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Professional development and supervision

Exclusively for school psychologists and counsellors

Practical strategies, unique insight and real-world support – from the team who truly get school-based practice.

We’ve designed our PD and supervision to help make your work more effective and more sustainable.

✅ Specifically for school psychologists and counsellors – no generic PD here!

✅ Choose from our huge library of PD, join us live for Q&A sessions, or mix and match – whatever suits you

✅Supervises with unique expertise in managing the complexities of school-based counselling AND the system and practical demands of working in schools

✅ Affordable and designed with school budgets in mind

(We also have PD and mentoring for Pastoral Care staff – check it out here)

Our 2026 offerings are now live!

School Psychologists and Counsellors PD

Expert-designed live and on-demand webinars, complete with resources, for school psychologists and counsellors. Covering the most important, practical, and complex areas of school-based practice.

Group supervision - School Psychologists & Counsellors

We run 4 different groups throughout the year, specifically for school psychologists/counsellors. These groups focus on the practical challenges of working in schools, and one specifically focuses on assessments in schools.

Individual supervision

Our supervising psychologists bring a wealth of experience, insight and perspective, but importantly, all have a background in school psychology/counselling, balanced with a practical and tailored focus to best suit your needs.

ConnectEd School PD

The number of hours our ConnectEd School PD series has been watched!
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Made for you

Unique content, designed for school psycs an counsellors, and presented by a team with the expertise

Live and on demand

Join live or watch when it works for you - no need to attend in real time but access is always there

PD in your budget

High-impact content at a low cost — perfect for individual or whole-school access.

42 PD sessions. 15 months access. 

$500 (+gst)

= $12 per PD

✅Access to all sessions – live and recorded

✅Group and whole school pricing available

Incredible value for a full year of support

If you were to purchase each session individually, the total value would be over $3,570.
But with our full-year membership, you get:

  • Access to our entire catalogue of ConnectEd School PD sessions (that’s 42 PD sessions!)
  • 2 PD sessions per term – packed with practical strategies you can use right away
  • 1 live “Ask Me Anything” session per term – like mini group supervision, with time to bring your own questions
  • 15 months access to practical tools and resources
  • Exclusive member discounts on new content and additional events

Flexible options to suit your team

We know every school setup is different, so we’ve made pricing as flexible as possible:

  • Individual membership – full access for one practitioner

  • Group pricing – discounted rate for 3 or more registrations (across either PD stream)

  • Whole school membership – register your full wellbeing team (8+ staff across psychology, counselling or pastoral care)
    Only $2,500 + GST for the entire team

Need an invoice? Want to check your eligibility for a group rate? Get in touch here: admin@connectedcc.com.au

This year, we have 3 session formats to help you a mix of thorough thinking, practical tools and the chance to ask your questions

Deep dive

Deep Dive sessions take a closer look at key areas of school psychology and counselling practice. These one-hour presentations are designed to extend participants’ existing expertise by exploring evidence-based frameworks, fresh perspectives, and practical approaches that go beyond the basics. Each session provides a balance of theory and practice, linking ideas directly to the realities of school contexts. Participants will leave with deeper insight, new tools to consider, and strategies that can be applied to their day-to-day work.

Practice toolbox

Practice Toolbox sessions are fast-paced and highly practical. In just 30 minutes, we’ll move across a number of different ideas — giving participants ready-to-use strategies, resources, and conversation tools they can put straight into practice. These sessions strip back the theory and focus in on concrete techniques that make immediate differences in everyday school work with students, families, and staff.

Ask Me Anything (AMA)

These Q&A sessions have been described as an episode of “you can’t ask me that” – hear from our presenters on topics related to theme of the term + anything else school related. So ask a question that has been on your mind this term. Something about your work, a process, a niggle, a thought, a wonder? Or want to hear what your colleagues think about an idea? Or perhaps you want some ideas or guidance on solving a particular problem? It doesn’t matter! If it is about your work as a school psychologist or counsellor, it is fair game!

Our entire catalogue! You get access to all of this!

(All webinars are recorded and available to re-watch on demand)

2026 webinars

Term 1

Theme – Clarifying our role – Boundaries, processes, and practice

  1. Consistency of Practice – Role Clarity, Processes and Professional Boundaries

  2. Consent forms + Record Keeping & Note Taking – Practical Walkthrough for Everyday School Practice

  3. Ask Me Anything – Term 1, 2026 – Matt and Emily

Term overview
Clear roles and consistent processes are the backbone of effective school psychology and counselling practice. When we can articulate our role and align it with the work of others, collaboration becomes smoother, misunderstandings are reduced, and our professional identity is strengthened. This term’s sessions explore how role clarity and processes go hand in hand — not just as administrative necessities, but as vital tools for building credibility, reducing conflict, and enhancing impact in schools. The Deep Dive will examine how practitioners can define and communicate their role, negotiate expectations with staff and families, and embed processes that create confidence and consistency. The Practice Toolbox will then turn to the nuts and bolts of documentation — consent, record keeping, and note taking — showing how strong systems underpin role clarity and protect our practice. Together, these sessions highlight how boundaries and processes aren’t barriers, but enablers of professional authority and effective support.

Consistency of Practice – Role Clarity, Processes and Professional Boundaries

(Deep dive session – 1hr)

Session description
For psychologists and counsellors, role clarity is more than a description of tasks — it is central to how we practise, collaborate, and protect our professional identity. This session explores how role clarity and consistent processes provide a foundation for effective, sustainable practice in schools. We will consider the challenges of integrating with leaders, teachers, families, and external providers, and how to negotiate expectations in ways that reduce conflict and build trust. Participants will also explore how processes — from referral pathways to communication protocols — can bring consistency and credibility to their work. By weaving together role clarity, collaboration, and systems, this session highlights practical steps for strengthening both professional confidence and the impact of school-based support.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain how role clarity underpins effective practice and professional identity.
  2. Apply strategies to communicate their role clearly with staff, leaders, and families.
  3. Recognise how processes and systems support consistency and collaboration.
  4. Address challenges that arise from unclear or competing expectations.
  5. Strengthen integration with others through aligned roles and reliable processes.

 

Consent forms + Record Keeping & Note Taking – Practical Walkthrough for Everyday School Practice

(Practice toolbox – ½ hr)

Session overview
Strong documentation is more than an administrative task — it is a key process that supports role clarity, consistency, and professional credibility. This session provides a fast-paced walkthrough of how consent forms, record keeping, and note taking can reinforce professional identity and protect practitioners in complex school settings. We will look at what to include, pitfalls to avoid, and how to structure documentation so it is efficient, defensible, and aligned with both ethical and legal standards. Participants will leave with practical examples and strategies to embed documentation processes that support clarity and confidence in their everyday practice.

Key takeaways
In this toolbox session, we will cover:

  • Essential elements that link consent forms to role clarity.
  • Common pitfalls in documentation that undermine consistency.
  • Note structures that support defensible and professional practice.
  • Balancing school, ethical, and legal requirements with efficient systems.
  • Time-saving strategies to integrate strong documentation into everyday work.

Term 2

Theme – Strengthening early intervention and sustainable wellbeing systems in schools

  1. Early Intervention vs Reactive Models – Frameworks for Proactive Mental Health Support in Schools

  2. Managing Brief vs Longer-Term Intervention – When to Refer, How to Structure Brief Work, and Case Coordination

  3. Ask Me Anything – Term 2, 2026 – Emily and Matt

Balancing crisis response with proactive, preventive approaches is one of the biggest challenges for school psychologists and counsellors. This term focuses on building the frameworks and tools to strengthen early intervention and ensure school-based support is both effective and sustainable. The Deep Dive session explores the differences between reactive and proactive approaches to mental health, highlighting evidence-based frameworks, tiered models of support, and case examples that show how schools can shift from responding in the moment to embedding preventive practices. The Practice Toolbox session complements this by providing practical strategies for managing brief versus longer-term interventions — including referral criteria, structured short-term work, and coordination with external providers. Together, these sessions give practitioners both the big-picture perspective and the ready-to-use tools to support student wellbeing more effectively, reduce crisis load, and strengthen whole-school systems.

 

Early Intervention vs Reactive Models – Frameworks for Proactive Mental Health Support in Schools

(Deep dive session – 1hr)

Session description
Schools are often required to respond quickly to student mental health needs, but too much time spent in crisis response can limit opportunities for prevention. This session explores the differences between reactive approaches and early intervention models, highlighting the benefits of proactive, whole-school strategies. Participants will examine evidence-based frameworks and tiered models of support, considering how these align with current practices in their schools. Through case examples and practical discussion, we will explore how early intervention can reduce pressure on crisis systems, strengthen student wellbeing, and create more sustainable support structures across the school. The session will also highlight practical steps that can help shift from a predominantly reactive approach toward preventive, school-wide wellbeing practices.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Distinguish between reactive and proactive/early intervention models in school settings.
  2. Apply tiered frameworks to strengthen whole-school approaches.
  3. Reflect critically on their current practices and identify areas for preventive focus.
  4. Draw on case examples to highlight the impact of early intervention.
  5. Identify practical strategies for embedding proactive wellbeing approaches in their school.

 

Managing Brief vs Longer-Term Intervention – When to Refer, How to Structure Brief Work, and Case Coordination

(Practice toolbox – ½ hr)

Session overview
Determining whether a student’s needs can be met with brief intervention or whether referral for longer-term support is required is a common challenge in schools. This fast-moving session provides practical tools to guide those decisions and ensure school-based work is structured and effective. Participants will explore how to frame short-term sessions, apply referral checklists, and coordinate care with both internal staff and external providers. Case examples and templates, tailored to Australian schools, will bring the tools to life. Attendees will walk away with clear strategies they can implement immediately in their day-to-day practice.

Key takeaways:
In this toolbox session, we will cover:

  • How to structure effective short-term counselling sessions.
  • Referral criteria checklists to support confident decisions.
  • Templates for coordinating care with school staff and external providers.
  • Case examples that show these tools in action in real school contexts.

Term 3

Theme – Nuts and bolts of school psychology & counselling – The practical and everyday work

  1. Evidence-based and practical approaches for common school referrals

  2. Core tools and techniques for everyday school practice

  3. Ask Me Anything – Term 1, 2026 – Michelle and Matt

Being a school psychologist or counsellor often means responding to complex issues with limited time and competing demands. This term’s sessions are designed to sharpen the tools you use most often. The Deep Dive sessions walk through practical, evidence-based approaches to some of the most common school-based referrals and essential core skills that help psychologists and counsellors work efficiently and ethically in school settings. Whether it’s anxiety, self-harm, classroom behaviour, or documentation for funding, you’ll gain quick-reference frameworks, real-world strategies, and confidence in navigating these everyday challenges. The Practice Toolbox then zooms in on highly practical tips—things you can literally do next week—like writing letters to external providers or documenting observations effectively.

 

Evidence-based and practical approaches for common school referrals

(Deep dive session – 1hr)

Session description
This session offers a practical and fast-paced walkthrough of evidence-based approaches for the presentations school psychologists and counsellors encounter most frequently. Designed as a “quick reference” deep dive, it blends conceptual clarity with day-to-day applicability. We’ll explore effective strategies and process pathways for common concerns such as school refusal, emotional regulation difficulties (“meltdowns”), self-harm and low self-esteem, family changes (divorce and bereavement), social challenges, exam stress and classmate illness or injury. This session will help you feel equipped to respond quickly, use your time efficiently, and offer support that is both compassionate and grounded in evidence.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify effective, evidence-based approaches for common referral concerns in schools
  2. Confidently respond to school refusal, exam stress, emotional regulation, and social conflict
  3. Use quick reference frameworks to guide fast decision-making in day-to-day practice
  4. Integrate strategies that balance efficiency with compassion in time-limited school contexts
  5. Strengthen collaboration with staff and families when supporting students through social and emotional challenges

Core tools and techniques for everyday school practice

(Practice toolbox – ½ hr)

Session overview
This fast-moving session dives straight into the practicalities of school-based documentation and communication. From writing clear letters to external providers to capturing useful observations and preparing for meetings, this toolbox session is packed with small strategies that can make a big difference. You’ll walk away with real examples, editable templates, and ideas that help you collaborate with a range of stakeholders.

Key takeaways:
In this toolbox session, we will cover:

  • How to write succinct, purposeful letters to external professionals
  • Strategies for documenting classroom and playground observations
  • Time-saving documentation tips for busy school days
  • Examples of language that maintains clarity and professionalism

Term 4

Theme – Working with families – clarity, communication and collaboration

  1. Managing parental separation – understanding, communicating, and supporting families

  2. Practical tools for family engagement and collaboration

  3. Ask Me Anything – Term 4, 2026 – Cassie and Matt

Parental separation is a reality in many school communities and can create challenges not only for students but also for families and staff working to support them. This term’s sessions bring together big-picture understanding and everyday practical tools to help school psychologists and counsellors navigate these complexities with confidence. The Deep Dive session explores how family systems theory and ecological frameworks can guide practice, alongside strategies for communicating with caregivers respectfully, staying within professional scope, and building strong partnerships through collaborative problem-solving. The Practice Toolbox session then zooms in on concrete techniques for engaging families and external providers, clarifying roles and boundaries, and applying tools from Dr Ross Greene’s CPS approach to reduce conflict and improve communication. Together, these sessions will equip participants with both the conceptual clarity and the ready-to-use strategies needed to support students and families through separation with professionalism and care.

Managing Parental Separation – Understanding, Communicating, and Supporting Families

(Deep dive session – 1 hr)

Session description
Parental separation is a common experience in school communities, yet it can raise significant challenges for students, families, and staff. For psychologists and counsellors, the task is to support children while navigating complex family dynamics, differing expectations from caregivers, and the limits of a school’s role. This session draws on family systems theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model to provide a structured lens for understanding how separation impacts students across multiple contexts. Participants will explore practical approaches to communicating with caregivers respectfully and effectively, while maintaining professional scope and avoiding legal entanglements. The session also introduces strategies from Dr Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) framework, demonstrating how collaborative problem-solving can reduce conflict and build stronger partnerships between families and schools.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Apply systemic and ecological frameworks to understand the effects of parental separation on students.
  2. Communicate with caregivers in clear, respectful, and boundaried ways.
  3. Identify school-based strategies that support children through separation.
  4. Distinguish between professional responsibilities and legal issues.
  5. Use CPS principles to facilitate collaborative problem-solving with caregivers.
  6. Strengthen caregiver–school partnerships to promote student wellbeing.


Practical Tools for Family Engagement and Collaboration

(Practice toolbox – ½ hr)

Session overview:
Engaging families well is essential, but it often becomes more complex when external providers are involved or when boundaries are unclear. This fast-moving session focuses on practical strategies for working collaboratively with families and professionals while maintaining ethical clarity and professional roles. Participants will explore quick tools for reducing conflict, fostering trust, and ensuring that communication stays student-focused. Drawing on aspects of Dr Ross Greene’s CPS framework, such as Plan B conversations and identifying lagging skills vs unmet expectations, the session highlights how small but structured shifts in approach can improve engagement and collaboration straight away.

Key takeaways:
In this toolbox session, we will cover:

  • Practical strategies for clarifying roles and boundaries with families.
  • Tools for ethical and effective information sharing with external providers.
  • Structures for Plan B conversations that reduce conflict.
  • Approaches for reframing challenges into unmet needs and lagging skills.
  • Sample scripts and phrases for navigating difficult conversations.

2025 webinars

This 1hr webinar – Integrating AI into your work in schools –  will cover the exciting (and daunting) explosion in AI. This session will explore a range of different AI platforms, including digital scribing/note-taking, large-language models (e.g. Chat GPT) and more that you probably haven’t even heard of, and what we need to consider in using them, as well as how to get the most out of them

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Understanding the basic principles of AI and how this applies across different platforms
  • Considerations prior to using AI – privacy and ethics
  • Different platforms and their different opportunities
  • Implementing solutions into your work
  • Maximising the success of your AI tool/s

This 1hour webinar – Balancing Well-Being and Time Management in Schools – will focus on recognising your own needs in complex and busy environments. We will explore the impact of workloads and expectations while also reflecting on the early signs of burnout with practical tips to foster your own well-being (AHPRA Competency 3). 

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include: 

  • How our work is impacted by our role description, what people think we do and what we choose to do
  • Setting boundaries between work and personal time 
  • Ways to reflect and review work-life balance 
  • Practical suggestions to review and prioritise work calendar and expectations 
  • Advocating for staff and your own mental health and well-being 

These Q&A sessions have been described as an episode of “you can’t ask me that”, given Matt’s commitment to honestly and authentically answering every question. His answers aren’t planned (and sometimes it shows, as he reasons aloud to get to an answer!), but he often has a unique perspective to share. And this year is going to be even better because we’ve got one of our other awesome speakers joining in to add their thoughts as well! 

So ask a question that has been on your mind this term. Something about your work, a process, a niggle, a thought, a wonder? Or want to hear what your colleagues think about an idea? Or perhaps you want some ideas or guidance on solving a particular problem? It doesn’t matter! If it is about your work as a school psychologist or counsellor, it is fair game!

This 1-hour webinar – Running Intervention Groups in Primary Schools – focuses on how school psychologists and counsellors can effectively run Tier 2 intervention groups. Drawing on 20 years of experience, this session will offer practical guidance on helping students with behavioural and emotional challenges. Intervention groups are vital in creating a supportive school environment, and this webinar will give you the tools to make them work.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Why Tier 2 interventions are essential for student development
  • How to design and run effective group interventions in primary school settings
  • Tips for maintaining group engagement and progress over time
  • Assessing the impact of interventions on student outcomes
  • Managing logistics and challenges of group interventions within school contexts

This 1-hour webinar – Case presentation using different modalities and NCCD adjustments – will explore various psychological interventions such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; as well as examine how Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) adjustments for students with disabilities can be applied.

We will review diverse student case studies, demonstrating how psychological modalities can be effectively utilised while addressing complex needs of students and the school community.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Reviewing student case studies and exploring examples of different therapeutic approaches
  • Implementing change through short-term interventions
  • The use of contracting with students accessing interventions
  • Practical tips for applying a range of psychological modalities within schools
  • Considerations of NCCD adjustments

These Q&A sessions have been described as an episode of “you can’t ask me that”, given Matt’s commitment to honestly and authentically answering every question. His answers aren’t planned (and sometimes it shows, as he reasons aloud to get to an answer!), but he often has a unique perspective to share. And this year is going to be even better because we’ve got one of our other awesome speakers joining in to add their thoughts as well! 

So ask a question that has been on your mind this term. Something about your work, a process, a niggle, a thought, a wonder? Or want to hear what your colleagues think about an idea? Or perhaps you want some ideas or guidance on solving a particular problem? It doesn’t matter! If it is about your work as a school psychologist or counsellor, it is fair game!

This 1 hr webinar – Supporting students with Pathological Demand Avoidance – will focus on understanding and supporting students with PDA. This session will explore strategies that you can add to your toolkit immediately to create a supportive and inclusive educational environment for these students.

Some of the Key Ideas that will be covered include:

  • Understanding PDA: The characteristics of PDA, co-occurring diagnoses and formulations, and the common behaviours and triggers in school settings.
  • Identifying PDA in students: The signs and symptoms to look for, the assessment and diagnosis process.
  • In-class and other on-site strategies for support: How to use your assessment to individually tailor support strategies that you recommend to school staff to increase the student’s engagement.
  • Tips for supporting teaching staff – bolstering their capacity to implement these strategies.
  • Tips for supporting the parents/caregivers – referrals, resources, and parenting tips to improve understanding and the student’s engagement with their learning.

This 1 hr webinar – Implementing transition programs for primary and high school – will focus on the planning and delivery of effective transition programs for students starting primary or high school. The presentation will address both the value-add and return on investment for these programs, as well as practical strategies to help school psychologists and counsellors efficiently and effectively implement a program.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Making the case for the importance of having these programs and appropriately resourcing them
  • The components of efficient and effective transition programs (including modal of delivery, adapting it to suit students with diverse needs)
  • Identifying practical implementation strategies, including planning and logistics, delivery format/s
  • Linking the transition program through to the start of school

These Q&A sessions have been described as an episode of “you can’t ask me that”, given Matt’s commitment to honestly and authentically answering every question. His answers aren’t planned (and sometimes it shows, as he reasons aloud to get to an answer!), but he often has a unique perspective to share. And this year is going to be even better because we’ve got one of our other awesome speakers joining in to add their thoughts as well! 

So ask a question that has been on your mind this term. Something about your work, a process, a niggle, a thought, a wonder? Or want to hear what your colleagues think about an idea? Or perhaps you want some ideas or guidance on solving a particular problem? It doesn’t matter! If it is about your work as a school psychologist or counsellor, it is fair game!

This 1 hr webinar – Understanding and supporting autistic girls in schools – will explore the unique presentation of autism in girls, how that impacts their experience of school, and supports that school can consider for this population.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Understanding autism in girls: How autism can manifest differently in girls compared to boys, including common traits and behaviours that may be overlooked.
  • Creating an inclusive environment: Ideas for strategies and philosophies across primary and secondary schooling.
  • Common co-occurring mental health challenges: Your role in identifying and strategy adjustments to support these.
  • The importance of advocacy – the role of a school psychologist in monitoring, and reframing concerns and challenges in terms of the student’s unique characteristics and impacts, as well as growing neuroaffirming language and practice across the school!

This 1 hr webinar – Parent Engagement in Interventions in Primary Schools – will focus on the importance of involving parents in the intervention process. Building on the previous Webinar in 2024 (Parent Engagement in School Counselling), we will continue to share how when parents are engaged, the effectiveness of interventions can increase significantly. In this session, you’ll learn strategies to collaborate with parents, fostering a home-school partnership that supports children’s social emotional development.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Why engaging parents is crucial for successful intervention outcomes
  • Practical strategies for involving parents in therapeutic work
  • How to effectively communicate the purpose and goals of interventions to parents
  • Using tip sheets, case examples and resources to enhance parent involvement in therapeutic settings
  • Addressing common challenges when working with parents

These Q&A sessions have been described as an episode of “you can’t ask me that”, given Matt’s commitment to honestly and authentically answering every question. His answers aren’t planned (and sometimes it shows, as he reasons aloud to get to an answer!), but he often has a unique perspective to share. And this year is going to be even better because we’ve got one of our other awesome speakers joining in to add their thoughts as well! 

So ask a question that has been on your mind this term. Something about your work, a process, a niggle, a thought, a wonder? Or want to hear what your colleagues think about an idea? Or perhaps you want some ideas or guidance on solving a particular problem? It doesn’t matter! If it is about your work as a school psychologist or counsellor, it is fair game!

2024 webinars

This 1hr webinar – Effective collaborative meetings for school psychologists and counsellors – focuses on the dynamic and useful role that collaboration in schools plays. This practical session will explore what you can do to build well-run, efficient, and impactful meetings that drive positive change in counselling and pastoral care

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Developing an ideal meeting structure –  tips and ideas for creating meetings that support collaboration and innovation.
  • Navigating collaborative meetings – effective techniques to engage counselling and pastoral care teams for maximum impact.
  • Elevating team efficiency – strategies to streamline your meetings, optimising time and resources.
  • Key formats that generate effective meetings – practice meeting templates, agenda items, attendees, and examples of operational and strategic items – key take aways!

This 1hr webinar – Practical guide to assessments in schoools – explores the practical and realistic approach to conducting assessments in schools. Rather than focusing on the administration and interpretation of specific assessments, this presentation focuses more on the practical reflections and considerations, as well as what happens after an assessment is completed.  

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:  

  • What is considered an assessment? 
  • Administering assessments in session – standalone assessments (e.g. DASS)
  • Who decides? Consideration for referrals, decision-making, assessment selections 
  • Troubleshooting: environmental considerations, limited external information, limited access to standardised assessments,  
  • Report writing: purpose of the assessment and intended audience 
  • Maximising partnerships: families, teachers, support staff, external parties 
  • Recommendations: now what.  

Join Matt for a half hour Q&A session. This is your opportunity to ask questions on your mind about your work in schools and to hear ideas from Matt (and your colleagues)

This 1hr webinar – Supporting admin and support staff (in their care of students) – explores the unique experiences of schools administrative and other front-line staff who are often exposed to a range of student mental health, behavioural, social-emotional and learning challenges.

How can we support our support staff to create a shared understanding of our student needs, while also acknowledging roles and boundaries?

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:    

  • Identifying your support staff 
  • Setting boundaries and information sharing  
  • Confidentiality: How to share “enough”  
  • Working collaboratively  
  • Post-incident support: roles and responsibilities 

This 1hr webinar – setting up and utilising a wellbeing space – is part science, part art, and all interesting! There are significant benefits to creating and using a wellbeing space, but a lot of challenges too.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Assessing (or re-assessing) the pros and cons for you in your school using a wellbeing space
  • How to pitch (or re-pitch) the value of this space to school staff, parents and students
  • Tips and ideas for how to physically structure your space
  • Establishing your processes and procedures (e.g. who can use this space, when and how)
  • Exploring the common problems (e.g. supervision/monitoring, inappropriate use)

Join Matt for a, half hour Q&A session. This is your opportunity to ask questions on your mind about your work in schools and to hear ideas from Matt (and your colleagues)

In this 1 hour webinar – Resourceful student support: intervention alternatives to traditional sessions – you will explore ideas for supporting students to which you don’t have direct access for traditional one on one sessions.  Despite recent cultural advances reducing stigma around accessing mental health and well-being professionals, we still can be faced with families or students who require support but can not or will not access our services directly.  This can be frustrating for school staff who care about the wellbeing of such students and want to see them succeed to their potential.  So what can we do?  In this webinar Michelle will share some other ways that you can offer for the school to use your skills to support these ‘hard-to-reach’ students.  We will consider:  

  • Using the curriculum 
  • Taking advantage of ‘the space between’ in the classroom timetable 
  • Coaching and guiding teachers in lesson planning and support for delivery 
  • Collaborating with staff 
  • Group, class, or year level options 
  • Confidentiality 

This 1hr webinar – Doing research and applied projects in schools – focuses on just that! We are trained as scientist-practitioners, yet many of us have an aversion to the research process. This doesn’t have to be the case! There is tremendous value that can be added in exploring questions within our context and sharing this with others.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Why it is cool to be curious (disclaimer: no guarantee that this webinar will actually make you cool) 
  • Breaking bad habits – why it is time to do away with the university model of how research can look
  • How to identify questions or projects that are worth exploring
  • What you need to consider prior to starting (e.g. consent/ethics, research design)
  • Bringing it together and sharing it with others

Join Matt for a live, half hour Q&A session. This is your opportunity to ask questions on your mind about your work in schools and to hear ideas from Matt (and your colleagues)

This 1-hour webinar builds on our Understanding and Defining your Role webinar and provides you with ideas and space to explore your ways of working with your setting’s Learning Enhancement/Support Educational Professionals that suit your context. We want to help you limit double handling, manage others’ expectations of your role, and create a team environment where you can advocate for and work towards meaningful supports and change for your students with everyone on the same page.     

Some of the key ideas covered will include:

  • Tailoring collaborative approaches – reflect on your current model of collaboration and consider the merits and challenges posed by alternative frameworks for your setting. 
  • Goal alignment and role outlining – explore the alignment of your objectives with those of Learning Enhancement/Support Professionals, draft an outline of general tasks or situations requiring your collaboration, and delineate the contribution of each professional in those tasks and situations. 
  • Effective communication – explore various communication methods and tools that facilitate timely and impactful information exchange and collaboration between your role and Learning Enhancement/Support Professionals.  
  • Data-driven decision making – explore the role of each professional in data interpretation to inform your collaborative efforts, enabling you to advocate for your students and support well-informed decisions for student growth. 

This 1hr webinar – parent engagement in school counselling – will focus on enhancing parent engagement within the educational and pastoral framework.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Effective parent engagement – learn to navigate the delicate balance between education and therapeutic involvement
  • Building bridges with families – strategies to foster open, supportive relationships that empower parents to become pivotal players in their child’s growth.
  • Systems-centric approach – explore the role of family dynamics in a child’s development and how this can impact on therapeutic outcomes.
  • Practical strategies for improving outcomes – gain actionable insights into communication techniques, collaborative goal-setting, and nurturing parent involvement – including case examples, parent-interview templates and samples, and sustainable practice options that support the wellbeing of the child

Join Matt for a live, half hour Q&A session. This is your opportunity to ask questions on your mind about your work in schools and to hear ideas from Matt (and your colleagues)

2023 webinars

This 1.5hr webinar – Understanding and defining your role – focuses on the core idea that sits behind most decisions we have to make in our work – what is my role? While every school and every psychologist or counsellor operates differently, there are some universal considerations and reflections we can make that will help provide that clarity and communication (for yourself and others).

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • Who cares anyway? Why role definition is important to you and your wellbeing
  • Defining your role – what do you think it is? What do others think it is? And what do you think it should be?
  • What is the best way to do your role (hint: there is no best way – but we’ll cover some good ideas!)
  • Communicating your role to others
  • How do you hold firm on your boundaries?

This 1.5hr webinar – Using data to define and improve your work- will help you think about the questions you might want to answer about your work and how you can use data to help. This is not a class in statistics (excel is all that is needed – I promise!), but is a webinar about how you can tell the story about what you do, how well you do it, your strengths and opportunities for growth. 

Some of the key ideas covered will include:

  • Demystifying data (hint: you don’t have to be good at statistics) – understanding what you can do with it
  • You have to start somewhere – reflecting on what data you have access to and what data you want to get
  • Exploring examples: service use data, service delivery data, student feedback
  • How you can use your data – setting goals/KPI’s, balancing workload, improving your work, demonstrating your value

This 1.5hr webinar – Supporting students at risk of significant self-harm and suicide – provides an overview of caring for students, yourself and others, when there are risk issues. Of all the situations we deal with in school, this area is one that most psychologists and counsellors reflect on as being the most difficult and stressful. This webinar focuses on creating a series of processes that help you standardise what you do, reduce decision fatigue and create a more consistently positive system.

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • The importance of having clear processes that span the continuum and timeline of risk – from initial identification to management/support and (hopefully not ever needed) postvention
  • Synthesising processes and resources to develop a framework for support through each stage (including a template for risk assessment and processes for supporting a student when risk issues are identified)
  • Case example of supporting a student with significant self-harm and suicidality following initial identification of these concerns
  • Looking after yourself and others – why doing the work now will help look after you later

This 1.5hr webinar – Using digital systems (to make your life easier!) – is all about creating more efficiency in your work. Almost all of us are guilty of doing things the same way we’ve always done it, even when we recognise there might be a better way to do it. Effort now = massive benefits later! Don’t believe me? What if you could make your note-taking more efficient and save yourself 2 minutes per note? You do 500 sessions a year – that will save you almost 17hrs!

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • What is the argument for and against modernising your systems?
  • Identifying opportunities to make your work more efficient
  • Using templating, automation and smart systems to reduce your workload
  • Exploring two examples – digital referrals and digital note-taking

This 1.5hr webinar – Presentations and groups at school made easy – focuses on the practical considerations that will make delivering presentations and groups so much easier. This will not cure your fear of public speaking! But it will help give you the confidence to efficiently prepare, write and deliver activities that can be so impactful and well-received by students, parents and staff. 

Some of the key ideas covered in this webinar are:

  • What is the benefit of delivering presentations and groups? Helping you consider the return on investment (and make sure your leadership team get this too!) 
  • Presenting skills – it is not as scary as you think, and you are almost certainly over-preparing!
  • Presenting practicalities – how to write a presentation (quickly) and considerations for organising it so it runs smoothly
  • Group program practical considerations – how to go from considering a group, to running it successfully

This 1.5-hour webinar – Boundaries, burnout and being well – explores the day-to-day barriers to looking after ourselves at work. What is it about how we choose to see ourselves and our work, what do others really expect of us and how do we manage the guilt/imposter syndrome/drive to do more so that we can work in a way that is sustainable and thoughtful? 

Some of the key ideas that will be covered include:

  • What really gets in the way of creating a sustainable way of working? Your stuff, their stuff and how the ‘stuffs’ combine
  • How do we determine our “pressure points” and what can we put in place to manage this?
  • Saying no – knowing how to say it, when to say it and not feeling so danged guilty about it!
  • Self-care (but not candles and bubble baths) – working hard now to protect yourself later

What school psychologists and counsellors have been saying

Our presenters

Dr Matt O'Connor

Dr Matt O'Connor

Clinical and School Psychologist

Dr Matt O’Connor is a Clinical and School Psychologist, academic, presenter. He is also the Director of Brisbane-based clinic, ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy, which provides therapeutic services to young people and families, and consultancy services to the education and corporate sectors.

Dr Matt is well-regarded throughout Australia for his unique and engaging presentation style, and his ability to balance practical and grounded discussions, with ‘bigger picture’ concepts. His career as a psychologist has focussed on the delivery of school-based psychological services, with a special focus on systems and processes. His work has included hundreds of presentations to psychologists, schools, parents and students, as well as academic publications and conference presentations. His academic work has been cited over 1,200 times, and is being translated into 50 languages. 

In addition to this work, Dr Matt is also a sought-after supervisor and consultant, often in the areas of school structures, and supporting psychologists and schools to identify opportunities to improve school pastoral care and wellbeing processes.

Michelle Pullen

Educational and Developmental Psychologist

Michelle Pullen is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, supervisor, and registered teacher with over a decade of experience working to support the wellbeing and learning of students, staff, and families in schools.  Michelle has provided supervision for both provisional and fully registered psychologists working in schools.  She has also supported Teaching staff and staff on Wellbeing and Pastoral Care teams to tap into their strengths and resources in their roles to problem solve for their students’ holistic needs while managing their energy to avoid compassion fatigue or burnout. 

Michelle has experience and a passion around advocating for and supporting students (and their Teachers) who find the traditional classroom social and academic setting challenging due to life circumstances, mental health or behavioural concerns (Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum, intellectual disability or specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses).  She does this through:

  • Individualised Interventions 
  • Behaviour assessments,  
  • Learning assessments,  
  • Tailored individualised behaviour support plans,  
  • NCCD documentation,  
  • Verification applications and reviews,  
  • Planning and executing whole-school wellbeing initiatives, and  
  • Delivering and promoting education for staff around understanding the behaviours of students with disabilities, learning, or emotional needs; trauma impacts; and research backed strategies for managing relationships with these students and promoting their learning.

Michelle has also worked with school parents and carers groups on a range of topics including behaviour management strategies, supporting children with anxiety, school reluctance, and supporting the transition to Prep. 

Michelle enjoys translating research into practical strategies for teachers and parents and finding (new) ways to use (new) tools in the educational context to support students with learning, behavioural, or emotional needs. 

She currently works out of ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy, a Brisbane-based clinic which provides assessment and therapeutic services to families and consultancy services to the education and corporate sectors.  To find out more about Michelle please see the consultancy page at ConnectEd or to book in for supervision, consultation, or mentoring go to her Bookings page here.  Reach out to Michelle at ConnectEd to discuss Professional Development or presentation solutions and requests for families, education professionals, or allied health or medical professionals. 

Emily Coote

Emily Coote

Educational and Developmental Psychologist

Emily Coote is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist (and Board-approved Supervisor) with over a decade of experience, primarily within the education sector.

Emily’s professional experience is working across the lifespan, in particular with young people through school-based roles (School Psychologist & Guidance Counsellor), crisis management, intervention and support (Child and Youth Mental Health Services and disability support) along with roles in rural and remote communities (educational, medical and hospital settings). Her expensive work within complex trauma and crisis support has enabled a calm and relational approach when supporting emotion regulation, safety, and help-seeking.  

Emily has a passion and skillset for psycho-educational assessments and provides psycho-educational assessment support, upskilling and report writing assistance. Emily has extensive experience with working with educational systems allowing her to support school teams and provide appropriate recommendations and support regarding learning, vocational, and environmental adjustments. 

Emily is Brisbane-based and offers supervision to a wide array of psychologists across Australia including those pursuing endorsement (Educational & Developmental). Find out more about Emily on our consultancy page or on LinkedIn 

Cassie Neville

School Psychologist

Cassie Neville: Empowering Futures, One Mind at a Time! Registered Psychologist & School Psychology Expert

Meet Cassie Neville, a dynamic force in the world of psychology! With over 17 years of hands-on experience, Cassie is a registered psychologist on a mission to transform lives through insight and empowerment.

A trailblazer in School Psychology & Mental Health, Cassie’s journey began in regional Victoria in 2004, where she embarked on a remarkable career journey. An innovator in School Psychology, she’s dedicated to nurturing the emotional well-being of children, young minds, and their families. With a wealth of experience in Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Education, and Private Practice, Cassie is your go-to source for compassionate guidance.

As a Board Approved Supervisor since 2016, Cassie is not only a beacon of wisdom but also a nurturing guide for emerging psychologists. Her expertise extends to both the 4+2 and 5+1 Pathways, where she promotes the next generation of mental health champions.

Off-duty, Cassie thrives in the beautiful embrace of Albury-Wodonga with her partner Steve and two energetic boys. An advocate for holistic health, she conquers new horizons, whether it’s hiking hills or diving into wellness pursuits.

School Psychologist & Counsellor Group Supervision - 2026

2026 expression of interest now open!

Join our unique group supervision for school psychologists and counsellors! Led by some of our team from the ConnectEd School PD series, all of whom have significant expertise within their area of school practice. These group supervision sessions are focused on what is important to the supervisees who attend, and include a mix of case discussions, troubleshooting/problem solving, exploration of unique school-based issues and collaboration. This will be our 3rd year running these groups and the rate of people who want to stay on gets higher each time, which shows us how useful they are to the folks who attend.

Benefits:

  • Tailored Professional Learning: Receive professional development specifically tailored to the unique demands of your role as a school psychologist/counsellor (because really, there is no role quite like it!)
  • Cross-Collaboration: Engage in meaningful exchanges of ideas with other school psychologists/counsellors from various systems and states, broadening your understanding and approach
  • Cost-effective: this is a low-cost option for accessing supervision (compared to individual supervision) to meet your CPD needs, and especially if you are undertaking the registrar program and have additional supervision requirements

 

Group 1 – Primary school – systems, processes, practical issues and therapeutic work (Dr Matt O’Connor) 

Focussing on systems, processes and practical aspects of your school role (as well as general topics e.g. student concerns)

Group 2 – High School/Secondary – systems, processes and practical issues and therapeutic work (Note – there are two groups open due to popular demand and possibly 1 more group will open!) (Dr Matt O’Connor) (And Emily Coote if an extra group opens)

Focussing on systems, processes and practical aspects of your school role (as well as general topics e.g. student concerns)

Group 3 – *NEW in 2026 – Heads of Counselling – specifically for those leading a counselling team (whether that is a team of 2 or 20!) (Dr Matt O’Connor

Support for leadership, service design, processes and procedures and all other areas of interest

Group 4 – Assessments in schools (Michelle Pullen

Assessments in schools, including practical aspects of completing a range of assessments, score interpretation, report writing and case discussions. Please note – many of the assessments that will be discussed are only able to be administered by psychologists (due to restrictions by the test-developers). If you are a counsellor thinking of joining, please consider whether it will be relevant for you.

 
 Who is it for?
  • School psychologists and counsellors
  • Those completing the registrar program for Clinical endorsement or Educational and Developmental endorsement. Note – we can only sign on as a secondary supervisor
How does it work?
  • It will run 2 times per term for 1 hour per session, throughout the year (starting from Term 1)
  • All sessions will be online
  • You sign up for the year (to keep it fair in terms of numbers and consistency)
  • There will be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 people
  • Each session will be a negotiated balance between topics raised by supervisees for discussion and topics of shared interest
How much will it cost?
  • $80 (+GST) per session – 2 sessions x 4 terms =$640 (+GST)
  • Payment is required to confirm your spot

 

Dates (some are still to be confirmed)

Below are the PROPOSED dates for the groups. As you can imagine, trying to find a time that suits all states and territories is tricky!

primary (monday) – 1:30 – 2:30pm AEST. Daylight saving will not apply when this starts/stops

  • 23 feb
  • 23 mar
  • 18 may
  • 8 jun
  • 3 aug
  • 31 Aug
  • 19 oct
  • 16 nov

high school (monday) – 11:00am – 12:00pm –  AEST. Daylight saving will not apply when this starts/stops

  • 2 mar
  • 30 mar
  • 11 may
  • 15 jun
  • 10 aug
  • 7 sep
  • 26 Oct
  • 23 nov

high school (tuesday) – 1:30 – 2:30pm AEST. Daylight saving will not apply when this starts/stops

  • 24 feb
  • 24 mar
  • 19 may
  • 9 jun
  • 4 aug
  • 1 sep
  • 20 oct
  • 17 nov

Heads of counselling/team (for people managing 2+ team members) (Tuesday) – 1:30 – 2:30pm AEST. Daylight saving will not apply when this starts/stops

  • 3 mar
  • 31 mar
  • 12 may
  • 16 jun
  • 11 aug
  • 8 sep
  • 27 Oct
  • 24 Nov
Assessment group – to be confirmed (tuesday) – 1:30 – 2:30pm AEST. Daylight saving will not apply when this starts/stops
  • 24 feb
  • 24 mar
  • 12 may
  • 9 jun
  • 4 aug
  • 1 sep
  • 27 oct
  • 24 nov
Assessment group (tuesday) – 1:30 – 2:30pm AEST. Daylight saving will not apply when this starts/stops
  • 24 feb
  • 24 mar
  • 12 may
  • 9 jun
  • 4 aug
  • 1 sep
  • 27 oct
  • 24 nov

Emily high school group – to be confirmed and pending sufficient interest in other groups

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