ND Conversations

ND Conversations is the term we’ve coined to the conversations that our Acceptance, Authenticity and Autonomy Practitioners are willing to have with those who believe it might add value to them or support the next stage of their journey. Acceptance, Authenticity and Autonomy Practitioners are aptly named due to following this Triple A Framework promoted in research by Autistic Theorists such as Dr Melanie Heyworth, current CEO and Founder of Reframing Autism.

Our Practitioners come from a range of backgrounds with varied qualifications. However, they are all neurodivergent themselves, most of them identifying as Autistic and ADHD (“AuDHD”). ND Conversations is not counselling, and ND Conversations is not psychology. ND Conversations are two neurodivergent people chatting, with the aim of supporting the acceptance of self, promoting a person’s right to be autonomous and asserting and discovering who we are authentically. This means that the conversations can include reciprocal sharing, story-swapping, or simply planning and list-making regarding methods of reducing executive dysfunction in one’s own lives. A key area which is often chosen for discussion is unmasking. Unmasking relates to the process of understanding who your authentic self is, after identifying you’re autistic and removing some of the masked layers that have been applied as a method of likely self-protection.

ND Conversations can also be used to help participants understand concepts such as Monotropism, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, Reward Deficiency Syndrome, Pathological Demand Avoidance, Autistic Inertia, Masking, Camouflaging, Autistic Burnout and be able to relate it to their lives, their actions and their choices.

How much does ND conversations cost?

ND Conversations is usually self-funded by participants but can be claimed under NDIS as either ‘other therapy’ or based on the qualifications of the person providing the service, if it aligns with their professional responsibilities which accompany their qualification. This can be discussed with each person to work out the best way to fund this in each individual circumstance. ND Conversations is currently only offered using zoom (over the internet/video chat) and can be provided at a rate of $150.00 per hour (+GST for non NDIS clients $165.00).

*Please note NON NDIS client services attract GST

ND Counselling

In our work with neurodiverse populations, we use a holistic approach that considers your sensory profile and individual needs. Our therapy sessions will help you develop coping strategies, build resilience and self-esteem, and develop skills for functioning and overall well-being. Our goal is to empower you to feel safe and grounded within yourself and the world around you so that you can thrive in your life.

We recognise and embrace the uniqueness and complexity of neurodiverse individuals. We understand that neurodivergent people process information differently and may face different challenges in their daily lives. Therefore, we adopt a neuro-affirming and strength-based approach that focuses on identifying and building upon your strengths, resources, and abilities. Accredited Counsellors, able to bill under the NDIS Counselling line item, who provide warm, relational support that you lead and only cover experiences, thoughts, and situations that you’re comfortable covering. Counsellors are keen to help you thrive by deepening your understanding of how you respond and managing Autistic and neurodivergent experiences. Our accredited Counsellors and Social Workers facilitate our Counselling sessions: Jason Stuart, Rosanna Quick and Alex Hogg (Social Worker). Therapy is provided over Zoom, in-person and Eco psychotherapy (by arrangement with your counsellor)

How much does ND counselling cost?

ND counselling can be billed at as per NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2022-23 or privately for 50-minute sessions with a Counsellor at $156.16 (+GST for non NDIS clients $171.77) or a Social Worker $193.99 (+GST for non NDIS clients $213.39).

*Please note NON NDIS client services attract GST

*Please specify in your enquiry form if you would like a counsellor or social worker*

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

DivergAntz Collective can offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy as part of our service to clients.

Janine Hogg is an accredited Social Worker with specialised training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and approaches her practice through a neuro-affirming lens.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a contemporary approach to mental health treatment, focusing on the unique process of eye movement to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories. Established with the goal of aiding healing from trauma and distressing life experiences, EMDR was first clinically investigated in 1989. Subsequent research has demonstrated its effectiveness, often achieving results more rapidly than many traditional methods. Unlike conventional therapy, EMDR does not necessitate a detailed discussion of distressing issues. Instead, it concentrates on altering the emotions, thoughts, or behaviours stemming from a traumatic experience, enabling the brain to recommence its natural healing process.

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is applicable to a broad spectrum of individuals, including neurodivergent adolescents, teenagers, and adults of various ages who have experienced traumatic events.

How much does EMDR cost?

Initial session 90 minutes $290.98 (+GST for non NDIS clients $320.08)

Additional sessions are 50 minutes – fees are charged at $193.99 per hour (+GST for non NDIS clients $213.39).

This service does not attract a Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebate. As such a GP referral is not required. This service is claimable for NDIS participants.

Developmental Educator

Developmental Educators are members of the Developmental Educators Associa1on Incorporated (DEAI). Developmental Educators are allied health professionals who are qualified to be considered as disability specialists.

Developmental Educators work with par1cipants to provide prac1cal support to minimise the impact of disability and increase func1onal capacity/independence.
Developmental Educators often work with people who are neurodivergent, have physical or neurological disabilities, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury
or other neurological injuries, differences, changes or neurotypes. Developmental Educators work closely with carers, families, other allied health professionals and doctors to improve their clients’ choices, community par1cipa1on and quality of life.

In the e-therapy program, the Developmental Educator considers your child and their meaningful activities in life as a starting point for the therapy. To keep the intervention motivating and relevant, they continuously evaluate and reassess to ensure the needs of your child are met.

How much does a Developmental Educator cost?

A Developmental Educator can be accessed using NDIS funding from the Capacity Building supports in your or your child’s NDIS plan. The Developmental Educator will help the client reach their NDIS goals by incorpora1ng these into the treatment plan.

The service of a Developmental Educator is an hourly rate of $193.99.

*Please note NON NDIS client services attract GST

Occupational Therapy

DivergAntz Collective Occupational Therapists (OT) are allied health professionals who hold a current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Registra1on as an Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapists promote health and well-being by helping people of all ages to be as independent as possible, while engaging in everyday activities. Occupational Therapists play an important role in enabling people experiencing functional limitations to lead more fulfilled lives by developing and implementing methods that support their everyday lives. This may include creating new habits, and routines, working with
teachers, families, carers, or employers to educate and assist with changes to improve the environment or changing an activity as required to allow participation.

Occupational Therapists can help children who have missed developmental milestones for their age, who have trouble interacting with people or objects in their environment, who revert to old behaviours after learning new ones, and who have learning problems or physical limita1ons, including injuries – to name a few.

Occupational Therapists can assist by:
– Working on fine motor skills, which will assist with developing handwri1ng and computer skills, as well as holding a knife and fork or picking up and playing with toys.
– Teaching life skills such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, showering, brushing hair, and personal hygiene.
– Developing hand-eye coordination, which will assist with schoolwork when copying information from the board and playing sport.
– Occupa1onal Therapists can prescribe equipment that will enable independence. This includes items such as communication aids, wheelchairs, bathing equipment, sensory regulation devices and dressing devices.
– Cognitive (thinking) skills can be worked on through play, scaffolding (breaking tasks into smaller parts), practicing problem solving and multi-tasking using visual timers, checklists and routines.
– Teaching self-regulation by using coping and calming skills like movement breaks, distraction, and engaging in special interests.

Occupational Therapists can assist adults in the same way as children, working on goals that the client has and helping the adult to fine-tune their everyday living skills. These may include:
– Enabling social inclusion through confidence building.
– Helping to manage chronic pain and physical weakness.
– Improving memory skills and cognitive functioning.
– Looking at any special equipment that may improve the client’s everyday living and independence, and adaptions to tasks that increase their capacity.
– Working on techniques to improve emotional regula1on, looking at activities that help improve mental health and wellbeing, which will depend on the client’s interests.
– Assessment and treatment to iden1fy personalised self-management tools to optimise ability.

Occupational Therapy can address functional problems that arise from physical, sensory, and mental health difficulties.

How much does Occupational Therapy cost?

Our services unless otherwise offered, are provided in an e-therapy setting.  An Occupational Therapist’s services can be accessed using NDIS funding from the Capacity Building supports in your or your child’s NDIS plan. The Occupational Therapist will look at your NDIS goals and ensure that these form part of your treatment plan.

The service of an Occupa1onal Therapist is an hourly rate of $193.99.

*Please note NON NDIS client services attract GST

Speech and Language Pathology / Therapy

DivergAntz Collective Speech Therapists (or Speech-Language Pathologist) are allied health professionals who are certified Speech Pathologist (CPSP) as approved by Speech Pathology Australia.

Speech Therapists are educated in the study of communication, speech development, and speech disorders. Speech Therapists assess speech, language, cogni1ve-communication, and oral/feeding/swallowing skills. This lets them identify problems and the best way for treatment. Our Speech Therapists will work with your child to achieve their goals by using motivating activities that suit them. Through e-therapy, they provide strategies and exercises that can be implemented in daily life to enhance the skills they learn in their sessions.

How much does Speech Therapy cost?

Our services unless otherwise offered, are provided in an e-therapy setting.  Speech Therapy services can be accessed using NDIS funding from the Capacity Building supports in your or your child’s NDIS plan. The Speech Therapist will look at your NDIS goals and ensure that these form part of your treatment plan.

The service of a Speech Therapist is an hourly rate of $193.99.

*Please note NON NDIS client services attract GST

Please Apply below for the type of therapy that best suits your current needs.