Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

Lyndal Eastwood

GREENSBOROUGH,VIC

Summary

Compassionate Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor with experience in providing individual and group therapy sessions across diverse populations. Skilled in developing effective treatment plans, crisis intervention, and fostering supportive environments for recovery. Demonstrated ability to build trust with clients, leading to improved treatment outcomes and enhanced coping strategies for managing addiction and behavioral challenges. Successfully collaborated with healthcare professionals to integrate care approaches, resulting in holistic support for clients on the path to recovery.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

AOD Practitioner

Bridgehaven
07.2022 - Current
  • Providing Counselling and Case Management for individuals experiencing complex issues including Substance Abuse, Mental Health, ABI’s, Intellectual Disabilities, Neurodivergent, Domestic Violence, Homelessness and with Legal Issues
  • Building Individual Treatment Plans and Relapse Prevention Plans centred on a Strength Base/Person Centred approach
  • Working collaboratively with other professionals, organizing and participating in care team meetings to support and enhance the needs of individuals.
  • Provided direct clinical services to patients using evidence-based practice and psychotherapy techniques.
  • Developed treatment plans in collaboration with clients to assist them in achieving their goals.
  • Conducted assessments, including screening for mental health conditions, risk assessment and diagnosis.
  • Facilitated group therapy sessions focused on developing coping skills and addressing mental health issues.
  • Educated clients about the impact of stress, substance abuse and other lifestyle choices on their overall wellbeing.
  • Maintained accurate records of client progress, therapeutic interventions and outcomes.
  • Participated in multi-disciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care plans and strategies for improvement.
  • Assisted individuals in identifying early warning signs of relapse or deterioration in order to prevent further decline or crisis situations.
  • Collaborated with community organizations to provide resources that support client needs.
  • Consulted with psychiatrists regarding medication management when appropriate.
  • Provided crisis intervention services during times of acute distress or emergency situations.
  • Assisted clients in developing life skills, such as problem solving, communication, decision making, self-care and social interaction.
  • Supported families in understanding the dynamics of mental illness and how best to support their loved ones through recovery.
  • Counseled individuals struggling with addiction on healthy ways to manage cravings and triggers.
  • Encouraged clients to utilize positive coping mechanisms such as mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques or physical activity.
  • Monitored patient progress over time utilizing standardized scales and assessments tools.
  • Offered guidance around setting realistic goals for recovery based on individual strengths and limitations.
  • Referred patients to outside specialists or hospital admission for more advanced care.
  • Established and maintained relationships with specialists to provide patient referrals and holistic care.
  • Worked with patients and families to design care plans.
  • Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
  • Referred patients to medical specialists, social services or other necessary resources.

AOD Support Worker

Bridgehaven
Preston, VIC
04.2021 - 07.2022
  • Provided emotional and practical support to vulnerable adults.
  • Helped clients develop independent living skills, such as budgeting, cooking and cleaning.
  • Supported clients to access education, training or employment opportunities.
  • Monitored client wellbeing and reported any changes or concerns to relevant staff members.
  • Developed positive relationships with service users and maintained professional boundaries at all times.
  • Attended regular reviews of service user's care plans to ensure the best outcomes for each individual.
  • Reported any incidents or accidents in accordance with company policy and procedure.
  • Provided advocacy services for service users during meetings with external agencies or professionals.
  • Encouraged service users to participate in social activities that promoted their physical health and mental wellbeing.
  • Maintained accurate records of client progress using computer systems or paper files in line with data protection regulations.
  • Actively encouraged service users to make decisions about their own lives where appropriate.
  • Facilitated group sessions aimed at providing information regarding healthy lifestyles, substance misuse issues.
  • Managed challenging behaviour from clients in a calm manner by utilising de-escalation techniques.
  • Tracked client behaviors, daily activities, new skills, and notable incidents for documentation purposes.
  • Accompanied clients to medical appointments and assisted them with their daily needs.
  • Administered medication as prescribed and maintained accurate records of clients' medication schedules.

Business Manager

Streeton Primary School
Yallambie, 3085
01.2015 - 01.2022
  • Managed the budget of the school, including allocating funds for various departments and programs.
  • Developed policies and procedures to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Prepared monthly financial statements and reports, including cash flow statements, balance sheets, income statements.
  • Advised school administration on effective budgeting strategies to maximize resources while meeting educational objectives.
  • Coordinated with external auditors to ensure that audit requirements are met in a timely manner.
  • Provided guidance to staff on accounting and finance-related matters.
  • Conducted regular reviews of internal controls to mitigate risks associated with financial activities.
  • Facilitated communication between school administrators and other stakeholders regarding budgetary issues or concerns.
  • Monitored expenditures against approved budgets throughout the year in order to identify any discrepancies or irregularities.
  • Assisted in developing long-term plans for capital investments such as facility upgrades or technology purchases.
  • Maintained records of all transactions made by the school district, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information.
  • Organized meetings with department heads to discuss budget allocations and review spending trends.
  • Researched grant opportunities available from local, state, or federal sources in order to secure additional funding for special projects or initiatives.
  • Assessed bids submitted by vendors for goods and services needed by the school district; negotiated pricing where possible.
  • Ensured compliance with legal requirements related to finance and accounting activities such as tax filings or debt payments.
  • Participated in professional development workshops and seminars related to business management topics.
  • Evaluated current processes used within the business office; identified areas needing improvement and implemented solutions accordingly.
  • Served as a liaison between the school district and its external banking partners; managed accounts receivable and payable functions.
  • Prepared reports using academic or institutional data and information.
  • Collaborated with teachers to understand and improve classroom conditions.

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Streeton Primary School
Yallambie, VIC
02.2015 - 06.2021
  • Established collaborative relationships with parents and guardians in order to provide effective care for their children.
  • Facilitated communication between school personnel, parents and guardians, therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals involved in the student's care.
  • Educated staff members about mental health issues affecting students so they can better respond appropriately to those needs.
  • Researched best practices in the field of counseling in order to stay current on evidence based treatments.
  • Assisted clients in developing healthy coping skills that could be used during times of stress or difficulty.
  • Coached clients on how to manage emotions effectively while also teaching them how to recognize warning signs of distress before it becomes overwhelming.
  • Developed treatment plans to address client needs.
  • Maintained accurate and up-to-date records of client progress and treatment plans.
  • Monitored clients' daily activities and responded appropriately when needed.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, and other professionals.
  • Developed crisis intervention strategies for individuals facing difficult situations or events.
  • Participated in regular team meetings to discuss case management issues and plan services for clients.
  • Created an environment that was safe, supportive, and conducive to learning for all students.
  • Provided educational support by assisting students with their academic work as well as helping them develop problem solving skills.
  • Documented meetings, interventions and contacts with clients to optimize care.
  • Acted as client advocate to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.

Education

CHC51015 Diploma in Counselling -

CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs -

CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health -

ACCSC
Queensland

VU2733 – Identify and Provide Initial Response to Family Violence Risk -

CHC40313 Professionals Protecting Children (Top Up Units) -

HLTAID003 – First Aid/Anaphylaxis -

CPR First Aid Exp. -

Skills

  • Client Advocacy
  • Case Management
  • Boundary Setting
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Assessment skills
  • Substance Abuse Counselling
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Referral Coordination
  • Behavior Modification
  • Individual Counseling
  • Client evaluation
  • Defining treatment objectives
  • Individual Therapy
  • Intervention Planning
  • Communication techniques
  • Community Resources
  • Client Confidentiality
  • Goal Setting
  • Community Engagement
  • Group Facilitation
  • Single Session Family Consult
  • Relapse Prevention

References

Provided upon request

Affiliations

  • Yin Yoga
  • Sound Bathing
  • Reformer Pilates
  • Reading
  • Volunteering

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

AOD Practitioner

Bridgehaven
07.2022 - Current

AOD Support Worker

Bridgehaven
04.2021 - 07.2022

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Streeton Primary School
02.2015 - 06.2021

Business Manager

Streeton Primary School
01.2015 - 01.2022

CHC51015 Diploma in Counselling -

CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs -

CHC43315 - Certificate IV in Mental Health -

ACCSC

VU2733 – Identify and Provide Initial Response to Family Violence Risk -

CHC40313 Professionals Protecting Children (Top Up Units) -

HLTAID003 – First Aid/Anaphylaxis -

CPR First Aid Exp. -

Lyndal Eastwood