About
Gifted and twice-exceptional individuals thrive when their unique abilities and learning styles are understood and embraced. Recognising their asynchronous development fosters meaningful connections and a sense of belonging. Equipping parents and caregivers with the right resources is essential in supporting these exceptional individuals. Despite their challenges, gifted youth possess remarkable potential, and with the right support, they can excel academically, socially, and emotionally.
Having personally faced the challenges of unmet gifted needs, I understand their lasting impact on adulthood. Unaddressed needs often lead to anxiety, isolation, imposter syndrome, and a sense of not belonging. Drawing from my experiences, I am committed to helping adults navigate these struggles, offering guidance to embrace their uniqueness.
My journey has been deeply intertwined with gifted and twice-exceptional individuals, both personally and professionally. This firsthand experience has shaped my understanding of their emotional, behavioural, and educational challenges. Beyond giftedness, my expertise extends to working with individuals facing anxiety, ADHD, ASD, trauma, and PTSD. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where individuals, families, and children can express themselves, build relationships, and develop effective coping strategies. Recognising each person's uniqueness, I provide tailored, evidence-based therapies and guide families in understanding and supporting their children’s needs.
From my early career in the Royal Australian Air Force to roles in mining, accounting, and business ownership, my path ultimately led me to education, where I earned a Master’s in Gifted Education, a Master’s in Educational Psychology, and an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapy. These diverse experiences provided valuable insights, further enriched by certifications in ADHD, ASD, counselling, dialectical behaviour therapy, neurolinguistic programming, hypnotherapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy. My expertise includes PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and executive functioning, with a focus on developing crucial coping skills. To expand my practice, I have also explored neuroscience in my spare time.
I have served as a Director for the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT), where I chaired Gifted Awareness Week, and as a committee member for Gifted WA. I am also a proud member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), dedicating my time to advocacy and education in the field of giftedness and neurodiversity.
ABOUT
Taji Thomas
My journey has been shaped by my experiences as a gifted individual and the unique challenges that come with it. As a twice-exceptional (2E) person, I have both exceptional intellectual abilities and difficulties such as ADHD and dysgraphia, which have added layers of complexity to my education and daily life.
From an early age, my curiosity and deep interest in human behaviour were evident, but navigating the educational system without adequate support for 2E individuals was a constant challenge. Despite these obstacles, my passion for learning and determination to understand myself and others have kept me moving forward.
Currently pursuing a psychology degree at university, I am dedicated to exploring the complexities of the human mind. My personal experiences strongly influence my academic path, fuelling my drive to bridge the gap between psychological theory and practical strategies that support neurodivergent individuals.
While still a student, I have actively sought opportunities to apply my knowledge, earning credentials in counselling and gaining hands-on experience in supporting others. Working with individuals facing similar challenges allows me to combine my academic learning with lived experience, offering empathy, guidance, and practical tools.
My aspirations go beyond academic achievement; I am committed to advocating for more inclusive and supportive systems for gifted and 2E individuals in both education and psychology. Through my work, I hope to contribute to a future where neurodivergent individuals receive the understanding, recognition, and support they deserve.
Australian Psychological Society (APS) member.
My journey has been shaped by my experiences as a gifted individual and the unique challenges that come with it. As a twice-exceptional (2E) person, I have both exceptional intellectual abilities and difficulties such as ADHD and dysgraphia, which have added layers of complexity to my education and daily life.
From an early age, my curiosity and deep interest in human behaviour were evident, but navigating the educational system without adequate support for 2E individuals was a constant challenge. Despite these obstacles, my passion for learning and determination to understand myself and others have kept me moving forward.
Currently pursuing a psychology degree at university, I am dedicated to exploring the complexities of the human mind. My personal experiences strongly influence my academic path, fuelling my drive to bridge the gap between psychological theory and practical strategies that support neurodivergent individuals.
While still a student, I have actively sought opportunities to apply my knowledge, earning credentials in counselling and gaining hands-on experience in supporting others. Working with individuals facing similar challenges allows me to combine my academic learning with lived experience, offering empathy, guidance, and practical tools.
My aspirations go beyond academic achievement; I am committed to advocating for more inclusive and supportive systems for gifted and 2E individuals in both education and psychology. Through my work, I hope to contribute to a future where neurodivergent individuals receive the understanding, recognition, and support they deserve.
Australian Psychological Society (APS) member.