A Bit About Me
Hi, I am Darren.
I am a social worker registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). My registration number is: 460635.
I qualified as a social worker eligible for professional registration in 2017 through the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree through Federation University Gippsland.
Prior to studying Social Work, I completed a double degree with Monash University in Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Counselling and Community Welfare.
I have been working in the human/social services field for 20 years, starting in 2005 as a youth support worker and eventually a youth mental health and behavioural worker, providing mental health and social support to people aged between 13 yrs and 18 yrs with mental health and behavioural issues.
In 2014 I moved into adult mental health psychosocial recovery and completed further training in suicide intervention and recovery and dual-diagnosis support work (mental health with a co-existing substance misuse).
In 2015 I opened my private practice part-time, providing counselling and mental health support to individuals and couples. However, due to changing full-time roles within the public health system and the repercussions of the COVID 19 pandemic, I was forced to close my practice in 2021. During my time in private practice, I provided support through the Victims of Crime program (VOCAT) and assisted people by completing VOCAT reports and victim impact statements for court. As well as ongoing counselling and mental health support for people following violent crimes and subsequent court proceedings. I also provided Employee Assistance Program support to the construction industry, supporting people working in the industry and their families manage and maintain emotional and mental wellness. As well as having a substantial case load of privately funded clients seeking support maintaining their emotional mental wellness and couples/relationship counselling.
In 2017 I moved into hospital inpatient social work in public health. Between 2017 and 2021 I progressed through the ranks from practitioner through to social work service coordinator, before stepping back into the community to work with a non-government not for profit organization providing mental heath and well-being support to farmers, their families and rural communities. Unfortunately, due to funding issues in 2024 I was made redundant and returned to direct service provision in a regional hospital.
As a hospital social worker, I have supported people transition from inpatient to community support, including supporting elderly people access aged care services and residential aged care. I provided emotional support and counselling to people with chronic health conditions and those receiving a new diagnosis and end of life care.
From 2003 to 2019 I was a volunteer with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) serving in various positions and roles. In 2009 I experienced complex PTSD. I spent the next 2 years focussed on my recovery, before stepping into a role with the CFA’s Critical Incident Support Peer Team (CIS Peer Team). My role in the CFA’s CIS Peer Team saw me providing psychological first aid and emotional and psychological support to CFA members and their families following critical incidents and with managing navigating life’s many stressors.
I have experienced burnout on 3 separate occasions throughout my career and have found that burnout is not a weakness and does not have to be the end of your professional career.
I am firm believer in post traumatic growth and have experienced this firsthand.
Values
Throughout my professional journey, I have been guided by a strong set of values that underpin all aspects of my practice. Compassion, integrity, and respect are at the heart of my interactions, ensuring that every individual I support feels heard, valued, and empowered. I am committed to advocating for social justice, promoting equality, and fostering resilience both in myself and those I assist.
Services
Counselling: Focusses on current specific problems being faced by an individual or group. Counselling usually addresses surface level issues and helps to develop coping strategies. Counselling is usually short term (6-12 sessions) and works toward an identified end goal.
Counselling is best for navigating immediate issues such as relationship issues and environmental stressors.
$198 per hour
Social Work: Focusses on a holistic exploration of an individual or groups situation and supports social advocacy, connecting people and systems with resources to improve the bio-psycho-social well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities.
$198 per hour
Referrals: I also receive referrals from other professionals and referring pathways for people to access Support.
· Victims Assistance Program funded through Financial Assistance Scheme
Can be referred through your lawyer/solicitor or other victim support program/network
· Transport Accident Commission – counselling and treatment for individuals and families following a transport accident; case management and support navigation to help clients achieve their transport accident-related recovery goals, access other services and assist with accessing the community, social support, planning and community reintegration
Can be referred through treating healthcare worker, lawyer/solicitor or self-referral
· NDIS – psychosocial functional capacity assessments, personal and family counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy, community integration and support with plan management
Can be referred through your NDIS Support Coordinator, healthcare worker or self-referral (Will need to be an established NDIS recipient)
Support for Professionals
Supervision: I have been providing line supervision in health care since 2019 and professional supervision since the completion in 2023 of Certificate of Attainment in Individual and Group Supervision (STEPPING UP Model), delivered by Supervision Training Services (STS). Introduction to Best Practice Supervision, delivered by AASW and the AASW course Supervision for Two: A Values-based Supervisory Model to Engage Both Supervisee and Supervisor in Meaningful InterACTion.
$198 per hour
Career Guidance, Development and Coaching: I have a passion for supporting professionals to develop their practice. I will work with you to identify where you would like to take your professional practice. Help you identify goals to work towards and develop an action plan to help get you there.
$198 per hour
Professional Debriefing and Reflective Practice: I will utilise my skills in debriefing to provide you with support following complex and stressful professional interactions. I will use my skills in supervision and coaching to help you develop a plan to manage the emotional load related to your case load and complexities. I will work with you to further develop your reflective practice to support your professional growth.
$198 per hour
Privacy Statement
Your information is securely stored offline and only accessible to me, unless disclosure is required by law.
Records are kept for at least 7 years for adults, and for children, until 7 years after their 18th birthday.
Confidentiality Statement
All information disclosed during your engagement with my service will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will not be shared with any individual or organisation without your explicit consent.
There are, however, limitations to confidentiality. If information provided indicates an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, I am obligated by duty of care to notify the relevant supports or authorities.
In such circumstances, appropriate agencies will be informed to ensure safety and well-being.
Additionally, in accordance with Victorian legislation, I am required to report any incidents of physical or sexual abuse involving a child.
Cancellation Policy
Appointments must be cancelled with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply.