Member Spotlight - Naomi Malone

Interviewed by May Chi - Chapter Secretary

It is my pleasure to introduce Dr Naomi Malone (she/her). Dr Malone is a Lecturer & Subject Coordinator for the Masters of Professional Psychology at La Trobe University. Se is the Director of Dr Naomi Malone Consulting. Dr. Malone is an AHPRA-endorsed Counselling Psychologist, clinical supervisor, and experienced rural practitioner. With over two decades of experience, she has worked in private practice, community health, and academic settings.

She founded A Life Simply Lived Psychology, a rural multidisciplinary practice, and focusses clinically on neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed therapy, ACT, IFS, and family therapy. She supervises and mentors early-career and neurodivergent clinicians.  Naomi served on the Murray PHN Clinical Advisory Committee (2019-2022), advocating for improved rural mental health services. She is the incoming chair of the ACBS Neurodiversity in Practice and Research Interest Group,  and board Vice President of Amegilla College Bendigo, where she advocates for neurodiversity affirming clinical practice and education.

What is your favourite technique or approach when working with clients?

Rather than a single technique, I tend to favour a process-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and trauma-informed approach grounded in Contextual Behavioural Science (CBS). This means that I focus on functional contextualism, emphasizing how behaviours, emotions, and thoughts serve a purpose in a person's unique context rather than pathologizing them.

Practically, I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and narrative therapy, depending on what best fits the client’s needs. One of my favorite aspects of working this way is helping clients build psychological flexibility—supporting them to move toward a values-aligned life, even in the presence of distress or challenges.

For neurodivergent clients, I often focus on reducing internalised ableism, increasing self-compassion, and supporting meaningful self-advocacy. This might include values exploration, defusion techniques, polyvagal-informed regulation strategies, or parts work to navigate internalized narratives.

How did you come across CBS? What was your first impression?

I came across CBS through my exploration of ACT and Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which were initially introduced to me in the context of supervision and professional development. I was drawn to how CBS integrates behavioural science, philosophy, and practical application in a way that feels coherent, flexible, and deeply human.

My first impression was that CBS provided a refreshing alternative to rigid diagnostic frameworks—it focused on function rather than form, helping me make sense of why certain interventions worked (or didn’t) rather than just following a manual. It also aligned well with my interest in systems thinking and the interplay between individual experiences and broader sociocultural contexts.

Did something about CBS shape how you approached building your private practice? If so, how?

Absolutely. CBS profoundly influenced the way I structured and ran A Life Simply Lived Psychology, particularly in the following ways:

1. Values-based decision-making – Every aspect of the practice, from team culture to service delivery, was guided by values rather than rigid business models. This meant prioritizing clinician wellbeing, sustainable service models, and meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration over growth for growth’s sake.

2. Interdisciplinary collaboration as contextually necessary – CBS reinforced my belief that isolated therapy is insufficient, especially in rural settings. I built strong relationships with allied health, educators, and medical providers, recognizing that clients’ challenges were not just psychological but also systemic.

3. Functional contextualism in business – Rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach to private practice, I continuously adapted based on what worked in our specific rural context. This included flexible service delivery models, advocacy work, and clinician-centred policies to prevent burnout.

4. Process over content – Just as I help clients shift from rigid narratives, I took a process-based approach to business—iterating, evolving, and responding to changing needs rather than clinging to fixed structures.

What is something you wished you knew earlier in your career?

I wish I had known:

The importance of rest and sustainability. Early in my career, I worked at a relentless pace, believing that being a ‘good’ clinician meant always giving more. I learned later that sustainable, ethical practice requires boundaries, rest, and a community of support.

The impact of systemic factors on client outcomes. While I always valued holistic care, I wish I had understood earlier how much advocacy, systemic change, and interdisciplinary work matter in clinical outcomes, especially for marginalized groups.

That being neurodivergent isn’t a deficit in this field. Discovering my own neurodivergence later in life helped me challenge internalized ableism,  accept and accommodate my needs, and also embrace the strengths it allows me to bring to clinical work, supervision, and leadership. I now work to support other neurodivergent clinicians in embracing their own ways of working.

What is the best part of teaching and supervising others?

For me, the best part is witnessing the moment when someone steps into their authentic clinical identity—whether that’s a supervisee finding confidence in their approach, a student grasping a nuanced concept in a way that changes their perspective, or a clinician realizing they don’t have to fit into a rigid mould to be effective.

I love creating spaces where emerging psychologists feel safe to question, explore, and find their own way, particularly those who are neurodivergent, working rurally, or navigating late identification. It’s deeply rewarding to support others in developing a practice that is values-driven, contextually responsive, and sustainable—rather than just following an inherited model of what ‘good therapy’ should look like.

At its core, teaching and supervision allow me to pay forward the incredible guidance I have had—and to keep learning and evolving alongside the people I support.

If you'd like to hear more about Naomi's work, you can follow her on Facebook