Challenging Behaviour is communication
We listen to you. We help you build more skills, more freedom and more social connections so you can live without restrictive practices.
1300 694 625
1300 694 625
We listen to you. We help you build more skills, more freedom and more social connections so you can live without restrictive practices.
We listen to you. We help you build more skills, more freedom and more social connections so you can live without restrictive practices.
Freedom and social connection for people with disability.
We provide easy access to life-changing Positive Behaviour Support.
We take the stress out of the NDIS. Great customer service and no long waiting lists.
We build powerful systems that free us to focus on people.
We invest heavily in training and clinical supervision.
We share our learning and support the growth of new behaviour support organisations.
We are a team of allied health professionals, psychologists, behaviour analysts who practice person-centred positive behaviour support.
We provide NDIS participants with functional behaviour assessments, behaviour support plans, training, coaching, and psychological services.
Key factors in our service include:
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Clinical Lead, QLD
Team Leader
Belinda is an experienced clinician in the disability sector and is passionate about building capacity and supporting mental health in the service of greater personal growth and freedom.
Belinda has additional training in Neurological Music Therapy, Complex Trauma and Sensory Processing Disorder and brings a strengths based, flexible and personable approach to her work with clients and families.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Chris has been working in the disability sector for the last 10 years and has an incredibly strong passion for improving service quality within the sector as a whole.
Chris was the Director of a multidisciplinary service provider for young adults with autism in the Sydney area. Over the years, he has had experience in supporting individuals with autism, leading diverse teams, and leading large projects. Chris has been a behaviour support specialist since 2014 and specialises in supporting individuals with autism (including other comorbidities). In his spare time, he is a teacher at a local RTO specialising in community service qualifications.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Daniel has extensive experience providing specialist behaviour support with people experiencing a variety of complex needs, including intellectual disability, offending history, AOD and mental health. During Daniel's employment with FACS (2007-2017) he managed clinical teams, Restrictive Practices panels, developed policies, and trained organisations in Positive Behaviour Support.
Manager, HR & Recruitment
Jane has lead high performing teams, providing supervision and support to team members, helping them achieve their potential, and deliver excellent client outcomes.
Jane is passionate about building healthy human connections and a strong social fabric--this is where real positive changes start to happen.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Clinical Operations Manager
Clinical Lead, Restrictive Practices Systems
Team Leader
Kire comes to Ability Consultants with 17 years of experience improving the lives of people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour. Kire has extensive experience in psychotherapy, forensic casework, and child protection. He is passionate about working with families and teams to provide empowering, person-centred supports.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Northern Rivers, NSW
Mark has over 30 yrs experience in the disability, mental health and child youth and family sectors both in Australia and the UK. supporting people with complex health care needs in public, private and NGO Settings. Mark is a Motivational Interviewing, train the trainer, who loves to work with teams supporting clients with high support needs, understanding restrictive practices, trauma informed practice ,introducing positive behaviour support principles and developing risk mitigation strategies across all environments.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Psychologist
Natasha is a registered Psychologist with experience providing clinical and behavioural support to individuals with challenging behaviours and complex needs. She has worked with adolescents and adults in the justice system and with children in the education system. She has a strong interest in forensics and behaviour analysis and a deep passion to empower others to live a quality life.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Clinical Lead, ABA
Team Leader
Ross began his professional journey in 2007 and comes with many years of teaching, supervision and training, and behaviour analytic experiences across all age ranges and ability levels. Ross has research and presentation experience, is published in a number of refereed journal articles, and is actively affiliated with many professional, international committees and boards.
Ross has a broad range of experience working in clinical, home, and community/recreational settings in various realms including ABA for children and individuals with low incidence disabilities and multiple diagnoses including autism.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Clinical Lead, Learning and Development
Team Leader
Batemans Bay, NSW
Roshini comes to Ability Consultants having worked as a Special Education Consultant, training teachers, parents, and other disability professionals in how to implement behaviour strategies and practice inclusion effectively. Since 2013, Roshini has worked in the field of intellectual disability and challenging behaviour. Roshini's Doctoral Thesis was entitled, "Student-Focused Planning and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Knowledge, Perspectives and Experiences."
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Illawarra, South Coast, NSW
Stephen has a vast experience providing positive behaviour support. He has supported people with disabilities for 25 years, in a variety of roles. Stephen is driven to bring creative and life-expanding opportunities into the lives of the people he supports.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Clinical Operations Manager
Clinical Practice Lead
Team Leader
Speech Pathologist
Steve is an experienced and highly respected practice leader in Positive Behaviour Support. Steve's career is underpinned by his passion to assist people with disabilities to overcome barriers to their best quality of life. Steve is driven to make PBS accessible to everyone, and build collaborative teams around each individual.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Blue Mountains, NSW
Vanessa has been working for over 30 years, helping improve the lives of people with disability, initially as a Residential Care Assistant and House Manager. Vanessa commenced as a Positive Behaviour Support consultant in 1999 in the role of Behaviour Programmer. Since 2006 Vanessa has also been in a clinical leadership role, helping other clinicians, and working with people affected by complex issues. Vanessa is committed to building and maintaining person-centred services standards in the NDIS.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Team Leader
Preferred pronouns: She/ Her
Akanksha Nayar Chhettri is a Behaviour Analyst (BCBA/IBA). She has previously worked at a centre in India from 2014 until 2018 and moved to Ghana in May of 2018 where she served as the Senior Clinical Supervisor at Autism Compassion Africa until 2021. When she first moved to Ghana she was one of two BCBAs in all of West Africa (which is roughly the size of the United States). Her responsibilities included helping run the centre in Cape Coast and to also do consultation work for clients in Nigeria. She is now a board member of Autism Compassion Africa.
Over her time in the field, she has developed a keen interest in international dissemination, staff training, autism advocacy, social justice and decolonization of systems. She believes that ABA as a discipline requires a multicultural ethos to help shape what is being built; the more perspectives that contribute to the growth, the more dynamic and multifaceted the field can be.
Akanksha enjoys stimulating conversations and meeting people that help broaden her perspective of the world. She is also a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Akino has been working within the disability sector, originally as a Registered Music Therapist, since 2015 with a focus on social and cultural inclusion, which forms a strong backbone in her work. Akino is passionate about working collaboratively with clients, families and their support network to find strengths based solutions to enable individuals to live a fulfilling life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Alicja is passionate about supporting people with a disability, with a particular interest in the area of autism. In Poland she worked as a Special Needs Therapist and as an Occupational Therapy Instructor in the sensory classroom focusing on interoception, breathing techniques and mindfulness. For the past 4 years Alicja has worked as a Disability Support Worker.
Alicja is a strong believer in the benefits of sport, having completed a number of marathons and triathlons.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Alison brings more than 15 years experience to Ability Consultants, specialising in mental health, complex trauma, AOD and disability. Commencing her career as a Psychotherapist, Alison worked in crisis and suicide prevention, supporting clients with anxiety, depression and mental health issues. Alison utilised her training in interpersonal therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to support her clients.
Alison has spent the past 11 years with the Department of Communities and Justice working across all areas of child protection. Working in multidisciplinary teams, Alison has utilised her communication and relationship-building skills to roll out Intensive Therapeutic Care across NSW. This care system has ensured that young people with highly complex needs will have their needs met with the highest standards of care, and provide support into their adulthood.
Alison is passionate about creating an environment of equality and fairness for clients with disability. By using Positive Behaviour Supports, Alison aims to increase the quality of life and reduce challenging behaviour, and to assist people with disabilities to reach their goals.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
As an Occupational Therapist, Analise has had experience working with neurodiverse individuals across the lifespan. She believes that all behaviour holds meaning and that relationships, connection, diverse life roles, and participation which matches the demands of a person’s environment are the primary forces for creating behavioural change. She draws from her clinical expertise, observation, and assessment skills to develop and test hypotheses to create shifts in behaviour. Analise tries to develop a deep understanding of the function of behaviours so that she can provide people with more resources and replacements. She is committed to her professional development and seeks regular opportunities to learn from leaders in the field, particularly in the areas of ABI and Autism. She has experience in the assessment and prescription of Assistive Technologies which can support function and participation, as well as knowledge of sensory processing challenges and interventions.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Austin has extensive experience in coaching and educating people of all ages to help reach their potential. Austin is especially interested in helping children and adults with autism and disability to achieve their goals.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Grafton, North Coast, NSW
Barbara has been working in the disability sector since 2008 and has extensive experience supporting adults with a range of needs to live as independently as possible. Barbara works diligently to facilitate meaningful experiences and to increase the day-to-day quality of life of the people she supports.
Barbara blends her disability experience with her clinician skills of working collaboratively to uncover root causes, identifying roadblocks, and implementing realistic and measurable actions that facilitate change. Barbara takes a holistic approach when designing plans by considering the mind, body, spirit and utilising evidence-based practices for optimum outcomes.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Nowra, NSW
Bec is a Psychology graduate with experience in residential support work. Bec is especially excited when she has the privilege of being a part of the change in people's lives. The creativity and empathy Bec brings to her Behaviour Support work is informed by her experience as a professional musician, implementing music therapy programs in various residential care settings, and her work as a pet therapist.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Becki is a registered Psychotherapist with a teaching and training background. She has worked across the lifespan from early childhood, Primary and High School and has also worked in Aged Care Services. Becki has extensive professional and volunteer experience working with individuals with complex needs and their families. Her lived experience as a practitioner from a multicultural background and experience from working in the Northern Territory with First Nation peoples and other diverse cultural backgrounds is invaluable.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Bo has extensive experience in supporting children and young adults with psychosocial, developmental and acquired disabilities. She is passionate about working with people to find their own groove, and champions their independence as a valued member of their community.
Behaviour Support Practitoner
Brea is a Psychology and Human Movement graduate who is passionate about assisting people to live their best most fulfilling life. Brea has extensive experience in coaching, career counselling and working in residential support. Brea enjoys helping people to achieve their goals using a person-centred approach.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Brittany is experienced in a variety of roles supporting individuals with mental health concerns, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder to reach their goals. Brittany has previously occupied roles as an Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapist and Learning Support Officer. She is passionate about improving mental health, providing individuals with strategies to thrive in their daily activities and support engagement in their local community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Brisbane, QLD
Cal has a passion for working with teenagers and young adults with high and complex needs. First developing this interest working as a Program Facilitator at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Cal expanded on both his skills and interest following graduation from his BPsych(Hon), by commencing work as a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner in 2020. Cal brings his existing skills, experience and passion, then uses creative and person-centred approaches to create the best possible outcomes for his clients.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Charlotte joins Ability Consultants with over 15 year’s experience in the disability sector. Charlotte has occupied management roles with FACS and The Benevolent Society.
She not only brings a wealth of knowledge but is hugely excited and committed to utilising her skills in Positive Behaviour Support. Charlotte has a passion to empower people to expand on their strengths and to live a life of meaning and purpose.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Cristina has worked in the community services sector for over 15 years supporting children, young people and adults with complex needs. Cristina has worked in both frontline and management roles and has extensive experience in disability and mental health services, child protection, out-of-home care, and multicultural settlement services, provided by the Department of Communities and Justice and non-government organisations.
Cristina is passionate about increasing opportunities for people living with a disability to make decisions about their lives whilst ensuring safety and wellbeing.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Danielle has over 8 years of professional experience supporting people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and capabilities in the disability and mental health sector. She is a solution-driven person with strong communication and presentation skills, experienced in training and coaching. Danielle is a staunch believer in empowering people and investing in their support networks using Positive Behavioral Support to enhance quality of life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Blue Mountains, NSW
For over 18 years Danielle has been working within the disability sector. Her broad range of experiences with Behaviour Support have led her on a journey of self-discovery. She takes pride in providing individual person-centred strategies to meet each participants needs. Her passion for implementation, rapport building and problem solving has driven her work practice and informed her energetic and creative work ethic. Danielle has a particular interest in working with children and is very effective at implementing change inside family environments. In addition, Danielle has worked extensively with neuro diverse participants with a range of strengths and capabilities. She loves nothing more than exploring inventive ways to achieve life goals and strengthen existing skills.
CEO, Founder
David has experience as a Residential Support Worker, Forensic Casework Specialist, Senior Clinical Consultant, and Behaviour Support Specialist while working for FACS (1999-2017). His passion is creating time and labour saving systems that make it possible to provide highly responsive person-centred services.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Provisional Psychologist
Team Leader
David is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with 2 years of experience providing Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy with people with moderate to severe autism and ADHC. David has worked as a school psychologist helping young people with anxiety, emotional regulation, autism and ADHD.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Debbie has worked for more than 10 years in the welfare sector in India, Nepal and Australia. In Nepal, she was part of International organisations including the UN forum. She was an Ambassador of Gandhi Global Family-Nepal. She advocated for proper health care services in Nepal, supported young people to learn English in rural areas, and worked as a journalist for a short period of time. She frequently writes for English newspapers covering varied topics related to health and wellbeing.
Debbie has worked in NSW Health and Not-for-profits in Western Sydney region. Working in the disability sector, has equipped Debbie with a good understanding of NDIS, NSW Housing, and Disability Employment Supports. She is passionate about working with young people and their families to strengthen relationships therapeutically.
By using Positive Behaviour Support, Debbie aims to increase the quality of life, and to support people with disability to reach their goals.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Dee has multiple years experience working in the disability sector, mainly with children. She has worked as a medical aide in mainstream schools assisting with learning and comprehension focusing on children with learning difficulties.
Currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work, Dee has a passion for helping people excel in their lives and empowering them to actively reach for their goals to enable them to live a happy and fulfilled life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Elizabeth has an immense love for creativity and has previously completed a degree in music. After completing this qualification, she commenced studies in Occupational Therapy before deciding to work as a facilitator at a creative arts day program for adults with disability. Here, Elizabeth facilitated visual arts, performing arts, create life skills and community engagement programs.
Elizabeth has recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support. She enjoys supporting clients of all ages to achieve their personal goals, develop independence skills and enhance quality of life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Elly is an AASW social worker with an education/counselling and psychology background.
Elly has extensive experience supporting individuals, family and carers with disabilities to improve their capacity to live independently by accessing appropriate support and services without any challenges and discrimination.
Elly has been in various roles such as a school teacher/counsellor, a parenting educator/ facilitator, support worker/caseworker and an NDIS Local Area Coordinator in the Sydney district.
Elly is passionate about supporting individuals with a disability to achieve their goals by empowering them to make their own decision so that they can have more choice and control in their life.
Elly can speak English and Korean.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Elysha has worked with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder across research and clinical settings, including the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain in New York, and the University of Sydney Child Behaviour Research Clinic. She is currently completing a Master of Clinical Psychology, as well as a PhD investigating parent mental health and adjustment in parents of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Elysha is passionate about collaborating with individuals with disabilities, their families, and other supports, to maximise all aspects of their quality of life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Emily has worked, over the past five years, in a variety of roles supporting people with intellectual disability to reach their potential. Emily has occupied roles with Catholic Care, Jobsupport, Studio Artes, and Achieve Australia. Emily has extensive experience supporting people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities maintain their mental health and vocational participation, using her skill in Positive Behaviour Support. Emily believes that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities within their community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Emily has just completed her Masters of Special Education and is passionate about providing support to others in the community to reach their full potential. Emily has experience working with children with a variety of needs in homes and schools, and is a big mental health support advocate. Emily loves to work with clients of all ages to achieve personal growth, wellbeing and independence.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Faye has a background in Primary Education, gaining experience in both mainstream and special educational settings. She has always implemented Positive Behaviour in Learning (PBL) throughout her teacher career and enjoys watching children reach their full potential with the correct guidance. Having recently completed further study in Psychology, Faye is passionate about using her knowledge and experience to ensure all individuals, no matter of the challenges they face, gain a happy and fulfilled life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Since completing her Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Gabrielle has worked in various roles supporting people to reach their full potential. Besides behavioural support, she has in-depth knowledge of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). DBT is an evidence-based psychotherapy that aims to enhance the client's capabilities by teaching behavioural skills in the domain of emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness.
As a behaviour support practitioner, she is seen as an easy-going, calm natured, genuine individual, whose strength is building connections with the people she works with. She is bilingual in Dutch and English and enjoys working collaboratively in enabling clients to build the life they want to live.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Blue Mountains, NSW
Greg brings 18 years of clinical experience across intellectual disability, mental health, medical, forensic and community nursing. Prior to commencing his nursing career Greg worked extensively in group homes and other residential settings as direct support worker.
Greg’s focus and passion is the importance of therapeutic and supportive relationships and environments and the positive effect that these can have on people receiving care and support.
Greg’s approach to behaviour analysis and support is holistic and person centred. Striving to understand the individual as a whole and the effect that their environment, personal preferences, physical and mental health, social connectedness, and previous life experiences has on their ability to live their best life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Hannah comes to Ability Consultants having worked as a behaviour therapist for young people with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. Hannah is currently undertaking her masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology. She is passionate about empowering individuals to overcome challenges, reach their full potential, and fulfil their goals.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Mudgee, NSW
Hayley’s knowledge and experience in the disability industry in rural New South Wales has built a strong foundation for her ability to collaborate with participants and stakeholders to meet individual goals.
Hayley has experience working with people with challenging behaviours and complex communication needs across multiple disability provider environments. She focuses on meeting communication needs of all parties for a practical outcome. Hayley specialises in the development and implementation of positive behaviour strategies, communication techniques and reviewing these to ensure the opportunities for success are optimised. She also has a strong interest in building networks that will ensure rural individuals have access to services that meet their needs.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Hazel has worked in the healthcare and community services sector for 12 years, 6 years in Australia, 2 in New Zealand and 4 in the United Kingdom. She has worked in a variety of roles including; Nurse, Case Manager, Mental Health worker, Disability Support Worker, Team Leader and Cluster Manager at residential accommodation services.
Hazel has extensive experience in working with adults with complex health and behavioural needs, is a strong advocate for people living with disabilities and mental health issues and believes that clients should be at the centre of all that we do. She is passionate about working collaboratively and creatively to support clients to reach their goals and have the best quality of life possible.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Newcastle, NSW
Hollie has been working in the disability sector for the last 14 years. Hollie has a broad range of skills from managing multiple services within a leading UK charity for people on the autism spectrum.
Hollie is passionate about empowering individuals and believes every individual deserves the chance to fulfil their ambitions and dreams regardless of disability. Being formally recognised for her dedication and commitment ensuring the community services were compliant to the Care and Quality Commission in the UK, Hollie has specialised in supporting children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and secondary diagnoses.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Provisional Psychologist
Ilenia is a registered Psychologist (Provisional Registration). She has over 4 years experience in the research field, with a specific focus on the use of augmented reality to treat and assess Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mild Cognitive Impairment. She also cooperated, with research and clinic purposes, with multidisciplinary teams to treat and assess Food Disorders and, to improve the accessibility of cultural resources throughout. Ilenia also matured with extensive knowledge of Psychometric testing during her employment as a University tutor in Italy.
Ilenia is passionate about building human relationships and supporting people to give and be the best of themselves. She thinks that the greater satisfaction derived from being a psychologist is related to the human contact and the incredible possibility to learn and grow together getting to know everyday something more about human complexity.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Isabella comes to Ability Consultants having worked as an early intervention behaviour therapist. Additionally Isabella has experience working in the child protection system. Currently completing her masters in Clinical Psychology, Isabella is passionate about mental wellbeing and working collaboratively to empower people to achieve their goals.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Jaslyn joins Ability Consultants with a passion for social inclusion and assisting individuals access opportunities to embrace every aspect of their life. With a love for learning, Jaslyn’s current goal is to continue her studies towards becoming a provisional psychologist.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Jordon is passionate about helping people achieve their goals and improve their lives while ensuring they maintain their independence. He has extensive experience in supporting children, young adults and adults with developmental and acquired disabilities. He focuses on improving quality of life and supporting their family and support team throughout the process.
Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Kaci comes to Ability Consultants with 8 years of experience in Behaviour Analysis and Specialised Education. She has a range of experience in home, school and community settings across learners of varying ability levels. Kaci is currently on the board of the International Behaviour Analysis Organisation and an active member of ABA Australia. She is passionate about inclusion and working as a collaborative team to support all learners to increase independence.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Brisbane, QLD
Kandice has worked as an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapist for 4 years before receiving her Masters of Social Work. Previously, she worked as a Disability and Mental Health Advocate and as a Mental Health Clinician.
Kandice is passionate about giving vulnerable people a voice and achieving the best outcome for her clients using a strength-based, trauma-informed, person-centred and collaborative approach.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Provisional Psychologist
Team Leader
Kathy has a background in professional counselling assisting families, children and adults, with relationships, grief and loss, suicide prevention and behaviour support. Kathy has a particular interest in child development. Kathy brings her extensive life experience and empathy to the support of people with disability and behaviour needs.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Lana brings over 20 years experience working one on one with people facing health challenges. She helps to develop support plans and programs for individualized care to help clients achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. She brings a person centered approach and has worked with clients of all ages facing many different physical and mental challenges.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Laura has been a social worker for sixteen years, primarily in the child protection and trauma fields. She brings extensive assessment experience from the UK and Sydney. Laura has held a range of roles in assessment teams; from social worker up to Area Manager and Practice Expert. Laura’s passion is in helping professionals and families to consider the function of behaviours through a trauma informed lens.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Psychologist with General Registration
Lidia has been providing Positive Behaviour Support with people with Challenging Behaviour and complex needs since 2013.
Lidia is especially committed to providing specialist assessment, training and support with people affected by complex and traumatic life challenges.
Lidia is passionate about providing psychoeducation and advocacy for people whose voice and rights might be at risk.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Lily has been providing function-based behaviour support with people with intellectual disability since 2013, with a specific focus on supporting mental health and behaviour challenges.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Lisa has been working with children and young people with special needs since 2013. She sees herself journeying alongside her clients, discovering with them how to participate in their different settings, and exploring various interests with them as they continuously search for what makes them happy.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Central Coast, NSW
Liss has worked with children and families with complex needs for five years in various locations in New South Wales and Queensland. This work has been predominantly focused on child protection and family support.
Liss's passion is seeing people experiencing complex challenges live out their dreams, and their families, schools, and workplaces empowered to provide a safe, positive, learning, and relational environment.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Luna is always motivated to assist individuals with mental health concerns, empowering and supporting them to identify suitable strategies to thrive in their daily lives, improving the quality of life to meet their full potential. She believes in equal rights and opportunities, in the person-centred approach and in collaborative work with families and teams to achieve the best outcomes to her clients. Luna has experience working with people from different ages, clinical needs and backgrounds in diverse settings. She is passionate about studying new themes regarding human behaviour.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Maddison spent over 10 years volunteering for local, rural and international communities from a young age and quickly grew a passion for supporting and meeting the needs of others.
For the last 3 years, Maddison has worked in child protection gaining unparalleled experience in strength-based, person-centred and trauma informed practice. Maddison has worked with a diverse range of clients with complex needs in a multidisciplinary field to safeguard children and empower young people to reach their goals.
Maddison specialises in mental health and complex trauma, and is dedicated to supporting individuals to overcome barriers, harness strengths and unlock potential.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Marci has experience working alongside people with additional needs and challenging behaviour in both a professional and personal capacity spanning over 10 years. Her work within a primary/secondary school for students with disabilities has placed her in a unique situation where behaviour support is part of daily interactions with staff and students alike. Naturally, working within a Visual Arts context, she encourages creativity as a means to enrich experiences and communication. Marci believes that strong and supportive environments not only provide a better quality of life, but an equitable access to society and experiences that everyone has a right to be included in, regardless of ability.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Maria has worked in the disability sector for over 25 years, primarily specialising in Behaviour Support. She has also worked as a Residential Care Worker, Training Officer, Vocational Trainer, and Disability Advisor.
Maria has extensive experience In providing behaviour support services to individuals with complex needs across all ages. She has also coordinated Restrictive Practice Panels, provided mentoring and support to clinicians, and designed and delivered staff training. Maria is committed to working collaboratively with clients and their support network to meet individual goals and to live a life that is meaningful and enjoyable.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Maria has experience as a Mental Health Support Worker working with complex mental health in a residential setting, as well as using Applied Behavioural Analysis as a Behavioural Therapist. Maria has worked with children, adults and their families, and is passionate about mental health. Maria has completed her Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and is currently completing her Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling.
Maria practices a person-centred approach and looks forward to working collaboratively to support and empower individuals in achieving their goals and living a life that is meaningful to them.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Marie has worked with young people with special needs since 2017 and is passionate about providing these individuals with the support and tools they need to thrive in any and all environments. She is especially driven to help children and adolescents reach their full potential in their school and extra-curricular environments.Marie is currently completing her Bachelor of Psychology (honours) at Macquarie University.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Pronouns: She/ They
Marie holds a masters in clinical psychology and is a Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). She started working in psychiatry in 2011. She then moved to independent work with families in Belgium, France and the Netherlands in 2014, receiving online supervision to develop her practice and providing training to allied health therapists in various organisations. She joined an early intervention clinic in Australia in 2018, where she worked as a Program manager until December 2021.
Marie developed a particular interest in understanding the interactions between environment, neurodiversity – including physical and perceptive differences – and behaviours. She has developed more specific knowledge about autism and genetic conditions in childhood. She believes in a participative and strengths based approach to behaviour support, and focuses on understanding and developing support networks. Autism advocacy and calls for ABA reform have been a significant turning point in her professional orientation. She has also been involved in various social justice initiatives over the past 10 years, focusing on migrants’ rights and access to education for marginalised families.
She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Megan has 12 years of industry experience, in a variety of roles in Australia and in Europe, providing person-centred behaviour support services with people with challenging behaviour and intellectual disability. Megan has a track record of designing and implementing creative and innovative systems that help people experience a better life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Bachelor Psychological Science (2018, University of New England)
Narelle has a background in Applied Behaviour Analysis providing behaviour therapy for young people with autism. Narelle is motivated by the opportunity to help people learn how to be their optimal selves
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Nathan has been working in social support and crisis support work for the last 2 years. He is currently completing his degree in psychology with Western Sydney University. Nathan has experience working with clients of all ages and has a degree in musical theatre. Most recently he has been working with the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, aiding people with immune deficient conditions to maintain social and mental health standards.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Illawarra, South Coast, NSW
Natalie has been providing support to individuals, and their families, for the past 15 years. Starting as a disability support worker and moving into behaviour support has allowed her to gain a strong understanding of realistic and effective strategy implementation.
Natalie has worked across a range of settings, including schools and aged care facilities with people across the age span, and with complex needs.
Working with individuals and their support teams, Natalie is passionate about the rights of people with disability to enjoy a quality of life, ensuring opportunities for choice whilst maintaining carer capacity.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Nathalie’s passion for person centred practices and Active Support is enriched by 25 years hands on and leadership experience in the field of disability. Nathalie enjoys co - creating person centred solutions for people to live their best lives. A well respected professional she readily shares her knowledge with early career professionals, support workers and families to enable the practice of positive behaviour support.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Nikki brings more than 6 years of professional experience to Ability Consultants supporting clients in the disability and mental health sector. Nikki has helped develop and implement programs designed at social inclusion and achieving personalised goals, using motivational and person-centred approaches.Nikki believes in increasing a person’s quality of life through strengthening helpful behaviours, and that even a small change can make a huge difference. She is passionate about enabling an individual to live as independently as possible, and brings a fresh pair of eyes to every client.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Nikki has extensive experience in supporting children and adults with a range of disabilities. Her practice is driven by a strengths-based and person-centred approach. She is extremely passionate about empowering people with a disability to build capacity and increase choice and control in their life.
Nikki has worked on the ground as a Team Leader and Disability Support Worker assisting people with a disability for over 5 years. During this time, she was heavily involved in supporting clients presenting with challenging behaviours and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve goals holistically.
Nikki is an advocate for using positive behaviour support as a tool to assist clients to express their thoughts and educate others to understand their actions. She places importance on inclusive and mindful language to maintain the dignity of people with a disability.
Nikki will always strive to support people with a disability to reach their full potential and promote their independence as a valued member of their community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Pearl is a registered counsellor and yoga teacher with extensive experience in the disability and clinical sector. She has worked across the lifespan from early childhood to teens and adults, supporting a diverse range of people with mental health concerns. She is passionate about helping people improve their mental health, helping them find strategies to enhance the quality of daily life.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Peter has worked and volunteered in a range of social services over eighteen years, and works from a human rights, strengths based and person centred approach. Peter’s professional goal is to work with people to be empowered to take on life’s challenges, whilst feeling safe and respected. Peter believes in the power of laughter and connection of everyone to their community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Poli commenced working as a behaviour therapist with people with Intellectual Disability and Challenging behaviour in 2013. Poli co-designed and delivered a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy program for people with various types of dementia and other disability (2014-19) and has worked as a residential support worker. Poli believes in the natural improvement of people's behaviour when their lives become more meaningful, creative and socially connected.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Quennie is passionate about helping NDIS Participants improve their independence. Quennie has extensive experience building support strategies, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and making things work for clients, their families and other support networks.
Quennie is currently working towards a Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice and has experience working with incarcerated NDIS Participants who are transitioning back into the community. She believes every person has value, dignity, fundamental worth and a right to develop their potential.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Rachel has extensive experience in supporting families with complex issues including but not limited to; complex trauma, disability, mental health, substance use and relationship issues. Rachel has been with the Department of Communities and Justice for the last 12 years, supporting vulnerable families. Rachel also has extensive experience in supporting families from diverse backgrounds and cultural heritages.
Rachel is passionate about supporting people who are affected by disabilities in making meaningful life-long changes.
Rachel speaks English and Korean.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Ramoh has 18 years experience in disability services and mental health. Ramoh enjoys empowering people to overcome challenges and live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Provisional Psychologist
Brisbane, QLD
Robert identifies as he/him/his pronouns and as part of the LGBTIQA+ community. Robert is a recent graduate from the Graduates Diploma of Psychology – Advanced at Monash University. Throughout his studies he has been exposed to a range of experiences; from volunteering as a mentor for students and supporting individuals who have been vicariously impacted by substance users to working as a counsellor in the LGBTIQA+ community. Robert’s passionate about being able to work with people, assisting them in reaching their full potential and self-actualization through person-centred approaches.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Provisional Psychologist
Rosie has recently completed her thesis project in cognitive development, specialising in the development of young children.
Rosie has had experience in Behaviour Support and Support Coordination. She is passionate about mental health and bettering the lives of those around her.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Sam is passionate about raising awareness of Mental Health in young people and also providing them access to education about Mental Health. Sam has been involved with Youth Mental Health Charity, One Eighty, since its inception in 2017, and is currently the Chairperson and COO. Over the past three years, Sam has led a team in implementing programs she has designed to assist peers to overcome their psychosocial challenges.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Samantha has over 28 years experience working in the disability field. She has worked as a behaviour support practitioner with FACS from 2010 -2014 and as a Senior Behaviour Support practitioner with Sunnyfield from 2014 - 2020. Samantha takes a person-centred, hands on approach to her work and regards rapport building with the individual and those that support them as an essential part of effective behaviour intervention. She has experience working with people with disabilities of all ages, profound and multiple disabilities and complex needs. Samantha has chaired Restrictive Practices panels and developed and provided training in Positive Behaviour Support to disability support staff.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Blue Mountains, NSW
Shelley is a Registered Nurse. She began her nursing career in New Zealand as a community crisis clinician. Moving to Australia in 2009, Shelley has worked in adolescent forensic mental health, community case management and consultation liaison in gazetted Emergency Departments. Most recently Shelley has been working with the Older Person, and their carers, who have a mental illness, experiencing cognitive decline (dementia process) and behavioural challenges.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Illawarra, South Coast, NSW
Stacey has over 20 years of experience supporting vulnerable people in the community in a variety of roles. For the past 7 years Stacey has been working in Behaviour Change, while completing her Social Work and PBS studies. Stacey is especially excited about helping people overcome the barriers associated with accessing the community.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Brisbane, QLD
Vanessa is very experienced in supporting people with disabilities to live quality lives, having worked across a range of positions for the past 12 years. She enjoys and values the implementation of positive behaviour support practices as a key to enhancing quality of life for others.
A specialty area Vanessa has worked in is heavily restrictive living environments, with a goal of reducing restriction whilst maintaining the safety of clients and their community.
Vanessa has a passion for human rights, supporting people to achieve their goals and to live free lives.
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
Mid North Coast, NSW
Vanessa has been working with people with a variety of complex needs, backgrounds, culture and diagnosis in different settings since 2003; including counselling and education settings with children and youth, early childhood and primary education, specialist education settings, disability services, child protection, behaviour support and restrictive practices panels. Vanessa enjoys learning from people what is most important to them, and what will support their goals and quality of life as they move forward. Finding out a person’s viewpoint, aspirations, hopes, worries and motivations and building on that; whether they be customers, staff, or those in professional development/supervision.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Team Leader
Coffs Harbour, NSW
Virginia has over 14 years’ experience in disability and over 20 years in education including teaching students with disabilities.
Virginia has a wealth of experience in working in multidisciplinary teams with a focus on person centred approaches utilising best practice positive behaviour support strategies. Her practice has involved supporting Children and adults with Autism and Trauma as well as mild to profound disabilities.
Virginia’s passion is social justice and advocacy in supporting the rights of people with disabilities. She is innovative in her work and has a keen ability to think outside the square. Virginia’s quest is to improve the quality of life and the happiness of people with disabilities.
We are a growing team in every sense of the word.
You will love working with us, if you are motivated to foster learning and growth, in yourself and in others.
We practice Empowering Leadership. We don't micromanage or impose difficult KPI's relating to your hours of work. We do collaborate with you to meet the highest clinical standards for the people we support. We provide a highly rewarding work environment, and partner with you to hit your goals.
We are an empowering workplace, driven to attract and develop brilliant clinicians, so NDIS Participants have easier access to life-changing behaviour support.
Hello,
This is me abseiling off a perfectly good mountain. Starting Ability Consultants in 2016 was a similar leap into the unknown world of the NDIS.
In 1999 I began working with and caring for people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviours. People who are ignored, over-medicated, restrained, secluded, cut off from their community or who are punished because they often do not have a high enough level of positive support.
Our mission is to help NDIS participants lead a freer more socially connected life through easy access to excellent Positive Behaviour Support.
We serve 6 customer groups:
We are an NDIS-registered Specialist Behaviour Support Provider and we are working to exceed the required standards.
Person-Centred principles of empowerment and strengths-based practice underpin our approach. We apply these principles to everything we do.
Finally, we are all about innovation. We use technology to be more human. We build and shape the powerful tools we need to serve our customers in new and unique ways.
Thanks for joining us on the learning and growth journey.
CEO - Ability Consultants
David is a Member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and provides MI Training on request.
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Ability Consultants is a team of Behaviour Support Practitioners who work with clients on-site throughout Greater Sydney, Greater Brisbane and in all regional areas of NSW and QLD. We are growing into new areas including Western Australia.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the country in which we work and pay respect to Elders past, present and future.