Area Of Speciality
Area Of Speciality
Area Of Speciality
Sian is currently completing a Master of Professional Psychology, driven by an enduring curiosity about why people do what they do and what those behaviours are really trying to communicate.
That question has been at the heart of Sian’s work across a range of fields. Before moving into the disability sector, she spent over a decade in senior consulting and change management, learning to unpick complex systems and the human dynamics within them. She has also trained and facilitated in mindfulness and trauma-sensitive yoga, which deepened her understanding of emotional regulation, the nervous system, and the relationship between psychological distress and behaviour.
Sian works with adults across SIL and community settings, with a particular interest in participants where behavioural and psychological needs intersect, including psychosocial disability, depression, anxiety, and early onset dementia. She believes that good behaviour support starts with genuinely understanding the person and builds outward from there into practical, evidence-based plans that make sense to the people implementing them every day.
Sian is committed to ethical, least-restrictive practice that upholds the dignity, autonomy, and quality of life of every participant she works with.
Area Of Speciality
Brittany brings 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
Chanel is a caring NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner with a strong clinical and healthcare background, experienced in designing and implementing individualised Behaviour Support Plans for participants across the lifespan. Her practice is grounded in thorough Functional Behaviour Assessment, enabling accurate identification of behavioural triggers and functions and the development of targeted, evidence-informed interventions that support measurable and meaningful outcomes.
Chanel works collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including psychologists, social workers, educators, families, and support providers, to ensure behaviour support strategies are cohesive, practical, and embedded across environments. She has strong capability in training and coaching support staff and caregivers in positive behaviour support strategies and de-escalation techniques, supporting consistent and safe implementation.
Her practice is guided by ethical decision-making, clinical rigour, and alignment with NDIS guidelines, with a strong focus on participant dignity, rights, and quality of life. Chanel brings a disciplined approach to documentation, data analysis, and ongoing plan review, with particular attention to the monitoring and reduction of restrictive practices in line with NDIS requirements.
As a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Chanel brings valuable lived experience that informs her understanding of families, advocacy, and the importance of person-centred, rights-based support. Her practice reflects a strong commitment to dignity, inclusion, and improving quality of life for participants across the lifespan.
Area Of Speciality
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
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.
Area Of Speciality
Khatera works across home, community, school, SIL and SDA settings, using evidence-based, trauma- informed and person -centred approaches aligned with NDIS requirements. She collaborates closely with participants, families and multidisciplinary teams to develop practical, least – restrictive Behaviour Support Plans that prioritise safety, dignity and quality of life.
Education
Area Of Speciality
Area Of Speciality
Edwin is a Behaviour Support Practitioner who supports children, adolescents and adults with a diverse range of support needs. His approach is neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and PDA-informed, with a strong focus on understanding behaviour in the context of communication, unmet needs, nervous system regulation and individual autonomy.
Edwin has particular experience supporting people who experience demand avoidance, emotional dysregulation, anxiety and complex behavioural presentations. He takes a proactive, strengths-based and person-centred approach, working collaboratively with participants, families, carers and support teams to develop practical strategies that are respectful, meaningful and sustainable in everyday life.
With qualifications across psychology, counselling and business, Edwin brings a thoughtful, structured and holistic perspective to behaviour support. He is continuing his studies with the goal of becoming a registered psychologist.
Edwin is known for his calm, genuine and compassionate approach. He is passionate about helping individuals build emotional, psychological and social skills while supporting families and care teams to feel informed, confident and better equipped to provide consistent support.
Area Of Speciality
Tracy brings a wealth of knowledge to Positive Behaviour Support, earning her BA Honours degree in Social Work in 2005 and completing extensive training and development in trauma, behaviour change, problematic sexual behaviour, and parenting support.
With extensive experience as a Social Worker working with vulnerable individuals and managing complex situations. Tracy’s is driven to deliver Positive Behaviour Support through strengths-based and person-centred care, which is evidence-based, culturally safe, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and inclusive.
Tracy builds therapeutic alliances and positive, inclusive, empowering relationships with people of all ages and stages of life, development and social circumstances. She works in strong collaboration with families, care teams and support networks, with ongoing clear and effective communication.
Tracy is passionate about supporting positive change and improving quality of life for all individuals and their support networks. Her warm, open, respectful and non-judgmental approach promotes trusting and collaborative relationships with those she works with.
Education
Area Of Speciality
I am passionate about taking a collaborative approach to behaviour support that is compassionate, respectful, and non-judgemental. I believe meaningful and lasting change is most achievable when the individual, their family, support network, and professionals are working together with a shared understanding and common goals.
What drives me is the opportunity to look beyond behaviour itself and develop an understanding of the person, their experiences, strengths, needs, and environment. I believe that effective behaviour support begins with curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to understand what is being communicated through behaviours.
I primarily work with young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), and intellectual and learning disabilities. I have experience supporting individuals with diverse and complex support needs, including behaviours of concern and psychosocial needs. I am open to working with individuals across the lifespan and with people of all disabilities.
I have developed practical experience in trauma-informed care, therapeutic communication, de-escalation, risk management, responding to complex behaviours, and working collaboratively with families, support teams, and other professionals.
Education
Degree in Psychological Science (Honours)
Central Coast Behaviour Support is transitioning to Brightside Behaviour Support.