I am…
A late‑diagnosed neurodivergent woman, a social worker, and someone who deeply understands what it’s like to move through a world that wasn’t built with neurodivergent minds in mind. My lived experience shapes everything I do not as a credential, but as a way of being with people.
I know the exhaustion of masking, the confusion of trying to “fit,” and the relief of finally finding language for your inner world. I also know the grief, the anger, the liberation, and the slow, steady rebuilding that can follow.
Why I do this work
I’m passionate about supporting neurodivergent adults to build lives they don’t need to recover from. For many of us, the world has asked us to shrink, adapt, or push through. Therapy shouldn’t feel like another place where you have to perform.
My work is grounded in the belief that you deserve spaces where you can be fully yourself unmasked, unedited, and unhurried.
How I work
My practice is neuroaffirming, trauma‑informed, and sensory‑aware. This means:
I adapt communication styles to suit your needs
We pace sessions in a way that feels safe and manageable
We honour nonlinear progress
We make room for sensory needs, shutdowns, overwhelm, and pauses
We focus on strengths, identity, and self‑understanding not “fixing”
Whether you’re exploring Autism, ADHD, or other forms of neurodivergence, I offer support that honours your lived reality and the complexity of your inner world.
What you can expect
A warm, empathetic, and non‑judgmental space where trust, respect, and understanding guide our work. Together, we explore identity, relationships, boundaries, burnout, trauma, and the parts of your story that feel tangled or heavy.
You don’t need to arrive with clarity. You don’t need to have the right words. You don’t need to be “ready.” You just need to show up as you are.
My background
I have eight years of experience working in community settings, supporting people through complex life experiences, trauma, mental health challenges, and identity exploration. My professional training is grounded in social work values — dignity, autonomy, collaboration, and anti‑oppressive practice.
I bring together lived experience, clinical knowledge, and a deep respect for the many ways neurodivergent people think, feel, and move through the world.
If you’d like to work together
I offer both telehealth and in‑person sessions in Carlton. You’re welcome to begin with a free 15‑minute intake call to see if we’re a good fit.
Email:amy@affirmwithamy.com.au
Phone (text or call): 0437 437 432
You can book through my Halaxy page https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/amy-russell/social-worker/1730497/1326095
More info
Therapeutic approaches
I draw from a range of therapeutic frameworks, using them gently and adaptively rather than following a rigid formula. These include:
Solution‑focused therapy
Motivational interviewing
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (adapted for different minds)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness‑based strategies
Psychoeducation (learning together about how your mind and body work, so you can make sense of things in your own way)
Together, we explore practical strategies to support emotional wellbeing, self‑esteem, and self‑compassion. We can also deepen your understanding of executive functioning, sensory needs, identity, and the impact of shame, creating space for insight and growth.
Psychoeducation is woven throughout our work in clear, accessible, neuroaffirming ways. My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming and sex‑worker friendly, grounded in intersectional, trauma‑informed care.
Qualifications and training
I am an Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited Social Worker with:
Master of Social Work
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Alcohol and Other Drugs skill set
Specialist training in counselling Autistic adults
Maram training in family violence assessment and identification
I am committed to lifelong learning and staying current with emerging research in mental health, neurodivergence, and trauma‑informed care. My practice is shaped by ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and community‑led knowledge, ensuring my work remains responsive, relevant, and grounded in lived experience.
I’m currently deepening my skills through training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), integrating the parts that support emotional regulation and self‑understanding in neuroaffirming ways.
Professional background
My experience spans community mental health, hospital settings, and employee assistance programs, supporting adults and families through complex life transitions. This has included:
Pregnancy support
Housing and homelessness advocacy
Alcohol and other drug counselling
Burnout, grief, and identity exploration
Trauma and long‑term stress
I’ve also worked extensively in family and youth services, supporting young people navigating identity, neurodivergence, and systemic barriers. Across all roles, I’ve centred relational safety, empowerment, accessibility, and anti‑oppressive, anti‑colonialist, intersectional practice that honours the realities of the people I work with.
If you’d like to work together
You’re welcome to begin with a free 15‑minute intake call to see if we’re a good fit.
You can book through my Halaxy page https://www.halaxy.com/book/appointment/amy-russell/social-worker/1730497/1326095
When I am not at work
Outside of work, you’ll find me soaking up nature, swimming in the sea (even when it’s questionably cold), and borrowing friends’ dogs for emotional support and walkies. I’m often head-down in a book, experimenting with cooking (results range from gourmet to “I tried”), and enjoying movies and TV shows that span from critically acclaimed to deeply questionable. I also try to make time for rest and spontaneous dancing.
Contact us
You're warmly invited to get in touch, whether you have a question, need more information, or are exploring support options, I’d love to hear from you.