Behaviour and Allied Health Services in Newcastle

Kim Konowec

Practice Manager

Kim began her career in business administration, marketing and accounting and after receiving experience in each area then moved into her favourite roles in business management. She loves to work within a team and strives to achieve a positive and supporting working environment where every member of the team is supported.  Kim said: ‘My goal is to create an environment that allows our clinicians to concentrate on what they do best, working with their participants to provide a high quality service and achieve the best outcomes possible.’

She loves to liaise with our clinicians, participants, families and stakeholders to improve service areas wherever possible.

Giselle Tadros

Senior Psychologist

Sydney and Wollongong

Giselle is a Registered Psychologist with AHPRA, an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society and has over 10 years of experience working with people with disability. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) in 2008, and her Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology in 2009, at the University of Western Sydney. She is also recognised with AHPRA as a Board Approved Supervisor for Provisional Psychologists. Giselle is also a certified CPI Safety Intervention Instructor and CPI Dementia Capable Care Instructor.

Giselle has worked with a wide range of complex clients with varying diagnoses such as Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities (mild to severe), Mental Health and Psychiatric Disorders. Challenging behaviours is an area of interest to Giselle, with her experiencing relating to complex trauma, self-injurious behaviours, communicative difficulties, aggressive behaviours, and contact with the criminal justice system. Giselle has completed Functional Behaviour Assessments, Psychometric Assessments, implemented Positive Behaviour Support Models, developed and conducted various training for carers, staff, support workers and other stakeholders as well as implemented evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Person-Centered Interventions with both children and adults.

Giselle has a passion for supporting individuals with disabilities, dual diagnoses trauma background and involvement in the criminal justice system well as their stakeholders in order to improve their quality of life.

Kimberly Herivel

Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner / Psychologist

Newcastle

Kimberly is a registered Psychologist who has been with Interaction since 2015.  Individual and group therapy, supporting families, staff teams and other stakeholders, along with positive behaviour support strategies is what Kimberly’s role involves on a regular basis.

Kimberly is a registered Parenting Facilitator with ‘Circle of Security’ – a research based program focusing on the relationship between children and their parents, and how strengthening this connection can increase emotional security.  She is consistently learning from peers and clients, and loves the variety of people she comes into contact with.

Kimberly has previously worked in the NFP sector in both youth homelessness and disability.

Lauren Nash

Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner / Psychologist

Central Coast

Lauren has been a member of the Interaction Team since 2007 and has almost 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors. She has worked across education, community, accommodation, and clinical settings, and has obtained Bachelor degrees in Management and Applied Psychology, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. Lauren is an AHPRA registered Psychologist and an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society. As a member of the BAHS Team, Lauren’s key responsibilities are providing psychometric assessments and reports, positive behaviour support programs, training and implementation support, individual therapy and clinical consultation. Lauren has enjoyed working with all her clientele over the years but has a particular interest in engaging with and improving psychosocial wellness for children, young persons and their families. She has a keen interest in trauma informed practice and dual diagnostics.

Natasha Calafate

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Sydney

Natasha has a passion for helping others and has always been interested in human behaviour and mental health.  Natasha is a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner and also continues to expand her qualifications, currently studying Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling.  After joining Interaction in 2016 her dedication and passion has enabled her to obtain a wide range of knowledge and experience within the organisation. Natasha has been working within the allied health team for a number of years now and is a valued member of the team.

Jessica Aguero

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Macarthur and Wollongong Regions

Jessica has a Bachelor of Psychological Science from the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Jessica provides person-centred services to participants with a wide variety of diagnoses. Within the BAHS team, Jessica’s key responsibilities are conducting behavioural assessments and reports, providing positive behaviour support strategies and plans and clinical consultation with key stakeholders.

Claudia Masina

Provisional Psychologist / Behaviour Support Practitioner

Sydney

Claudia is a dedicated mental health professional working towards registration as a Provisional Psychologist with AHPRA. Claudia has obtained degrees in Business and Human Resources in addition to completing Graduate level qualifications in Psychology including a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Bachelor of Psychological Science – Honours. She is also a licensed and practicing Wellness Coach delivering coaching programs to support clients to achieve desired behavioural outcomes focused on improving personal health habits.

Claudia is highly experienced in providing quality emotional support to a diverse group of clients with a wide range of needs, through a caring and person-centred approach in all engagements. She is passionate about utilising evidence-based therapies to help improve the quality of life of her clients with a keen interest on the principles of Solution Focused Therapy to support clients attaining their goals through personal strengths and practical strategies

Samantha Hiley

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Central Coast

Samantha has been a member of Interaction since 2011 and holds a Bachelor of Arts with an extended major in Psychology from the University of Queensland and a Behaviour Support Certificate. Prior to joining the BAHS team in 2022, Samantha worked in other areas of Interaction including senior management, before following her passion to work with participants and their families to achieve their goals.

Samantha is a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner and is currently pursuing a postgraduate certificate in positive behaviour support.

Helen Amos

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Central Coast

Helen has been an invaluable member of the Interaction team for more than 20 years. She has worked across several programs including accommodation, community and clinical settings which have provided a broad knowledge of the support networks surrounding her participants. Helen holds a BA in Community Welfare, BA Honours 1st Class in Social Science, and a Behaviour Support Certificate. Her passion of working with families, particularly parents with intellectual disability inspired her research on ‘Parents with Intellectual Disability and the Child Protection Process’. Helen is a qualified Behaviour Support Practitioner and also continues to expand her qualifications, currently studying Positive Behaviour Support as a post graduate certificate. Being able to work as a team with participants and their support networks is what Helen loves most about her role.

Natasha Tmusic

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Sydney

Natasha began her career at Interaction a number of years ago as a support worker, working in direct support and gradually moving through a number of our high support programs. Natasha has extensive training and experience in working with a wide range of people with disability, and in particular those with PWS. Originally commenced a Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Social Science, Natasha discovered a passion for neuroscience, behavioural and cognitive sciences and psychology. This led Natasha to her current studies, a double degree at Macquarie University (Bachelor of Neuroscience and Bachelor of Psychology). In her current role within the BAHS team, Natasha’s key responsibilities include conducting behavioural assessments and reports, providing positive behaviour strategies and plans, training and implementation support and clinical consultation with key stakeholders.

Ashleigh Seaton

Behaviour Support Practitioner

Sydney and Central Coast

After graduating from Macquarie University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Psychology with first-class Honours, Ashleigh began working with Interaction as a Behaviour Support Practitioner. She is also a Research Coordinator on trials at Macquarie University, which aim to improve treatment outcomes for those with anxiety across the lifespan.