Neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist

Hi, I’m Dr Natalia Rusnac (she/her)

I’m here for neurodivergent adults who want to:

  • Take ownership of their healing journey
  • Get in touch with their inner selves (without external noises and pressures)
  • Learn to nurture themselves and connect with what they value the most
  • Choose the pain of growth over the pain of being stuck
  • Start living a larger life that they can feel truly excited about
natalia rusnac
neuro affirming psychologist

You’re trying to do it all in a world that isn’t built for you. But here’s what I believe —

Every time you act in alignment with your values and true identity, even when it’s really hard to do so, it feels right, deep down in your heart. There is so much life energy to it.

By studying psychology and neuroscience, I have developed a broad set of therapeutic tools that have helped me recognise my strengths and vulnerabilities, let go of neuro-normative expectations, and create a life aligned with my values and my neurotype.

Now, my goal is to empower you to do the same — to help you grow beyond coping and show up in the world in a way that is aligned with what matters the most to you.

Just as you are

I love working with neurodivergent people from diverse backgrounds. LGBTQI+, migrants, and people with illness or disability are welcome here. I can conduct sessions in English, French, or Romanian.

All sessions are delivered online and you can be anywhere in Australia.

You won’t know who you are until you know what matters to you. This is what matters to me —

Creating a safe haven

It is important to me that you feel safe, seen, and accepted just as you are. Through neuro-affirming practice, I aim to provide a safe foundation for you to explore the world and a refuge to come back to. Everything we do together, we do if and when you’re ready, and at your pace. You are free to say no or stop at any time.

Being candid

Our worlds are filled with clutter and noise, both ‘out there’ and inside our heads. It can be overwhelming. I’m direct and I give you permission to be the same. Candour is also about being open and honest. We’ll set realistic goals and focus on manageable tasks during our time together.

Inviting curiosity

Everybody is wired differently. I invite you to be curious about your neurotype so that you can replace self-judgement with self-inquiry. By exploring your unique experiences, you can learn to understand yourself better, fostering growth and self-compassion.

Practising creativity

I love combining multiple evidence-based frameworks from both psychology and neuroscience so that, together as a team, we can create a truly original and completely personalised therapeutic roadmap for you. When you are an active participant in this process, you are also taking ownership of your healing journey.

Cultivating a growth mindset

We thrive not just when we heal but when we grow. Growth can feel uncomfortable. But so can being stuck. Either pathway presents discomfort and difficulties but only one can bring you closer to a life aligned with who you truly are.

Disrupting neuro-normativity

I have an unwavering commitment to neuro-affirming practice. This includes providing you with the tools to advocate for yourself and to recognise and address the internalised stigma and ableism you have been inadvertently carrying within you.

By embracing yourself, you’re taking a stand against neuro-normativity, ableism, and stigma. You’re creating a world in which diversity is celebrated and people of all neurotypes can thrive.

My journey as a neuro affirming psychologist

MOLDOVA

As a child, I preferred analysing the behaviours and motives of my favourite book characters than playing outside. I loved to follow the trajectory of the human journey, to see how characters evolved inside a novel.

As a teen, I stumbled upon a TV series about psychology. It wasn’t Nobel Prize-worthy but it sparked a lifelong obsession.

FRANCE

I attended the University of Strasbourg to study psychology, and then neuroscience. I loved learning and losing track of time in various research rabbit holes.

Qualifications unlocked:

  • Bachelor of Psychology
  • Master of Cognitive Neuroscience
  • PhD in Social Psychology

AUSTRALIA

After lots of learning and researching, I wanted to use the psychological knowledge we have available today to help real people transform their lives. I swapped the bleak skies of Strasbourg for those of sunny Queensland, moving there by myself in 2017. I currently live in Meanjin (Brisbane).

Qualifications unlocked:

  • Master of Clinical Psychology (The University of Queensland)
  • Clinical Psychologist – AHPRA Registered Psychologist
  • Member of the APS (Australian Psychological Society)
  • Medicare Provider
  • Member of EMDRAA (EMDR Association of Australia)
natalia rusnac neuro affirming psychologist

Let’s work together to move you from coping to healing and thriving.