barriers and facilitators to practising as a neurodivergent allied health professional.
- ANU’s telehealth study: Consumer Chief Investigator for a study on enhancing safe telehealth practices during high-risk consultations.
- ANU’s “The Real Price of Health Care” study: Exploring the challenges people experience in managing the affordability of specific health services or medicines.
- UQ’s e-PACT online: Consumer Advisory Panel member for UQ’s online intervention for parents of neurodiverse children, grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
- UQ’s ACTMed trial: Activating pharmacists to reduce medication-related problems (finalised in 2024).
Community contributions
- Coordinating volunteers for the Deaf Games 2026 on the Sunshine Coast to promote inclusion and accessibility.
- Supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families through various initiatives.
Awards and qualifications
Degrees and certifications
- Master of Rehabilitation Counselling with Distinction – Griffith University (2020) – allied health degree (ASORC is a member of NASRHP)
- Awarded for Excellence on Placement (2020) and Academic Excellence in 2019 and 2020.
- Bachelor of Business (Management) – University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Economics – University of Queensland
- Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning – FINSIA
Professional training
- NDIS worker orientation module: “Quality, Safety and You”
- Queensland Government Blue Card
- NDIS/Queensland Disability Worker Screening Clearance
- National Police Check
- Coaching Young People for Success
- CDI AI for Career Practitioners
- Standard Mental Health First Aid
- NEDC CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Enhanced) for Disordered Eating
- ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
- SafeTALK
- Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention by Black Dog Institute
Leadership and recognition
- Member of the Queensland Disability Network (QDN) Emerging Leaders Program (2023)
Memberships and affiliations
- Professional Member of CDAA (Career Development Association of Australia)
- Full Member of ASORC (Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors)
- Regular Member of APCDA (Asia Pacific Career Development Association)