Nicola Gardner
Wagga Wagga,NSW
Summary
Organised and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to supportively lead a team and take on added responsibilities to meet organisational goals. Wanting a management role that offers professional challenges and will utilise my interpersonal skills, excellent time management, problem-solving and leadership skills.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
2023.04 - Current
- Excelled in time management skills, enabling the completion of daily tasks while providing exceptional attention to clients' needs.
- Elevated client support standards by continuously seeking opportunities for professional development and attending relevant training within the dispute resolution field.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry changes and findings in clinical practice, within FDR
- Championed a positive work environment by fostering open communication channels among staff members and encouraging teamwork.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of client's needs using parent and property assessments.
- Facilitated impartial FDR processes that support parties to work towards their own resolutions for their children, grandchildren or property needs.
Family and Relationship Practitioner
Centacare SW NSW
2021.03 - 2023.03
- Provided therapeutic counselling for children, adolescents, families and couples.
- Conducted evaluations to help clients develop measurable treatment goals.
- Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Implemented and developed core counseling programs to meet each individual's specific and varying needs.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
School Wellbeing Counsellor
Centacare SW NSW
2020.07 - 2022.03
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, teachers, executive team and administration.
- Collaborated with teachers to define student's therapy objectives and review progress.
- Taught classes and presented psychoeducation on subjects related to social and emotional wellbeing.
- Provided teacher professional development sessions on topics of wellbeing and child development
- Conducted individual and group counseling sessions.
Adolescent Family Counsellor
Mission Australia
2018.08 - 2020.06
- Conducted comprehensive psychosocial assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Collaborated with other mental health professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans.
- Provided therapeutic counselling to adolescents and their families with individual and familial issues.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records.
- Collaborated with social services, referral sources and other treatment professionals to meet client needs.
Brighter Futures Case Manager
Mission Australia
2016.02 - 2018.08
- Managed caseload of families at risk of entering into the statutory child protection system to provide comprehensive, community-based care.
- Partnered with other community services and case managers to develop and implement individualised care plans and achieve positive outcomes for clients and their families.
- Complied with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
- Provided crisis intervention and risk assessments.
- Participated as member of a multi-disciplinary team providing on-going case management services to adults and their families.
- Participated in clinical supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings.
- Consulted with families and their support networks to devise and manage ongoing care plans for at-risk families.
Education
Master of Arts - Counselling (ongoing)
University of Canberra
Canberra, ACT12.2025
Nationally Accredited Mediator - NMAS Mediator
Mediation Institute
Online05.2024
Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution - Family Dispute Resolution
Mediation Institute
Online03.2024
Bachelor of Human Services - Human Services
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga, NSW07.2020
Skills
- Provides high quality service to clients, staff, and stakeholders
- Excellent case management skills, including mediation and negotiation abilities
- Always focused on maintaining the needs and interests of clients at all time
- Flexible, adaptable and confident in recruitment, supervision and support of staff and administrative duties
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated experience managing complex relationships with multiple stakeholders
- Committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and adolescents with demonstrated experience in child safety principles in my work at all times
Certification
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
The University of Canberra
TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
The Learning Professionals, Sydney
Certificate of Positive Behaviour Support
Monash University, Melbourne
Certificate Level 1 & Level 2 Clinical Training
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Certified Certificate of Advanced Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents
The Professional Development People
Certificate of Narrative Therapy
The Dulwich Centre, Adelaide
Introduction to Family Therapy Certificate
The Bouverie Centre, Melbourne
Additional Information
Professional Development
Therapeutic Intervention Training:
- DBT: Clinical Skills for working with people with self-harm and complex mental health problems including personality disorder, Project Air.
- Principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Australian Psychological Society
- Three Phased Approach - Safety and Stabilization, Blue Knot Foundation
- Motivational Interviewing, Local Primary Health Network
- Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, Charles Sturt University
Accredited Group Work Facilitator:
- Love Bites Respectful Relationships Program Training, NAPCAN
- RAGE (re-navigating Angry and Guilty Emotions) Program, Interventions Plus Pty Ltd
- Managing The Bull, Interventions Plus Pty Ltd
- Rules In Relationships, Interventions Plus Pty Ltd
- FRIENDS Resilience Program, Dr Paula Barrett
- Seven Steps to Safety, Facilitator Training – Mission Australia
- Bringing Up Great Kids, Facilitator Training
Learning and Development delivered by Department of Communities and Justice:
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Case Management Part 1: An Introduction
- Case Management Part 2: Building Practice
- Child Protection Part 1: Identifying and Responding to Risk of Harm
- Child Protection Part 2: Child Protection Dynamics
- Sexual Assault: Practical Skills when Working with Children and Young People
- Practical Skills in Responding to People who Experience Domestic & Family Violence
- Immediate Safety Planning & Responding to Risk of Significant Harm
- Aboriginal Mental Health
Other Professional Development:
- Mental Health First Aid
- First Aid Certificate, Smartlink Training
- Practical Strategies when Working with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Clients & Families, Girraway Ganyi Consultancy Pty Ltd
- Drug and Alcohol First Aid, Lyndon
- Mental Health Connect, Mental Health Coordinating Council Inc.
- Managing Risk, Meeting Needs, Casework Interventions With Children Who Engage in Problem Sexual Behaviour, SAIFF
- Sexual Health, Sticky Stuff Training
- Youth and Child Protection Education Program, Educator Training
Volunteer Work
2018 - 2024 Life FM 101.9 Radio Station, Board Member - Secretary
2013 - 2019 Inspire Youth Group, Department Manager
References
Natalie Walden, Regional Manager
Centacare SW NSW
M: 0417 279 431
Kayelene Gleeson, Principal
Holy Trinity Primary School, Catholic Education
M: 0488 719 575
Timeline
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
2023.04 - Current
Family and Relationship Practitioner
Centacare SW NSW
2021.03 - 2023.03
School Wellbeing Counsellor
Centacare SW NSW
2020.07 - 2022.03
Adolescent Family Counsellor
Mission Australia
2018.08 - 2020.06
Brighter Futures Case Manager
Mission Australia
2016.02 - 2018.08
Master of Arts - Counselling (ongoing)
University of Canberra
Nationally Accredited Mediator - NMAS Mediator
Mediation Institute
Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution - Family Dispute Resolution
Mediation Institute
Bachelor of Human Services - Human Services
Charles Sturt University
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
The University of Canberra
TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
The Learning Professionals, Sydney
Certificate of Positive Behaviour Support
Monash University, Melbourne
Certificate Level 1 & Level 2 Clinical Training
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Certified Certificate of Advanced Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents
The Professional Development People
Certificate of Narrative Therapy
The Dulwich Centre, Adelaide
Introduction to Family Therapy Certificate
The Bouverie Centre, Melbourne
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