About

My workshops are practical, reflective, and realistic. I’m not interested in quick fixes or pressure to “do better.” Instead, I aim to help people understand their patterns, reduce the load they’re carrying, and take small, meaningful steps that actually work in real life.

Over the years I’ve:

• taught in secondary schools and tertiary settings

• trained teachers in how to support neurodiverse learners

• worked in course design and flexible learning

• developed workshops focused on learning, attention, and behaviour

But more than that — I care about helping people learn in a way that is kind, doable, and sustainable.

Outside of workshops, I enjoy cooking, good coffee, and conversations that go somewhere real. I’m also a parent and grandparent, which continues to shape how I see people, growth, and patience.  I also do some coaching in high school physics and science.

Derek Chirnside

Humanitix information

Liminal workshop

The Liminal workshops grew out of small, informal gatherings in 2025 — and have become something I value deeply.  If you come along, my hope is simple:  that you leave with a clearer understanding of yourself, a few tools that genuinely help, and a sense that things can be approached differently.

Upcoming Liminal workshops: 

Liminal 3 | Island Bay Wellington, Friday 1 May 2026 | https://events.humanitix.com/liminal-3-adult-adhd-event-wellington

Liminal 4 | New Plymouth, Monday 4 May 2026 |  https://events.humanitix.com/liminal-4-adult-adhd-event-taranaki

If you are intertested in supporting a Liminal in your area, please contact me.