Cloud Counselling

31/08/2025

A glass water bottle! Gift from the Deaf eco summit in Sydney. Absolutely love it- do you know why? I can SEE when filling up from a water station if it is full or not.

30/08/2025

Deaf Eco Summit - Sydney

Two powerful days of connection, inspiration, and collaboration with Deaf business owners from Australia and overseas.
This Summit was more than just presentations — it was about building a stronger Deaf ecosystem where Deaf-led businesses, services, and professionals can thrive together.

The energy in the room was incredible — By Deaf, for Deaf.
Ashton Jean-Pierre - Deaf Wedding photographer - One of the top wedding photographers in the world!! Harper's Bazaar.

30/08/2025

Deaf festival Sydney. Great to see face to face with so many Deaf from all over Australia.

27/08/2025

Did you know?

The ACA 2024 Workforce Census showed that over half of Australia’s counsellors have room to take on more clients - with capacity to support 7,600+ new clients each week.

On average, counsellors have space to see 7.2 additional clients weekly.

Among those with capacity:
✔️ 62% specialise in anxiety, stress and depression
✔️ 66% provide disability support
✔️ 62% work with neurodivergent clients
✔️ 61% focus on sexuality counselling
✔️ 59% specialise in addiction
✔️ 55% offer family violence support

There’s a strong, ready workforce available to meet growing mental health needs.

21/08/2025

Last night I attended the University of Southern Queensland’s Thought Leadership Series: How to Think Differently About Mental Health.

As a Deaf Clinical Counsellor, I had the opportunity to ask questions about research into culturally and linguistically appropriate screenings and assessments for the Deaf community.
This is essential to reduce misdiagnosis and prevent pathologising Deaf people in mental health settings.

Grateful to be part of these important conversations and to see mental health professionals exploring new perspectives.

19/07/2025

Proud to have presented at the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference in Melbourne, Australia, this week — the premiere conference hosted by LOAPAC (League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues).

It was an honour to contribute to such a vital and affirming space, sharing my insights in Auslan as part of a growing movement toward inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming mental health care.

Grateful to be among so many dedicated professionals leading change in this field.

10/07/2025

Grateful for the opportunity to present on Deaf Trauma and Systemic Barriers in Deaf Health Care, with a special focus on the complexities of Autism and ADHD diagnosis within the Deaf community. I introduced the concept of "Deaf Autism" — a lens to better understand neurodivergent Deaf experiences. A deeply important and complex topic.

08/07/2025

Feeling really honoured to receive the "Advocacy and Social Justice Award" from the Australian Counselling Association.

As a Deaf Counsellor and Psychotherapist, advocacy has been a big part of my journey—starting in Germany and continuing here in Australia.

While I’m grateful for this recognition, I also feel a deep sense of humility. There are some very special Deaf colleagues —colleagues who have been advocating tirelessly in Australia for much longer than I have. They have paved the way, often without recognition, and I want to share this moment with them.

This award is not just about one person—it reflects the growing recognition of the importance of Deaf-led, culturally safe mental health care and the collective work we continue to do for equity and access in our profession.

Thank you to the ACA for this acknowledgment, and to my community, mentors, and peers who continue to inspire me every day.

17/06/2025

✨ Excited to Announce! ✨

I’m thrilled and deeply honoured to present at the upcoming Neurodiverse Affirming Therapy Conference in Melbourne on July 10, 2025!
As a Deaf Neurodivergent Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in trauma-focused therapy, my presentation will explore:

🎯 Deaf Trauma, Barriers to Mental Health Services, and "Deaf Autism"

"Deaf Autism" is a term I am redefining to describe the overlapping “like” traits of Autism in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (Deaf/HH) individuals with:

• Language Deprivation Syndrome (LDS)
• Theory of Mind deficits (ToM)
• Deaf Trauma (Anderson, 2015; Karli Dettman, 2020)

A Hypothesis - This is not a genetic form of Autism but one shaped by cultural and developmental factors, sharing traits with ASD and ADHD. With early access to sign language, many of these challenges could be prevented in Deaf/HH children and Adults.

My presentation will emphasize the critical need for culturally informed assessments and collaboration with qualified Deaf Mental Health Professionals.

Together, we can better support the unique needs of the Deaf/HH community.

I can’t wait to share these insights and connect with fellow professionals at this incredible event. 🌍

https://www.instagram.com/ndaffirmingtherapyconference/ #



https://www.instagram.com/ndaffirmingtherapyconference/ #

12/06/2025

Moral Injury in Auslan Interpreters: A Growing Challenge

I’m thrilled by the positive feedback from my recent presentation in Perth, WA, on the challenges faced by Auslan interpreters. While vicarious trauma is widely recognized as an occupational risk, the concept of moral injury was a true eye-opener for many interpreters navigating resilience in their demanding work.
Did you know that many Auslan interpreters leave their profession within just five years? This not only impacts the interpreters themselves but also has far-reaching consequences for the Deaf community who rely on their skills and dedication.
Raising awareness of these challenges and fostering resilience is vital to supporting interpreters in building sustainable, fulfilling careers. If you're passionate about this topic or know someone who could benefit from exploring it further, let’s connect!

28/04/2025

Finally , some Australian Deaf led research to support our advocacy for accessibility to language and to support the need for accessible Deaf mental health services. Thank you Ramas.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BG3xwTn8R/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Deaf people experience worse mental health compared to their hearing counterparts. We aimed to test the association between early life access to communication and perceived mental health among deaf...

22/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16KdYM7CMg/?mibextid=wwXIfr