HOLISTIC CARE

Magdalena has always been passionate about supporting and empowering people. With qualifications and experience in early childhood, special education, social work and physiotherapy, Magdalena brings over 25 years of relevant industry experience across various roles. She keenly understands the requirements of individuals with additional needs, their families and carers, supporting them to improve their engagement within the community and their lifelong wellbeing. 

Magdalena appreciates the importance of working with people with complex needs and empowering them as much as possible to make their own choices and gain a higher level of independence in as many areas of their life as possible. 

Magdalena demonstrates a contemporary approach to capacity-building, inclusion, personal growth and living skills for people with a disability. She has extensive experience undertaking higher-level responsibilities and has demonstrated her skills in leadership, training, mentoring, and management of teams, with a focus on delivering key project outcomes.

Claire is a speech pathologist who works in partnership with My Ability Services. Claire holds a Master's degree in Speech Pathology and is highly experienced in working with children of all ages and abilities. In particular, Claire works with children across the Autism Spectrum and is trained in Hanen More than Words, PROMPT, Social Thinking, SOS Approach to Feeding and Food Scientist, Hallie Bulkin Feed the Paeds, Kelly Mahler Interception, as well as working as a behaviour support practitioner for non-verbal children. 

Claire offers short-term support, including assessment of language; speech sounds and social skills for all children; assessment for swallowing and feeding difficulties for children older than two years; assessment for communication devices and alternative communication needs; goal setting and recommendations to Key Workers who can support your child in therapy sessions; guidance and suggestions of 'where to from here' after an assessment and recommendations for supports.

Felicity (Geelong only) is an experienced psychologist passionate about working with people with disabilities. She has worked in the area of mental health and the disability sector and in forensic and organisational psychology contexts, all of which have contributed to a long career in psychology and working with adults and young people. 

Felicity currently has her own practice in Geelong and specialises in both assessment and treatment work. She believes strongly in empowering her clients and ensuring they build on their existing skills and capabilities to live a healthy and meaningful lifestyle.

 Joanna is registered psychologist and Lacanian psychoanalyst offering individual counselling to children and adults experiencing a range of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Joanna has experience in diverse backgrounds within private practice and disability sector under NDIS.  She is keen to work with children and adults towards better social engagement and emotion regulation.  She is committed to providing personalised, evidence-based assessment and treatment in safe therapeutic settings, whether it be consulting room or telehealth.  
 

Joanna completed Master of Psychology (clinical pathway) from Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, and comprehensive psychodynamic therapy training with Lacan Circle of Australia in Melbourne. She also completed her Diploma of Psychological Practice with the College of Professional Psychology in Sydney. She is Member of Australian Psychological Society and Member of the Lacan Circle of Australia (associate group of the New Lacanian School of the World Association of Psychoanalysis).

Louise (Geelong only) holds a Bachelor of Education P-12 Diploma in Autism Trauma-informed practice (Berry Street Educational Model) Behavioural Support plan. She has extensive experience providing behavioural support plans to P-6 students and assisting teachers in implementing support. Louise has worked in a school setting as a behavioural support teacher for six years, where she has implemented programs to assist students with their social and behavioural goals. She has experience in networking with special schools to assist with the orientation of children into mainstream schools.

Kristina grew up in a loving European family where she had to help her mother with a range of daily tasks due to her fragile health and chronic illnesses. These included personal hygiene facilitation, mobility support, shopping tasks, food preparation, housework tasks, and the coordination of medications. Kristina has developed strong empathy and compassion for people who are suffering emotional and physical pain. 

Kristina has completed a Diploma of Nursing in 2022 and thus has developed a passion for providing care and helping people in the community living with mental health conditions or physical disabilities. With additional experience in healthcare settings, she is skilled to empower and encourage her clients to improve their quality of life.

Cliff had always been passionate about helping people and found the perfect fit when he joined the industry in late 2019. After two years of working as a peer mentor, Cliff joined the My Ability Services team in early 2022, looking to further his skills and abilities as a Disability Support Worker.

With a strong emphasis on person-centred care, Cliff is focused on helping his clients reach their individual goals, explore their passions and dare to dream big. Cliff enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities and is just as happy playing games on the floor, kicking around the footy or playing sports as he is exploring local cafes, taking trips to the beach and parks and getting out in nature or going to local sports or cultural events. 

When not at work, Cliff enjoys spending time with friends and family, working in the garden with music or the footy in the background, and having movie nights with his two goddaughters. 

With a Certificate III in Community Services, Cliff is looking to further his studies in the future in order to provide more personalised care to his clients.

Daniel finished Year 12 with no Idea of what career pathway to take. Daniel knew that he had an undying and ever-growing passion for helping people and reminding them that there is indeed good in this world. Having a slightly troublesome childhood with a very ill mother, Daniel matured very quickly and became the family's caretaker at a very young age. Looking after a very sick mother and a newborn baby sister, Daniel was able to fulfil their needs before his own. Endless compassion and empathy have pushed Daniel towards being a support worker for people of all ages, providing care when in need. 

What makes Daniel so passionate about this line of work is the empathy of a saint and a profound understanding of people and all the different circumstances we can be caught in wit Daniel is now finishing his Diploma in Community Services. He will continue his studies, expanding on his knowledge and experience indefinitely, to better the support he can provide throughout his entire lifetime. 

Daniel will be aiming to become a Speech Pathologist after finishing the necessary studies, as he believes a vital difficulty many people experience not being able to communicate effectively and not being be able to express their wants and needs whilst also understanding what is being said, especially in youth stages of development, and to help people with this vital difficulty will make a vast difference in their lives.

Daniel wants to help and be there for people, the same as he would wish when he is in need.