CAYA Psychology
Geelong
Neuro-affirming support for children, teens & adults with ADHD and/or Autism
This can include:
-Difficulty sustaining attention or completing tasks
-Problems with time management or procrastination
-Acting impulsively or speaking without filtering
-Forgetfulness or losing track of important details
-Strong emotions that escalate quickly
The Autism Spectrum: People with Autism may experience the world more intensely or differently, particularly in social, sensory, or communication contexts.
This may involve:
-Sensory sensitivity to noise, light, or environments
-Difficulty with unspoken social rules or expectations
-Preference for routine and predictability
-Deep focus on areas of interest
-Fatigue from masking or adapting to social norms
Neurodivergence refers to natural differences in how people think, focus, process information, and interact with the world. I work with children, teens, and adults who identify with or are exploring ADHD and/or autism, including those seeking practical support rather than a narrow diagnostic focus.
Many people reach this point after years of feeling out of step, overwhelmed, or misunderstood, often without a clear explanation. Therapy can help you make sense of these patterns and develop strategies that fit how your brain works.
What neurodivergence often looks like
Neurodivergence does not look the same in everyone. It often shows up in subtle but persistent ways.
Common experiences include:
- Difficulty with focus, organisation, or task initiation
- Mental overload or rapid, scattered thinking
- Emotional intensity or difficulty regulating emotions
- Sensory sensitivity or feeling easily overwhelmed
- Chronic stress, burnout, or exhaustion
- Feeling “different” without knowing why
These experiences are valid whether or not you have a formal diagnosis.
Assessment availability at the clinic
Assessment for ADHD and autism is available at the clinic for adults who are seeking diagnostic clarification.
Assessments are conducted thoughtfully and collaboratively, with attention to your history, current functioning, and goals. For some people, a formal assessment is helpful; for others, therapeutic support without diagnosis is more appropriate.
Click here to read more about our assessment process.
How therapy can support neurodiversity
Support may involve:
-Understanding how your brain works and what drains or supports you
-Developing strategies for organisation, focus, and emotional regulation
-Reducing shame, self-criticism, or burnout
-Navigating work, relationships, or identity-related concerns
-Building sustainable routines that work for you
The aim is support and self-understanding, not “fixing” who you are.
My Approach
Client centred: We focus on what matters most to you
Practical: Focused on real-world challenges and change
Neuroaffirming: Strength-focused, not deficit focused
Flexible: Adapted to your pace and processing style
Is therapy right for you?
You might consider support if:
- You suspect ADHD or autism and want clarity or support
- Daily life feels harder than it seems to be for others
- You’re experiencing burnout, overwhelm, or chronic stress
- You want strategies that fit how you think and function
Support can be helpful whether you’re exploring, diagnosed, or somewhere in between.
Therapy details
- Therapy is available for children, teens & adults
- Assessments are available for children, teens & adults
- Sessions are offered in person and via telehealth
- Appointments are confidential and paced to your needs
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is anxiety, we can explore that together.
Taking the next step
If you’re seeking support around ADHD, autism, or neurodivergence more broadly, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss your options
- Contact us to make a confidential enquiry
Frequently asked questions
A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively
In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.
No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.
The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.
Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.
Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address
Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.
Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.
No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.
That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.
No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.
Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.
Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.
This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.
Therapy aims to increase understanding, reduce distress and build practical coping strategies. Outcomes differ between people and depend partly on engagement with the process.
Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.
Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability
50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).