Areas of Speciality
Chris is a down-to-earth and multiskilled Behaviour Support Practitioner with a strong background in youth engagement, education, and trauma-informed practice. He has over 15 years of experience supporting children and young people with diverse behavioural needs across individual, family, community, school and justice settings.
After completing a Master of Education, Chris spent nine years teaching in public and independent schools, Juvenile Justice and Correctional Services. He later worked as an Education Consultant improving learning outcomes for children in Out-of-Home Care before founding CommonGround, a Central Coast-based service delivering evidence-based PEERS® programs for teens and young adults with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These programs focus on developing social skills, confidence, and meaningful peer connections.
Chris is extensively trained in understanding the impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) and early childhood trauma on learning and behaviour. He is also an accredited facilitator of the Rock and Water program, supporting self-esteem and resilience, and has delivered workshops helping individuals understand and manage anxiety.
To learn more about CommonGround, visit commongroundsst.com.au
Area Of Speciality
Rachel is a kind and compassionate Behaviour Support Practitioner who combines a strong academic foundation in psychology with practical frontline experience supporting children and adults with disabilities, complex trauma, and mental health challenges.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from the University of Newcastle, Rachel brings both clinical understanding and hands-on experience gained through more than four years working in community and residential settings. She has supported children on the autism spectrum, including those with high support needs and non-verbal communication, as well as young people with trauma histories and those living in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC).
Rachel has also supported individuals with complex mental health presentations, including borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia, ensuring her practice remains trauma-informed, inclusive, and person-centred. Her approach is collaborative, neuro-affirming, and outcomes-focused, partnering with clients, families, and allied health professionals to develop evidence-based behaviour support plans that promote safety, independence, and functional life skills.
Area Of Speciality
Area Of Speciality
Brittany brings a wealth of experience in various roles across the disability and aged care sector, including senior management in Supported Independent Living (SIL), restrictive practices oversight, community access, and staff training.
Brittany specialising in working with participants who have significantly challenging and complex behaviours. She is committed to delivering person-centred, trauma-informed, and least restrictive supports that improve safety, independence, and quality of life.
Brittany collaborates closely with participants and their care teams to design practical, evidence-based and person centred Behaviour Support Plans. Her focus is on empowering participants, strengthening family and carer capacity, and promoting inclusion across home, school, and community environments.
Area Of Speciality
Hannah is a neurodivergent educator and Behaviour Support Practitioner with over a decade of experience working in schools and leadership roles focused on student welfare.
She has supported a diverse range of young people across mainstream and specialist education settings, developing trauma-informed, functional approaches tailored to each individual’s needs. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD as an adult, Hannah brings valuable lived experience and a deep understanding of the barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals and their families, particularly when navigating the NDIS, school, and allied health systems.
Hannah’s practice is collaborative, neuro-affirming, and outcome-focused. She partners with participants, families, and schools to develop meaningful, practical Behaviour Support Plans that build capacity, enhance emotional regulation, and promote independence in everyday life.
Area Of Speciality
Marcia is an advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner with a strong background supporting individuals with complex trauma and psychosocial disability particularly those with significant behavioural and therapeutic support needs who require integrated, risk-informed approaches to achieve safe and sustainable outcomes.
Holding a Master of Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis and a Certificate IV in Disability, Marcia applies advanced clinical and behavioural principles to develop trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based Behaviour Support Plans that prioritise dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.
Marcia is strongly committed to ethical practice, including the systematic review and reduction of restrictive practices. She works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, guardians, and service providers to ensure all interventions align with human rights, safeguarding frameworks, and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission standards.
Area Of Speciality
Providing person-centred strategies that enhance quality of life and support meaningful, lasting change for children and families.
Melissa is a friendly and dedicated Behaviour Support Practitioner with over 30 years of experience across Community and Children’s Services.
As a mother of two adult children with disabilities, Melissa brings genuine empathy and understanding to her work. She recognises the challenges that families may face at home, in school settings, within the community, and when navigating NDIS and healthcare systems.
Melissa develops practical, strengths-based, and evidence-informed strategies aimed at reducing behaviours of concern, empowering individuals, and enhancing overall quality of life. Her approach is person-centred, collaborative, and focused on achieving meaningful, lasting outcomes for participants and their families.
These are just some of our wonderful behaviour support practitioners at Central Coast Behaviour Support. There are others who prefer not to have their profile to be displayed on social media and that is to be respected.