Dr Theresa Kidd is a clinical psychologist, research fellow, and clinical director of The Kidd Clinic, a private, bicoastal psychology and allied health practice across Melbourne and Perth. Her work focuses on Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), ADHD, and mental health across the lifespan. Dr Kidd works to support Autistic people and the larger community by providing affirming psychological services, education, and advocating for inclusive, strengths-based approaches.
Her experiences as an AuDHDer and as a parent within a neurodivergent family, including children with PDA, shape her commitment to enhancing the well-being of neurodivergent families.
Dr. Kidd is dedicated to equitable education and employment and practical, research-based psychological services. Her early work was in disability and employment services before her honour’s degree where she researched the experiences of mothers’ home educating
their Autistic children. Her PhD, focused on adapting a family-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy program to help Autistic adolescents manage anxiety. Concurrently, she co-developed and directed the Curtin University Autism Peer Mentoring Program, supporting Autistic students in navigating university life and beyond. Later, during her postdoctoral fellowship at Macquarie University, she led a national trial aimed at reducing anxiety and bullying victimisation among children. As a respected speaker, Theresa presents both nationally and internationally on Autism, PDA, ADHD, mental health, and the transition to adulthood for Autistic and PDA young people. She supervises clinicians in neurodiversity-affirming practices and has co-authored several publications, including her recent book, Helping Autistic Teens to Manage their Anxiety, a valuable resource for families and allied health professionals alike
And Joining the wonderful Dr Theresa Kidd on stage we have Melanie Turner!
Melanie Turner is a Counselling Psychologist and has been practising for 17 years. Her previous work has involved practicing in university settings, not for profit community organisations, custodial and private practice settings. Historically, Melanie has worked across all areas of mental health and has vast experience with anxiety, depression, adjustments issues, emotional regulation and more. She is very interested in working with neurodivergent adults and older teens (16 and above) and has a special interest in late diagnosed Autistic/ADHD/PDA women. Melanie is very interested in working with clients in a collaborative way to achieve resilience and well-being and is a passionate Mindfulness and Self-compassion practitioner. She uses multiple therapeutic modalities, including, but not limited to, ACT, Schema and CBT to help clients achieve their goals.