Lissy Tresa

In my current role as Social Worker/Counsellor, I deliver psychological interventions to individuals impacted by domestic violence and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and MSE to guide evidence-based treatment planning and develop personalised counselling plans tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. As an approved victim support counsellor in New South Wales (NSW), I provide specialised support to victims of crime, including navigating the complexities of trauma recovery. I offer in-person or online counselling services to clients across Australia, strongly focusing on accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and client-centred care. My therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based modalities and psychoeducation to address complex trauma.

In addition, I am a Sessional Academic with Workplace Learning at the School of Social Work and Arts at Charles Sturt University. I contribute to future social work professionals' education and mentorship, helping to bridge academic knowledge with real-world practice.

In my volunteer role as Director, Professional Standards Division, Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk at the Syro-Malabar Eparchy Melbourne, I provide specialised consultation on child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults. This role encompassed supervision of disclosure and complaints management, advisory support, and implementing and overseeing the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards across Syro-Malabar Church communities in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.

I collaborated with church leadership and parish teams to develop and ensure compliance with safeguarding protocols, and to embed safe practices throughout the Church’s ministries. This included developing risk management strategies, reviewing policies, training, and promoting a safeguarding culture.

As the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Coordinator for a district-wide position, I led initiatives aimed at enhancing support and services for individuals impacted by domestic and family violence. I collaborated with the police, the Ministry of Health, NGOs, Legal Aid, and several like-minded agencies in health and community to ensure the development and implementation of integrated, effective interventions. I played a key role in policy development, partnering with the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) to develop a new Domestic Violence Risk Screening (DVRS) training program, implemented across the district to improve the identification and response to domestic violence cases. I also provided senior-level case consultations on DFV and Non-Fatal Strangulation cases to health workers across New South Wales (NSW), ensuring best practice standards were followed in high-risk situations. My responsibilities included coordinating district-wide programs, DFV conferences, conducting working groups, interagency collaboration, managing legal compliance, managing safer pathway reform activities, overseeing service delivery, training, and advocating for policy improvements that promote the safety and well-being of individuals and families.

As the Safer Pathways project coordinator, my key responsibility was implementing Safety Action Meetings (SAMs) across the district. Close collaboration with the General Manager of Primary & Community Health and the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Community Services (CYFCS) was essential to ensure effective SAM implementation within the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). I have developed the necessary documentation pathways and systems to support SAM processes, and participation in SAM meetings was ensured, while facilitating collaboration with Clinical Information services, Drug Health, Mental Health, hospital social work, and Emergency Department (ED) teams, alongside other specialist services within Primary & Community Health (PCH).

A key part of the role was developing systems for data management, ensuring timely client searches, smooth information exchange, and preparing data reports as needed. I organised SAM Steering Committee meetings,tracked project progress, and addressed issues promptly. Strong relationships were maintained with NSW Police, the Local Coordination Program (LCP), and other stakeholders, responding to requests from NSW Health and attending meetings.

In this role, I led a multidisciplinary team providing specialised responses to complex trauma, offering comprehensive health assessments for children and young people in Out of Home Care (OOHC). I coordinated referrals and service delivery within SWSLHD for the target group, working closely with key stakeholders, including the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS), NGOs, and internal health services such as Allied Health, paediatrics, local hospitals, Child and Family Health Nursing (CFHN), maternity and child health services, mental health teams, and the Department of Education and Training (DET). My role included staff management, intake triage, liaison with other LHD's, the Ministry of Health, data reporting, KPI, supervision etc.

As the Social Work Department Head, I provided strategic and clinical leadership for various counselling and psychosocial services in SWSLHD. This included leading early childhood social work services, Sustained Nurse Family Partnership (SNF), New Directions and 2 to School Social Work programs for Aboriginal families, and the Bulundidi Gudaga Aboriginal Home Visiting Service. I supported psychosocial assessment services at child development and at-risk child clinics, including the Community Paediatric and Multidisciplinary Assessment Service. My responsibilities involved developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating models of care to ensure responsive, accessible, and culturally safe services across the district.

In addition, my role included providing leadership for reviewing client management systems and ensuring the provision of psychosocial intervention, assessments, counselling, complex case management, therapeutic group work, psychoeducation and support forrecovery and well-being.

In addition to service development and operational leadership, I guided and supported professional practice across the department and contributed to strategic planning and coordination of Child and Family Clinical services in collaboration with senior management. I was also responsible for quality improvement initiatives, overseeing risk management processes, and contributing to research and service evaluation activities. Another key focus of my role was strengthening social work student education within Primary and Community Health. I established a dedicated Student Educator role, partnered with universities, coordinated student placements, and advocated for developing field educators to support a skilled and sustainable workforce.

As Service Manager for the Infant, Child, Adolescent Mental Health Service (ICAMHS), I was responsible for the operational and clinical leadership of multidisciplinary teams delivering specialised tertiary mental health care to children, adolescents, and their families. We offered comprehensive mental health assessments, formulation, and the delivery of focused psychological interventions to address a range of emotional, behavioural, and developmental concerns. Services were developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive, with a strong emphasis on early intervention and recovery-oriented practice. I led workforce development initiatives, ensured clinical governance, and supported continuous quality improvement aligned with NSW Health strategic directions. The role required active collaboration with schools, paediatric and allied health services, child protection, and non-government agencies to ensure integrated, client-centred care for young people with complex mental health needs. I was also accountable for performance management, staff supervision, resource allocation, and maintaining high standards of clinical safety and service delivery.

In addition to the above, this role's scope included a regular case load.

As Service Manager of Youth Health Services (YHS), I provided operational and clinical leadership to a multidisciplinary team comprising counsellors, youth health nurses, and health promotion officers. The role involved overseeing day-to-day service delivery, including the assessment of mental health issues in young people, development of care plans, and the provision of focused psychological interventions and psychoeducation. I managed specialised clinics such as the Refugee and Nutrition Clinic and the Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Clinic, ensuring access to culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate care. Outreach services were expanded under my leadership, enhancing service access for marginalised and vulnerable youth populations.

In addition to supervising counselling and health education staff, I led clinical governance processes, conducted clinical reviews, and ensured evidence-based practices were embedded throughout the service. I supported new project development, change management initiatives, and service evaluation informed by youth health needs assessments and stakeholder feedback. My responsibilities also included stakeholder engagement, KPI development, recruitment and retention of staff, and ensuring compliance with quality, OHS, and infection control standards. I organised youth health education forums and represented YHS in networks such as the School-Link Steering Committee, contributing to sector-wide collaboration and innovation in youth health delivery, including a youth health conference.

In my decade-long role as a Child Protection Senior Clinician, Domestic Violence Counsellor, and Group Work Coordinator, I delivered therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families affected by trauma, abuse, and violence. I gained significant expertise in therapeutic modalities and interventions during this period. I delivered focused psychological interventions using a variety of therapeutic modalities, including strength-based approaches, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care strategies. My work involved conducting comprehensive psychosocial and parenting assessments, facilitating both individual and group therapy sessions, particularly for children in Out-of-Home Care, and designing and implementing group work programs aimed at emotional regulation, coping strategies, relaxation techniques, life story work and trauma recovery.

In addition, I provided clinical consultation to health professionals and child protection agencies, ensuring a holistic and coordinated approach to client care. I actively participated in case planning meetings and interagency collaborations, supporting the development of comprehensive care plans for clients, especially from diverse backgrounds. I maintained high documentation standards, case reports, and statistical data collection, ensuring compliance with child protection policies and therapeutic protocols. I also provided clinical supervision to counsellors and social work students, fostering professional development and enhancing therapeutic practices. As part of my leadership responsibilities, I designed and delivered psychoeducational programs focusing on mental health awareness, trauma recovery, and the effects of domestic violence on children and families. Furthermore, I delivered child protection training to health workers, ensuring they were equipped with the knowledge and skills to support vulnerable children and families effectively.

In my decade-long role as a counsellor/coordinator, I provided counselling and psychological interventions to various clients, including individuals, couples, families, children, and youth. My work encompassed therapeutic support for general client needs, with specialised interventions for couples and families facing relational challenges. I delivered couple and family counselling, helping couples navigate conflict and improve communication, as well as Family Therapy, supporting families to address systemic issues, strengthen relationships, and build healthier dynamics. I also facilitated mediation sessions for families and couples, working to resolve disputes and improve understanding in a safe, neutral space.

In addition to crisis intervention for clients at risk of suicide and supporting individuals with mental health presentations and complex trauma, I applied a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to client needs, including strength-based, solution-focused therapy, and narrative therapy.

I also focused on community development and health education, particularly on family life education, which promoted emotional regulation, healthy communication, and resilience. I worked to enhance well-being in families and communities by providing education on crucial topics related to mental health and relationships.

Additionally, I conducted psychosocial and parenting assessments, ensuring that clients received tailored interventions and support. I participated in multi-disciplinary case discussions to ensure holistic, coordinated care, and regularly collaborated with other service providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for families and individuals.