Sarah from The Tribe Therapeutic Supports and Carly from Thrive Counselling Solutions have recently opened an office at Christies Beach. We thought we would introduce ourselves and explain a bit about what we do.
Sarah from The Tribe Therapeutic Supports is a registered Developmental Educator (DE), paediatric counsellor and Special Education Teacher in Southern Adelaide, South Australia. She has been working in the paediatric space since 2014. Sarah has experience working within government and non-government organisations including schools, clinics, communities, higher education facilities, and homes.
Carly from Thrive Counselling Solutions Adelaide is an ACA registered Counsellor with a background in peadiatric and acute adult nursing. Carly has a special interest in working with clients experiencing grief and loss, chronic illness and with couples, through relationship and family counselling.
What is a Developmental Educator?
Developmental Educators are a bit of a hidden gem within the disability, support and
healthcare community. Developmental Educators (DEs) graduate with a huge scope of
practice that they can use as a foundation for further study to create specialisations and
niches within the allied health community. This allows DEs to provide individualised and
specialised supports to people living with disabilities and other challenges.
The main role of a DE is to reduce the limitations that people face when living with a
disability, help them to build their independence and capacity in a way that is meaningful for them, and to support full access and inclusion in all environments – including access to
education, access to public spaces or recreational environments, and gaining genuine and
meaningful employment. DEs work from a social model of disability and emphasise the
importance of Universal Design within their work. Universal Design is the concept that any
practice or change that benefits someone with a disability, is also a worthwhile change for all people of the population. An example of this is installing a ramp to access a community
library not only helps a wheelchair user gain access, but it’s also beneficial for mums with
prams, people using shopping trolleys or delivery people with sack trucks.
The supports that a DE can provide (but are absolutely not limited to) include:
Advocacy
Skill building – independence/daily living skills
Supporting a person to develop daily routines and manage the daily cognitive load
Supporting the development of cognitive skills (executive functioning etc)
Social and emotional skill development, including building meaningful relationships with others
Improving communication skills and adaptive communication
Improving community engagement including public transport training
Life transition planning
Employment skills
Parenting support
Providing training to support workers, support staff or educational staff
Specialised assessments
DEs use evidence-based practices to support people to develop their capacity and
independence through individualised intervention programs. This means that if someone
wants help to develop a new skill or improve the way they are able to complete tasks in their daily life, DEs will work with their strengths and find ways to make things easier for them, or help them develop new skills that create meaningful change for that person in their everyday life. They work holistically – focusing on the whole person and their ability to live life in the way that they choose too. Supports are strengths-based, rather than focused on fixing what a person cannot do. They work alongside an individual to support them to make changes in the areas that matter to them, and in a way that is respectful of their preferences. Support for each individual is completely unique and based of their own choices, needs and goals.
DEs can work across the lifespan – some specialise in paediatrics (working with children),
while others work only with adults. DEs can also specialise by type of disability or only work
with particular cohorts of people – support people with neurological conditions, or only
autistic people for example. These specialisations mean that the DE generally has a higher
level of training, or potentially lived experience in the area that they work within. DEs often
also have dual qualifications – many have a teaching background, although they may not be registered teachers. There is cross over with educational theories and the skills that are
used to develop individualised intervention programs, so this background can be a real asset within the profession. Many DEs go on to study a masters level degree, or other qualification to specialise in different areas such as play therapy, sexology, positive behaviour support, or counselling.
Within their work, DEs also promote relevant legislation and policies relating to disability,
inclusion, equal access and human rights. Advocacy underpins the work they do, especially
when removing barriers and increasing equal access to things like education or employment opportunities. Supporting schools, universities, organisations or employers to recognise what practices may be discriminatory, and to implement supportive changes and strategies to increase equal access for everyone is a huge benefit of a community rich in DEs.
South Australia is beyond lucky to be home to Flinders University, currently the only
university in Australia that offers a degree in Developmental Education. This means that we
have a huge number of DEs in our allied health community compared with other states. The downside of this though, is the national framework of the NDIS. With many Planners and online Support Coordinators, companies based in other states may not recognise the value of DEs, or understand their role within the allied health space. It is worth looking at DEs within your local area to see if any work in a space that is meaningful for you, and reach out for a chat about what supports they can offer.
For more information, the Developmental Educators Scope of Practice can be found at
Scope of Practice, Guidelines and Ethical Conduct for Developmental Educators –
Developmental Educators Australia Inc (deai.com.au)
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a valuable resource for those facing challenges in their personal and professional lives. Counselling is a collaborative process between a client and a qualified mental health professional.It provides a safe, confidential space to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. In Australia, counsellors are typically registered with organisations like the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Counselling helps clients identify and work through personal issues, develop coping strategies, and improve overall well-being.
Talking through problems is often very helpful, but sometimes, the people close to you can be too involved in the situation to be objective. Friends and relatives may also feel obliged to try to help fix challenges, by offering unwanted advice or blanket reassurance. Counsellors exist to provide an independent, trained listening ear, able to view your situation without involvement, and able to help guide you to the approaches to your problems that suit you best.
Evidence Based Counselling
Evidence-based counselling refers to therapeutic approaches that are grounded in scientific research and have been proven effective through rigorous studies. This approach integrates the best available research with clinical expertise and client preferences to inform treatment decisions. In evidence-based counselling, practitioners use interventions and techniques that have demonstrated positive outcomes in controlled trials and real-world settings. These methods are continuously evaluated and updated as new research emerges. Common evidence-based therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Intergrative Counselling
Integrative counselling is an approach that combines different therapeutic tools and methodologies to tailor treatment to the individual needs of each client. Rather than adhering strictly to a single type of counselling like CBT, integrative counsellors draw from various schools of thought and techniques, selecting what they believe will be most effective for the specific client and their unique situation. Integrative counsellors might blend elements from different therapies such as psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and systemic approaches. They focus on the whole person, considering the interplay between a client's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and social context. This holistic perspective allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the client's issues and provides a wider range of tools to address them. Integrative counselling emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship and adapts to the client's changing needs throughout the counselling process
How Counselling Can Help in Different Areas of Life
1. Mental Health: Counselling can assist with managing conditions like depression, anxiety, and stress, helping you develop healthy coping mechanisms and improve your overall mental well-being.
2. Personal Growth: It can aid in self-discovery, building self-esteem, and setting and achieving personal goals.
3. Career Development: Counselling can help with work-related stress, career transitions, and improving workplace relationships.
4. Grief and Loss: Professional support can be crucial when dealing with bereavement or significant life changes.
5. Family Issues: Family counselling can improve communication and resolve conflicts within the family unit.
Relationship Counselling
Relationship counselling, also known as couples therapy, is a specialised form of counselling that focuses on improving communication and resolving conflicts between partners.
Benefits of Relationship Counselling:
1. Improved Communication: Counsellors can teach couples effective communication techniques, helping them express their needs and understand each other better.
2. Conflict Resolution: Learn strategies to address disagreements constructively and find mutually satisfactory solutions.
3. Rebuilding Trust: For couples dealing with infidelity or other trust issues, counselling can provide a framework for rebuilding trust and intimacy.
4. Pre-marital Guidance: Many Australian couples seek counselling before marriage to strengthen their relationship and discuss important topics like finances and family planning.
5. Separation Support: If a couple decides to separate, counselling can help navigate this process amicably, especially when children are involved.
Counselling is a powerful tool for improving various aspects of your life, from personal growth to relationship health.
Counselling is a powerful tool for improving various aspects of your life, from personal growth to relationship health. Whether you're dealing with mental health challenges, seeking personal development, navigating career issues, or working on your relationships, counselling offers a safe and supportive environment to explore and address your concerns. With approaches ranging from evidence-based therapies to integrative methods, counsellors can tailor their support to your unique needs and situation. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By taking the step to engage in counselling, you're investing in your emotional well-being and opening doors to positive change.
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