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About

Hello and welcome!

 

 

 

​​I’m a psychologist who works with children, young people, and adults, creating a space that is compassionate, grounded, and attuned to how each person experiences the world. My work is shaped by a trauma-informed and neuroaffirming lens, with a focus on understanding each individual’s neurotype and the context around their experiences. This often includes adults who are beginning to explore or make sense of their neurodivergence later in life.

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My approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), supporting people to clarify what matters to them, build capacity to navigate challenges, and develop a more flexible and meaningful way of relating to their thoughts and emotions. This might involve working through anxiety and overwhelm, exploring identity and neurodivergence, or making sense of long-standing patterns that no longer feel helpful.

 

Whether I’m working with a young person, a parent, or an adult reflecting on their own experiences, the focus remains the same. We build insight, support regulation, and create practical ways forward that feel sustainable in everyday life. For children and adolescents, this often includes creative and visual approaches that match how they naturally engage. For adults, therapy tends to be more conversational and reflective, while still drawing on structured, evidence-based strategies.

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A core principle in my work is that behaviour and internal experiences are meaningful. Rather than viewing them at face value, I work to understand what they are communicating, particularly in the context of stress, sensory load, and past experiences. From there, therapy becomes a space to build awareness, respond to these signals more effectively, and strengthen a sense of agency, connection, and self-understanding.

Rachel Richardson
 

Registered Psychologist

B. A Psychology (Honours), Master Professional Psychology

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Rachel has obtained several degrees in social welfare and psychology and holds a General Psychologist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).

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Rachel has worked with children and adolescents for over 15 years across parenting residential care, child protection, outreach and education settings. 

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In private practice, Rachel has experience working with a range of presentations and family needs including anxiety, depression, OCD, emotion dysregulation, and neurodivergent (Autism and ADHD) exploration and self care.

 

Rachel works closely with parents to provide psychoeducation on their child's presenting behaviours and support a deeper understanding of what their child's behaviour is communicating. Parent's are equipped with communication strategies and regulation tools they can use at home. 

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Rachel is passionate about supporting and working collaboratively with families (and schools where relevant) and aims to provide a warm, playful and holistic approach. 

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