Deaf cultural consultation and

Advisory Services

for mental health professionals

As a Deaf Clinical Counsellor and Supervisor, 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 & clinical supervision

As a Level 4 ACA-registered Deaf Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor, I provide cultural consultation and 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.

Areas of interest and continued research

The overlap between Language Deprivation Syndrome (LDS), Theory of Mind (ToM) differences, Deaf Trauma, and Autism highlights how cultural, linguistic, and developmental factors can significantly influence assessment and diagnosis. Research has shown that language deprivation and disrupted early communication access can result in social-cognitive, emotional, and behavioural presentations that may closely resemble traits commonly associated with Autism.

Language Deprivation Syndrome (LDS) and Theory of Mind (ToM) differences, particularly when compounded by Deaf Trauma (a term introduced by Anderson, 2015, and used by Dettman, 2020), can manifest as rigidity, social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation challenges, and differences in perspective taking. These presentations may be misinterpreted as Autism when assessed without adequate understanding of Deaf developmental experiences and linguistic access.

While some Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are Autistic, there is growing recognition that Autistic like traits may also emerge as adaptive or developmental responses to early language deprivation, trauma, and systemic barriers. This underscores the importance of culturally informed, trauma focused, and language accessible assessment practices, and the need for further research to better differentiate between Autism, ADHD and developmental impacts arising from language deprivation and Deaf lived experience.

Greater awareness among clinicians is essential to reduce misdiagnosis, ensure appropriate support, and honour the unique developmental pathways of Deaf individuals.