Getting to know Paul

Paul’s Story

Paul is a queer, neurodivergent ADHDer psychologist. He knows how it feels to be misunderstood, unfairly treated, abused and when young, needlessly tried to change himself to fit into others’ expectations. After his own healing, he was driven to make a positive difference in the lives of others so they can freely live their beautifully unique lives.

He loves the concept of a parallel between natural human diversity and biodiversity. He lives by the quote by Milton Diamond: “Nature loves diversity, unfortunately society hates it!

He was raised in a conservative Christian environment. After coming out in his early 20’s he was subjected to misguided attempts to change who he was. This included anti-psychotic medication, exorcisms, and conversion therapy practices. He became a leader in the ‘ex-gay’ movement but soon realised that it was a harmful fallacy. He jokes that he gave up conservative Christianity for lent.

After working through the damage done to him, he developed a passion to raise society’s consciousness and reduce unnecessary suffering. This included becoming a psychologist, and eventually founding one of the first large practices in Australia that provided a safe space for stigmatised individuals including LGBTIQ+. He worked towards having as much influence as possible to overcome the harm he saw in his own and others’ lives through people not ‘getting it’.

This led to activism, political lobbying, and educating. He was able to utilise appearances on TV, radio, magazines, documentaries, and chapters in books to help people understand diversity. He ran and spoke at conferences, developed and ran workshops and provided supervision for psychologists. He also ran campaigns warning of the dangers of the ex-gay movement and advocating for LGBTIQ+ equal rights, including playing a significant role with the fight for marriage equality.

Being an ADHDer, Paul’s personal understanding and challenges with his own neurodivergence inspired him to pursue in the neurodivergent / LGBTIQ+ space.

My Approach

Paul’s counselling style has been described as relaxed, authentic, and warm where people quickly feel at ease and develop trust in him. He has a deeply empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgemental connection with his clients who often say that they feel genuinely cared for. This type of positive professional relationship is the ideal foundation for a counselling experience that is often transformational for the couple, members or individual in poly relationships.