About Us

• Bachelor of Counselling

• Experience providing therapeutic services to families and couples.
• Experience providing Early Intervention and Prevention services to at risk children and their families. These roles include case management, crisis intervention support and therapeutic services to children, their families and foster families.
• Experience providing generalist counselling services for mental health, family domestic violence, grief & loss, trauma and AOD.
• Experience providing support to a range of culturally linguistically diverse clients having worked predominantly in Rural NSW and Darwin NT.

• BA Sociology
• Diploma of Writing & Editing

Alison has over 20 years not for profit management and has worked the last 7 years as a not-for-profit consultant delivering support to Indigenous organisations across the Northern Territory.

• Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) – The University of Newcastle

• Currently in the final year of Masters in Clinical Psychology at The University of Sydney.
• Family and group therapy with families in relation to parenting skills, emotion coaching and attachment.
• Child psychotherapy in the context of OCD, ADHD and anxiety difficulties.
• Psychotherapy with adolescents and adults in the context of anxiety, depression, relationship trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders and OCD.
• Psychometric assessment of children and adults with specific learning and attentional difficulties.
• Prior experience in youth housing and mental health support.

• Master of Professional Psychology (UNE)
• Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology (CSU)
• Bachelor of Social Science (UNE)
• Registered Provisional Psychologist

Amie has experience managing a range of services within the disability sector to create valuable opportunities for participants through skill development, community integration, goal attainment, and personal development.

These include:

• Individual programs
• Group (community-based) programs
• Long and short term outreach programs
• Group training

In addition, Amie has managed individual funding packages for school leavers with a primary physical disability. She has experience developing individualised plans with the participant, allocating and monitoring expenditure, and collaboratively identifying and sourcing the necessary supports to achieve each individual’s goals.

Amie has also worked with youth and adolescents during her university placement. During this time, she provided assessment and therapeutic intervention to individuals with complex and enduring mental health concerns.

Amie is motivated and passionate about working with the most vulnerable members of the community and being innovative and creative to achieve positive outcomes for each individual.

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)

Amy completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) from Charles Darwin University. After her studies she has worked in various fields and has experience conducting investigations and assessments of at-risk children and implementing strategies to improve safety and mitigate risk. Amy has also worked with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and supported them by developing strength based case plans and provided ongoing case management. 

• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Currently studying

Anastasia is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Macquarie University. During this time she has volunteered as a mentor to high school students from refugee backgrounds, empowering and equipping them with the skills and information required to access vocational and educational pathways in Australia. She has also worked with adolescents in residential care during her university placement, where she assessed and addressed their needs through the formulation of individualised LBIS plans. Anastasia’s passions lie in working with vulnerable populations and individuals with complex trauma. She plans to continue her studies with a Masters in Clinical Psychology.

• Master of Speech Pathology – Charles Sturt University (2016)
• Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) – La Trobe University (2012)
• Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD (2016)
• Child Protection Certificate (2015)

Anica finished her Master of Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University.  During this time, she initiated student-led projects on telehealth, traumatic brain injury and aged care.   Alongside university, Anica has worked across the fields of education and healthcare.  This included working with clients as well as in project management and program coordination.  She has a passion for healthcare equality, particularly focusing on people with a disability and rural populations.

• Registered Nurse – New Zealand & Australia
• Diploma of Community Services – Case Management Hornsby TAFE
• Founding Member of National Disability Practitioners, A Division of NDS

Barbara draws on over 35 year’s experience as a registered nurse, senior case manager, team leader and project officer.  She has supported people with disabilities in a variety of settings including residential settings; supported accommodation, respite and across the community, working with individuals, families and their carers.

Barbara has worked with people with disabilities and complex support needs being supported in the out of home care area, aged care, boarding houses and criminal justice areas.  She has extensive experience in leading multidisciplinary teams through change and supporting staff on a day to day basis.  Barbara has a strong collaborative approach when working with people with complex supports.

• Bachelor of Arts (English Literature & Media Studies) University of Sussex
• Masters (Social and Political Thought) University of Sussex
• Diploma of Community Services, Ultimo College of TAFE
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Granville TAFE

At SAL Consulting Ben works with a range of organisations to help them build their capacity to achieve outstanding outcomes with their clients.

As an Organisational Development Consultant, Ben’s academic background in social and political theory and lifelong passion for social justice has served him well; providing the foundational and advance skills and knowledge needed to connect meaningfully with peers in the sector.

Previously, Ben worked in a number of community and service based roles and has managed large teams of staff delivering services to children and young people.

Ben draws from both his theoretical and practical backgrounds to support organisations to turn innovative thinking into meaningful practice. Like the people they serve, the organisations Ben works with have their own individualised needs, which require individualised responses.

Some of the activities Ben undertakes with organisations to help them build capacity include research; policy review and development; practice framework development; training development and delivery; service review; change management and strategic planning.

• Bachelor of Speech Pathology – Curtin University
• Graduate Certificate in Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Spectrum Disorders – currently enrolled

Brooklyn has experience working within the fields of early intervention, hospital rehabilitation, transitional care, aged care and disability. She is able to develop individualised assessment and therapy programs for clients with speech, language, literacy, voice, fluency, alternative and augmentative communication and swallowing/eating disorders.

Brooklyn has experience with complex caseload management including clients with Angelman Syndrome, Charge Syndrome, Autism, Huntington’s Disease, Global Development Delay. She is especially passionate about working in partnership with those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• Master of Speech Pathology – Curtin University (2017)
• Certified Practicing Member of Speech Pathology Australia

Carolyn has over 15 years of experience working across both government and private sectors.  She completed her Masters in Speech Pathology through Curtin University in 2017 and has experience working with clients across the lifespan in acute, subacute and outpatient hospital, disability, aged care, and educational settings.  Carolyn believes communication is a fundamental human right and aims to enable individuals to say what they want to say, when they want to say it.  Carolyn also has a passion for swallowing related difficulties and aims to improve individual’s health-related quality of life through effective mealtime management.

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons.) at Central Queensland University
• Master of Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Monash University

• I have worked in the field of special needs and behavior for the past 10 years, with a focus on autism.
• I am a local who has experience providing services across the Northern Territory including Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.
• I have worked with a range of individuals from 2 to 25 years of age and across a range of settings including home, daycare, school, employment training and in the community in programs underpinned by Positive Behavior Support strategies and the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. In this role I have had extensive experience managing teams, conducting behaviour assessments, developing behaviour support plans, providing training, and supervising the implementation and delivery of programs and supports.
• I have facilitated workshops for families, carers and professionals on topics such as autism, behavior, functional communication and skill-building.
• I have provided behaviour support services as a sole trader through the NDIS since May 2019.

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Macquarie University
• Post Graduate Diploma (Psychology) – Macquarie University
• Post Graduate Diploma (Social Health) – Macquarie University
• Certificate IV Assessment & Workplace Training
• Registered Psychologist
• Registered Supervisor

• Over 20 years experience working with adults and children with disabilities, mental health difficulties, and backgrounds of trauma and abuse and providing clinical support to teams, families and individuals
• Experience in the design and delivery of Behaviour Support and Skills Development programming, and management of programming teams
• Policy writing, organisational review and organisational systems development
• Coordination of therapeutic services for a multi-disciplinary team
• Design and delivery of individual therapeutic services for children and young people, and people with disabilities
• Design and Delivery of staff training for Human Service Organisations
• Delivery of psychometric assessments and clinician / practitioner training
• Supervision and mentoring of intern and registered psychologists, other clinical staff, human services managers and direct support staff

• Diploma in Secretarial, Bookkeeping and Accounts, Shorthand and Computer Studies

Denise has over 30 years of experience in Administration and Accounts roles across a number of industries, including Construction, Finance and the Automotive industries. Denise has worked with staff, Managers, Partners and Directors in numerous supporting roles. Denise also has experience running her own family business for over 20 years.

• Bachelor of Arts  (Psych & Philosophy) – currently study

In his spare time, Divesh often volunteers at the Parklea Correctional Centre where he supports, creates hope, and inspires children affected by the criminal justice system. He encourages them to reach their potential, nurtures their growth and empowers them to succeed.

• Dip. Teaching, B Ed.
• Dip Special Ed.
• M Spec Ed., JP

Doug has worked with people who have complex behaviour support needs for more than 35 years. He has worked as a Special Ed teacher, a behaviour support practitioner in a Community support team, Manager of a cluster of Group Homes for people with complex behaviour and for 15 years was the Senior Manager Behaviour Support for a Specialist Regional Behaviour Intervention team.

He has extensive experience working with families, staff and agencies to develop shared and agreed ways to support people who have very complex support needs.  Over his working career he has been asked to review many situations where a person’s support has broken down or become homeless due to the complexity of their support and subsequently assisted in the developed of a shared and agreed way forward.

For more than 20 years Doug has also been involved in the Restrictive Practice Process, assisting agencies develop their processes, developing the skills of RPA Convenors and Independent specialists and also providing independent specialist advice for people with very complex support due to mental health and Criminal Justice issues.

Doug also has extensive experience and a keen interest in the recruitment, training, support and supervision of behaviour support practitioners.

• Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) La Trobe University, 2002
• Bachelor of Social Work, La Trobe University, 2006
• Diploma of Management, Victoria University, 2012
• Certificate IV in Business, Victoria University, 2012
• Certificate IV in Project Management, Swinburne, 2019

For the last 13 years, I have worked in a variety of teams and roles within the Victorian Government. This included Disability Services, Agency Performance, Population Health and most recently in Senior Project roles implementing the transfer of state services to the NDIS. During my time at the Department, I have gained an in-depth knowledge of policy and legislation, whilst working within complex stakeholder environments.

I have gained over 10 years’ experience managing multidisciplinary teams, which has helped develop a strong leadership style and assisted me to support teams through various periods of change. I have a passion for providing high-quality services, especially for people with disability.

• Master of Arts (Psychology) – University Of Sydney
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Macquarie University
• Cert IV – Workplace Training and Assessment

• 20 years experience working with people with disabilities, children and young people in out-of-home care, complex and vulnerable people, their carers and the agencies that support them;
• Consultation in complex case management and delivery of clinical services for individuals with trauma backgrounds and mental health issues, and for individuals who have contact with the criminal justice systems;
• Provision of complex assessments in disability, foster care, mental health and forensic settings;
• Design and delivery of therapeutic intervention / treatment programs for individuals with personality disorders, emotional disturbances, attachment disorders and complex post traumatic presentations; and training programs for practitioners working with this client group;
• Design and delivery of individual therapeutic intervention for children and young people, and people with disabilities;
• Provision of clinical supervision, and other clinician capacity building, to psychologists and clinicians in the disability and youth (out of home care) sectors;
• A strong focus on developing reflective and critical thinking, and developing the skills and practice approaches in practitioners on the human services sector;
• Organisational policy and practice review for government and nongovernment
• agencies
• Assessment of children and young people and foster carers in the out of home care sector;
• Development & delivery of a range of professional development / training resources for both government and nongovernment sectors.
• NMT practitioner and practice leader as part of SAL Consulting’s Phase 2 Accreditation in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics with the Child Trauma Academy.

• Bachelor of Science (Psychology) Macquarie University
• Postgraduate Diploma (Psychology) Macquarie University
• Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental) University of Western Sydney
• Registered Psychologist: Authority to Practice Registration Number: PSY0001309914
• Endorsement – Educational & Developmental Psychology
• AHPRA Board Approved Supervisor

Frances has over 10 years experience working with children, young people, adults and their families. She has worked within the government sector, in education, and in the private sector focussing on the needs and supports of families at risk, children and adults with disabilities, and those with complex trauma experiences.

Frances has extensive knowledge regarding emotional wellbeing, educational and developmental assessments utilising standardised and dynamic assessments, as well as qualitative measures, parenting capacity assessments, and psycho-social assessments.

Frances is focused on developing, delivering and reviewing supports for children, young people and families within human services. This has included developing and facilitating parenting groups, trauma informed behavioural and educational supports, and applying therapeutic models within the Out of Home Care, Disability, and Early Intervention sectors.

Frances has facilitated Life Story work with young people, and applies a range of trauma informed therapeutic models, including narrative therapy, and the neuroscience-sequential model of therapeutics.

Frances’ work also includes the provision of supervision to Psychologists, Case Workers, and Youth Work teams.

Frances is interested in research, and determining what works, and for whom. Frances is an NMT Practitioner, included in SAL Consulting’s Phase 1 Accreditation in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics with the Child Trauma Academy.

Associations:

•  Member, Australian Psychological Society
• Member, College of Educational and Developmental Psychology

Conferences:

• 2nd International Neurosequential Model Symposium: Are you ready? Nothing’s Impossible: Two Unique approaches utilising Six Core Strengths, the 6 r’s for Healing Trauma and NMT. June, 2016.

• Master of Arts (Psychology) – University Of Sydney
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – University of New South Wales
• Certificate IV Assessment & Workplace Training
• Registered Psychologist – AHPRA Number PSY000114047

Gary is a practitioner with more than 20 years experience with a long-standing record of providing tailored quality behaviour and service development support design and delivery for children and adults in the disability and youth / intensive services (out-of-home care) sectors; client/family support; training, and systems development and monitoring services to non-government service provider organisations, in the disability and youth (out-of-home care) sectors.

Gary has previously developed and managed a statewide tertiary clinical support team, and currently provides professional supervision of clinical practitioners. Gary has led numerous reviews for government and non-government agencies, and has developed and delivered a range of professional development training resources, practice guides, policy frameworks, and service review and monitoring tools to both government and non-government sector programs.

Publications

Gardiner, L. and Raftl, G. and Summers, E. 2016. By Invitation Only. In: Stevens, R. and Whittle, S.R. ed. Changing Organisations from Within: Roles, Risks and Consultancy Relationships. Routledge: New York, pp. 195

Conference Presentations

• Child Trauma Academy NMT Conference, Banff (2014) NMT & Six Core Strengths in Regional Australia: Re-shaping neurodevelopmentally-informed practice development in residential care settings with Marie Pinter

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (with Honours), University of New South Wales
• Master of Education and Developmental Psychology, Western Sydney University
• Certificate IV Training & Assessment, Hunter TAFE

Holly is a dedicated practitioner who has 10 years of experience working with individuals with complex needs and challenging behaviours, utilising person-centred, evidence-based clinical practice. She is competent in conducting clinical assessments, intervention planning, design and delivery. Holly also provides training and care coordination with local services to facilitate clients’ rehabilitation in the community.

Holly has a strong interest in neuroscience and is currently studying the Master of Brain and Mind Sciences at The University of Sydney.

• Certificate III in Business Administration
• Certificate III in Governance
• De-escalation of Behaviour, Drugs and Alcohol and Suicide Intervention Training

Jamie has previously worked in the Public sector with the Department of Human Services and Australian Electoral Commission. She has also worked for not-for-profit organisations such as Larrakia Nation, Darwin Regional CDEP, Foundation of Rehabilitation with Aboriginal Alcohol Related Difficulties (FORWAARD) and The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Jamie is a Larrakia woman, in which the Larrakia People are the Traditional Custodians of Darwin and surrounding areas.

Jamie has worked with a range of people, staff, clients and stakeholders of many diverse backgrounds and has a passion to help Indigenous people.

• BSc Psychology, Keele University, UK
• MSc Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, University of Kent, UK
• Member of the British Psychological Society

• Prior to working at SAL Consulting, Jessica worked as a Skills Development Practitioner at a London based service provider. She worked within the Intensive Support Team (including Behaviour Support Practitioners and Communication practitioners) to embed Person-Centred Active Support (PCAS) across disability services. Jessica worked within teams to monitor PCAS and skills teaching through developing measurement tools, training, as well as role modeling and coaching good practice
• Previous experience in training teams in PCAS and Autism
• Her MSc covered Positive Behaviour Support, Person Centred Active Support, behavioural analysis, functional assessments and understanding the impact of organisational change in disability services
• Within this MSc, Jessica undertook two placements. The first involved evaluating the quality of a supported living service (using observational and interview measures). The second placement involved working within the NHS as a Student Behaviour Support Practitioner; using various assessment measures, training and creating support plans
• Previous experience working directly with families as a Family Support Intern; providing emotional support and information on caring for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities

Conference Presentations

Presented ‘Sensory profiles of adults with autism: A comparison with the general population and adults with dyspraxia’ at the following conferences:

• The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSID; Melbourne, August 2016) and
• The Seattle Club Conference on Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Glasgow, December 2016)

Diploma of Accounting

• Develop and use complex spreadsheets
• Prepare financial reports
• Process financial transactions and extract interim reports
• Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

• Senior Finance and Accounts professional with over 25 years experience in a number of accounts and finance support roles across industry sectors.
• Key strengths include detailed analytical and reporting skills with excellent customer service ability.
• Support Senior Management / Partners meet financial targets.
• Assist in the management of Client administration matters, including resolving issues as they arise.
• Work on and assist with continuous improvement projects.
• Ensuring the smooth running of the office support function, including the fortnightly payroll and invoicing, and all relevant documentation.

• Bachelor of Psychology
• AHPRA General Registration PSY0002123109

Julio completed his undergraduate psychological training at Western Sydney University and currently holds General Registration as a Psychologist in Australia.  With over 10 years’ experience working in the disability sector, Julio brings experience, knowledge and passion to his current role with us as a Clinical Consultant.

Justin has worked in administrative roles for the past ten years. He has extensive experience in supporting systems and for the training team including both the professional development and Registered Training Organisation. He has a keen interest in music and photography in his spare time.

• Masters of Education (Adult Education) – UTS
• Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management – Harris Bromley
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – Response Training & Employment
• Masters of Early Childhood – Macquarie University
• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) – Macquarie University

Katherine is an experienced education and workforce development professional with 15 years’ experience leading successful programs in a range of organisations with in-depth involvement and understanding of working in community services and health sectors.  She engages organisations with a strong participatory and people-centred approach providing innovation and a passionate focus on building skills, knowledge and experience in the classroom and the workplace.

Katherine believes in life-long learning, creating opportunities for people to step outside their comfort zone and the power of education to change lives.

• Bachelor of Science (Psychology), 1992, University of Newcastle
• Registered Psychologist – Authority to Practiced Registration Number PSY0001232248
• AHRPA Board Approved Supervisor
• NDIS Practitioner ID 00374, NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner (approved to provide Specialist Behaviour Support Services).
• Independent Specialist for Restrictive Practice Authorisation in NSW.

Katrina is a passionate practitioner with over 20 years of experience delivering complex assessment and intervention for children and adults with disabilities and/or a history of complex trauma.   Katrina has experience with Mental Health, Parenting Capacity and other complex assessments.

Katrina is a therapist working with children and adults with a history of complex developmental trauma and/or disabilities utilising modalities including DBT, neurosequential and somatosensory approaches.  Katrina as part of the Therapy Portfolio provides supervision to therapists and support to Marie Pinter, Partner in the further development of this important part of work provided by SAL Consulting.

Katrina has a strong interest and commitment to developing and delivering training across both Out of Home Care and Disability Service Sectors to aid understanding and practical application of intervention with people with a history of complex developmental trauma and or disability.

Katrina has a passion for educating others in the neurodevelopmental impacts of trauma as well as the development of interventions based on a sequential understanding of the brain.  Further Katrina is committed to the application of Attachment Theory and Polyvagal Theory to understanding the impacts of trauma and in intervention design.

SAL Consulting is trained in the use of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). Katrina is an NMT practitioner and practice leader as part of SAL Consulting’s Phase 2 Accreditation in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics with the Child Trauma Academy. Katrina provides supervision, support and training to SAL Consulting clinicians undergoing Phase 1 Training.  Katrina provides education and training to a range of service providers across a number of sectors to increase awareness of the benefit of intervention design based on a thorough understanding of sequential brain functioning.

Conference Presentations

2nd International Neurosequential Model Symposium: Are you ready? Nothing’s Impossible: Two Unique approaches utilising Six Core Strengths, the 6Rr’s for Healing Trauma and NMT. June, 2016.

• Masters of Science in Investigative (Forensic) Psychology – University of Huddersfield, UK
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Honours) – University of Stirling, UK

Kelly has experience working in forensic psychiatric hospitals providing individual and group therapy sessions focusing on risk and recovery including rehabilitation and changing behaviour. Experienced in administering psychometric tests and conducting risk assessments for developing individual plans whilst in hospital, and also post-release when transitioning into probation services.

• Cert IV Business Administration

With over 20 years working in the administration field across a number of sectors, including over 10 years in the Financial Services sector, her key strengths include excellent time management skills, a strong eye for detail and first-class organisational skills.

Extensive experience dealing with high-level clients and managing key relationships, priding herself on being approachable and accessible for both staff members and clients alike.

Extremely passionate about her role and everything that SAL Consulting represents.

• BSc Psychology
• MSc Play Therapy

My first encounter with therapeutic support began in my teens, when I completed extensive training and volunteered as a peer counsellor at a youth telephone helpline. After qualifying as a psychologist from Goldsmiths, University of London and while completing my MSc in Play Therapy in University of South Wales in UK I worked with adults transitioning from acute mental health setting into the community, adults with intellectual disability, domestic abuse victim support and young people at risk, special needs advocacy in education, out of home care, therapeutic services for children and in a community justice program for young high risk reoffenders with intellectual disability.

I am experienced in NGO, statutory and private sectors, providing developmentally appropriate and tailored individual, family and group therapeutic intervention as well as clinical supervision to staff.

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy  (Deakin University)

• Occupational Therapy Board of Australia member, Registration number OCC0001989818

• Comprehensive assessments across various state and national, private and government, jurisdictions and agreements involving injury management and return to work, including worksite assessments, task analysis, medical assessments, and ergonomic assessments.
• Completion of functional and cognitive assessments to determine a person’s capacity to engage in rehabilitation programs to return to work or other meaningful occupations, including safety in the home.
• Implementation of interventions including home modifications, assistive equipment, task modification, upper limb therapy including thermoplastic splinting and exercises, facilitation of comprehensive medical case conferences and coordinated meetings, and provision of theoretical and hands-on training to prevent workplace injuries.

• Bachelor Business Marketing
• Diploma HR Management
• Diploma Leadership & Management
• Diploma Venues/Events Management
• Cert IV Business Administration & Management
• Cert IV Project Management
• Cert IV Frontline Management
• Cert III Finance
• Cert II Computer Applications for the Office

Leigh Macklan has recently taken the leap from EA to Senior Manager, Operations & Projects.  With over 17 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant, Leigh brings knowledge and skills from industries including manufacturing, health insurance, finance, education, legal, construction, not for profit and social services.  Also with a background in marketing/graphic design and photography, Leigh’s passion for presentation (and perfection!) follow her into every role.

• Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts (Special Education)

Lesley has been working in the disability sector since 1987 and has a special interest in the mental health of children and young people with intellectual disability.  Lesley has been actively involved in the development of practice relating to interdisciplinary collaboration, family and systemic practice and trauma-informed frameworks for supporting people with intellectual disability; she has been providing training, supervision and mentoring in these areas for many years.  Lesley has also worked at an organisational level, across government and non-government agencies, contributing to the development of policy and practice guidelines, and building the capacity of the sector to deliver Positive Behaviour Support.

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Charles Sturt University
• Certificate IV Assessment & Workplace Training
• Australian Institute of Company Directors – Member Number: 2204161
• Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors – Company Director’s Course (2017)

Liz is a Director of SAL Consulting, a trans-disciplinary consulting firm that works with vulnerability and complexity across health, education, and human services. As a human services consultant and Behaviour Support Specialist, she has more than 18-years of experience delivering practice improvement and training, clinical support, organisational development, and program review / design services to government and non-government organisations. She is passionate about utilising current research in neuroscience, applying that to improved outcomes in leadership, program design and delivery of services, and assisting people to implement evidence based theory into day-to-day practice.

Publications

Gardiner, L. and Raftl, G. and Summers, E. 2016. By Invitation Only. In: Stevens, R. and Whittle, S.R. ed. Changing Organisations from Within: Roles, Risks and Consultancy Relationships. Routledge: New York, pp. 195

Conference Presentations

• Lower North Shore Child & Family Interagency Forum (2018) Understanding the impact of Trauma on Children and Families
• Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals Conference (2017) Transforming Schools for our Most Vulnerable Students with Annelies Hoogland and Bern Nicholls
• Child Trauma Academy NMT Symposium, Banff (2014)  Youth Hope – A Developmentally Informed Approach to Program Design and Evaluation with Lisa Gardiner & Louise Limoges
• Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat Conference, Coffs Harbour (2014) Understanding Trauma
• Australian Childhood Foundation Conference, Melbourne (2014) Innovative Program Design – Youth Hope and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics with Lisa Gardiner & Louise Limoges
• Australian Children’s Welfare Association Conference (2014) Care South Brighter Futures – Changing Lives Every Day with Claire Behi.

Margie has many years of experience in team management across a number of industry sectors and prior to this role managed our bustling Allied Health clinic.

She is dedicated to promoting rewarding outcomes for clients through operational support of her clinicians, and building solid foundations in consultancy skills in new team members. Margie also has a background in design and has enjoyed developing interior schemes for several of our offices.

• BSocSc(Psych)
• PGDip(Psych)
• MPsych (Forensic)

Marie Pinter is a Senior Psychologist. Marie has extensive experience working with high needs children and young people with complex trauma living in foster care and residential out of home care, and also those living with their birth families. Marie also has significant experience with inpatient and outpatient settings, community treatment programs and also with young people in detention and on parole.

Marie and her team provide intensive and specialised therapeutic interventions that are empirically sound, evidence-based and culturally appropriate to children, young people and adults including those with disabilities.

Marie also has experience in mental health assessments, psychosocial assessments and parenting capacity assessments (including expert reports) that involve multiple and complex issues.

Marie has a strong interest and commitment to improving the quality of services delivered by youth workers, foster carers and government and non-government agencies, as well as direct therapeutic work to young people and their families.  Marie provides supervision to psychologists and other clinical practitioners.

Marie’s professional experience includes the role of complex case clinician at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Marie is an NMT practitioner and practice leader as part of SAL Consulting’s Phase 2 Accreditation in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics with the Child Trauma Academy.

• Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from The University of Sydney
• Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology from Western Sydney University
• AHPRA Registered Psychologist

• 9 years of direct experience working in disability services including accommodation support, respite services, and post school programs supporting individuals with complex needs.
• Proficient in the design and implementation of evidence based person-centred therapeutic interventions for adults and children with disabilities and mental health concerns
• Experience assessing and identifying the support requirements of individuals with complex needs
• Provision of clinical support and training to families, carers, teachers and support teams in both the Disability and Out of Home Care sectors
• Experience undertaking comprehensive service model assessments for individual with complex needs
• Provision of direct therapy to vulnerable children and adolescents with complex trauma; and adults with disabilities
• Proficient in the delivery of psychometric assessment

• Certificate IV in Disability Studies – Swinburne Tafe (2004)
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability) – RMIT (2012)
• IABA: Positive Practices in Behaviour Support through Nonlinear Applied Behaviour Analysis (2016)
• Currently completing: Masters in Disability Policy and Practice – Flinders University

Melissa has been working in the disability sector for 18 years with Government and NGOs. Her experience ranges from working as a support worker, service manager, case manager and a clinical and quality practice leader; as well as working as a Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner in Melbourne.

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Canterbury University
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Macquarie University
• Certificate IV Assessment & Workplace Training, Macquarie Community College
• Registered Psychologist – Authority to Practice Registration Number: PSY0001259842

Michael has over 20 years experience working with people with disabilities, children and young people in Out of Home Care, their carers, and agencies that support them.

Michael’s work portfolio includes:

• design and implementation of behaviour intervention and support plans for individuals with complex support needs;
• Psychometric and Psychological assessment;
• Service system development and review, including operationalising of policy, and developing quality assurance mechanisms;
• Organisational policy and practice review for government and non-government organisations;
• Project management, and service, program and agency review;
• Supervision and management of multi-disciplinary clinical support teams providing Case Management, psychological, behaviour intervention support and allied health therapies;
• Management of a range of support services for people with disabilities, including respite. accommodation and day programs;
• Development and delivery of training programs for the Disability and Out of Home Care sectors.

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
• Post Graduate Diploma (Psychology)
• Registered Psychologist – PSY0001117129
• Committee member PsychDD – The Association of Psychologists in Developmental Disability Services

Michelle has worked with people with complex support needs for 24 years in the disability and out of home care sectors, primarily in the delivery of behaviour support services. She has been a registered psychologist since 2001. Michelle has worked in a variety of settings including non-government, private, state and federal government in the delivery of supports including direct behaviour support and psychology services, staff training, systems and practice development, policy and service design. Michelle enjoys working directly with the person and those in their support network. She also has extensive experience in leading teams to establish and deliver high quality behaviour support services. Michelle is passionate about supporting organisations and teams to ensure they have strong clinical governance, quality assurance, and staff support systems in place to facilitate effective service delivery. She has been involved in numerous partnerships and collaborative endeavours at a systems level to support positive outcomes for people with disabilities.

• Bachelor of Psychology – University of Newcastle
• Currently enrolled in Masters of Business Administration- University of Newcastle
• Registered Psychologist (General Registration)

• Application of psychological and holistic assessments for a range of people with complex needs, including children, young people and adults with a disability and/or complex trauma.
• Therapeutic and Behavioural Interventions for children or adults with a disability and/or mental health concerns, including complex trauma.
• Provision of Clinical Support (including psycho-education) for carers and residential staff teams, in both the Disability and Out of Home Care sectors.
• Identification and assessment of support needs of individuals with a disability, metal health issues and a variety of other complex needs.
• Development and delivering of comprehensive individualised Behaviour Intervention and Support plans.
• Over 4 years experience working as a Direct Support Professional, including key work for people with a disability and/or mental health concerns as well as individuals with complex trauma.
• Over 10 years experience working with vulnerable children and adolescents, including those with complex trauma in recreational respite environments
• Professional experience and training.

• Bachelors of Science (Psychology) 
• Masters of Early Childhood Education 
• Graduate Certificate: ABA Advanced certificate

Milka has worked in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis for over 6 years now. She began her career in 2014 working as a therapist for clients with developmental disorders such as ASD and various conduct disorders. 

Milka gained most of her experience working as a behaviour therapist for a number of early intervention clinics. Her experience includes providing 1:1 direct care services, natural environment training, program development, designing behaviour support plans and staff training. Milka has vast experience in working with clients between the ages of 2-14 who present a range of challenging behaviours.

In 2015 Milka completed her Bachelors of Science (Psychology) at Monash University and continued on to complete her Masters in Early Childhood Education in 2018. Milka has also completed the ABA advanced certificate course sequence through the Florida Institute of Technology. She hopes to complete her supervision hours to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).

• 2001-2004:   Bachelor of Social Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne

I have worked in the disability sector for the past 17 years in a variety of roles including direct care, day programs, case management, behaviour support, in both not-for-profit and State Government environments. I have a passion for working with vulnerable individuals and their families to improve their quality of life.

I have had over 8 years’ experience in supervisory and operational roles, managing staff in various settings. My last few roles involved the operational management of a team of disability case managers, which included regular supervision, assistance with crisis responses, regular liaison with clients, families and stakeholders, planning and facilitating regular staff meetings, monitoring staff training needs and the prioritisation, allocation and monitoring of caseloads and client waitlist.

• Bachelor of Education (Special Education).
• Vocational Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma
• Bachelor of Behaviour Studies (Psychology)

• Experienced Behaviour Support Practitioner working with complex individuals and support systems
• Strong evidenced history in behaviour assessment and support plan design.
• Experience in working with both government and non-government services and their unique organisational challenges.
• Service system review and assessment, to support service improvement and evidence outcomes.
• Supervision, coaching and mentoring of staff providing and receiving behaviour support services.
• Management of Restricted Practice Authorisation processes.
• Extensive experience in providing training in a variety of topics to deliver service improvement.

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons)
• Registered Psychologist
• Registered Supervisor

• Experienced Clinical Services Manager
• Development and implementation of policies and practice review
• Experience in assessment and behaviour support services for children and adults with disabilities and / or a history of complex trauma
• Assessment of children, young people and adults with mental health and drug and alcohol issues within the health system
• Design and delivery of therapeutic intervention / treatment programs for individuals with mental illness, disability and emotional disturbance
• Design and delivery of individual therapeutic intervention for children and young people, and people with disabilities
• Experience in consultation and supervision for clinicians and senior management regarding service provision and modeling for clients with complex needs
• Professional supervision of clinical practitioners in the in the disability sector

• Bachelor of Management of Human Resources

After finishing her studies, Romana started her career as a Delivery Consultant specialising in implementing finance solutions via cloud-based planning and reporting tool. With the ability to effectively handle multiple priorities and solid reasoning and analytical skills she managed the efficient implementation and delivery for clients from many different industries.

Romana’s hardworking and focused approach; and certain aspects of her Human Resources studies gave her an advantage in building strong relationships with clients and she moved to a Client Success Coordinator role in the same industry.

• AHPRA Registration – Provisional Psychologist PSY0002172254
• Master of Professional Psychology – Deakin University
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology – Deakin University
• Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies – Deakin University
• Bachelor of Science (Psychology) – Deakin University

• Experience in the administration of psychological tests and risk assessments as well as the provision of support and delivery of therapeutic group programs to forensic clients in a residential treatment facility.
• Development and implementation of behaviour support plans and provision of clinical support to children and young people with complex needs.
• Experience working as an ABA therapist across home, school, and youth residential service settings.

Conference Presentations:

• Fainveits, S., Thiele, B., Harris, K., & Lee, J. (2017). Attachment, stress and caregiving styles in older families. Poster presentation given at the 4th year conference, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia.
• Fainveits, S., & Lee, J. (2017). The associations between parent and child attachment style and carer responsiveness in later life. Talk presented in a symposium entitled “Adult attachment in the later stages of life: The context of familial caregiving,” chaired by Gery C. Karantzas, Juwon Lee & Emma Marshall, at the 16th Annual Psychology of Relationships Interest Group Conference, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons)
• Master of Professional Psychology
• Registered Psychologist

Samara has experience providing support to people with a disability and mental health concerns as well as those caring for them. Samara has also spent time in Sri Lanka working within the community to bring support to those with complex needs, in aid to increase wellbeing. During this time Samara also worked within the community to provide psychoeducation and increase understanding of those with complex needs.

Samara is proficient in the assessment and development of person-centred evidence-based interventions for those with complex needs, along with providing support for those caring for them.

• Masters in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Bachelor Honours in Applied Psychology
• Registration with BABCP and APHRA

• 5 year’s experience working as a coordinator with complex clients in youth residential service’s and family courts in Ireland
• 2 year’s experience working as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist in Schools and clinics throughout Ireland

Publications

• Masters Dissertation selected to be published

Conference Presentations

• Dissertation presentations for my Masters

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (2013)
• Certificate IV in training and assessment (2007, renewed in 2013)
• Diploma in Arts (2002)

Stephan has worked in the community services industry for 13 years before come on board with SAL. His career in the community services industry began in 2003 when he began working as a support worker, supporting people with intellectual disabilities in their homes. In 2007, Stephan completed his Certificate IV in training and assessment and delivered Certificate III and IV training in disability work. Between 2008 and 2012, Stephan worked as a manager in mental health and community justice programs. In 2012 Stephan returned to university to complete his studies, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts (Psychology), while still working as a trainer and support worker. In 2014 he began his first role as a behaviour support clinician working with people in the Community Justice Program in the NGO sector and with Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Stephan started with SAL in 2016.

• Cert IV Business Administration

• Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) – James Cook University
• Master of Clinical Psychology – University of Sydney
• Registered Psychologist – AHPRA Number PSY0002172897

• Psychotherapy with young to older adults in challenges such as anxiety, depression, OCD, personality disorders, interpersonal difficulties, grief, and coping with major illnesses.
• Parenting skills training with parents of young children with emotional and behavioural challenges.
• Psychosocial assessments and family therapy with older children and adolescents with complex mental health needs.
• Psychometric assessments for adults and children with specific learning and neurocognitive disabilities.
• Previous experience in forensic mental health case management and research positions in youth mental health, delinquency and children in out of home care in Singapore.

• Doctor of Psychology (Forensic) – Deakin University
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Psych) – Deakin University
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Thesis entitled The ARMIDILO: Risk Assessment of Sex Offenders with an Intellectual Disability, and Impact on Employment, Recreation and Leisure) – Deakin University
• Graduate Certificate of Domestic and Family Violence Practice – Central Queensland University
• Member of the Australian Psychology Society (APS)
• Registered as Psychologist with AHPRA (Reg Number: PSY0001617444)

• Over eight years of experience in working with individuals who have a disability, including as a disability support worker, ABA therapist and clinician (psychologist). This includes 1:1 disability support in community and disability accommodation services (both government and non-government agencies), 1:1 ABA therapy support, in vivo training of disability support workers, review of behaviours of concern to understand functions of behaviour, the provision of behaviour support plans and in vivo support to disability support workers to enhance proactive strategies.
• Seven years of experience working with individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system, in both welfare and clinical roles. This includes welfare support in relation to adjustment to prison, engagement with child protection/legal services/banking services and provision of recreational activities to prisoners. In clinical roles this has included the provision of assessment for treatment needs and individual intervention to individuals with offending behaviour. Provision of group based sexual and violent offending behaviour programs (CBT and DBT based) for intellectual disabled and non-intellectual disabled offenders. Provision group based drug and alcohol programs for offenders and development/provision of mindfulness programs for offenders. Administration of psychometrics to determine risk, motivation for intervention, and personality assessments.
• Experiencing in providing complex assessment reports for court for individuals with a disability, offending behaviour and have legal mandates. Extensive experience in providing treatment plans, risk assessments and treatment progress reports for individuals who are mandated under Section 8 (Compulsory Treatment) of the Disability Act 2006 (Victoria). Provision of reports for other legal panels (e.g. Forensic Leave Panel and Multi Agency Panel) for individuals mandated by legal orders under Serious Sex Offender (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009 (Victoria) and Crimes Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried Act 1997 (Victoria). Significant engagement in multi-disciplinary teams to provide client centred and best practice intervention for individuals with a disability to aid in behaviour of concern reduction and increase quality of life for those individuals.
• Specific interest in research related to quality of life and domestic and family violence in relation to individuals with a disability.

• Maxwell, Y., Day, A., & Casey, S. (2013). Understanding the needs of vulnerable prisoners: the role of social and emotional well-being. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 9(2), 57 – 67.