Deaf cultural consultation and

Advisory Services

for mental health professionals

As a Deaf Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I share my expertise through conferences, workshops, and presentations, focusing on adaptive therapeutic techniques in the areas of EMDR therapy, Neurodiversity, Neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism, *Deaf Autism), *Deaf Trauma and professional development for Auslan interpreters and allied health professionals.

By fostering understanding and promoting inclusivity, I aim to enhance mental health accessibility for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

Areas of Cultural consultation & Peer supervision

As a Level 4 ACA-registered Deaf Counsellor, I provide cultural consultation and peer supervision for counsellors and mental health professionals seeking to strengthen their confidence and skills in working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients.

I bring extensive clinical experience and lived expertise in Deaf culture, Auslan, and the unique mental health needs of the Deaf community. These sessions go beyond traditional peer supervision, offering:

• Guidance on culturally and linguistically responsive counselling approaches.

• Exploration of language deprivation, Deaf identity development, and the psychological impacts.

• Frameworks for understanding Complex Trauma in Deaf individuals – “Deaf Trauma” (Anderson, 2016; Karli Dettman)

• Strategies for navigating the therapist–client–interpreter triad effectively.

• Resources to engage Deaf clients in ways that foster safety, trust, and therapeutic alliance.

• Insights into reducing misdiagnosis and avoiding the pathologising of Deaf experiences.

• A reflective and supportive space to consolidate and strengthen practice.

Estimated Total Sessions: 2-5 (depending on the complexity of the cases).

Areas of Interest for continued research -
The overlap between Language Deprivation Syndrome (LDS), Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), highlights how cultural and developmental factors can influence diagnosis and underscores the importance of culturally informed assessment practices.

Language Deprivation Syndrome (LDS) and Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits, compounded by *Deaf Trauma (a term introduced by Anderson 2015, and used extensively by Karli Dettman 2020) are conditions that can mimic traits commonly associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The term "Deaf Autism," originally introduced by Aaron Shield, is utilised to describe two different presentations, Deaf and Autistic. Lawson adopts this terminology specifically to refer to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HH) individuals with a history of Language Deprivation Syndrome (LDS), including deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM) and compounded by Deaf Trauma. Lawson hypothesises that these factors may contribute to a form of Autism observed in Deaf adults and children *Deaf Autism. Unlike genetically based Autism, this presentation is characterised as a non-genetic, neurodevelopmental condition that could have been significantly mitigated or prevented with early access to sign language during critical periods of early childhood development.