Meet Our Team
We’re a mix of allied health professionals, therapy assistants, and peer mentors, many of whom are neurodivergent themselves or have close lived experience supporting neurodivergent family members.
We believe in relational support, not just therapy. That means:
Building trust before goals
Listening before advising
Following the lead of the young person before jumping in with strategies
Our team is here to co-regulate, co-create, and connect, not to control or “manage” behaviour.
ERIN SMITH
Neuro Nest Manager | Psychologist | Neurodivergent-Affirming Advocate
Meet Erin Smith, our wonderful Neuro Nest Manager, whose warmth, wisdom, and wholeheartedness help shape The Neuro Nest into the nurturing haven it is.
With over 15 years of experience as a registered psychologist, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and a deeply human approach to supporting neurodivergent children and their families. After years in clinical practice, she made the leap to community-based support, driven by her passion for creating spaces where neurodivergent kids can just be themselves.
Erin is especially passionate about strengths-based, relationship-first approaches. She believes in meeting every child exactly where they are, with curiosity, patience, and zero pressure to “perform” or conform. As both a professional and a parent to a neurodivergent child, she brings powerful lived experience, deep empathy, and unwavering advocacy into her work.
What makes Erin so loved by our nesties?
She’s just as happy splashing through messy play, rolling dice in a board game, or getting into a deep Roblox strategy chat. She leads with kindness, humour, and a whole lot of heart, always creating space for kids to feel seen, accepted, and celebrated.
Erin is here to support every child’s right to grow, explore, and build connection, without masking, without pressure, and always with respect.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Erin by your side at The Neuro Nest.
JACQUI ROSS
Lead Therapist | Psychologist | Child-Focused Practitioner
Meet Jacqui Ross, one of our dedicated and compassionate psychologists at The Neuro Nest. With over 15 years of experience in psychological assessment, therapeutic intervention, and complex case support, Jacqui brings both deep clinical knowledge and a heart-led approach to her work with neurodivergent children and their families.
Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with extensive experience across child development, mental health, and functional assessments. From government agencies to community practices, she has supported people across all walks of life, but her true passion lies in working directly with young people in environments where they feel safe, celebrated, and empowered to thrive.
At The Neuro Nest, Jacqui blends evidence-based practice with playful, strength-based approaches. She is especially passionate about helping families better understand and support their neurodivergent children, always honouring the child’s voice, autonomy, and individual needs.
What makes Jacqui so loved at the Nest?
Her calm, thoughtful approach. She listens deeply. She leads with empathy. And she always focuses on building trust, not ticking boxes.
Whether she’s helping with emotional regulation, exploring identity, or offering support, Jacqui meets each child and family exactly where they’re at, with warmth, patience, and a belief in their strengths.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Jacqui walking alongside you.
TAMIKA TRACY
Lead Services Coordinator | Human Services Professional | Creativity Queen
Meet Tamika Tracy, our joyful, imaginative, and endlessly energetic Lead Services Coordinator at The Neuro Nest. Whether she’s bringing a group session to life, organising the week with colour-coded brilliance, or diving into messy play with a big grin, Tamika is at the heart of it all.
With a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) and a Certificate IV in Community Services, Tamika brings over eight years of experience in disability support, therapeutic play, and youth leadership. She’s proudly neurodivergent and brings a lived understanding to every connection she makes with our nesties and their families.
Tamika is deeply passionate about neurodiversity, equity, and advocacy. She believes every neurodivergent person deserves to feel seen, safe, and celebrated because of their differences. Her mission is to help young people feel free to express themselves, connect meaningfully, and grow in ways that honour who they are.
What makes Tamika loved by our nesties?
She’s a whirlwind of warmth and imagination. You’ll find her gaming, crafting fantasy stories, getting creative with drama and art, or chatting enthusiastically about cows, ancient mythology, and Harry Potter.
Tamika helps every child feel safe, seen, and supported, always meeting them where they feel most at home.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Tamika helping bring the Nest to life.
DANIELLE WYKES
Lead Therapist | Social Worker | Trauma-Informed Practitioner | Advocate
Meet Danielle Wykes, our fun-loving, passionate, and deeply compassionate Social Worker at The Neuro Nest. Danielle brings over 16 years of experience in child protection, therapeutic youth work, and disability support, and a whole lot of heart.
She’s worked across many spaces: from frontline crisis care to senior leadership in out-of-home care (OOHC) and NDIS services. But no matter the role, her focus has always been the same: to empower neurodivergent children and their families through safety, connection, and joy.
Danielle is a proudly neurodivergent clinician, and her work is grounded in empathy, equity, and lived understanding. She uses play-based approaches, creative therapies, and person-centred support to help children regulate emotions, build confidence, and feel proud of who they are. She also works closely with families to ensure every child is supported not just in sessions, but at home and in their community too.
What makes Danielle a Nest favourite?
She’s full of laughs, overflowing with kindness, and brings genuine warmth into every session. Whether she’s co-regulating in quiet spaces, running group activities, or helping a young person find their spark, Danielle leads with love and humour, always.
Danielle believes that every child deserves to feel safe, celebrated, and supported just as they are, and she’s here to make that happen.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Danielle cheering you on every step of the way
TIM BAKER
Lead Therapist | Counsellor | Nature-Based Facilitator
Meet Tim Baker, our calm, creative, and deeply compassionate Lead Therapist at The Neuro Nest. With a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counselling and a passion for play, nature, and neurodiversity-affirming support, Tim brings a refreshing sense of safety, fun, and emotional depth to every session.
Tim is proudly neurodivergent himself, his lived experience with ADHD and dyslexia fuels his empathetic, respectful approach to supporting others. During his postgraduate placement, he worked hands-on with neurodivergent children with complex needs using play and adventure therapy, an experience that deeply shaped his strengths-based, relationship-first philosophy.
Tim's sessions often weave in movement, sensory exploration, and outdoor experiences, grounded in his belief that connection to nature and self-expression through play can help regulate, uplift, and empower neurodivergent kids.
What makes Tim a favourite in the Nest?
He’s calm, grounded, and quietly confident with a knack for helping kids feel safe enough to be themselves. Whether he’s guiding a sensory game, exploring imaginative worlds, or co-regulating during big feelings, Tim brings patience, presence, and humour to the moment.
Tim helps make a space where everyone can breathe a little easier and feel like they belong.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Tim gently supporting your journey.
SIERRA BERNARD
Lead Therapist | Provisional Psychologist | Creative Support for Curious Minds
Meet Sierra Bernard, our bubbly, compassionate, and insight filled Lead Therapist at The Neuro Nest. With a background in psychology, crisis support, and NDIS support work, and a genuine love of being around children, Sierra brings empathy, calm energy, and clever curiosity to every session she supports.
Sierra holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and is currently studying her Master of Clinical Psychology. She’s also and accredited Lifeline Crisis Supporter and mentor, with over three years of experience working with children and families in the NDIS space.
Her approach is warm, respectful, and grounded in lived understanding, being neurodivergent herself and having grown up alongside a neurodivergent sibling, she’s passionate about creating spaces where every young person feels safe, seen, and celebrated. Whether supporting regulation through play, joining in sensory activities, or helping a child navigate tough emotions, Sierra shows up with presence, patience, and purpose.
What makes Sierra absolutely loved by our Nesties?
She’s a gentle powerhouse, playful, bright, and emotionally attuned. She brings depth and delight to everything she does, and her natural ability to co-regulate and hold space makes her a trusted support for both kids and families.
Sierra believes that neurodivergent kids don’t need to be moulded they need to be met. And she’s here to meet them with kindness, creativity, and curiosity.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Sierra creating space for connection, confidence, and being completely yourself.
HOLLY BEAMOND
Therapy Assistant | Speech Pathology Student | Neurodiversity-Affirming Play Partner
Meet Holly Beamond, one of our bright, bubbly, and deeply kind Therapy Assistants at The Neuro Nest. With years of hands-on experience supporting children across a range of ages and currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology, Holly brings a beautiful balance of care, curiosity, and creativity to every session.
Holly has worked as a nanny, support worker, OSHC educator, and party host, always centering connection, safety, and fun. Her ability to tune in to what each child needs, whether it’s quiet regulation or joyful play, makes her a trusted and loved presence across the Nest.
She’s especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent communication and self-expression. Whether she’s facilitating a sensory game, co-regulating during a hard moment, or simply holding space for a child to be fully themselves, Holly does it all with patience and joy. She brings a natural warmth to every interaction and is especially skilled at helping kids feel heard, even when words are hard to find.
What makes Holly shine in the Nest?
She’s gentle, grounded, and full of warmth with a playful spark that helps kids feel safe, seen, and ready to explore the world in their own way.
Holly believes every child deserves to be heard and celebrated exactly as they are, and she’s here to walk beside them as they grow, play, and thrive.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Holly bringing the fun, the care, and the calm.
ELIZABETH ‘LIZZIE’ HAMILTON
Therapy Assistant | Movement Mentor | Calm & Creative Supporter
Meet Lizzie Hamilton, a kind, grounded, and endlessly encouraging Therapy Assistant at The Neuro Nest. With over 16 years of experience running her own senior fitness and rehabilitation business, plus a strong background in allied health, physiotherapy support, and personal care, Lizzie brings heart, wisdom, and body-based insight to everything she does.
She holds a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) and has completed training in group fitness, rehabilitation, and aged care support. But what makes Lizzie truly special is the way she combines her formal skills with her deep empathy, calm energy, and lived experience as a mum to two neurodivergent young adults.
Having supported her own children through speech, OT, physio, and behaviour therapy programs, Lizzie knows what it means to walk beside families through both joyful and challenging times. She brings that same steady, non-judgemental care to every child she supports at The Neuro Nest.
What makes Lizzie loved by all at the Nest?
She’s fun, vibrant, thoughtful, intuitive, and brings movement into sessions in gentle and empowering ways. Whether co-regulating, creating a sensory-friendly space, or guiding physical play, Lizzie helps children feel strong, safe, and proud of themselves.
Lizzie believes in meeting every child where they’re at and supporting them to move, grow, and shine in their own time and their own way.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Lizzie cheering you on through every stretch, step, and smile.
ELLA BENDEICH
Therapy Assistant | Occupational Therapy Student | Play Based Supporter
Meet Ella Bendeich, one of our thoughtful, energetic, and play-loving Therapy Assistants at The Neuro Nest. Ella brings a fresh and curious perspective to every session, combining her occupational therapy studies with her natural ability to connect with neurodivergent kids through creativity, care, and fun.
Currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Ella has completed placements supporting both paediatric and adult NDIS participants, including those with Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and intellectual disability. During her time in placement, she designed and facilitated play-based and craft sessions that helped children build fine motor skills, confidence, and connection through joyful, sensory-rich activities.
Ella is especially passionate about nature-based therapy, sensory awareness, and adapting sessions to meet each child where they’re at. Her calm, flexible approach helps nesties feel safe to try new things, explore their strengths, and regulate in ways that work for them.
What makes Ella such a strong presence in the Nest?
She’s organised, creative, and wonderfully responsive to each child’s needs. Whether she’s painting, planning, or playing Ella brings intention and joy to everything she does.
Ella believes every child deserves to feel empowered and understood and that therapy should feel like play, not pressure.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Ella gently guiding you through discovery and delight.
TEGHAN O’BEIRNE
Therapy Assistant | PHD Researcher | Play-Focused Neurodiversity Advocate
Meet Teghan O’Beirne, one of our warm, insightful, and values-driven Therapy Assistants at The Neuro Nest. With a background in psychology and a PhD in progress on neurodivergent play, Teghan brings a powerful mix of academic insight, lived experience, and genuine joy to her work with children.
She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychological Science, exploring how sensory preferences and identity shape play experiences in neurodivergent children. Her mission? To shift the narrative from deficit to delight to honour neurodivergent play as something empowering and worthy of celebration.
Teghan also has hands-on experience supporting neurodivergent individuals through her previous work. She has facilitated inclusive games, assisted in assessments, and supported both children and teens in developing confidence, communication, and connection.
What makes Teghan stand out in the Nest?
She brings gentle curiosity, deep listening, and a heartfelt respect for each child’s unique rhythms. Whether co-creating imaginative play or helping kids feel understood, Teghan leads with compassion and creativity.
Teghan believes in the power of play to build self-esteem, self-regulation, and community, and she’s here to support children in doing just that.
Come find your play, your people, and your place with Teghan helping you unlock the joy of being completely yourself.