Nipunika Gunawardena
Hornsby,NSW
Summary
Resourceful counselling professional with experience in providing individual and group counselling to support clients with addiction issues. Skilled in developing and implementing treatment plans, conducting assessments and providing referrals to external resources. Committed to advocating for client rights and helping build positive coping skills.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
MERIT Clinician
Magistrate Early Referral Into Treatemtn Program
10.2018 - Current
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions, case management to MERIT Clients
- Provide clinical advice to MERIT clients, carers and other health care professionals within mental health felid .
- Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Adapted counselling techniques to best suit individual needs of each client.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
- Maintain regular contact with the clients throughout their MERIT participation and monitor the client’s progress towards treatment goals, their compliance with the program requirement.
- Provide comprehensive, accurate reports to the court as required throughout client’s participation in MERIT, including assessment, progress, completion and noncompliance reports
- Foster, develop, build, and maintain key networks and supportive relationships with other associated agencies, committees, and departments of the LHD, and Criminal Justice System
- Recommended quality improvement activities that are in line with NSW Health Polices
Bi-lingual Cross Cultural Clinical Consultant
Multi Cultural Problem Gambling Service
07.2020 - 12.2021
- Professional, sensitive and appropriate front line intake and triage service for clients and service providers.
- Facilitated evidence based and culturally sensitive counselling therapy to assist the needs of the multicultural community .
- Promoted effective crisis interventions and support to CALD background clients or family members and assist with problem gambling issues.
- Conducted extensive telephone and face to face assessment and clinical consultation to clients, family members or significant others facing issues stemming from problem gambling and relating mental health problems.
- Disseminated advice, information and resources to service providers who are seeking assistance on behalf of their CALD clients with problem gambling issues.
- · Provide a culturally relevant response to referrals, allocations, consultations and care planning for all clients. Enhance the awareness and understanding of mainstream clinicians about cultural and language issues and available resources.
- Provide community education relating to responsible gambling and support services available to CALD community members.
Drug and Alcohol Counselor
South East Sydney Local Health District
08.2017 - 09.2018
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the goals and objectives of the client, identifying causes and triggers for addiction
- Develop evidence-based, client focused stepped care treatment plans in collaboration with the client
- Deliver effective and empathic counselling services for clients by utilizing various counseling techniques, procedures and resources.
- Ensure a holistic treatment approach by providing case management services and working in collaboration with external and internal teams.
- Advise clients regarding crisis management and effectively deal with life-threatening situations along with of suicidal prevention.
- Facilitator of Relapse and Prevention Groups, ensuring additional support for vulnerable clients
MERIT Counsellor
South East Sydney Local Health District
07.2016 - 07.2017
Bilingual Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Drug And Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (
03.2015 - 03.2016
- Provide counselling to individuals, from CALD backgrounds as well as non-CALD backgrounds regarding the negative effects of drug, alcohol and substance abuse
- Coordinate with a range of community members, mental health workers, other allied healthcare professionals and case managers from corrective services, department of housing
- Maintain accurate records regarding client attendance along with appropriate case notes, ensuring confidentiality
- Increase professional competency and skills by active participation in professional development sessions
- Organize referrals and appointments for clients requiring external services
- Provide a cross-cultural counselling service of high-standard psychosocial interventions
Project Manager
Lightspeed Research
11.2009 - 12.2010
Education
Graduate Diploma - Counselling
Western Sydney University
Sydney, NSW2015
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Northern Territory
Darwin, NT1995
Skills
- Drug and Alcohol Counselling
- Gambling Counselling
- Crisis Intervention
- Intake Assessments
- Relapse Prevention Measures
- Multicultural Competence
- Knowledge of NSW Justice System
- Team Collaboration
Timeline
Bi-lingual Cross Cultural Clinical Consultant
Multi Cultural Problem Gambling Service
07.2020 - 12.2021
MERIT Clinician
Magistrate Early Referral Into Treatemtn Program
10.2018 - Current
Drug and Alcohol Counselor
South East Sydney Local Health District
08.2017 - 09.2018
MERIT Counsellor
South East Sydney Local Health District
07.2016 - 07.2017
Bilingual Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
Drug And Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (
03.2015 - 03.2016
Project Manager
Lightspeed Research
11.2009 - 12.2010
Graduate Diploma - Counselling
Western Sydney University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Northern Territory
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