Shannon Lopez (nee Grassby)

(Please note: currently on maternity leave, returning mid 2027)

Shannon is a Clinical Psychologist with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Macquarie University and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University. She has worked across both public and private sectors, delivering individual and group therapy and conducting assessments with children, adolescents, and adults.

Shannon is dedicated to providing neuro-affirming, client-centred, and tailored therapy. She understands the challenges of feeling different or misunderstood and works to ensure her clients feel safe, heard, and supported. Her work extends beyond the therapy room—advocating within families, schools, and systems to promote understanding and inclusive support.

Her clinical focus centres on neurodivergent individuals, including those who are Autistic, have ADHD, PDA profiles, tics or Tourette’s, OCD, and other brain-based differences. She also supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and school refusal, helping them recognise their strengths, understand their needs, and develop meaningful strategies for growth.

Shannon collaborates closely with schools and multidisciplinary teams, providing case consultation and promoting best-practice support for neurodivergent students. She leads the delivery of in-person and online training for educators, health professionals, and families on neuro-affirming care—covering topics such as Autism, ADHD, PDA, school refusal, emotional regulation, and trauma-informed practice.

In her role as Principal Clinical Psychologist, Shannon develops and facilitates training programs for school counsellors, teachers, GPs, and parents, focused on practical, inclusive strategies to support neurodivergent individuals. She also provides clinical supervision for therapists, with a particular interest in neuro-affirming assessment practices. Shannon supervises Autism, ADHD, cognitive, and learning assessments, and is in the final stages of becoming a Board-Approved Supervisor.

Her therapeutic work draws on evidence-based modalities, including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBiT)
• Schema Therapy
• The Westmead Feelings Program (Certified Group Facilitator)
• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS)