Catherine McFarlane
Brisbane
Summary
Compassionate and experienced social worker with extensive experience in the mental health and child protection field. Skilled at conducting clinical assessments, formulating person-cantered treatment plans, and utilising strengths-based approaches. Demonstrates a keen interest and vast experience in delivering Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) individual sessions, skills groups and employee mentoring and training. Demonstrated leadership skills, including mentoring new employees and students, leading team meetings and managing complex cases. Seeking a senior social worker role to leverage my acute and therapeutic experience and to utilise and further enhance my leadership skills within a collaborative team environment.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Clinician
West Moreton Health
08.2024 - Current
- Deliver brief intervention therapy under the Project Air model.
- Provide Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to individuals with severe and complex mental health challenges. The consumers of the Living Well Team have a primary diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD).
- Conduct comprehensive assessments, risk evaluations, and safety planning to ensure consumer safety and well-being.
- Facilitate care coordination, connecting individuals to essential resources and support services.
- Develop and implement individualised care plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Educate and support families and carers to enhance their understanding of mental health conditions and recovery.
- Provide culturally responsive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Work alongside peer support workers to integrate lived-experience perspectives into treatment.
- Empower consumers through therapy, psychoeducation, and skill-building to foster resilience and long-term well-being.
- Delivery of comprehensive DBT therapy, including individual skills therapy, phone coaching and skills groups.
- Delivery of consultation and information to other teams and services in relation to EUPD, DBT and the Living Well Team model of care.
Acting Senior Social Worker
Metro North Qld Health
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Working as a member of a multidisciplinary team to support consumers aged 16-21 experiencing mental health challenges with an emphasis on optimising recovery. Delivering high level clinical social work assessments and interventions to consumers and their families.
- Working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to provide high level clinical social work practice through the provision of short-term coordinated service, intake, assessment, formulation and intensive mental health interventions to youth who have a serious mental illness and who have associated deterioration in psychosocial functioning. This includes working with both clinical and non-clinical staff to facilitate the provision of quality contemporary evidence based mental health.
- Participation and assisting to lead the direction of the individual and group therapeutic interventions provided at YSUSD, these are based around a DBT framework.
- Undertake complex clinical decisions and problem solving.
- Applying professional judgement and leadership in the provision of clinical services for youth with complex presentations, who have moderate to high-risk needs, adapting clinical routine based on valid and reliable evidence.
- Monitoring and reporting on clinical practice outcomes within clinical service area, including supporting the achievements of key performance indicators.
Mental Health Clinician
Metro North Qld Health
01.2022 - 06.2024
- As a Mental Health Clinician at RAMHT, I played a pivotal role in evaluating consumers with complex mental health needs. My responsibilities included collaborating with consumers, the multidisciplinary teams and other stakeholders to formulate comprehensive treatment plans that addressed both treatment and psychosocial needs of the consumers. By fostering relationships within Queensland Health and coordinating external services, I promote effective care and positive outcomes for individuals facing mental health challenges, while developing collaborative partnerships that benefit the consumers and my team.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of mental health needs for a diverse caseload with varying backgrounds and diagnoses.
- Working with consumers, multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to develop tailored treatment plans that address both psychosocial and social determinants of health.
- Implementation of evidence-based interventions including DBT and CBT to enhance consumers coping strategies and promote recovery.
- Participation in ongoing professional development and training.
- Support colleagues by offering social work specific interventions and insights, and facilitating opportunities for discussion and critical reflection.
- Acting as OSP for new graduate clinicians to support their interventions when working with consumers who have more complex needs.
Child Safety Officer
Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs
06.2022 - 12.2022
- In this role, my primary focus was to develop proactive, supportive and respectful relationships with the children and young people, as well their parents, carers and other stakeholders. I worked with transparency and authenticity to try and maintain the demands of the workload while ensuring that the people I am working with feel that their voice is being heard.
- Working as part of a multidisciplinary team to undertake high quality, strengths-based, child protection practice.
- Delivering accountable and collaborative integrated child protection services that respect the culture and context of each child, young person, family and community in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, statutory responsibilities and child protection practice framework.
- Working from a trauma-informed and child-centred approach with a sound understanding of child development and attachment.
- Developing a broad understanding of the legislation and statutory responsibilities to support quality completion of court work.
- Investigation of allegations of suspected child abuse and neglect, and determining appropriate interventions in accordance with legislation, policy and practice guidelines.
Senior Mental Health Support Worker
Stride
08.2019 - 03.2022
- My most prominent achievement in this role was my involvement in the development of two psychosocial skills development programs. My role involved creating our intake processes, training team members, developing our case review process and developing our DBT Informed skills groups and processes with two of the team members that we trained as facilitators.
- Support Practitioners with the management of more complex cases, including support at visits, meetings, and to resolve more challenging situations.
- Coach, advise and provide on the job support to Mental health support workers in the team.
- Develop, plan and facilitate/co-facilitate Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed skills groups.
- Support team members and clients to understand and develop their DBT skills.
- Provide regular, flexible, low level non-clinical support to service users, and assist them to review their needs and resources, monitor activities identified in client Support Plans.
- Act as designated liaison between Service Leader and Stride staff.
- Act as alternate contact for staff if Service Leader is unavailable.
- Assist with staff supervision.
- Monitor and ensure staff compliance with Work Health and Safety requirements.
- Attendance and participation in intake reviews, case conferencing, supervision, professional development and critical incident management activities.
- Assist the Service Leader with networking activities with external stakeholders, for example, Community Mental Health Team and inter-agencies.
- Assist the Service Leader with organisation and implementation of group activities and programs as required.
Project and Implementation Lead
The Benevolent Society
02.2019 - 08.2019
- My main achievement in this role was working alongside DBT Brisbane to develop and deliver a free DBT informed skills group to our clients. This was a rigorous process from the development of group content and intake process, to coordinating the team to ensure that the program was delivered safely and efficiently.
- Project manage the implementation of new initiatives, systems and processes.
- Work closely with management to assist with scoping, project planning, project implementation and project reporting on new and existing programs in the area.
- Ensure all project reporting is accurate and submitted within specified timeframes.
- Work and liaise effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders- including TBS head office functions and service partners.
- Recruitment of employees.
- Leading a small team of employees, providing guidance with practice and continuous improvement.
Mental Health Intake and Assessment Specialist
The Benevolent Society
02.2018 - 02.2019
- Act as a first point of contact for those contacting the service, providing timely and effective contact, advice and referral services to the community and clients.
- Provide crisis intervention and support clients over the phone, in person, or via other technological means. Clients are mainly families experiencing domestic violence, mental health challenges, substance use/dependency, homelessness, poverty and a range of other social issues.
- Undertake psychosocial assessments to identify effective intervention and support. Determining support routes for the person/family, including internal/external referrals, care planning and crisis support.
- Provide information, referral and advocacy to support individuals, families and referral sources to access appropriate resources and services, both within The Benevolent Society and with external agencies and service providers.
- Engage clients and families using age and situation appropriate assessment and risk minimisation processes.
- Assess and plan for safety, particularly where there is a risk of self-harm, family violence, or child protection concerns.
- Explore options with clients to support them to make informed choices to address their immediate needs.
- Establish and maintain network relationships with key agencies, other providers, and referral services.
- Work with a range of designated cases on a short-term or intermediate basis. The number of cases will depend on complexity, nature of service and the amount of time that is required to focus on intake services.
- Work with clients to undertake comprehensive assessments to develop, implement, monitor and review their client plans outcomes that identify strengths as well as areas of risk, ensuring children and young people are actively engaged in the process.
- Ensure case plans are shared openly with clients where applicable, other agencies.
- Coordinate with other service providers including government departments and agencies, schools, health services, GP's and allied health providers to ensure services are delivered.
- Planning, development and facilitation/co-facilitation of groups and workshops relating to the service.
Case Manager
Department of Justice and Attorney General
03.2017 - 08.2017
- Communicate with VAQ clients and their representatives about financial assistance applications and processes.
- Utilise trauma informed practice when dealing with victims of crime who are experiencing or are at risk of psychological distress.
- Identify appropriate support services for referral to provide clients with assistance in their psychological and physical recovery from an act of violence.
- Maintain knowledge of procedures and protocols to ensure effective and timely coordination of applications for assistance.
- Maintain accurate records within the VAQ database.
CALD PHaMs Case Worker
Open Minds
08.2015 - 03.2017
- Screening referrals.
- Conducting intake assessments and establishing if potential participants and families are eligible for the program.
- Preparing case files and intake reports- including service recommendations.
- Coordinating comprehensive community based, culturally appropriate, psychosocial supports to individuals and families with complex and diverse needs.
- Identify needs of the individual or family using the Eligibility Screening Tool (EST) and develop Recovery plans with program participants.
- Work in partnership with CALD service providers and other agencies, to assist individuals and families from CALD backgrounds to live valued and quality lives, enhancing their participation in local communities.
- Ensure support is delivered in a manner which is culturally appropriate in supporting and advocating for participants from CALD backgrounds who are experiencing mental illness, domestic violence, substance use/dependency, social integration issues, involvement with department of child safety and risk of homelessness.
- Initiate and attend meetings with other professionals involved with the person or family to ensure collaborative service delivery.
- Assist individuals and families to maximise their options and potential by facilitating their linkage in recreational activities, education, employment, training opportunities and culturally appropriate mental health support.
Therapeutic Support Worker
House with No Steps
04.2015 - 08.2015
- Providing therapeutic counselling appropriate to the individual's needs.
- Work in a forensic setting with an individual who had a strict care plan in place due to the conditions of a Forensic Order.
- Appropriately dealing with suicidal and abusive behaviour.
- Administering medication.
- Assisting with integrating the service user into the community where possible.
- Supporting and educating the participants around their variety of physical and mental health diagnosis.
- Identifying and monitoring behaviour patterns to monitor risk of individual and workers.
- Support to attend to appointments and other activities of daily living.
- Provide counselling and strategies to reduce self-harming behaviour and suicidal ideation.
Apple Store Specialist
Apple
10.2012 - 11.2013
- Hosting product workshops ranging from basic use of products to use of a variety of software programs.
- Hosting workshops teaching the use of accessibility features for those who have or work with product users with additional needs.
- Hosting summer camps for schools, disadvantaged youths and youths with additional learning needs.
- Working with customers to find their needs to help establish the most suitable product for them.
- Teaching customers how to use their products efficiently and troubleshooting product and software issues.
Key Worker
Blue Triangle
08.2009 - 06.2011
- Working with young adults who were raised in care and were transitioning from foster care and children's homes to independent living.
- Intensive case management to support through transitional period.
- Creating person centered care plans along with service users and their key workers.
- Coordination of services involved in the service users support network.
- Arranging trips and activities for service users.
- Working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure service users needs are being met.
- Trauma informed practice.
- Motivational interviewing.
- Support and risk management around suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviours.
- Providing guidance and support to address and reduce risk of criminal behaviour.
- Safely working with service users when they are under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.
- Supporting service users who are in volatile relationships to access appropriate support services, also mediating these relationships when necessary.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Griffith University
01.2022
Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management - undefined
Australia Pacific College
01.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Sociology
University of the West of Scotland
01.2013
HNC Social Care - undefined
Cumbernauld College
01.2010
Skills
- DBT group facilitation
- Individual therapy
- Crisis management
- Cultural competency
- Intake assessments
- Case management
- Social skills teaching
- Psychoeducation
- Conflict resolution
- Communication adaptation
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Service plan design
- Professional development
- Policy feedback
- Reporting
- Documentation
- Organizational alignment
- Service delivery consistency
- Networking
Timeline
Mental Health Clinician
West Moreton Health
08.2024 - Current
Acting Senior Social Worker
Metro North Qld Health
06.2024 - 08.2024
Child Safety Officer
Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs
06.2022 - 12.2022
Mental Health Clinician
Metro North Qld Health
01.2022 - 06.2024
Senior Mental Health Support Worker
Stride
08.2019 - 03.2022
Project and Implementation Lead
The Benevolent Society
02.2019 - 08.2019
Mental Health Intake and Assessment Specialist
The Benevolent Society
02.2018 - 02.2019
Case Manager
Department of Justice and Attorney General
03.2017 - 08.2017
CALD PHaMs Case Worker
Open Minds
08.2015 - 03.2017
Therapeutic Support Worker
House with No Steps
04.2015 - 08.2015
Apple Store Specialist
Apple
10.2012 - 11.2013
Key Worker
Blue Triangle
08.2009 - 06.2011
Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management - undefined
Australia Pacific College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Sociology
University of the West of Scotland
HNC Social Care - undefined
Cumbernauld College
Master of Social Work -
Griffith University
Placement Experience
- Student Child Safety Officer- Social Worker, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, 2022-03-01, 2022-06-01, Working as part of a multidisciplinary team., Delivering accountable and collaborative integrated child protection services.
- Student Clinician- Social Worker, Stride Mental Health Clinical Care and Coordination, 2021-07-01, 2021-10-01, Provision and documentation of mental health assessments., Consultation, liaison and linkage with internal and external service systems.
Training
- Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Assault, 2025
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training, 2024
- Metro North Allied Health Clinical Supervision Training, 2024
- ASPIRES Suicide Prevention Training, 2024
- DBT Skills training, 2018
- DBT Skills training, 2019
- Mellissa Kent Psychology, 2020
- ASSIST Training, 2018
- Trauma Informed Care, 2021
- Cultural Capacity Training, 2021