Behaviour Support

Zac is a qualified Social Worker, with a Bachelor of Social Work from Deakin University. His career in community services spans over 10 years and has included multiple roles across out of home care, family and community services and disability. He has worked with people with a multitude of complex needs across their lifespan, from as young as two years old and up to end of life.

Zac has family and friends with various disabilities and has worked with some of our community’s most vulnerable people – and has seen the truly remarkable outcomes that can be achieved when people have the right support and opportunities to reach their goals.

Felicia is a registered nurse and comes to Behaviour Support with a Bachelor of Nursing and Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing.

After gaining extensive experience in the mental health sector, she commenced in the behaviour support/disability sector in 2020. She noticed a lot of crossover between mental health concerns and behaviours of concern and is passionate about reducing restrictive practices in both sectors.

Felicia works with autistic individuals and those with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and disability and complex trauma. She is passionate about Deaf Culture. She enjoys taking the journey with her participants understand the reasoning behind their behaviour together. She loves to see the small wins in building skills and increasing the participant’s quality of life.

Natalie has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) from RMIT and is currently undertaking her Master of Social Work at Federation University.

Natalie worked as a behaviour interventionist working with autistic children before becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner in 2021. Her field of interest is working with children and young adults, working with a wide range of techniques that can be used to support people to reach their goals and improve their quality of life.

Natalie works in behaviour support because it allows her to support and encourage continuous growth and development in everyone that she’s provided the opportunity to work with.

Allison worked in the Education systems for 15 years before transitioning into community services, and holds a Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts and Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology. She comes to behaviour support after having previously worked in family services and NDIS Support Coordination.

Allison is a passionate advocate for all individuals’ right to access resources, opportunities and supports they require. In her work she focuses on building relationships based on honest and transparent interactions. Allison holds special interest in working with children, adolescents and their families but enjoys working with participants of all ages.

Tamara has Diplomas in Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs and Community Services and she is trained in acceptance and commitment therapy for trauma related disorders.  She is also currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science.

Tamara has worked across various roles within genU, with a primary focus on psychosocial disabilities and recovery.

Tamara is passionate about supporting people to live rich and meaningful lives. Special interests include trauma-related disorders and working with people from the LGBTIQ+ community. 

Rebecca is a qualified Social Worker with 15 years’ experience in the community sector in Australia and the UK. She has worked in a variety of roles including supporting young at-risk adolescents, providing case management support to individuals and families with complex needs and, most recently, providing Support Coordination within genU. Rebecca has supported individuals with varying needs and has a particular interest in working with children and young people.  

Rebecca supports people to reach their goals and live fulfilled lives. She embraces the opportunity to work collaboratively with individuals and their support network.

Emily is a Registered Nurse and Behaviour Support Practitioner, with multiple degrees including a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and a Graduate Diploma of Genetic Counselling.

Emily comes to the genU Behaviour Support team with an 18-year career within public and private healthcare with vast experience in hospitals, residential aged care settings, forensic and mental health settings, after-hours crisis care and behaviour support.

Emily’s experience in senior nursing positions within public and private residential aged care, along with other practice areas, allows her to bring her exceptional knowledge and passion for the sector to her role as a behaviour support practitioner at genU. Emily enjoys supporting people living in residential aged care, including those living with dementia, mental ill-health or those approaching end of life, as well as supporting those who love and care for them, to ensure they attain the highest possible quality of life.

Mackenzie joined genU in 2020 and holds a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours. This degree included a study abroad program in Art Psychotherapy.

A former Support Coordinator, Mackenzie has a deep understanding of the NDIS and is experienced in supporting individuals with complex needs to overcome barriers. She has a keen interest in working with children, young adults and their families, and brings a warm, collaborative and compassionate approach to her work with participants. 

Mackenzie is also passionate about empowering people to have greater choice and control in their lives, and committed to delivering best-practice support in a safe and welcoming environment.

Martine is a highly experienced community services professional and holds multiple qualifications including a Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion from Deakin University, a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology) from Swinburne, and a Diploma of Disability. She comes to genU with more than 20 years’ experience in Community Services, spanning various roles including disability, mental health, AOD withdrawal, Support Coordination, Local Area Coordination and direct support.

Martine has travelled extensively and is passionate about human rights. She has a particular interest in working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, syndromes, and those from diverse backgrounds. She aims to achieve positive outcomes for individuals including those with complex and compounding factors that impact their lives.

Martine is caring and respectful, with a practical and holistic approach to behaviour support.

Martine is able to see participants with any level of life complexity and/or challenge, aged 16 years or older. She is able to provide a service to participants in Barwon (Geelong, Colac and the Surf Coast), inclusive of all townships down to Lorne, Victoria.

Shannell holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) degree from RMIT and comes to genU with more than seven years’ experience working with children with autism and their families.

She has worked in a variety of environments including home settings, schools and kindergartens, helping school aged kids, as well as supporting their families and carers, to create rich learning environments which promote development and the highest possible quality of life.

Shannell has a nurturing, compassionate, goal-driven approach and embraces new opportunities to develop her knowledge and skills. She appreciates diversity and believes that everyone has the right to be understood.

She can see NDIS participants aged 2-12, but can also consider people of other ages depending on presenting issues and needs. She is able to provide a face-to-face service to participants in Central Melbourne (Richmond, Brunswick and surrounding suburbs) out through to Broadmeadows, Sunshine, Footscray, Doncaster and Campbellfield.