Spotlight On: Gold Coast Counsellor Monica Munro
Updated: 6 days ago
1. What are some of the challenges you're especially interested in supporting people through?
I genuinely love connecting with parents who are navigating the many challenges of raising children, particularly when things feel overwhelming or isolating.
My role is to provide a space where you feel heard, understood and supported. Together, we can explore your experiences from different perspectives and develop practical strategies that fit your family's unique needs.
I also enjoy helping parents recognise the strengths and successes that are already present, because even small changes can make a meaningful difference over time.
2. What made you choose to be a Gold Coast counsellor in the first place?
My motivation comes directly from my own life as a mother to four neurodivergent children.
I know how easy it is to feel lost in the day-to-day demands of parenting and how powerful it can be to simply feel heard and understood. I became a counsellor because I wanted to offer that same support to other parents.
While everyone's journey is different, my personal experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the challenges many families face. I value building genuine, collaborative relationships where parents feel supported as they navigate the ups and downs of family life.
3. What types of people do you feel most drawn to working with — and what lights you up about that work?
I feel especially drawn to working with parents who feel like they're carrying the weight of their family's challenges on their own. I enjoy supporting people as they reconnect with their own strengths and begin to feel more confident in themselves and their parenting.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing families discover new ways of understanding one another.
I love watching relationships grow stronger, parents become more compassionate towards themselves, and families begin to notice and celebrate what's going well alongside the challenges.
4. What's something you wish more people knew about the work you do?
I wish more people knew that meaningful change doesn't always come from making huge changes overnight. Often, it starts with noticing what's already working, even if it feels small.
I also think many parents underestimate the impact that feeling heard and understood can have.
Parenting can be incredibly isolating at times, and having someone alongside you to listen, validate your experiences, and help you make sense of things can make a real difference.
5. Who do you think tends to feel most comfortable working with you?
Parents navigating the unique experiences of raising neurodivergent children often tell me they appreciate my warm, down-to-earth approach.
As a single mum raising four neurodivergent children, I bring both professional knowledge and personal understanding to my work, while recognising that every family's experience is unique.
6. Outside of qualifications, what personal strengths do you bring into your work?
I bring empathy, honesty, calmness and curiosity into every session. I enjoy helping people reconnect with the things that bring them balance and joy, even during difficult seasons of life.
I naturally look for strengths, value different perspectives, and believe there is always something we can build on together.
7. What's something about you that might surprise people?
I'm a bit of a Jill of all trades! I love tackling DIY projects around the house—pulling down walls, painting, patching holes, rearranging furniture and creating spaces that feel fresh and functional for myself and friends.
When I'm not doing that, you'll usually find me at the beach or curled up with one (or more!) of the many books I'm reading at the same time.
8. Are you comfortable speaking about your lived experience of neurodiversity?
Yes.
I'm also a single mum to four uniquely wonderful neurodivergent children, one of whom is transgender.
Our family's experiences include Autism, ADHD, POTS, EDS, fibromyalgia, gender diversity, Type 1 diabetes, experiences of psychosis, and disordered eating.
These experiences have shaped my understanding of the importance of compassion, authenticity and connection.
While every person's journey is different, I believe that shared understanding can sometimes help people feel less alone.
9. What is your all-time favourite quote?
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." — Dalai Lama
9. Tell us about how you support Gender Diverse Children in the Gold Coast?
As a Family Counsellor and Parent Educator at our Gold Coast Psychology clinic, I offer support for families navigating gender diversity. My approach is grounded in two essential foundations: professional expertise and deep lived experience.
Professional Expertise & Lived Experience
I have extensive experience supporting Gold Coast neurodiverse families, and hold a certificate in Diverse Genders & Sexualities.
Alongside my professional training, I bring the perspective of a parent walking alongside a transgender child. I understand the worry for your child's safety and future, the grief of letting go of expectations you held for your relationship, and the reality of navigating transphobia from others. I have stood where you stand.
Understanding the Journey
When I first began this journey with my son, I wanted to understand everything I could. Like many parents, I wondered whether the black-and-white thinking associated with autism might be a contributing factor. I sought out specialists and reviewed medical journals on the topic.
The honest truth is—we don't know exactly how much neurodiversity contributes to gender diversity.
However, what the research clearly shows is vital for our children's safety: children who are gender curious or transgender with supportive parents have the same outcomes as other children. Those who are not supported unfortunately face the highest rates of suicide out of any demographic.
I share this not to place blame on parents who are struggling to accept or who need time to process, but to highlight what ultimately keeps our children safe. It is okay to have questions; the most important step is ensuring your child knows they are loved.
My Personal Path
It was not easy for me either. I went through my own grieving process. There were moments of loss as I navigated the story I had imagined for my relationship with my son versus what emerged. But seeing how happy he became, and the ways he has achieved beyond what anyone expected considering his neurodiversity and the trauma associated with both being neurodivergent and gender diverse, brought me profound peace. For me, having a happy son living his true identity made the struggle worthwhile.
How I Work With Parents
Coming out as gender diverse, or supporting someone who has—opens a full spectrum of human emotion. Parents may move through fear, confusion, shame, and loss while also experiencing joy, relief, empowerment, and fierce love. Both the individual and the family navigate complex territory, and it is normal to feel unsure about what to say or how to respond.
I have faced judgment from people who believe I've made poor choices by supporting my child. I've also found community with others who understand this journey. My work helps families find their footing, build confidence, and connect with those who have their backs.
My Commitment to Families
You don't need to have all the answers. Just a willingness to listen, learn, and lead with love. I am here to ensure you are not alone in this journey. Your story matters and YOU matter.
Living authentically when society often expects conformity takes immense courage. The risk of rejection and violence is real. I believe the strength it takes to be authentically YOU, when all odds seem stacked against you, is the strength of a great warrior.
Together, we can help you find your community and stand strong to ensure the safety and rights of trans folk are upheld in the same capacity as it is for everyone else.
Monica Munro is a Gold Coast Counsellor with a special interest in families and Parent Educator who supports families raising neurodiverse and gender-diverse children.
As a parent of four neurodiverse children herself, Monica brings deep lived experience, compassion, and understanding to her work. She partners with families to reduce isolation, build confidence, and develop practical, supportive strategies—helping parents and children feel seen, supported, and less alone, even when the journey feels overwhelming.
Monica is available Thursdays & Fridays for in-home and in-clinic appointment as well as supporting our Bridge To Home Program, in-home parenting support for families.
To book an appointment with Monica, contact the clinic here.
Telehealth available & In-Home visitations available.
At The Neurodiverse Network, we’re a neuro-affirming psychology clinic based in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, offering ADHD and Autism assessments, therapy, and NDIS supports for children, teens, and adults.
Our team of Gold Coast psychologists provide neurodiversity-affirming care, recognising and celebrating the strengths of every individual.
We provide a range of services including:
Gold Coast ADHD assessments and therapy for adults and children
Gold Coast Autism assessments and support across the lifespan
Individual counselling and emotional regulation support
NDIS psychology and functional capacity assessments
Neurodiverse support groups and online workshops
Our psychologists draw on lived experience and evidence-based approaches to create a space where neurodivergent people feel safe, understood, and empowered.
Whether you’re seeking a Clinical Psychologist on the Gold Coast, a neuro-affirming therapist near Burleigh Heads, or NDIS support, our team is here to help you navigate your journey with compassion and clarity.
Located in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast — close to Miami, Palm Beach, Robina, and Varsity Lakes.
Learn more about our neuro-affirming care or book an ADHD or Autism assessment here.
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