Home - PDA Talk ~ Specialist Consultation and Support Counselling for Pathological Demand Avoidance

MEET

Sally (she/her)

Hi I’m Sally. If you are seeking a trusted and qualified allied health professional who ‘gets it’ because they have lived it, you are in the right place. I am mum to three neurodivergent teens/adults, one of whom has the PDA profile formally acknowledged. I am a Registered Counsellor and hold an Honours degree in Applied Psychology. I am late diagnosed autistic and identify strongly with the PDA profile.

My mission is to prevent other children and families from experiencing the avoidable distress that we did prior to incorporating a PDA approach. My goal to achieve this, is through creating increased awareness and acceptance of PDA, alongside the facilitation and provision of appropriate information and support.

I have assisted thousands of families already, through my business PDA Talk and my Facebook Support Group.

PDA Talk ~ A Pathway Forwards:

Parental Support Counselling
Support Network Consultations
Online appointments
Neurodiversity Affirming service
Neurodivergent Counsellor
Australia wide access
ACA Registered and ARCAP listed
NDIS Worker Screening listed
NDIS funded options

ABOUT

PDA Talk

PDA Talk has been providing vital support to Australian families since 2020. I work primarily with parents, at various stages in their PDA journey. I am often contacted due to a lack of successful outcomes through direct childhood therapies. On other occasions, clients have unanswered questions following completion of PDA webinars or programs and come to me seeking individualised support.

Parents commonly feel isolated and lost, requiring emotional support and validation to keep going. Whatever the primary reason for contact, many families find they need something a little extra to equip them on this path.

Whilst attempting to move heaven and earth for your child, have you ever stopped to consider,

‘Who is supporting you?’

PDA Community Contributions

I am dedicated to sharing information, support and acceptance of PDA through my personal connections and professional associations.

I have volunteered my time in many ways. These include:

Speaker at PDA Space Online Summit.
Consultant to author Kathy Hoopmann working towards her book ‘All About PDA: An Insight into Pathological Demand Avoidance’.
Primary Consultant to Registered Charity ‘PDA Australia’
Valued member of ‘Team PDA’.
Creator and Administrator of Facebook group ‘Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Australia – Support for PDAers & Families’.

PARENT

Testimonials

With all the NDIS funding, this is literally the only thing that has helped us at all. Nobody else was able to understand our daughter. I honestly can’t thank you enough.

Sally’s input was really useful & provided in a way that didn't have me question our parenting, our choices & absolutely not our sanity.

I felt heard for the first time in a long time.

Sally has provided invaluable support in navigating the challenges that PDA parenting brings including meltdown management, school difficulties and tools for daily life.

I always feel so encouraged after our sessions. We are finding them really beneficial.

Sally was a great sounding board to help resolve problems. She helped us to set up a better home environment for our son and communicate his needs with others.

Finding you was a breath of fresh air.

I just love how I come in and drop all this stuff. You validate it and give it back to me again in a constructive way. I hear what I just said differently and realise that it’s okay.

These sessions have enabled me to move forward with confidence. I feel now I have permission to ‘let go’ and do what’s best for my family.

Sally has lived experience with a child with PDA and has the theory and expertise to guide and support others. She is honest and has practical strategies which have helped my family.

You are very down to earth and non-judgemental and very open minded which really helps us parents to be as authentic and honest as we need to be.

This has made so much difference to our whole family. Now we understand it we are doing things differently.

Sally's approach, conduct & care made me feel less alone in my parenting journey & most importantly provided me with hope that the tough days wouldn't last forever.

This isn’t like my other appointments. I know that whatever happens, you will just flow with it and you get it. I don’t have to worry.

Sally was really easy to talk to. During our appointments, she was kind, courteous & respectful to the often difficult topics we needed to discuss.

You are my Unicorn.