Training Team
Liz Alexander Liz Alexander is a practitioner and trainer with a background in the disability and child welfare fields. She has provided consultancy to organisations on a range of policy and practice issues. She has also developed and facilitated parent support groups in relation to child sexual development and problem sexual behaviour. Liz has extensive experience in the delivery of training on a range of children’s issues including the impact of homelessness.
Chris Cussen Chris Cussen works across the Child and Family Counselling and the Training and Professional Development programs of the Australian Childhood Foundation. She is currently involved in developing an innovative group work program for children under the age of 12 years who have experienced abuse related trauma. Chris has worked in a variety of areas including education, early intervention and clinical settings and she has a particular interest in the application of experiential therapeutic approaches.
Mary-Ann Delaney Mary-Ann Delaney is a social worker with experience in working with children, young people and families who have experienced abuse related trauma. She has provided training and consultancy to a range of professionals, and has a background in statutory child protection and home based care. Mary-Ann has a particular interest in family violence. She is currently employed as a Senior Practice Consultant in the Child and Family Counselling Program at the Foundation.
Marina Dickson Marina Dickson is a social worker and educator with previous clinical experience working with vulnerable and abused children in a range of school settings. She has trained extensively across the welfare and education sectors with a focus on the neurobiology of trauma, trauma-based interventions and loss and grief. As the Coordinator of Training and Professional Development Program, Marina oversees much of the Foundation’s training activity. She is also responsible for the development and facilitation of a number of training initiatives including the SMART program - a statewide training program in South Australia.
Cyra Fernandes Cyra Fernandes is a social worker and family therapist with experience in working with families, children and young people who have experienced trauma and abuse. Cyra has run a number of training programs with young people and teachers focussing on developing mediation and support skills. She is currently employed as a Supervisor in the Child and Family Counselling Program at the Foundation and is responsible for implementing the Foundation’s intervention program for children who have engaged in problem sexual behaviour.
Ms Beth Guy Beth Guy is a Teacher, Trainer, Practitioner and Psychodramatist with experience in the Education, Health and Welfare sectors. She has a background working with adolescents at risk within the education sector and the Alcohol and Other Drug Field as well as working with children and families within the Child Protection System. She has a history of developing training programs to suit professionals within Education and Welfare and is a keen advocate for experiential group work and creative therapies. Beth has worked in a variety of government and non government settings both in Australia and overseas with a consistent focus on education, supervision and professional development. Beth is a Senior Trainer within the Training and Professional Development Program, having extensive experience providing quality training programs to professionals throughout Australia.
Carrie Maclure Carrie Maclure is a social worker and works as a Therapeutic Specialist within the Therapeutic Care programs of the Foundation. She has extensive experience as a senior practitioner in the United Kingdom working with traumatised children in foster care and adoption. Carrie has been involved in developing and delivering training courses for foster carers and adopters. Carrie has a particular interest in Theraplay® and creative ways of working with children who have experienced abuse and trauma.
Janise Mitchell Janise Mitchell is a social worker and National Manager of Education, Prevention and Therapeutic Care Programs at the Australian Childhood Foundation. She has experience in child protection, high risk adolescents, public policy analysis, program development and evaluation. Janise has extensive experience in the development of innovative therapeutic programs for traumatised children. She is responsible for the development and implementation of a number of national and statewide child abuse prevention and training programs. She is currently completing a Masters degree exploring the social construction of childhood.
Dr Neerosh Mudaly Dr Neerosh Mudaly is a child and family therapist experienced in working with children and young people who have experienced abuse and trauma. She completed a PhD exploring children’s experiences of abuse-related trauma and the child protection system. Neerosh is experienced in the provision of clinical supervision, training and consultancy, including legal advocacy as an expert court witness. Her book, ‘The truth is longer than a lie’ was published in 2006. Neerosh is currently employed as a Senior Practice Consultant within the Therapeutic Care Programs.
Dr Jessica Murphy Dr Jessica Murphy works across the Therapeutic Care and Child and Family Counselling Program at the Foundation as a Senior Counsellor and Therapeutic Specialist. She has a wealth of previous experience across a range of settings, including child and adolescent mental health, and residential and foster care settings. Jessica has also conducted research in the area of residential care and has completed a Doctorate in Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Melbourne.
Lisa Ranahan Lisa Ranahan is a social worker and Team Leader of the Therapeutic Care Programs. She has assisted in the development of programs of therapeutic care for children at the Australian Childhood Foundation. She has previously worked in a range of settings including child protection and residential care services in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has been responsible for the development of innovative projects to better respond to the needs of children experiencing homelessness.
Dr Joe Tucci Dr Joe Tucci is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Childhood Foundation, a social worker and psychologist. He has completed a PhD in emotional abuse and uses post-modern and narrative ideas in research, counselling and training. He has a particular interest in the impact of abuse related trauma on brain development and the implications for practice. Joe has extensive experience in the provision of consultancy, clinical supervision and program development and evaluation.
Angela Weller Angela Weller is a social worker and family therapist with a background in statutory child protection services and child and adolescent mental health services. Angela has a particular interest in using narrative approaches in her work with children and families. She is also a part time lecturer and tutor in the Department of Social Work, Monash University and is undertaking a Masters degree exploring the effectiveness of family therapy with children and families where abuse has occurred. Angela is currently employed as the Coordinator of the Child and Family Counselling Program with the Australian Childhood Foundation.