About Hopeful Minds
Our Mission
At Hopeful Minds Psychology and Counselling, our mission is to provide compassionate support to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. We aim to foster resilience and promote well-being through effective counselling services.
Meet Our Therapist
Vena Nohra
Venera is a Provisionally Registered Psychologist and holds a Master of Counselling. Since 2017, she has worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, and families across a range of mental health and developmental settings.
Vena provides both individual and group therapy, supporting clients experiencing developmental challenges, anxiety, mood disorders, addiction, and trauma.
Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, evidence-based, and tailored to each person's unique needs and goals.
Assessment
Cognitive, functional and academic assessments available upon request.
Group therapy for 2027
Groups for Addiction, Anixety, Womens Trauma, Schema, DBT and navigating BPD. Coming 2027.
MIGDAS-2 Autism Assessment Tool
Why the MIGDAS-2
MIGDAS-2 Autism Assessment
At Hopeful Minds, we use the MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Differences) as part of our comprehensive autism assessment process.
MIGDAS-2 is a neuroaffirming, sensory-based assessment that helps us understand how an individual experiences and interacts with the world. Through guided conversation, meaningful activities, and observation, we explore communication styles, sensory experiences, interests, relationships, strengths, and everyday functioning.
We value MIGDAS-2 because it provides a flexible, person-centred approach that respects neurodiversity and allows individuals to engage naturally and authentically.
What We Explore
- Sensory experiences and preferences
- Interests, strengths, and passions
- Communication styles
- Social relationships and connections
- Emotional experiences and self-regulation
- Everyday functioning across settings
Information gathered through MIGDAS-2 is considered alongside developmental history, questionnaires, and clinical observations to support a comprehensive assessment and personalised recommendations.
At Hopeful Minds, we believe autism assessment should be a process of understanding, not judgement, helping individuals and families gain meaningful insight into their strengths, needs, and experiences.
ADHD Assessment
DIVA-5
DIVA-5 ADHD Assessment
The DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults) is a structured, evidence-based interview that helps us explore how ADHD characteristics may have been present throughout childhood and adulthood. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, it helps us understand how attention, organisation, impulsivity, activity levels, executive functioning, and emotional regulation impact day-to-day life.
Why We Use the DIVA-5
At Hopeful Minds, we use the DIVA-5 as part of a comprehensive and neuroaffirming ADHD assessment. We value its ability to go beyond questionnaires and explore real-life experiences, strengths, challenges, and the strategies people have developed over time.
The DIVA-5 is not used in isolation. Information from the interview is considered alongside developmental history, clinical observations, standardised measures, and collateral information where available. This holistic approach helps us build an accurate understanding of each individual's unique profile and support needs.
Our goal is not simply to determine whether diagnostic criteria are met, but to help individuals better understand how their brain works and identify pathways for meaningful support and success.
