Vanessa
Vanessa is a Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner and Social Worker with over thirty years of experience across the disability, mental health, child protection, juvenile and adult justice and forensic sectors. Specialist behaviour support is at the centre of her practice — the lens through which she understands behaviour, reduces restrictive practices, and builds safer, more enabling environments. She works across the lifespan, supporting individuals with complex disability, dual diagnoses, trauma backgrounds, and mental health needs across community and NDIS settings.
Her practice is grounded in evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and rights-based approaches that prioritise dignity, safety, and meaningful quality of life outcomes. As a specialist behaviour support practitioner, Vanessa conducts Functional Behaviour Assessments, develops and implements evidence-based Behaviour Support Plans, and leads restrictive practice reduction. She has extensive experience navigating high-complexity environments and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, families, guardians, Child Protection, education, mental health services, psychiatrists, GPs, and safeguarding bodies.
Areas of Expertise:
- Functional Behaviour Assessment
- Positive Behaviour Support planning and implementation
- Restrictive practice reduction
- Trauma-informed and sensory-informed practice
- Mental health and complex behaviour support
- Dual diagnosis (mental health, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, forensic disability)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Risk assessment and behaviour management
- Capacity building and family support
- Culturally responsive and neurodiversity-affirming practice
- Clinical Supervision
Therapeutic Approach
Known for her warm, honest, and collaborative style, Vanessa adapts her practice to the unique needs of each individual. She integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), DBT-informed strategies, mindfulness-based approaches, Motivational Interviewing, CPS (Collaborative Problem Solving) and Positive Behaviour Support principles. Her practice is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and respect for autonomy, with a strong focus on choice, inclusion, and long-term wellbeing. Above all, she works to agency the people she supports — building their capacity to exercise genuine choice and control over their own lives.
Servicing: South Australia, Adelaide and surrounding areas including Hills and Murray Bridge and South to Victor Harbour, Limestone Coast, Riverland, and soon to include the Upper Spencer Gulf Coast