Footsteps Community Services - Therapy and Disability Support in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, and Ipswich

Meet our team

Our experienced team are passionate about empowering you, increasing your choice and independence, and maximising your quality of life. 

We carefully pair our clients with the team member(s) we believe can best support you, but we understand you may already have a team member in mind.

Find the right support for you

Our team of psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, positive behaviour support practitioners, support coordinators, psychosocial recovery coaches, therapists and registered nurses are committed to supporting you on your journey. 

Each of our team members are trained and highly experienced at working with clients with a variety of needs. Many have lived experience and particular areas of specialty, but we all share a passion for supporting you to achieve your goals.

Our management team

With over 150 years combined industry experience, our dedicated management team are focused on ensuring you receive the highest quality support services.

Jay Harrison CEO of Footsteps
Jay Harrison
Chief Executive Officer & Clinical Director
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Kerry Harrison
Director of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) & Nursing
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Mickael Blanc
Mickael Blanc
General Manager

Mickael is Footsteps’s General Manager, having joined the organisation in 2022. With over 20 years of leadership experience working in the community sector across for-profit, not-for-profit and education. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience supporting community members accessing NDIS services. Mickael was previously the CEO of a community services organisation, where he led the organisation through NDIS, Aged Care and Covid generated changes, and has also held positions at QUT. 

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Jevon Harrison
Finance & Administration Manager
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Our Therapy team

Our qualified and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists combine holistic and evidence-based approaches to provide personalised therapy and counselling in an environment of your choosing.

Julie Wheeler Therapist Brisbane
Julie Wheeler
Therapy Team Leader

Hi, I’m Julie and I am the team leader for individual therapy at Footsteps. I consider myself an eclectic therapist. I adopt a strength-based perspective, meaning I incorporate various theories to suit the client and utilise each individual client’s strengths. 

I have been working in this industry for over ten years and have both a counselling and social work background.  My clients ages vary from the very young to the elderly. I mainly work with clients that have complex psychological challenges.
Jarryd Gould - Therapist Brisbane
Jarryd Gould
Counsellor

My name is Jarryd and I am one of the outreach therapists at Footsteps Community Services. 

I have a Masters in Counselling and I am registered with the Australian Counselling Association. I have extensive experience in the community services sector and I love to empower people to overcome whatever barrier they may be facing. 

I love working with all demographics of people and I am happy to meet you where you are at and journey with you at your own pace. 

Sonya Wagensveld​ Psychotherapist Brisbane
Sonya Wagensveld
Psychotherapist
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Sharnie Singh
Counsellor

Our Behaviour Support team

Our team of highly skilled behaviour support practitioners with diverse backgrounds and expertise, all committed to helping you realise your aspirations in life.

Amanda Pownall Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
Amanda Pownall
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
I am a Behaviour Support Practitioner, Counsellor, Mindfulness Educator, Trauma-Informed Coach and Safe & Sound Protocol Facilitator. With many years of study and practical knowledge, I have worked extensively in the education sector, particularly with neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities and learning difficulties. Additionally, my background in Naturopathy, allows me to look beyond symptoms to address the underlying causes of health and behavioural issues.
Nicole Auley Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Brisbane
Nicole McAuley
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

My name is Nicole, and I am passionate about supporting individuals to achieve a better quality of life. I am committed to providing person-centred, evidence-based support tailored to your needs and aspirations.

I combine 30 years of lived experience supporting family members with disabilities and mental health challenges with 10 years of professional community sector experience. These experiences have deeply shaped my understanding and empathy in this field, enabling me to support individuals to overcome challenges and thrive.

I recharge and bring a sense of balance to my life through spending time in nature, especially exploring the mountains, and creative projects like crafting. I am looking forward to getting to know you better and collaborating to develop strategies that align with your goals and priorities.

Thomas Lindsay Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner Brisbane
Thomas Lindsay
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
I’m a 27-year-old kiwi who has been working in and around behaviour support for nearly 3 years now, with 1.5 of years at Footsteps. My favourite parts about being a behaviour support practitioner are the day-to-day variety, interacting with people from all backgrounds and trying to help them live life the way they can best imagine.
 
Growing up in New Zealand helped me understand and appreciate the gift of enjoying nature and the outdoors. I truly believe the best things in life are free. My primary focus when delivering a behaviour support service is ensuring our clients have a good quality of life before dissecting specific behaviours and strategies. So often in this role, I have found that once our clients are empowered to live life the way they want to, behaviours of concern decrease dramatically. 

 

Gina Matthew Positive Behaviour Support Brisbane
Gina Matthew
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

I am Gina, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner at Footsteps Community Services, with a strong background in social work and disability support. I have been a registered social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) for five years and have over six years of experience in the NDIS sector, working across various roles to support individuals with complex needs.

I am committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered support and look forward to working with you to enhance your quality of life.

Beyond my direct practice, I have been actively involved in community initiatives. I played a key role in establishing Networking African Australia, a Melbourne-based youth service that provides career development, study pathways, and mental health support through mentorship programs.

Outside of my professional work, I am passionate about fitness, baking, traveling, journaling, and engaging with my community. Fun fact: I come from a large family of eight sisters and two brothers!

Katherine Yang Positive Behaviour Support Brisbane
Katherine Yang
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Hello! My name is Katherine. I graduated from QUT in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. I bring over five years of experience working in the NDIS industry, where I apply a strength-based and person-centred approach to my practice. 

Growing up in a multicultural environment, I am fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and I also have intermediate proficiency in Korean. This diverse background enables me to connect with clients from various cultural contexts and support their unique needs effectively. 

I deeply value self-care, as I believe it is essential to providing the highest quality of service to my clients. In my downtime, I enjoy singing, spending time with my friends, watching movies, and hiking. A fun fact about me: I love organising! I find it therapeutic and see it as an integral part of my self-care routine.

Matthew OConnor Positive Behaviour Support Brisbane
Matthew O'Connor
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

My name is Matthew. Originally born in London, I’ve had the privilege of working in fields aligned with my passion for helping others, particularly those who have experienced trauma.

My 20 years of experience includes working with the child and adult victims of terrorist organisations. Coupled with my qualifications in Child, Youth, and Family Intervention, Disability Support, and Psychological Science, this has shaped my approach to understanding and addressing complex behaviours with empathy and adaptability. My focus is on creating positive and lasting change, providing effective, compassionate support, and I draw on my past experiences to adapt and provide effective, compassionate support. I consider it an honour to be part of a team that strives to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

I speak fluent Spanish and have spent significant time in South America, including Columbia and Peru. I share my dedication to community service with my family, including my wife of 32 years, our children and grandchildren.

 

Bianca Allard Positive Behaviour Support Brisbane
Bianca Allard-Watson
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Hi! My name is Bianca, I am a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and Personal Assistant. I have been working with Footsteps Community Services for 3 years and plan on being here many more. Originally, I started my career in the health sector 7 years ago working as a support worker, but through my studies at university I have an end goal of becoming a registered Occupational Therapist.

My interests consist of reading, cozy gaming and aerial aerobics.  I enjoy working with all age groups but have an affinity for aged care. Every day I try and put forward my best self and seek to uplift others around me.

 

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Aaron Parry
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
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Riley Price-Powell
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
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Our Support Coordination team

Our friendly and experienced support coordinators are here to help you navigate the process of exploring and implementing your NDIS plan.

Mick Neill Support coordination brisbane
Mick Neill
Support Coordination Manager
Determined to bring more meaning to my professional life, several years ago I decided to change careers. In the disability sector, I began as a support worker and progressed to Support Coordination. I am passionate about helping clients to achieve their goals and increase their independence and I take great joy in being part of their journey.

I have built a strong network to ensure my participants are connected with providers who engage promptly and effectively assist in reaching their goals. I am a family man with a wife and four children. I love the outdoors, especially the beach, camping, and fishing.

Karen Young Support Coordination Brisbane
Karen Young
Team Leader of Support Coordination
With over 25 years of experience in the community services industry, I am passionate about helping people and making a meaningful difference in their lives. I have built a diverse and impactful career across several key sectors, including the NDIS and aged care.
I maintain a strong focus on client care, training, and team leadership, and am committed to improving client outcomes and fostering environments where my team and clients thrive. Outside of Footsteps, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, cherishing family moments, and creating lasting memories.
Julian White Support Coordination Brisbane
Julian White
Senior Support Coordinator
I have been working in community services for 14 years, following my entry to the industry in aged care. After achieving my certification at Tafe and obtaining additional qualifications in individualised supports, I transitioned into the disability sector under the Disability Services Queensland framework. I was a disability support worker during the roll out of the NDIS, and remained in that role while studying my diploma of community services.

On student placement I was lucky enough to find Footsteps Community Services where I have happily remained since.

Bronte Smith Support Coordinator
Bronte Smith
Senior Support Coordinator
I provide personalised support and ensure clients receive the best support and resources available; assisting them to navigate and access services to live independently and achieve their goals.

With a passion for helping others and a deep commitment to fostering positive outcomes, I bring a compassionate, solution-oriented approach to my work. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, cafe hopping and am a bit of a nature bunny, often spending time outdoors recharging and exploring new places.

Emma McCarthy Support Coordination Brisbane
Emma McCarthy
Support Coordinator

Hi, I’m Emma, an NDIS Support Coordinator with a passion for helping others. I’m dedicated to guiding participants through the NDIS system, ensuring they receive the support they need to achieve their goals. 

Known for my bubbly personality and positive attitude, I strive to build strong, supportive connections. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, spending time with friends, going to concerts, and trying new things, which keeps me energized and connected with the world around me.

Erwell Dela Cueva Support Coordinator Brisbane
Erwell Dela Cueva
Support Coordinator
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Ruby Ann Support Coordinator Brisbane
Ruby Ann
Support Coordinator
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Jessica NDIS Support Coordinator
Jessica Andres
Support Coordinator
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Jermine Dela Cruz NDIS Support Coordinator
Jermine Dela Cruz
Support Coordinator
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Our Behaviour Analyst team

Shane
Shane Tiffanie
Behaviour & Data Analyst
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Keziah Gorgonio
Keziah Gorgonio
Behaviour & Data Analyst

Keziah has more than 6 years of experience as a counsellor, working with clients of all age groups. In her latest role, she focused on providing support to employees.

During her free time, Keziah enjoys watching movies on Netflix, discovering spots for good food, and running for both health and leisure. 

 

Kannah NDIS Behaviour Support
Kannah Sanz
Behaviour & Data Analyst
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Jamina NDIS Positive Behaviour Support
Jamina Ibarra
Behaviour & Data Analyst
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Our Administration & Support team

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Harley Nelson Finance Officer
Harley Nelson
Finance Officer

Introducing Harley, she is full of energy and passion in every aspect of life. When she’s not in the office she is living her best life on a small homestead with pet ducks and bountiful gardens.

Harley has been with Footsteps since 2022, beginning as an Admin Assistant, and working hard to achieve the role of Finance Officer. Having just completed a Master’s Degree in Business, she strives to continue her career taking on any challenge she can. While most appreciated for her diverse perspective she nestled perfectly into her Finance Role as “numbers always make sense”.

Emma Wagensveld Administration Support
Emma Wagensveld
Administration Support

My name is Emma Wagensveld, and I am 19 years old. I currently serve as an Administration Support in the back-of-house operations at Footsteps Community Services. In this role, I am responsible for establishing Service Agreements for our clients, ensuring that all services are properly documented and customized to meet their specific needs. 

In addition to my professional responsibilities, I have a deep passion for music, both as a listener and as a performer.

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Ron Grancourt
Handyman
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Meet our team of therapy dogs

Our therapy dogs play an integral role in providing comfort and support to everyone they meet.

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A black labradoor kelpie cross sitting and looking happily at two toy balls
Padfoot (Paddy)
Labrador x Kelpie
Tyson Therapy Animals Brisbane
Tyson
Shih tzu x Poodle
Brown Labradoodle Therapy Dog
Neville
Labradoodle
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Job opportunities in mental health and disability services in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast.

Join the Footsteps team

We believe in thinking differently and we encourage our team to do the same. Our collaborative team are committed to making a difference in the community and in the lives of the people we support.