Meet Mel
Hi, I’m Mel — counsellor, clinical hypnotherapist, educator, and neurodivergent parent of a neurodivergent child.
I bring over 15 years of experience in education, behaviour support, and therapeutic work, and I offer a calm, inclusive space for people of all ages to feel seen, supported, and empowered.
At Bright Feathers, I combine clinical training with lived experience to walk alongside you — both in your journey and, if you prefer, along the Merewether coastline, with walk-and-talk sessions that blend nature, movement, and meaningful conversation.
📘My Story
For many years, I was the educator working tirelessly behind the scenes to support students who didn’t quite fit the mould — the ones who struggled with the school system, who masked, who needed more than just academic help. As a learning support coordinator and teacher, I specialised in working with neurodivergent students and their families, advocating for inclusion, understanding, and personalised support.
But my journey with neurodivergence didn’t stop at the classroom door.
I’m a proud mum to two beautiful girls, one of whom is neurodivergent. Navigating diagnosis, therapy, and the NDIS as a parent gave me a whole new perspective — one filled with joy, challenges, grief, advocacy, and resilience. It also gave me a deeper understanding of what families really need: someone who gets it, who can listen without judgement, and who knows how to help.
Along the way, I also discovered that I’m neurodivergent myself — a late diagnosis that made so much of my life finally make sense. It helped me understand my own sensory sensitivities, the way I think, and the deep empathy I’ve always had for those who feel different, overwhelmed, or unseen.
Leaving teaching wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. I wanted to do more than just support learning — I wanted to support the whole person. Becoming a counsellor and clinical hypnotherapist gave me the tools to do just that. Now, through Bright Feathers, I get to work with people in a deeper, more meaningful way — helping neurodivergent individuals and their families heal, grow, and feel empowered.
Whether I’m working with a teen navigating school pressures, a parent feeling lost in the NDIS maze, or an adult seeking a safe space to unmask and explore who they truly are — I bring compassion, clarity, and lived insight to every session.
💡My Philosophy
At Bright Feathers, I work from a neurodiversity-affirming, person-centred, and trauma-informed lens.
I don’t see ADHD or autism as disorders to be “fixed,” but as natural and valuable variations of the human experience. So often, the real barriers are the systems — schools, workplaces, and societal expectations — that aren’t designed with neurodivergent needs in mind.
I believe in presuming competence, always. Every person deserves to be seen as capable, worthy, and whole — regardless of labels or diagnoses. Too often, neurodivergent children are underestimated or overlooked. I want to change that.
In my work with children, their voice is central. They should have a say in the goals, strategies, and direction of their support. And I view parents and carers not as passive observers, but as experts on their child — partners in the process, whose insights are essential.
For adults, I aim to create a space where you can unmask, feel understood, release shame and begin to honour your neurodivergent mind. Think of the care you’d give a struggling friend — you deserve that too.
✨Training & Experience
I bring over 15 years of professional experience in education, behaviour support, and therapeutic work — with a strong focus on neurodivergent individuals and families.
🎓 Diploma of Counselling – Institute of Applied Psychology
Neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed, with a focus on identity, regulation, and mental health support
🎓 Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy – Hypnotherapy Training Australia
Certified clinical hypnotherapist using gentle, evidence-based tools for stress, trauma, mindset and behaviour change
🎓 Master of Autism and Neurodivergent Studies (In Progress) – University of Wollongong
Committed to ongoing learning and best-practice, with a lived-experience lens
🎓 Postgraduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) & Bachelor of Fine Arts – University of Newcastle
Former learning support teacher and coordinator specialising in autism and ADHD support across school settings
✅ Registered Counsellor – Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
NDIS self- and plan-managed participants welcome under Individual Counselling (15_043_0128_1_3)
🌿 Modalities & Approach
I tailor every session to suit the individual — blending evidence-based strategies with a compassionate, neuroaffirming mindset. My approach is flexible, collaborative, and informed by both clinical training and lived experience.
🧠 Neurodivergent-Affirming & Trauma-Aware Support
ADHD- and Autism-informed counselling with a strong focus on emotional safety, regulation, and identity-affirming care.
🗯️ Cognitive & Behavioural Therapies (CBT)
Helping you identify unhelpful thoughts, challenge limiting beliefs, and create meaningful, lasting change.
💡 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
A practical, strengths-based approach focused on what's working, developing solutions, and clarifying desired outcomes.
📅 Executive Function & Life Skills Coaching
Real-world planning, organisation strategies, and self-management tools to support everyday success.
🌬️ Mindfulness & Relaxation Techniques
Breathwork, guided visualisation, progressive muscle relaxation, and stress relief tools to calm the nervous system.
🌀 Clinical Hypnotherapy
Gentle, goal-oriented sessions supporting stress reduction, confidence, trauma recovery, and behaviour change.
🔍 Behavioural Insight & Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
Understanding the function of behaviours and supporting respectful, person-centred responses to challenging situations.
🌈 Culturally Sensitive & LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Practice
A safe, respectful space for clients from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
