About Clayton McDonald

Clayton is a clinical psychologist who grew up in the countryside before moving to Melbourne, where he completed his Bachelor of Psychological Science. He later relocated to the Gold Coast, where he earned his Master of Clinical Psychology. Clayton has since returned to Miriam Vale, where he spent much of his childhood, as he enjoys the quieter lifestyle and firmly believes in the need for greater access to support services in rural towns.

Committed to fostering a secure, supportive, and non-judgmental environment, Clayton takes a neuro-affirming approach to therapy, adapting his methods to meet each individual’s unique needs. He has a particular passion for cognitive assessment and diagnosis, with a focus on neurodiversity assessment. His practice incorporates various therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and Schema Therapy.

Clayton has extensive experience in supporting individuals with autism, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, trauma, OCD, and more. He is also an advocate for LGBTQIA+ mental health and currently holds registration with the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH).

Additionally, Clayton enjoys working with veterans, recognising the unique challenges they may experience while adjusting to civilian life, processing trauma, and navigating mental health concerns. He believes in the importance of providing individualised support that honours their service and experiences, thereby creating a therapeutic space where they feel heard and respected.

Outside of his professional work, Clayton enjoys video games, horror movies, and the challenge of learning new languages—he is currently embarking on the journey of (attempting) to learn Brazilian Portuguese.

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