about us
Hello, I’m Shelley! (she/her) 🌈
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I am the therapist at Diverse & Thriving and you can reach me at shelley@diverseandthriving.com.au.
Navigating life as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person (ADHD) and a proud member of the queer community has given me a unique perspective that I bring to my work.
I am a social worker, registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers, with a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Social Work under my belt. After many years working with children and adolescents with developmental differences and mental health challenges, I am excited to branch into private practice with Diverse & Thriving.
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I called our practice Diverse & Thriving because our goal is to help you thrive with the brain you have, rather than to change who you are. I take a holistic approach with my clients, employing trauma-informed, anti-oppressive and feminist theories. I aim to create an environment of collaboration and support where my clients can show up as their true selves and access belonging, connection and empowerment. I draw on a range of therapeutic techniques including narrative therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, psycho-education and solution-focused therapy, always through a neuro-affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming lens.
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My goal is to work alongside you to tap into your unique values, strengths and lived experience to create solutions that work for you and empower you to thrive.
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When I’m not in the office, you can find me starting too many new sewing projects, seeking out sunshine and spending time with family – all with my border collie, Ollie, by my side (and whining for more attention).
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I am excited to chat with you about how Diverse & Thriving can help you grow. Get in touch!
Hello, I’m emma! (she/her) 👋
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I am the admin half of Diverse & Thriving and you can reach me at admin@diverseandthriving.com.au.
I am here to help you book appointments, complete intake documents, make payments and navigate the client portal with ease.
I am a writer, editor and artist by day (and sometimes at 3am when creativity strikes). But I know from personal experience how daunting the process of seeking help can be, so I love the work I get to do at Diverse & Thriving to make it a seamless and empowering experience for you!
our core values
Inclusion & Accessibility
Adapting our approach to support each individual’s needs is important to us. We believe in the importance of asking, listening, validating and adjusting continuously to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. We welcome feedback about how we can improve in this area. We have also designed Diverse & Thriving to support our own capacity and wellbeing so we can show up fully for clients. We use our voice to educate, advocate and drive cultural change toward inclusivity, accessibility and affirming practice.
Persistent Messy Action & Growth
We value authentic, non-linear progress. Achieving goals doesn’t require perfect consistency – it comes from returning to what matters, even when the path is messy. We honour persistence, curiosity, creativity and rest over perfection – recognising that meaningful change often unfolds in imperfect, intuitive steps. By providing support, encouragement, knowledge and resources, we aim to empower individuals to learn about themselves, create a life that is meaningful to them and practice self-compassion.
Diversity & Affirming Practice
We value and affirm all forms of identity, including gender diversity, sexuality and neurodivergence. Our practice seeks to dismantle internalised and external oppression – including ableism and neuronormativity, homophobia and heteronormativity, and transphobia and cis-normativity. We support clients to explore, understand and celebrate their identities and define for themselves what thriving looks like. We value the richness that diversity brings to our community and strive to create an environment where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.
Collaboration & Shared Power
We believe that each individual is an expert in their own life. We honour their autonomy, encourage disagreement and feedback, and make space for their needs, boundaries and preferences. Our therapeutic relationships are grounded in collaboration, transparency and mutual respect. We acknowledge the systemic power imbalances and oppression that affect all clients in unique ways. We advocate for change and support individuals in their self-advocacy.
Authenticity & Connection
We aim to create spaces where people feel safe, welcomed and deeply accepted for who they are. Authenticity is encouraged, celebrated and protected. We honour each person’s unique way of thinking, feeling, processing and being – including our own. By embracing authenticity, we strive to foster meaningful connections and empower each individual to embrace who they are.