About ME
.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:8.09%25,w:83.83%25,h:100%25/rs=w:600,h:600,cg:true)
Work story
If you’re like most of the colleagues I have worked with over the last 30 years in the health and human services sectors, at one point or another, you have probably experienced stress, maybe compassion fatigue, a bit of conflict here and there or maybe just feeling like you need a bit of direction. I know I most certainly have!
There’s no denying it – for those of us who work in this sector, the pressures of caseloads, and KPI’s and not enough resources can push all of us to our limits and make us wonder if what we are doing is actually worth it. I’ve certainly experienced these pressures at times. It comes with the territory when we work in jobs that requires huge amounts of empathy, understanding, caring and resilience. Those things can surely take their toll on us if we haven’t got the proper supportive structures in place to keep us afloat in the workplace.
My hope is that alongside these stressful experiences that you have also felt the exhilaration of success – whether an outcome with a client, landing a dream job, a promotion or achieving a personal or professional goal.
Over the last 30 years in this field, this is where I have been able to develop my expertise – helping hard-working professionals shift from a place of stress, worry, and compassion fatigue to a place where they are able to thrive and flourish.
My story
I've been working in the health and human services sector in leadership and management positions, university teaching, direct practice with individuals and families, community development and group work programs.
After working in youth and community roles, I took the leap and enrolled in University to study Social Work. After more than 10 years of working in various Social Work and leadership roles, I returned to university to teach Professional Honors and manage student placements as part of the Social Work program.
In 2017 I took another leap into private practice where I support practitioners reflect on their practice through professional supervision to realise their potential, I support private practitioners grow their values-based business and I also provide tailored training for organisations.
When I'm not working with others you can find me at a local cafe enjoying brunch and a brewed chai. Reading a murder mystery. Pottering in our vegetable garden. Or walking along the local walking track, between the river and the sea.
values
Values are the one constant in our lives and while they rarely change, we may give importance to some of values over others, depending on our situation or focus.
For me in my private practice, the following values sum up how I want to show up in the world:
- Authenticity - what you see if what you get. I am real, I am honest and I am vulnerable, an imperfect human being and I'm OK with that!
- Kindness - one of my favourite quotes is: 'In a world where you can be anything be kind'; and this sums up how how I believe we need to be with each other and our environment - KIND!
- Compassion - has always been a strong value of mine and as a social worker. One thing I am now including in my value is self-compassion, being able to share that compassion I freely give to others with myself too.
- Optimism - apart from being a glass half full to overflowing type gal, I see optimism embracing a personal conviction about potential in others. I really believe that everyone has potential. In my practice I love to work alongside someone to unpack their potential, so that they can see it too.
My qualifications and other bits
Professional Bodies
2004 to Current - Australian Association of Social Work, Accredited Professional Supervisor and Accredited Social Work Member.
Educational attainment
2014 Vocational Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution
from FMC, Victoria.
2011 Master of Social Work (Advanced Practice) from University of Tasmania. Thesis: ‘Supervision: It’s all about Me – An exploration of Tasmanian social workers’ experiences of supervision in social work practice.’
2003 Bachelor of Social Work with Honours from University of Tasmania.
Thesis: ‘Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster – An Exploration of Rural Parents’ Experiences of Having an Adult Son or Daughter with a Diagnosed Mental Illness.’
2000 Diploma of Community Services (Social & Community Services Work) from TAFE Tasmania.
Boards and committees
2020 to Current – Vice-President, Zonta International (Devonport club)
2011 to 2017 – Held the roles of President (3 years), Vice President (2 years) and Committee member; Australian Association of Social Workers, Tasmanian Branch
2010 to 2014 – Held the roles of Treasurer (2 years) and Committee member; Devonport Community House
Time to create your own CPD Plan
A Continuing Professional Development Plan sets out the identified learning activities that support the development of professional skills, knowledge and personal attributes required for effective professional practice.