Get to know me

Bachelor of Social Work (Hons)

Author of Answering the Call: Generating Contemporary Knowledge About Australian Social Work Activism

Hi Folks, my name’s Leah (they/them). I have the lived experience of being neurodivergent, queer, and non-binary.

In my time as a social worker, I've had the privilege of working with folks from all sorts of backgrounds and life experiences. I’m dedicated to using strengths-based practices and trauma-informed care to create a space where you feel genuinely cared for, respected, and heard.

I always say no problem is too big, small, or messy.

Big issues that seem overwhelming? We'll break them down into manageable steps. Small problems keep piling up? We'll tackle them together to clear your path. Messy situations with lots of tangled threads? We'll untangle them one by one.

Doing mental health differently

ICC began in 2023 to fill a gap in the mental health sector, making sure queer and neurodivergent folk could get the support they needed without falling through the cracks.

Having been on both sides of the therapy couch - and seeing a need for more inclusive, understanding, and affirming services - ICC was built from the ground up, with these values at its core.

Relationships

Establishing safety and trust is key to working well together. I’m interested in getting to know you as a person and want to be human with you.

Creativity

I work in ways that are fun, innovative, and tailored to your needs. I’m curious and not stuck in my way of doing things. If you have ideas, I want to hear them!

Community

Place, belonging, and connection are important. I’m dedicated to making our community better through advocacy, education, and community development.

Social Justice

I’m committed to advancing the rights of all – humans, animals and our environment. I promote equity, accessibility, and empowerment - where I can make change, I will!

Integrity

I strive to be open, honest, and ethically minded. I will be consistent in our work together. If I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.

Communication

I’ll keep you informed each step of the way and communicate in a way that works for you. I’ll check in to make sure I’ve explained things in a way that makes sense.

My framework of practice is trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and intersectional.

I prioritise establishing emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual, and cultural safety in everything I do. I work from a contemporary evidence base which values and incorporates lived experience. In practice, this looks like:

  • Applying the core principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

  • Minimising the risks of re-traumatisation and promoting hope.

  • Recognising the different ways you attempt to cope and responding non-judgementally.

  • Collaborating with you and affirming your strengths, skills, and resources.

  • Understanding my power and privilege as a service provider and minimising this power imbalance as much as possible.

  • Acknowledging that mental health care has historically been designed by and for white, straight, cis-men, and working in ways that dismantle this.

  • Recognising the ways systems and societal constructs affect you and your wellbeing, including the impacts of sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism.

My practice is queer and neurodivergent-affirming.

As a queer and neurodivergent practitioner, I know it’s important to:

  • View neurodivergence as a part of your identity and strengths, rather than a disorder.

  • Use a social model of disability to understand support needs and accommodations.

  • Meet your sensory needs in a practical way and encourage sensory regulation, including stimming.

  • Understand the impacts of masking on social and emotional wellbeing. I encourage self-discovery, self-compassion, and self-acceptance.

  • Embrace neurodivergent communication styles and reject notions that neurodivergent people have ‘poor’ social skills.

  • Acknowledge that systems and structures are not designed for neurodivergent people and encourage self-advocacy.

  • Acknowledge the trauma that can come from being neurodivergent in a neuronormative world.

  • Support your exploration of gender identity, sexuality, and self-expression.

  • Reject cis- and hetero-normativity.

  • Use gender-affirming language, including your name and pronouns.