About MindScope

At MindScope, we provide neuroaffirming therapy and Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments for children, teens, and adults. We understand that neurodiversity is a natural variation of the human experience and that everyone has unique strengths and challenges. We value difference and provide support that is respectful, compassionate, and empowering. We are committed to helping individuals and families understand their strengths and challenges and to providing them with the tools they need to thrive. If you or a loved one is seeking support - or assessment to enable access to support - we are here to help.

Kathy Cleland

Principal Psychologist, MAPS, MAAP, LOAPAC

BSc (Psych) (Hons), GC Psych (Forensic), MEdNeuro.

Kathy is MindScope's Principal Psychologist and Clinical Director. Her neuroaffirming lens, and extensive experience in neurodivergence, frame MindScope's approach.
Kathy was an early proponent of the neurodiversity-affirming paradigm and is a passionate activist for this human rights movement.
Kathy began her career as an early childhood educator and, after starting her own family, worked with adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. After relocating to Brisbane in the late '90s, she broadened her experience through roles in business, homelessness support, and as a First Responder with Queensland Ambulance Service. Kathy’s interest in how we process information, think, behave, and function led her to return to university to study psychology. After completing her studies, she took on the role of Associate Supervisor for Honours students conducting suicide prevention research and remains passionate about supporting meaningful, socially impactful research.
Kathy's areas of expertise include AuDHD, complex trauma, dissociation, plurality, and suicidality, and she is highly skilled at working where these areas intersect.
Kathy has advanced training in crisis care and suicide prevention. She engages in a relational approach, which is person-centred, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming.
Kathy provides neuroaffirming Autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments. She tailors comprehensive assessments to the unique needs of each client, and utilises the most current and neuroaffirming Autism and ADHD assessment tools available. She is dedicated to helping people and their families access support that improves their lives and well-being, in a way that respects and supports the unique way their brain works.
In her spare time, Kathy enjoys bushwalking, online forums, artwork, theatre, and coffee with friends.

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Zhi Xuan Tan

Clinical Psychologist,

BPsySc(Hons) MPsych(Clin).

Xuan (pronounced Shan) is a clinical psychologist who is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals and families. She has a strong interest in conducting comprehensive ADHD and Autism assessments for adolescents and adults, and provides tailored reports for NDIS applications and reviews.
Xuan adopts a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach, recognising ADHD, Autism, and other neurodivergent identities as natural variations of human experience—not deficits. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered, especially those from CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) backgrounds, whose experiences are often overlooked in traditional mental health settings.
Using evidence-based tools and a compassionate lens, Xuan conducts assessments that are thoughtfully considerate of emotional, relational, and cultural factors. Her reports are clear, collaborative, and clinically sound—ensuring clients' strengths and support needs are meaningfully represented for both diagnostic clarity and practical use, such as NDIS access.
Xuan describes her style as warm, thoughtful, and tailored to each person, fostering emotional insight, self-awareness, and wellbeing. Whether you're seeking clarity through diagnosis, support with NDIS documentation, or a safe, neuroaffirming therapeutic space, Xuan is committed to walking alongside you with respect and care.

Sarah Hayden

Social Worker, AASW

BSocWk

Sarah Hayden is an accredited social worker, registered with the AASW as well as a qualified equine-assisted psychotherapist. She specialises in autism, neurodivergence and complex family dynamics.
She is also mum to five amazing kids, including world-renowned actor, author, and autism advocate Chloe Hayden.
Sarah and her husband fostered 55 children over a period of five years and their youngest two children were adopted through intercountry adoption from Taiwan.
Sarah is also a volunteer, having worked as a counsellor and advocate for refugees and asylum seekers, and provides emotional first aid and support to disaster-affected people.
Sarah is neurodivergent herself, having been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 48, and is the best-selling author of parenting book: "Parenting Different: How to Raise Your Neurodivergent Kids to be Their Authentic Awesome Selves."

Tannille Anderson

Occupational Therapist and Narrative Therapist,

BHlthSc, MOT, MC-NTCW.

Tannille was born and raised in Sydney and moved to Alice Springs in March, 2020. Tannille worked as a support worker in Sydney during her studies. Following this, Tannille has worked in many public and private organisations and in many First Nations Communities in NT, SA and WA.
Tannille is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist (registered through Better Access to Mental Health Support – BAMHS) and Level 2 Counsellor/ Narrative Therapist. Tannille’s areas of expertise are; neurodivergence, people impacted by trauma and mental health conditions of all age groups and genders. Tannille is passionate about supporting families, parents and couples. Tannille is an LGBTQIA Ally.
Tannille’s practice is a gentle, casual, non-judgmental and creative practice. Tannille allows the person she is supporting to guide the process of assessment and intervention.
Tannille helps people to rediscover who they are and what unique skills, strengths may have been covered over by negative stories from society, people around them, past experiences due to inappropriate therapies and experiences of abuse and violence. Something close to Tannille’s heart is holistic practices of yoga, somatic practices, meditation, art and spiritual practices.
As an occupational therapist Tannille believes engaging in life and activities that we enjoy keeps us well and helps us to heal.
Tannille enjoys spending time with her family, 6 month old son, 3 beautiful dogs, gardening, reading and tending to her worm farms.

Samantha Crane

Occupational Therapist & Inclusion Consultant,

BSc (Occupational Therapy), BSc. (Occupational Health & Safety)

Samantha is an occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience and a mum to neurodivergent children, giving her lived insight into the assessment journey from both sides. Her personal experience navigating the process has shaped her commitment to creating assessment spaces that feel safe, attuned, and truly human. She has a professional passion for sensory processing and the brain-body connection, recognising how these systems underpin regulation, participation, and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Samantha’s work focuses on how sensory processing differences can at times be invisible to others yet profoundly impactful, influencing emotional regulation, attention, executive functioning, social connection, and the capacity to engage in daily activities. These subtle signs in interoception, autonomic responses, or patterns of masking often go unnoticed but can shape every aspect of a person’s lived experience.
In her practice, Samantha integrates this knowledge to design highly individualised, regulation-first assessment experiences. Her approach is semi-structured and person-led, adapting to each individual’s nervous system needs, communication preferences, and pace. By creating environments that are sensory-safe and flexible, she enables individuals to show their authentic abilities and challenges, ensuring that functional insights are both accurate and compassionate.
Outside of her professional work, Samantha enjoys working on her property with her family, dog, and many chickens. She loves the slower pace of rural life, connecting with nature, and creating a grounded, sensory-rich environment that reflects the values she brings to her professional work.

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Georgia Marshall

Speech Pathologist & Narrative Therapist Counsellor, SPA, ACA

BSPPath, CPSP, MC-NTCW, GC FASD.

Georgia lives and works on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, providing neuroaffirming autism assessments and therapy. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and decolonising frameworks. She uses a gentle, person-centred approach that honours each individual's lived experience and identity.
As a neurodivergent and chronically ill person herself, Georgia understands the importance of genuine care, curiosity, and respectful assessment. She uses the frameworks that support strengths-based, affirming autism assessments, and sees each person as separate from the problems they may be facing, and as the expert in their own life.
Georgia draws on her combined experience as a speech pathologist and narrative therapist to meet people where they’re at, supporting not only communication, but identity, relationships, and wellbeing across the lifespan.
Georgia has worked across both urban and remote settings, particularly supporting neurodivergent children, teenagers, and adults, as well as families navigating burnout, communication differences, and trauma. Her dual qualifications allow her to offer holistic, integrated support through both assessment and ongoing therapy.
Georgia's areas of expertise are: Autism assessments using the MIGDAS framework, Narrative therapy for neurodivergent clients, Neuroaffirming communication and identity support, FASD-informed therapy and support, Culturally responsive practice in remote and cross-cultural settings, and Trauma-informed care for clients with complex or chronic health conditions.
Georgia's special interest is birds. She lives with two budgies and a cockatiel, and finds great joy in learning about and spending time with birds. She also enjoys bushwalking, reading, and connecting with the desert landscape that surrounds her.

Kimberley Nagle

Provisional Psychologist,

BSc (Psych) (Hons), Grad Dip Psych, MTeach, MClinPsych (in progress).

Kimberley is a dedicated provisional psychologist with a deep respect for lived experiences and passion for creating neuroaffirming practices and spaces that celebrate the diversity of neurodivergent experiences. With a client-centered and strengths-based approach, Kimberley is committed to fostering environments that promote understanding, inclusion, and empowerment.
With 12 years of experience as a teacher working in diverse and multicultural communities, Kimberley has a deep understanding of the importance of inclusion, adaptability, and supporting individuals with varying needs and backgrounds. Her work in education fostered a strong commitment to advocating for mental health, well-being, and equity, which inspired her transition into psychology.
Kimberley brings a unique perspective to her psychological practice. Drawing on her extensive experience in creating supportive, strengths-based learning environments she incorporates practical insights of the education system with psychological approaches that support children and adolescents and their families.
Personal Interests: Kimberley enjoys making and listening to music, reading, doing puzzles, and playing netball.

Nicholas Bailey

Provisional Psychologist

BScBMed, BScPsych (Honours), MProfPsych, MClinPsych (Candidate).

Nick is a Provisional Psychologist and a Master of Clinical Psychology candidate with a dedicated passion for working within a neuroaffirmative framework.
He brings five years of experience supporting neurodivergent youth across both clinical and non-clinical roles. A key highlight of this work includes work with Rugby Australia in expanding a specialized sporting initiative for neurodivergent young people across Queensland.
Nick’s therapeutic approach is gentle and strengths-based, focusing on creating a comfortable and collaborative environment for his clients. He is proficient in using evidence-based modalities and has applied Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) extensively to support neurodivergent youth in settings ranging from outdoor adventure camps to the clinic room.
Outside of his professional work, Nick believes in the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. He enjoys spending his personal time hiking in nature, reading, and playing the guitar.

Kirstie Shaw

Counselor | Mentor | Disability & Inclusion Advocate

Grad DipCounselling, Master of Disability & Inclusion (in progress).

Kirstie is a dedicated counsellor and mentor with a strong focus on supporting individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence. With a Graduate Diploma in Counseling and currently pursuing a Master’s in Disability & Inclusion, she combines academic expertise with lived experience to provide meaningful guidance and support. Her deep understanding of autism, ADHD and Intellectual Disabilities - both professionally and personally - allows her to take a compassionate and informed approach.
Kirstie is passionate about helping individuals build their capacity, develop independence, and navigate challenges with confidence. She is also a strong advocate for ensuring that people have access to diagnosis, recognising its crucial role in receiving appropriate support and services.
Through mentoring and counseling, she empowers individuals and families to embrace their strengths, overcome barriers, and create fulfilling lives. Her work is rooted in empathy, respect, and a commitment to inclusion and personal growthWhen she is not working, Kirstie enjoys spending time with her family & can often be found on the couch cuddling with her dogs.

Steph Schneider

Client Intake & Support Liaison,

BSc (Psych) (Hons).

Steph is a dedicated Client Intake & Support Liaison with a strong foundation in psychology and a warm, client-focused approach. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology Extended) with Honours and is currently pursuing further study with the goal of becoming a registered psychologist.
Steph brings a unique blend of academic, administrative, and therapeutic experience to her role. She has worked in higher education as a teaching assistant, tutor, and undergraduate marker, and spent nine years working in local government in records management and administrative roles. Her time as a therapy assistant sparked a deep interest in client care, which she continues to develop in her current position.
Steph’s career journey spans education, local government, and therapeutic settings. Her academic roles helped her develop strong communication and organisation skills, while her years in records management and administration gave her a solid foundation in client service and systems. These experiences have shaped her ability to manage complex information with empathy and professionalism.
In her spare time, Steph enjoys reading mystery and adventure novels, crafting, gaming, and spending quality time with her husband and their two dogs.

Chal-mari Toms (Cha)

Practice Manager | Therapy Assistant

BPsych (Hons) (in progress).

Cha is our warm and approachable Practice Manager and Therapy Assistant. With a strong background in practice operations and client care, Cha helps ensure that each part of the practice runs smoothly and thoughtfully, supporting both clients and clinicians alike.
Cha is deeply committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all individuals. She understands that every person’s journey is unique and values neurodiversity as an important part of human differences. Her focus is on making every client feel seen, heard, and respected, and she supports the clinical team with the same compassion and care.
Cha is currently completing her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), driven by her passion for mental health and her desire to support people in meaningful, person-centred ways.
Outside of work, Cha enjoys staying active through sport, spending quality time with her family and their much-loved pet, and relaxing with a good book.

Tracy Dale

Client Liaison Assistant

BPsych (in progress)

Tracy brings a compassionate, people-centred approach to her role as Client Liaison Assistant. With a background in marketing, administration, and client engagement, she has supported individuals and teams across a range of sectors, drawing on strong organisational and business management skills.
Currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology, Tracy combines practical experience with a growing understanding of human behaviour. Her approach is grounded in empathy, efficiency, and a commitment to clear, respectful communication. She is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome and supported.
Outside of work, Tracy loves spending time with her family and her two cats and tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants. She also enjoys catching up with friends over a good cup of coffee.