Tess Pearson

Qualifications / Professional Associations:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of NSW

• Modules in Applied Psychology, Birkbeck College, London

• Diploma of Playwork, Hackney Play Association, London

• Master of Arts in Creative Writing, University of Technology Sydney

• Certificate IV in Community Services Work, SAL Consulting

• Master of Art Therapy (current), Western Sydney University

Summary Professional Experience:

Tess has over 10 years of experience working with children, young people, and adults. She has worked in a range of roles including:

• providing direct social support

• providing specialized play support

• facilitating art workshops

• implementation of therapeutic programs

• assessment and coordination of family support needs

• training and supervision of carers and volunteers

• clinical behaviour support

Tess has worked in the Playwork sector in the UK, facilitating play for children and young people with a range of disabilities and neurodiversities, one-on-one, in groups, and in a range of social outreach and cultural community contexts. She has worked on intensive play-based autism intervention programs, and has coordinated family support within the disability sector in the UK.

In Australia Tess has worked in direct support roles with adults and children with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, trauma histories, neurodiversity, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. She has also worked as an arts educator and workshop facilitator with children and adults.

Tess has a depth of experience working previously with SAL Consulting as Clinical Support Worker. In this role she implemented lifestyle and behaviour support plans, consulted with individuals, families, and organisations in an information-gathering capacity, and provided a range of supports to clinicians in the forms of research, writing, and collaborating on formulation and content writing for behaviour support plans.

Tess is passionate about working in ways that provide opportunities for autonomy and growth, and is particularly interested in how creative processes such as play, art, and creative writing can support therapeutic change.

d