2026 Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia Lineup
OUR KEYNOTE & INVITED SPEAKERS
OUR KEYNOTE & INVITED SPEAKERS
Professor Nick Walker (he/him - USA)
Keynote Presentation on What We Affirm: Clarifying the Values and Premises of Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy (Virtual)
Dr. Nick Walker has been a leading thinker on neurodiversity for the past two decades, and has played a significant role in establishing the foundations of the neurodiversity paradigm and the field of Neurodiversity Studies. Nick is a professor at California Institute of Integral Studies, and a principal architect and founding faculty member of the school’s Bachelor of Science programs in Psychology and Psychedelic Studies. His transdisciplinary academic work explores the edges and intersections of depth psychology, somatic psychology, neurodiversity, consciousness expansion, and creativity. His published works include the essay collection Neuroqueer Heresies, plus chapters in such books as Diverse Bodies Diverse Practices and The Routledge Handbook for Creative Futures. He is co-editor of the upcoming anthology Neurodiversity in Clinical Psychology and Counseling, as well as multiple volumes of the annual Spoon Knife multi-genre lit anthology. He also writes speculative fiction, including the urban fantasy webcomic Weird Luck. Nick holds a 7th degree black belt in aikido and serves as senior aikido teacher at the Aiki Arts Center dojo in Berkeley, California.
Associate Professor Monique Botha (they/them - UK)
Keynote Presentation on Reclaiming Humanity: Identity, State Based Violence, and Neurodivergent Resistance
Dr Monique Botha is a community psychologist and Associate Professor, based at the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development at Durham University, United Kingdom. Monique’s research challenges how society and researchers think about neurodivergence. Their work explores stigma, dehumanization, and minority stress, while also showing how neurodivergent identity, community, and belonging can be powerful sources of collective resilience. Their work spans qualitative, quantitative, dyadic, and creative research, where the core shared principles regardless of method are to rehumanize neurodivergent people. At the heart of their scholarship is a commitment to dismantling ableism in science and building research that reflects the lives of neurodivergent people. Monique co-founded the Striving to Transform Autism Research Together, Scotland (STARTS) with Dr Eilidh Cage and Dr Catherine Crompton, a collaborative research network which brings together researchers and co-researchers with an aim towards transforming the research landscape in Scotland. They also co-founded the Community Against Prejudice Towards Autistic People (CAPTAP) which brings together 200 scholars and autistic people with a specific focus of tackling systemic inequalities which autistic people face.
Sonny Jane Wise (The Lived Experience Educator - they/them)
Keynote Presentation on Pathology or Protection: Depathologising BPD and NPD through the Neurodiversity Affirming Lens
Sonny has cultivated a powerful presence as a speaker, educator and advocate delivering transformative workshops and keynotes to conferences, mental health services, businesses and government bodies. Their work explores neurodivergence through a socio-political lens, bridging the personal and political to challenge neuronormativity and promote neurodiversity affirming practice using storytelling and critical education.
Sonny is the creator of the original “Neurodivergent Umbrella” graphic, a visual cornerstone in neurodivergent awareness and education, and has played a strong role in bringing clarity and understanding to neuronormativity. They’re also the published author of ‘We’re All Neurodiverse’ and ‘The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills’—the first DBT workbook designed through a neurodiversity-affirming lens which has sold over 70,000 copies worldwide.
Khadija Gbla (they/them)
Community Care as Therapy Across the Intersections
Khadija Gbla is a disabled, queer, award-winning human rights activist, inspirational speaker, writer, and philanthropist. Born in Sierra Leone, raised in Gambia and now based in Australia, they bring powerful lived experience as a refugee, Black African Indigenous person, Autistic ADHDer and community leader.
Khadija is the founder and lead campaigner of Ending Female Genital Mutilation Australia and their TEDx talk "My Mother's Strange Definition of Empowerment" has been viewed close to 3 million times worldwide. They are also a member of the LGBTQIAP+ Minister's Council and the Autistic Parent Co-Design Group.
Through their consultancy, Khadija Gbla Cultural Consultancy, they deliver webinars, training packages and bespoke consultancy, on racism, disability, neurodivergence, gender equality, cultural diversity, human rights and inclusion. Recognised with numerous awards, including 2025 SA Woman of the Year Community Champion, Khadija utilises their voice to drive both systemic change and everyday actions toward true equality.
Dr Olga Dobrushina (she/her)
Using Neuroscience Insights to Understand Neurodivergent Experience and Inform Affirming Therapy
Dr Olga Dobrushina, MD, PhD, is a Counselling Psychologist (HCPC, UK), Advanced Accredited Schema Therapist (ISST), and a Lecturer at the Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Olga is neurodivergent herself, and she has been working with Autistic and ADHD clients for over ten years, as a medical doctor, psychologist, and team leader.
As a researcher, Olga focuses on the mind-body connection, autism, and digital health, using advanced neuroimaging to get insights into the brain. Particularly, she works on an AI tool for neurodiversity assessment and a novel biofeedback technology to support arousal regulation. Olga is passionate about bridging neuroscience and practical applications, improving outcomes for those with complex mental health difficulties and preventing these difficulties by seeing and meeting the needs of every individual across the human neurodiversity.
Expert Panel Discussions and Other Guest Speakers
(In Alphabetical Order)
Annelil Desille (she/they)
Annelil (Lil) is an AudHD registered clinical psychologist who integrates personal experience with evidence-based practice to support neurodivergent individuals. Their special interests include neurodivergence, mind-body connection, sexual health, relationships and intimacy, attachment, and spirituality.
She utilises her array of knowledge and passion for all things sex, relationships and intimacy to support neurokin with their ability to deepen and strengthen connections together. Lil has developed and created incredible resources, as well as events and courses that are tailored specifically to the AuDHD community. These events and resources have largely been complimented by our neurokin for their level of inclusivity, adaptability and resourcefulness.
Bianca Comfort (she/her/hers)
Bianca is a neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist based in Melbourne, and is the Director of Comfort Psychology, a telehealth practice focused on chronic illness and neurodivergence. She is also the Vice President of the Australian Psychological Society, and Co-Chair of the Australian EDS & HSD Network.
Bianca has a particular interest in Autism, ADHD, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and Long-Covid.
Bianca is a leading practitioner in the intersection of these conditions, with professional experience in Australia and internationally. Her work is informed by her own lived experience, providing a unique perspective that enriches her practice. She has been invited to speak at national and international conferences, share her insights on podcasts, and contribute to a range of advocacy initiatives. Through her efforts, Bianca is dedicated to raising awareness, improving healthcare outcomes, and inspiring other professionals to engage with this vital field.
Liam Spicer (he/him)
Liam Spicer (he/him) is a multiply neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, Gifted) Psychologist, Academic and Researcher who currently holds a position as a Senior Lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute coordinating and teaching the Postgraduate Certificate in Trauma Informed Care. Liam is passionate about training, research, and collaboration with other neurodivergent individuals in the Neurodiversity Affirming Space. Liam has been a presenter at International and National conferences on the topics of EMDR, Schema Therapy, Autism, ADHD and Grief and has delivered guest webinars and trainings for EMDRAA, AAPi, Headspace, APS, and other organisations and practices.
Liam has been the recipient of the University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellors Leadership Award, and has received an academic commendation for industry experience and service. Liam has been a contributor to the Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief on the topic of Youth Suicide and his current PHD at Curtin University, Perth is focused on the use of Schema Therapy for Prolonged Grief. Liam has published in top academic journals such as Frontiers in Psychiatry, Frontiers in Psychology, and Psychotherapy Research including his recent paper with colleagues on Understanding Early Maladaptive Schemas in Autistic and ADHD individuals which has gained widespread international attention. Liam has several other current projects underway with other colleagues in the Neurodiversity space, and loves being a part of clinicians gaining new knowledge and being a part of wider social change and inclusion.
Lumen Gorrie (they/them)
Lumen Gorrie (they/them) is a queer, trans, AuDHD, chronically ill clinical psychologist, board-approved supervisor, speaker, and advocate based in Naarm.
They are dedicated to supporting neurodivergent, queer, trans and gender diverse (TGD), chronically ill, disabled, and otherwise marginalised folk, alongside those with eating disorders, differences, and difficulties. They work from an anti-oppressive, depathologising, trauma-informed, identity-affirming, HAES framework that centres lived experience, autonomy, and community knowledge.
Lumen is also passionate about critiquing and transforming psychological models and systems that harm marginalised folk, and is committed to advocacy, accessibility, harm minimisation, and disability justice. They have presented on neurodivergence, gender diversity, chronic illness, eating/feeding, body, and their intersections at AusPATH and Health in Difference conferences, and to organisations including the Butterfly Foundation, Royal Children’s Hospital, and InsideOut Institute. In 2024, Lumen was part of a world-first panel on supporting neurodivergent TGD people with eating disorders/differences, and they co-authored a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission on current and emerging threats to TGD human rights.
Outside of this, Lumen has a tiny dog (Nina) and slinky cat (Grimmeow), who they adore endlessly.
Mish Kumar-Jonson (they/them/theirs)
Mish, a Dissociative Identity Response [DIR] System that is neurodivergent, non-binary, queer and a mental health social worker of colour works and lives on Woiwurrung Wurundjeri and Bunuroung Country of the Mighty Kulin Nation. Mish is the chair and principal practitioner at The Iceberg Foundation; a mental health charity supporting BIPOC Neuroqueer humans and in addition runs a private practice and consults on a range of boards to support thriving LGBTIQAPSB+ and Neurodivergent communities.
Through an anti- oppressive lens and a commitment to decolonising mental health practces, Mish supports people within the intersections of neurodivergence, BIPOC narratives, Queerness and the impacts of ableism on the disabled communities. Outside of work Mish loves writng poetry, fostering kittens and constantly rearranging their home to sneak more plants into their home without their wife noticing!
Dr Xi Liu (they/them)
Dr. Xi Liu (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist, internationally recognized for their work in Telehealth and LGBTQIA+ wellbeing. As the first Chinese- speaking Advanced Certified Schema Therapy trainer, Xi supervises mental health practioners in China and Hong Kong, while offering training across Australia and New Zealand. Co-founder of SchemXcollective, Xi integrates intersectional, queer, feminist, and neurodivergent-affirming frameworks to address societal and cultural factors influencing mental health. Their expertise has been pivotal in adapting Schema Therapy for marginalized communities, and they are currently working with EMDR therapists on certain projects regarding the integration and adaptations of both Schema Therapy and EMDR.
Xi is passionate about advancing equity and inclusion in mental health, using creative arts to demystify therapy through both academic and creative writing. Their performance
project, In Session, presented at the Sydney and Adelaide Fringe festivals, combines therapy and performance art for an immersive exploration of the therapeutic process. Xi trained under Dr. Jeffrey Young, founder of Schema Therapy, and their Sydney-based practice focuses on trauma, grief, relationships, mood disorders, idenity conflicts, and gender affirmation through utilising both Schema Therapy and EMDR.