Meet our team of Allied Health professionals

Sam brings a wealth of experience having worked in business support roles for over 20 years. Sam enjoys supporting organisations and ensuring families receive a welcoming experience while accessing therapy. She is passionate about ensuring people are able to reach their goals and full potential through quality of services and clinicians.

Learn about Hessel Group's Support Services HERE.

Fatema is a Developmental Educator who graduated with a Masters in Disability Policy and Practice at Flinders University in 2017. Originally hailing from Saudi Arabia, Fatema first moved to Australia in 2010. Since graduating, Fatema has worked across a range of settings with children and adults primarily with Intellectual and Neurological conditions. She has also volunteered at local organisations such as Brain Injury SA, Women’s and Children’s Hospital and overseas in Morocco and Jamaica across school settings.

Throughout her experiences in the disability sector and with evidence-based research and knowledge around positive behaviour support, Fatema has developed a strong passion to deliver person-centred care and support to individuals with disabilities and their families by providing them with strategies and real life skills that work towards improving the overall quality of their lives. She hopes to encompass the key concepts around challenging behaviours in a positive manner by amplifying their strengths and helping each individual feel empowered across home and community-based settings.

Read more about Hessel Group's Allied Health Services HERE.

Jane is a registered teacher and occupational therapist holding a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy as well as a Masters of Special Education from Flinders University. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with a variety of disabilities including Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders.

Jane is dedicated to working collaboratively with parents or carers to identify their children's main concerns and barriers and to support them in participating effectively in their daily activities, such as sleep, play, socialising, and learning. She believes in lifelong learning and continuously updates her skills to provide evidence-based therapeutic approaches to her clients.

Occupational Therapy provides Jane with an excellent opportunity to work one-on-one with individuals and make a practical difference in people's lives across the lifespan. She has worked with adults in rehabilitation, mostly with neurological disorders, both in hospitals and the community.

In addition to her professional life, Jane is also a proud mother of four sons and a grandmother to a wonderful granddaughter. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, walking, wildflower spotting, and travelling within Australia and Europe.

My name is Harris and I have been working as an Occupational Therapist internationally for 7 years and in Australia for 1.5 years, catering to both paediatric and adult clients in various settings. I also love to provide assistance to help people with their daily functions and needs, as well as helping them achieve their goals.

I love taking road trips and enjoy having opportunities to drive around, explore and discover new places, fresh sights and sounds but I hate walking and having to get up super early.

Read more about Hessel Group's Occupational Therapy Services HERE.

Jonathon or ‘Jay’ graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Adelaide University and Graduate Diploma Psychology: Advanced from Monash University. Working toward the completion of his PhD via Melbourne University and Orygen Youth Mental Health, Jay specialises in the treatment of autistic people with social anxiety, and those with complex mental health and psychosocial concerns.

Jay has worked across most aspects of community services including mental health, child protection, disability and psychosocial support. He believes in patient-centred care, where all facets of an individual’s recovery should be respected and be self-driven. Jay enjoys leading empowered teams and has a real passion for research, personal development, and seeking out the most effective therapies to use within his practice.

Read more about Hessel Group's Psychology Services HERE.

Rhiannon (Rhi) completed her Masters of Speech Pathology in 2021 at Charles Sturt University. Rhi’s interests include working with clients with disabilities, particularly supporting language development, and augmentative and alternative communication methods.

Rhi has 8 years previous experience working with clients with disabilities as a swimming instructor, as a disability support worker, and as a student support officer in schools, which provided the opportunity to support functional communication in a range of community and educational settings.

From this previous experience, she has developed a passion to work with clients and families holistically, focussing on client centred goals to promote independence, and inclusion for disabilities and support for complex communication needs in the broader community.

At home, Rhi spends time with her family and enjoys sewing and reading.

Read more about Hessel Group's Speech Pathology Services HERE.

Sharna is a Provisional Psychologist with a Bachelor's in Behavioural Science from Swinburne University and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology Advanced from Monash University. With a background in behaviour support and disability psychology, Sharna has worked in various settings providing support, assessment, and intervention to help individuals with disabilities lead more fulfilling lives.

Sharna has worked with a diverse range of clients, from children to adults, who have different types and levels of disability and mental health concerns. Sharna is dedicated to tailoring her approach to meet her client’s unique needs, whether it involves cognitive, social, emotional, or behavioural support. She is well-versed in conducting comprehensive assessments, developing tailored treatment plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care. Services offered by Sharna include diagnostic assessments, counselling and therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, behavioural interventions, family support as well as advocacy and education.

Sharna values a client-centred approach, and her passion lies in empowering individuals and their families to navigate the challenges they face, fostering resilience, and helping them achieve their fullest potential. Sharna is driven by the belief that everyone has strengths and abilities that can be harnessed to improve their quality of life.

Kristiaan is a Provisional Psychologist with a 1^st Class Honours Degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from University of South Australia, along with a Diploma in Counselling from Australian College of Applied Psychology. Coming from a background of performance coaching, he has applied his experience and education as a practicing counsellor-coach, specialising in change management, anxiety and trauma-based challenges, psychosocial challenges, grief and loss, crisis intervention, and suicide-related interventions.

He uses a person-centred, value and strength focused approach, blending evidence-based practices derived from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support, Acceptance-Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Interpersonal Theory, Exposure Therapy, time/task-management, goal-setting, and Motivational Theory to help clients identify, understand, and address their needs and empower them in working towards living their best life.

Kristiaan is passionate about supporting people through their challenges when they most need it, volunteering his time to support vulnerable people in the community with St John, and as a crisis supporter with Lifeline.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Katherine is a provisional psychologist and a registered teacher, graduating from the University of New England with a Master in Professional Psychology. She has experience working with individuals with specific learning needs including autism, dyslexia and working memory issues. Katherine uses a compassionate and empathetic approach to build rapport and develop the therapeutic alliance. Her strengths are empowering individuals as lifelong learners, working collaboratively with them to achieve their goals. She integrates evidence based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-based Techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Positive Psychology. Outside of work, Katherine enjoys knitting, watching trash TV and studying psychology related topics, having a keen interest in autism. She also supports her community and has been a crisis supporter with Lifeline. Katherine looks forward to working with individuals seeking to enhance their psychological wellbeing and quality of life.

Read more about our Psychology Services HERE.

Andy is passionate about helping people overcome their problems and improve their lives. He's known for being supportive, understanding and always positive - qualities that make him a trusted therapist, coach and mentor. Andy's work experience is quite diverse. He has worked in non-for-profit, non-secular organisations, helping with community projects, providing counselling, and training volunteers. He has a background in youth work and has supported individuals accessing NDIS in various roles such as disability support worker, behaviour support practitioner, and counsellor which he continues to work in with Hessel Group. Andy has also provided counselling and psychotherapy services to students in schools and universities, helping them work through their concerns related to study and mental health. Now, as a Learner Support Case Manager with Enhance Training, Andy helps students deal with life problems that might affect their studies. He also aids students in improving their study skills, understanding the training system, and connecting them with helpful community services.

Andy holds a Master degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Adelaide and is a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association. Outside of work, Andy enjoys novels by Australian authors like Jane Harper and Christian White, sipping coffee, and learning about effective communication from Vinh Giang.

Andy's life is about supporting others and continuously learning to become better at what he does.

Learn more about Hessel Group's Counselling Services HERE.

Claire completed the Developmental Education degree with Honors in 2018; focusing on Physical access in South Australian Sports Clubs. She has previously worked in multiple positions within the Disability sector including Support Working, Team Leading and Support Coordination. Claire has a passion for promoting inclusion and ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided with all opportunities to achieve their goals. Claire enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.

See Claire talking about DE here:

Kayla graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education.

Kayla has been working within healthcare for over 10 years. Kayla started her career in aged care and found a love with working with individuals with dementia, this drove Kayla to find her passion within the disability sector and she has not looked back since. From being a support worker Kayla decided she wanted to take the next step in supporting individuals with disabilities in a different space to be able to improve their quality of life and furthered her career with a university degree.

Not only does Kayla have years of experience with a vast range of individuals across the life span, she also has lived experience with one of her children having a Autism diagnosis himself. She can relate to parents, and understands the struggles and impact challenging behaviours can have on the family unit.

Kayla is passionate about supporting young people and their support systems in emotional regulation, creating and implementing individualised programs and resource development.

In her downtime, Kayla enjoys the beach, organising and spending time with her young family. Although Cocomelon is usually on the TV at home, Kayla does enjoy a good TV show binge or the occasional movie marathon too.

Kayla cannot wait to support clients and their families with their journey with her friendly and engaging approach.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Carlos graduated from a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) in 2019 from the University of Adelaide. After spending some time working and publishing in academic roles, he decided to transition into client work, and has since spent the last two years working as a mental health support worker. In this role, he worked with a range of clients with psychosocial disabilities to make progress towards their NDIS goals in the community, and to help advocate for their needs.

Carlos is excited to use his experience across academic and client facing roles as a behavior support practitioner to use evidence-based interventions to assist clients in living independent, healthy and fulfilling lives, and address behaviours of concern.

Carlos also spends time volunteering with Lifeline as a crisis supporter, providing immediate phone support to people who feel distressed.”

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Isabella graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Flinders University in 2018. Isabella has experience in the sector, where she has worked alongside children to enhance engagement with their peers and local communities as well as in clinical research, administering early childhood developmental assessments.

Isabella’s passion for providing support, positive opportunities and optimising wellbeing has led her to Positive Behaviour Support where she looks forward to assisting individuals and their families to overcome challenges and have people reach their full potential.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Davor is working towards his Bachelor of Teaching with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology. He is dedicated to a coordinated approach in the provision of individual therapy for children and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities and providing not only the individual but also their carers and families the care and support they deserve.

Davor aims to benefit individuals by helping them overcome difficulties and challenges. Davor strongly believes in the importance of Behavioural Support and applying the evidence-based approach to support individuals in reaching their full and most importantly reachable potential.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Monu graduated from Bachelor of Psychology (Advanced) Honours in 2022. Monu has previously worked in an allied health organisation as a child and youth mentor and has experiences of working as a project officer in the community service sector. Monu did her research thesis on experiences of young people from refugee backgrounds in higher education and has experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds.

When Monu is not working, Monu likes to volunteer in the community and has a passion for making an impact in both individual and community level. Monu has experiences of working with young people within the local council in her volunteering role. When Monu is not working or volunteering, she likes to go to the beach and enjoys playing sports. Monu is excited to use her experiences in this role as a behaviour support practitioner in addressing behaviour of concern and supporting clients to improve their quality of life.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Tabitha graduated with a Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences in 2019 from Flinders University. After graduating, Tabitha has worked within the Indigenous community with clients who were applying to the National Redress Scheme. She has also worked as an Advocate to those who have lodged a submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Tabitha is passionate about providing a culturally safe service to her clients. From her previous experience, she brings a trauma-focused and person-centred approach to individuals with disabilities and their families.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Michael graduated with his Master of Social Work degree from Flinders University in 2021. He is a registered member with the Australian Community Worker Association.

Prior to the role of Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, Michael had worked as a support worker with teenagers from NDIS background, as well as a Specialist Support Coordinator with NDIS participants experiencing psychosocial disabilities/substance use for the last 2 years. Michael specialises in working with children and young people and NDIS participants through supporting them in accessing community, inclusive sports, communication and active listening.

Michael believes that a person-centred approach with appropriate interpersonal skills, would be an efficient method for building rapport with the participants, ensuring that service is delivered with satisfaction and high quality.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

William completed a Bachelor of Psychology in 2018 and a PBS Certificate from Monash University. Will is motivated by a desire to understand and explain others’ core beliefs, what unconscious decisions lead to the expression of behaviour. As well as the encouragement of evidence based practices and direct action to improve mood and outcomes.

He enjoys diving into other people’s interests and the nuances of obsession. A big movie, video game and Cricket buff, Will is also happy to talk and connect.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Niina Marni, Hello and Namaste🙏

“Never Underestimate the Power of Dreams and the Influence of the Human Spirit.” - Wilma Rudolph

True words; the strength of Human Spirit knows no boundaries.

Mamta is a registered teacher who has been working in the Education and Care Sector since 2003 and currently completing a course in Disability. Mamta is passionate about education, early intervention and nurturing the inclination to learn and grow. Experienced as a Teacher, Educator and Trainer and Assessor Mamta is always motivated by the resilience of human and their innate ability to survive the odds and emerge as a winner.

Mamta enjoys reading books, listening to music and spending time with her family and friends 😊

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Stephen has graduated from a Bachelor of Psychological Science (2015) and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2019. After taking a break from studies, Stephen then ventured into employment services and has spent the past year helping vulnerable people find work. In this role, Stephen helped support and service a wide range of clients with various needs and conditions. This has helped him grow not only as a person, but as a mental health practitioner.

Stephen is excited at the prospect of putting his skills to use as a behaviour support practitioner and one day work on his counselling registration. He is passionate in helping his clients be the best versions of themselves and overcome the barriers they face. Stephen prioritises on building a strong rapport with his clients as a foundation for his services, and working together to achieve the client’s goals.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Gavin holds a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours from the University of South Australia, where he cultivated a deep understanding of psychological theories and principles. This academic journey equipped him with a solid foundation in understanding human behaviour, which forms the backbone of his approach as a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.

Gavin’s journey into the world of behavioural psychology has been marked by impactful research contributions. As a Research Assistant, he had the privilege of delving into two distinct yet interconnected fields: Virtual Reality and Sleep. These experiences enabled him to develop a holistic perspective on behaviour and its interplay with the world.

With his academic achievements and research experiences as cornerstones, Gavin has transitioned into the role of a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. He is dedicated to fostering positive change in individuals' lives by employing evidence-based strategies that empower them to overcome behavioural challenges. His goal is to create personalised intervention plans that align with each individual's unique needs, aspirations, and circumstances.

Gavin’s approach to Positive Behaviour Support is rooted in collaboration, empathy, and ethical practice. He firmly believes in the power of building strong rapport with clients and their support networks, ensuring that interventions are not only effective but also sustainable over time. Drawing from his background in psychological research, Gavin emphasises data-driven decision-making, continuously evaluating the efficacy of interventions to ensure progress towards meaningful goals.

Gavin is enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with individuals, families, and organizations to promote positive behaviour change and enhance the quality of life for those he serves. Together, we can navigate the complexities of behaviour, harnessing its potential to unlock personal growth and meaningful transformation.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Zak is a third-year Occupational Therapy (OT) student with a Bachelor of Health Science. His passion lies in health and helping people achieve their goals, whether it's regaining independence or improving daily living skills.

Zak is on a journey to become an Occupational Therapist, dedicated to making a positive impact on lives. He's looking forward to working together with our team to reach goals and support our clients to live life to the fullest.

Learn about Hessel Group's Behaviour Support Services HERE!

Kim is a final-year occupational therapy student at the University of South Australia. Her previous placements in paediatric, aged care, disability and acute settings have informed her enthusiasm for working with a diverse client demographic and providing a strengths-based and person-centred approach to care.

Kim is passionate about supporting clients to find meaning and enjoyment in their daily occupations and do the things they want! She brings an open-minded, positive and optimistic outlook to therapy and loves a good laugh!

Kim believes that learning is a lifelong process and is constantly endeavouring to broaden her knowledge of occupational therapy practice.

Rhianna is a third year occupational therapy student at the University of Adelaide. She believes in the importance of successful client centred care, ensuring the client is a part of everything she does. Rhianna is passionate about supporting clients to adapt and thrive in their homes, communities and environments.

Learn about Hessel Group's Support Services HERE.

Neve is currently completing her Bachelor of Art Psychotherapy at IKON Institute. She specialises in mental health, neurodivergence, PTSD, family systems and trauma-informed care. She holds qualifications in childcare, disability, and aged care, and has extensive experience across these areas.

Neve is passionate, dedicated and committed to supporting clients to heal, grow, and achieve their goals. She utilises a wide array of creative modalities such as art, music, drama, writing, mindfulness, and sandplay. By utilising a patient-centred approach, Neve strives to help her clients experience an enriched sense of purpose, health, and wellbeing. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and rescue cats, as well as being in nature and illustrating children’s books.

Learn more about Heessel Group's Art Therapy Services HERE!

Jarran Zen is a final year Music Therapy student at The University of Melbourne. Preparing for his upcoming graduation, he's also looking forward to registering with the Australian Music Therapy Association. Realising the unique benefits of music, Jarran combines music, technology and psychology. His interest in the potential of artificial intelligence in music therapy is noteworthy. With experience in music production, particularly for platforms like YouTube, Jarran brings a practical dimension to his academic pursuits.

Currently associated with the Hessel Group, he's involved in shaping their music therapy program, ensuring it’s both accessible and effective. He's also shared his thoughts on the use of AI in music therapy at the International Association of Music and Medicine. Jarran is keen to contribute actively to the evolving field of music therapy. Having presented his insights on AI and its intersection with music therapy at the International Association of Music and Medicine, Jarran is continually looking towards the future of therapy, ensuring it's both accessible and efficient.

Read more about Hessel Group's Music Therapy Services HERE

I have 8 years’ experience in Senior Support with a demonstrated history of working in the individual and family services industry, I am skilled in Social Service, Organisational Development, Public Speaking and Fundraising with 15 years’ experience in Out of Home Care, Emergency Accommodation and NDIS.

I have been with Hessel Group since 2020 commencing as a Positive Behaviour Support Therapist and transitioned into the role of Intake Officer shortly after.

I am responsible for helping our clients understand their NDIS plans, Child Care Subsidy and the opportunities available to help them live their best lives and reach their goals.

I work across our Care & Support business as well as Allied Health and Behaviour Support & Disability Support ensuring our clients and families have the right support for now and into the future.

I also ensure our support workers, clinicians and therapists are operating in a safe environment and are well prepared and informed of their client's history, goals and needs.

Working with the friendly and driven team at Hessel Group is very satisfying and rewarding.

Liesa has been with Hessel Group for the past 15 years, 10 of those spent in finance and payroll before her current position as Disability Support Officer. Liesa’s passion for disability was united by her lived experience and she brings a wealth of knowledge which is beneficial to the role and supporting those navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme. She enjoys the role of Disability Support Officer, a meaningful role in which she is contributing to others and making a difference.

Learn about Hessel Group's Disability Support Services Here!

Hello there! I'm Kelli, and I'm thrilled to be a part of Hessel Group’s Business Support team. With a passion for helping others, I bring a unique blend of skills and experiences to the table.

My professional journey has spanned diverse sectors, including customer support, retail, and aged care assistance. Each phase has been a valuable learning experience, shaping me into the capable professional I am today. I am currently studying toward my Certificate III in Business Administration traineeship, whilst actively contributing as a dedicated Business Support Officer and I am excited for the challenges that this new journey brings.

I chose to be a part of The Hessel Group because I resonate with its values and see great potential for growth here. The dynamic and collaborative environment fuels my passion and drive to excel.

When I'm not immersed in my traineeship, you'll likely find me tending to my garden at home or playing with my two beautiful Staffordshire Terriers. I believe in maintaining a healthy work-life balance to stay energised and creative.

Learn about Hessel Group's Support Services Here!