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Meet Alex (she/her)
Alexandra Crawford
Clinical Psychologist, MAPS, FCCLP, BAdvSci (Hons), BA, MClinPsych
Adjunct Fellow of Macquarie University

Hello, and thank you for considering working with me as your therapist! Below are answers to some common questions from potential new clients, to help you figure out if we could be a good fit.

How long have you been a therapist?

I’ve been doing therapy with people since 2013 when I started my postgraduate clinical psychology training. Though I’ve worked across the lifespan, most of my clinical experience has been with young adults and primary school aged children.

What is your speciality?

I use a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) framework. I have also done training in other styles of therapy (e.g. schema therapy) and integrated these into my overall ACT approach (here is a helpful video summary of the ACT approach if you’d like further information).

The way I practice and my personality seems to work very well for clients with a particular profile: young adults (18-35-year-old) with some form of neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc), who are also usually dealing with some form of complex trauma and/or complex health issue. I love working with this client group, which is probably why I have attracted so many people with this cluster of traits.

What is neurodiversity/neurodivergence?

Neurodiversity as a concept was coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in the late 1990s. It recognises and celebrates the natural variations in human neurology and cognitive functioning, promoting the idea that neurological differences (or ‘neurodivergences’ such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia) are simply variations of the human brain contributing to diversity within humanity, rather than disorders that need to be cured. It's much like the scientific concept of biodiversity, which is essential for a species and ecological community to thrive.

The neurodiversity movement challenges the traditional medical model of viewing neuro-differences as innately problematic, instead advocating for the acceptance of diverse neurological profiles, and the inclusion and equal rights of neurodivergent individuals. The movement recognises that neurodivergent people possess unique strengths and perspectives that contribute to the richness of humanity (definition paraphrased from this website).

 

Are you neurodivergent?

While I do not have a formal DSM-5 diagnosis, I am an INFJ, the rarest Myers-Briggs personality type, occurring in only 1-3% of the population – making us a divergent neurotype. INFJs are extremely empathic and passionate (making us great therapists), and often have a similar cluster of traits to people with ADHD and autism (e.g. focus and learning issues in some settings, tendency towards social/sensory overwhelm, intense special interests, and being at increased risk of anxiety and depression due to our heightened emotional sensitivity). So, although I don’t have a formal diagnosis, I have lived experience of working through many of the same challenges as my clients who are neurodivergent, which helps me better empathise with and support them.

What are your special interests?

Like most INFJs, I have many, and if you share any of them, we could be a great fit!

  • Psychology!! - I am interested in all aspects of the field - clinical, social, organisational, environmental, cross-cultural - and bring these together in how I practice. Because of these intersecting interests within the field, I have also developed a curiosity around social impact and psychology, and am the national convenor of the APS Interest Group Psychologists for Peace. See my social impact page for more information.

  • Music – I am a violinist and perform in multicultural music groups in my free time.

  • Certain books and films – E.g. for nearly 25 years I have had a special interest in The Lord of the Rings and will regularly re-read and re-watch the series.

  • Writing - I love to write and have a blog called Film Therapy with Alex (bringing together my passions for psychology and film).

  • Tennis - I have played since I was five years old and, while my skills are embarrassingly low for such an experienced player, I love having a hit with friends and following the international tennis circuit – I even met my husband on a tennis court!

  • Flamenco dance - I love flamenco and attend weekly classes, in spite of my poor physical coordination!


Having my own special interests has helped me connect with and relate more deeply to my neurodivergent clients, because many of them also have special interests and passions that trigger intense amounts of focus and/or help them regulate emotionally. I try whenever I can to ingrate my clients’ special interests into the way we work together, to make therapy more engaging and accessible.​

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Formal experience and Training:

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I have experience and training working with the following presenting problems:

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Anxiety  -  Depressed mood  -  Bipolar  -  Panic attacks  -   Adult ADHD  -  Single-incident and complex trauma  -  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)  -  Dealing with relationship problems  -  Grief  -  Adjustment difficulties  -  Dealing with family conflict   -  Coping with complex health conditions  -  Gender dysphoria  -  Managing study and work stress

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I have formal training and experience working using the following therapy modalities:

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)  -  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)  -  The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy  -  Mindfulness-based intervention  -  Exposure therapy  -  Functional Behaviour Analysis  -   Bibliotherapy  -  Trauma-Informed Practice  -  Schema Therapy  -  Family Systems Therapy (I use this approach in my work with individuals, however, do not offer couples or family therapy)

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I am a member of the following professional organisations:

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Australian Psychological Society -  APS College of Clinical Psychologists (Fellow)  -  Doctors for Refugees  -  Adjunct Fellow of Macquarie University - APS Psychologists for Peace (NSW/ACT Branch Coordinator)  -  Association of Contextual Behavioural Science

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I am registered as a clinical psychologist and accredited clinical supervisor with both the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Medicare.

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I have published the following journal articles:

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  • Stevenson, C., Crawford, A., McCann, D., Everett, M., Casburn, K., Morrison, L., Newsom-Smith, E., Burchfield, K. (2019). Mental Health Service Delivery in Rural and Remote Regions: Can Telecare partnerships meet the needs of children? Rural and Remote Health Conference. 

  • Abimbola, A., Li, C., Mitchell, M., Everett, M., Casburn, K., Crooks, P., Hammond, R., Milling, H., Ling, L., Reilly, A., Crawford, A., Cane, L., Hopp, D., Stolp, E., Davies, S., Martinuik, A. (2019). On the Same Page: Co-designing the logic model of a telehealth service for children in rural and remote Australia. Digital Health.

  • Crawford, A., Newall, C., Rapee, R. M. (2013). Recent Advances in the Treatment of Social Phobia. The Acparian. Issue 5.

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