Hi, I’m Kerrie.
I'm neurodivergent, a parent of four neurodivergent young people, and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. I work with neurodivergent children, teenagers and young adults, alongside the parents and carers who support them.
My approach brings together professional experience, evidence-based practice and lived experience. I've spent many years working therapeutically with children, young people and families, particularly where trauma, neurodivergence and complex life experiences intersect.
Why Exceptionally You
I've always been interested in what sits beneath the surface.
Neurodivergent young people can spend an enormous amount of energy adapting to environments that don't always recognise or accommodate the way they think, communicate, connect and experience the world. What others see as anxiety, behaviour, withdrawal, avoidance or "not coping" often makes much more sense when we become curious about what's happening underneath.
I don't believe therapy should ask a young person to become better at hiding who they are or fitting expectations that don't work for them.
Instead, I believe therapy should adapt to the person, not the other way around.
What working with me can look like
There isn't one right way to engage in therapy.
Some young people love to talk. Others might find it easier to connect while playing a game, creating something, exploring a shared interest, using visual resources, storytelling or simply doing something alongside another person.
Young people don't need to sit perfectly still, make eye contact, know exactly how they're feeling or have the right words ready. We can work together to find ways of communicating and engaging that feel more natural and accessible.
My work is neuroaffirming and trauma-informed, drawing on evidence-based approaches while remaining responsive to the individual young person and what matters to them.
A little more about me
Outside of work, I'm naturally curious and probably happiest when I'm learning something new. I enjoy reading, gaming, creative projects, research and spending time in nature. I'm also very fond of animals, including my own somewhat quirky dogs.
These interests often find their way into how I think about therapy — with plenty of room for curiosity, creativity, humour and discovering different ways of making sense of things.
I'm based in the Shepparton region and offer in-person sessions in Shepparton, as well as Telehealth appointments across Australia.
Professional background
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Extensive experience working therapeutically with children, young people, parents and families
Experience in trauma, neurodivergence and complex child and family presentations
EMDR trained
Draw from ACT, CBT and DBT approaches
Professional supervision for social workers and other helping professionals
