Encouraging reflective conversations in the domestic violence sector to support and enliven practice.

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Who Am I?

I’m Lynda Rushton. I live in Meanjin (Brisbane) and work as a supervisor, specialist trauma counsellor and group facilitator primarily in the domestic violence prevention sector. I am a qualified Social Worker and an accredited Family Violence Social Worker. I have also completed the Advanced Supervision Program: Family Violence credential with the AASW.

My experience in the domestic violence sector

I have worked in the domestic violence sector for many years with organisations including women’s refuges, Kinections, Anglicare, Relationships Australia, 1800 Respect, Victim Connect and the Gold Coast Domestic Violence Prevention Centre, where I helped establish the Beenleigh Domestic and Family Violence Outreach service. I have extensive experience providing specialist counselling and domestic violence group facilitation, program development and as a Women’s Advocate with Men’s Behaviour Change programs.I have designed original group work programs for Anglicare such as the Living without Violence Program for women and a Narrative influenced group program using Kyabra’s Illuminations cards for Beenleigh Domestic and Family Violence Outreach Service. I was invited to design the group work program for Red Rose Foundation, bringing Compassion Focused therapy approaches to life for women who had experienced high harm violence.At Relationships Australia I worked as a couple’s counsellor and educator and in the family therapy team, designed and facilitated a Women’s Relationship Skills Program and provided court mandated counselling for women who were respondents to Domestic Violence Orders.I have extensive training in mindful self- compassion and trauma informed approaches. Most recently I have been working supporting victims of crime throughout Queensland as a Specialist Counsellor in the emerging Victim of Crime support sector.My commitment to ongoing professional development has led me to dive deeply into the areas of counselling, therapeutic work, narrative therapy and integrating these insights into domestic and family violence response practice. I am a trained Gottman Couples Therapist and have studied to the Teacher training level in Mindful Self Compassion Training and Mindful Stress Reduction. I recently completed a Certificate in Ecotherapy and presented “Haiku in Nature” workshops. I have an avid interest in ongoing learning and integrating new developments into my professional practice.

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What does Bespoke Supervision offer?

As a supervisor, I encourage reflective conversations that support and enliven practice in the domestic violence prevention sector. I work with practitioners in urban, regional and rural areas.As an experienced practitioner, I bring both authenticity and skill to my offerings. I supervise both new and established practitioners and leaders within the domestic violence sector and practitioners from other backgrounds wanting to transition to the sector.I create a safe place for conversations and reflections about the challenges and joys of working in this area. I can collaborate with you, in your approach to practice, ethical dilemmas and every day working concerns such as stress, energy levels and complexity of tasks. I provide a private, confidential space to debrief and process some of challenges of working in this space.I am particularly interested in supporting women practitioners who provide community services such as women’s refuges, regional services, specialist programs such as group work with survivors or who work as advocates and co-facilitators in Men’s Behavioural Change Programs.We can experience strong emotions in this work that need a safe space to be heard. I will work with you to choose and tailor practices that can assist you to process your emotional responses to the work or workplace and take deep care of yourself. We can work together to develop increasing confidence in your case work, telephone skills, counselling or group work practice. I can support you to support the work of others and contribute to a vibrant and supportive sector where the norm is to Listen, Connect and Reflect.