Empowered Families

Supporting families navigating neurodiversity and trauma.

Practical, compassionate support for parents and carers of children with complex needs.

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You’re in the right place if…

You’re doing everything you can—but still feeling:

  • overwhelmed by big emotions or behaviours

  • unsure what strategies actually work

  • stuck navigating schools, NDIS, or child safety systems

  • exhausted trying to hold everything together

How I can help

I work alongside parents and carers to:

  • understand what’s really driving behaviour

  • build practical, realistic strategies that fit your family

  • support you to navigate systems with confidence

  • reduce stress and bring more calm into your home

  • explore what supports may help the primary caregiver(s)

Sessions are:

  • online or in-person

  • personalised to your situation

  • focused on what will actually help

About Jessie

I’m a Developmental Educator with over 13 years’ experience in disability and out-of-home care.

But more importantly—I’m also a neurodiverse parent and foster carer.

When my husband and I first welcomed a young person into our home, I thought my professional background would prepare me. It didn’t.

We quickly learned that:

  • real-life parenting is very different to theory

  • the systems can be overwhelming

  • and support is often missing when you need it most

The experience of caring has (and continues to) challenge me to learn and grow professionally, personally and as a parent.

I aim to be the kind of support I wish we had—
practical, compassionate, and grounded in real life.

  • My work is grounded in a trauma-informed, relationship-based, and developmental approach. I consider both child and the parent/carer within the context of their family, relationships, environment, and wider systems.

    I draw from a range of evidence-informed frameworks and therapeutic models, particularly:

    • Therapeutic Parenting

    • Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

    • Circle of Security

    • Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS)

    • Positive Behaviour Support approaches

    My practice is also informed by training and professional development in:

    • Lifespan development

    • Interactive Drawing Therapy

    • Interoceptive awareness and emotional regulation

    • Sensory differences and sensory regulation

    • Primitive reflex integration

    Areas of particular interest include:

    • the impact of parent wellbeing on outcomes for children

    • neurodiversity and complex developmental profiles

    • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

    • the experiences of neurodiverse parents

    • trauma and attachment

    • social skills and relational development

    • social role valorisation

    • supported decision making

    • systems theory and collaborative practice

    I aim to support parents and carers to better understand both their own needs and the needs of the children and young people they support. I take a whole-family approach, recognising that every family member has their own strengths, challenges, relationships, and support needs.

    My work focuses on helping families and professional teams build a shared understanding of what is happening for a child or young person, while developing practical and sustainable strategies that support connection, wellbeing, and long-term growth for the whole family.

  • Developmental Educators specialise in supporting people with disability and their families to build skills, navigate systems, and improve quality of life.

    My approach is:

    • strengths-based

    • trauma-informed

    • focused on the whole family

    Find out more about DEs here: deai.com.au

    • A space where you feel heard (not judged)

    • Practical strategies tailored to your family

    • Support navigating complex systems

    • A “no blame” approach

    • Guidance you can actually use day-to-day

  • Over time, we work towards:

    • more confidence in your parenting

    • reduced stress and overwhelm

    • improved understanding of your child

    • stronger, more connected relationships

    • a clear path forward

    (My goal is that you eventually won’t need me anymore.)

    • Available Queensland-wide via telehealth

    • In-Person sessions available in Townsville and surrounds

    • Self or plan-managed NDIS clients welcome

Schedule a time

For those located in Townsville and surrounding areas, you are welcome to request an in-person appointment. Empowered Families is a mobile practice, so I will come to you! Please reach out via phone or email to arrange this.

To make a booking under NDIS or Child Safety/NGO funding arrangements, please reach out via email.

jessie@empowered-families.com

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