Deaf-Informed Support
Ashleigh herself identifies as hard of hearing (HOH), with mod-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
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Ashleigh went through mainstream schooling, and was introduced to the
Deaf community when she attended a Deaf event in Brisbane as a teenager.
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As a psychology student, Ashleigh quickly became aware that there was a need for more accessible and informed mental health support for the Deaf and HOH community in Australia. Her professional goals have always aligned with making a meaningful impact in this space.
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Since moving to Melbourne in 2009, Ashleigh completed her studies alongside working at the Victorian Deaf Society (now Expressions Australia), Deaf Children Australia, and Aurora Early Intervention Services in various support-oriented roles (administrative, family support, individual, groups, assessment and intervention).
Since achieving her registration as a psychologist, Ashleigh has also provided intervention services to NextSense clients (formerly the Royal Institute for
Deaf and Blind Children; RIDBC), specifically working with parents of d/Deaf children, as well as spent 5+ years working in private practice with adults both
hearing and d/Deaf.
Supporting our Community
As Ashleigh worked with and learned from other d/Deaf and hearing professionals at these organisations she also developed a love for Auslan, and practiced her skills
through both formal and informal learning.
Ashleigh can provide effective and engaging individual interventions to Deaf clients who prefer to communicate in Auslan.
If Deaf clients prefer to use an interpreter, then they are welcome! It is the responsibility of the client to arrange this with their preferred provider.
If requested, Ashleigh will offer a brief introductory Zoom/FaceTime call to any d/Deaf clients to ensure communication is not a barrier.
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You will not need to use any of your valuable time explaining the Deaf Community, Deaf Culture, Audism, or the many frustrations and barriers you face on a daily
basis.
While these are important to understand about your world, Ashleigh knows that this is not the whole story for you.
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Deaf Mental Health Related Concerns
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Your individual concerns, in the context of your world, are of greatest importance and Ashleigh can help you to maintain focus on reaching your goals for therapy.
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Deaf Trauma
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Experiences of Audism
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​Parenting support - new parents of Deaf/HOH child
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Parenting support - navigating identity development in teens
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Deaf identity and belonging
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CODA
