Our Journey

Minds & Hearts (M&H) was founded by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Michelle Garnett in 2004, with the invaluable support of Clinical Psychologist, Professor Tony Attwood.

Dr. Garnett and Professor Tony Attwood pioneered what is now recognised as a neuro-affirming approach, training countless clinicians who have since established key neuro-affirming practices across Australia and internationally.

These early clinicians included Dr David Zimmerman, Dr Wes Turner, and Dr Hugh Walker, who completed placements and worked at M&H for several years under Dr. Garnett and Professor Attwood, at a time when societal awareness and understanding of autism and neurodiversity
was still limited.

In 2019, Dr Michelle Garnett passed the clinic’s leadership to Dr David Zimmerman and Dr Wes Turner. Together, Dr David Zimmerman and Dr Wes Turner expanded M&H from its original five-room space in West End, to a modern 15-room clinic in Stones Corner, creating an accessible and multidisciplinary environment. The M&H clinic now includes Speech and Occupational Therapists, alongside Psychologists, who offer comprehensive assessments, therapy, supervision, workshops and training.

In 2022, Dr Hugh Walker relocated from Sydney to Brisbane following an invitation by his longtime colleagues, David Zimmerman and Dr Wes Turner, to join M&H as a Co-Director which became official in 2024.

This current leadership team of Dr David Zimmerman, Dr Wes Turner and Dr Hugh Walker has broadened M&H’s focus from autism alone to a range of neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiverse presentations.

M&H believes that to genuinely understand and help neurodiverse individuals, professionals must understand the interactions between neurodiversity, complex trauma, attachment styles and family of origin learning patterns.

Together, Dr David Zimmerman, Dr Wes Turner and Dr Hugh Walker, bring over 35 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, and in training clinicians and stakeholder organisation.

They are supported by M&H’s Practice Manager Hannah McInnes, who has been with M&H since 2011.

Minds & Hearts continues to advance education and innovation in therapeutic practices, enhancing the well-being of neurodiverse individuals and their families. As a trusted leader in the field, M&H provides training and supervision to health clinics, universities,
hospitals, and schools throughout Australia. Working alongside clients, their families, and the education and health systems, M&H strives for a world where neurodiverse individuals are understood, accepted, and supported to enjoy an improved quality of life, aligning with the National Autism Strategy and M&H’s dedication to neuro-affirming care.