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I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist and the founder of Developing Me Psychology, a mental health clinic devoted to ‘good trouble’.

I help Autistic and Neurodivergent children, teenagers and adults to develop, function, thrive, and be in the world in ways that affirm, honour and work for them.

Our ‘good trouble’ mission is to promote a radical and respectful rethink about the way we frame and provide psychological therapy to our Autistic and Neurodivergent clients, or those who identify as having Autism or Autistic traits.

We have gathered a team of clinicians, senior teachers and researchers dedicated to supporting safe, high-quality and effective psychological, mental health, educational and personal development programs designed by Neurodivergent people for Neurodivergent people.

We know the sobering statistics of the educational, vocational, psychological and mental health vulnerabilities of Autistic and Neurodivergent people.

But we believe our clients can develop, function well, achieve wellbeing, enjoy their lives and express their unique talents and potential in the ways that they want and which are meaningful to them.

We just need the right methods.

And sometimes we have to be prepared to go ‘off the grid’ to find them.

Since 2016, together with our Neurodivergent Co-Researchers, we have undertaken the world’s first independent research into the effectiveness of the Davis™ Concepts for Life Approach for Autism. We set out to examine whether it would improve the lives and wellbeing of Autistic and Neurodivergent children, teens and adults attending our clinic for mental health treatment.

The emerging outcome data from this gentle but powerful developmental program, created by Autistic engineer Ron Davis, is clinically remarkable. (It is actually far better than the sceptical part of me could have ever envisaged). And it has transformed the way we think about Autism and how we offer therapy at Developing Me Psychology.

Our aim is to help our clients master their own developmental journeys so that they can move about the world with less overwhelm and confusion and can engage with school, work and other people anchored by a sturdy connection to themselves, their strengths, values and intrinsic self-worth.

Our ‘good trouble’ mission extends to my research and work related to institutional betrayal and abuse. I have been forced to rethink my perspective and develop a new framework that is supported by data and real world case studies. This enables me to provide support and guidance to victims via pro bono projects.

Dr Jacinta Ryan