EPISODE 10

A Conversation with Psychologist Amiee Pember: Neurodivergent Identity, Motherhood & the Path of Buddhist Practice (Part 1)

In Episode 10 of The Practitioner’s Heart, Poh sits down with psychologist Amiee Pember — an autistic and ADHD perinatal psychologist and board-approved supervisor based in regional Western Australia.

This is Amiee’s first podcast appearance, and she arrives with honesty, warmth, and deep self-reflection.

In Part 1, we explore her early life, intuitive path into psychology, and the experiences that shaped her work — including motherhood, yoga, contemplative practice, and discovering her neurodivergent identity later in life.

A Natural Pull Toward Helping

Growing up in rural WA, Amiee felt a strong draw toward community psychology and supporting others.

Her early professional years were shaped by ACT, mindfulness, and yoga — foundations that later deepened into Buddhist contemplative practice.

Like many early-career psychologists, she speaks openly about imposter syndrome — the pressure to appear competent and polished — and the relief that comes when authenticity replaces performance.

When Buddhism Becomes Lived Practice

Amiee shares how she encountered Buddhist teachings through teachers like Ajahn Brahm, Tara Brach, and Gil Fronsdal.

Her first silent retreat marked a turning point — where Buddhism shifted from intellectual understanding to embodied experience.

Instead of seeing the mind as fixed or flawed, she began experiencing it as fluid, contextual, and spacious.

Motherhood & Late-Identified Neurodivergence

Motherhood transformed both her inner world and her clinical direction.

Through curiosity, compassion, and listening closely to her clients, Amiee began recognising her own neurodivergent traits. Her later identification as autistic and ADHD unfolded gradually — supported by clinical openness and Buddhist practice.

Rather than collapsing into shame, she met this truth with awareness and kindness.

Part 2 (coming next week) will dive deeper into silent retreat experiences, Buddhist teachings shaping Amiee’s path, and the integration of motherhood, neurodivergence, and Dharma.

🎧 Listen to Episode 10 of The Practitioner’s Heart.