Our Consultancy Team
Our team of consultants bring their experience as psychologists, presenters, academics, educators, leaders and managers to the work they do. They are experts in their area, and importantly, are also grounded and warm humans. At ConnectEd, we believe it is vital to be able to communicate our expertise in a way that is approachable and motivating, so in that way, we can help you grow.
In addition to the people you see featured here, we also have a team of our OWN consultants whom we rely on for expert guidance and feedback. This includes specialists in HR, legal, education and management. While you might not get to meet them, they are part of the team that helps us shape the tailor-made solution we provide to your school or business
Dr Matt O'Connor
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Matt O’Connor is a Clinical and School Psychologist with extensive experience across clinical, educational, and corporate settings. As Director of ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy, he blends evidence-based practices with practical strategies to support mental health and wellbeing. Known for his engaging and compassionate approach, Matt has delivered well over a thousand presentations and workshops to schools, parents, and organisations across Australia.
Emily Locke (nee Coote)
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Emily Coote is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with experience supporting individuals of all ages, particularly adolescents. Emily’s approachable, empathetic style helps clients navigate challenges like emotion regulation and self-identity. She draws from therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT to foster resilience and growth. In addition, she offers psychoeducational and ADHD assessments
Michelle Pullen
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
With a decade of experience as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and registered teacher, Michelle has worked extensively in schools to support students with diverse needs. Her areas of expertise are in developing individualised interventions, whole-school wellbeing initiatives, and neuroinclusive practices. Known for her collaborative and practical approach, she equips teachers and parents with the tools they need to help students succeed.
Meg Foley
Principal and Teacher
As the founding Principal of Omni Academies of Learning, Meg brings a progressive and innovative approach to education, with experience in creating flexible, future-focused frameworks. With a strong emphasis on pastoral care and integrative teaching, she supports educators to adapt their philosophy and implement cutting-edge programs such as eSports and robotics. Meg is valued for her ability to inspire meaningful change in schools.
Dr Matt O’Connor
Clinical and School Psychologist
Qualifications
- BPsySci(Hons)
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
About me as a person
I am a Clinical and School Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor, and Director of ConnectEd Counselling and Consultancy, a Brisbane-based psychology clinic for young people and adults. With extensive experience across clinical, educational, and corporate settings, I blend evidence-based psychological practice with practical strategies to promote effective and efficient wellbeing strategies.
My experience includes working in schools, acute mental health units, residential care, and with organisations such as the Queensland Police and veteran support services. I have also held leadership roles, including serving as the youngest-ever Director of ReachOut.com, a former Director of REAL Schools, and currently as a member of the Risk Committee for Batyr.
My academic work has been cited over 1,200 times and is being translated into over 50 languages. This blend of academic insight and practical application allows me to deliver solutions that are both research-informed and tailored to real-world challenges.
I am a sought-after presenter and educator, having delivered well over 1,000 presentations, workshops and keynote addresses for organisations such as Suncorp, TEDx, Amnesty International, universities, and schools across Australia. My work supports individuals and systems in fostering mental health, resilience, and thriving communities
About me as a consultant
I offer consultancy services that draw on my combined expertise as a psychologist, academic, and presenter. By collaborating with your organisation, I provide tailored solutions to enhance mental health, wellbeing, and overall effectiveness. My goal is to work with you to identify your areas of interest and offer a tailor-made package of one, or multiple, services to meet your needs. A general overview of what I can provide includes:
Presentations and training (school and corporate)
- Wellbeing and mental health sessions for school or corporate staff
- Parenting presentations with practical, evidence-based strategies
- Skills-based training, such as on-the-spot counselling techniques
Policy and process development
- Creating and evaluating pastoral care systems and counselling frameworks for schools
- Developing protocols to support individuals at risk of self-harm or suicide
- Enhancing organisational practices to better support mental health and wellbeing within school communities
Applied research
- Developing frameworks to address organisational challenges and areas of interest
- Translating research into actionable strategies for your team
Professional supervision (see more here)
- Supporting school psychologists, counsellors, and other allied health professionals
- Offering reflective practice to improve professional growth and effectiveness
Mentoring and coaching (see more here)
- Assisting school pastoral care staff, managers, and corporate leaders to enhance their ability to support others
- Focusing on leadership development, staff wellbeing, and organisational systems
- Note – this is NOT a health or clinical service.
Emily Locke (nee Coote)
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Qualifications
- BBehavSci
- PostGradDip Psychology
- MEdDev
About me as a person
I’m an Educational and Developmental Psychologist (and Board-approved Supervisor) with over a decade of experience, primarily within the education sector. My professional consultancy work has focused primarily on areas including supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff, building skills in recognising and responding to mental health challenges, staff connectedness and wellness.
I have had the privilege of delivering professional development sessions, training, and presentations to a wide range of audiences, including young people, parents, school staff, and adults. My approachable and pragmatic style allows me to connect with diverse groups, making meaningful contributions to their understanding and ability to navigate mental health and wellbeing challenges.
I am passionate about creating opportunities to support communities of all sizes, whether through direct engagement with individuals or through systemic changes that promote resilience, wellbeing, and effective practices in schools and other organisations.
About me as a consultant
As a consultant, I work collaboratively with organisations to understand their unique needs and goals. My friendly and practical approach ensures that the solutions I provide are relevant, actionable, and empowering.
Presentations and Training
I deliver engaging sessions tailored to various audiences, including:
- Schools, universities, and corporate staff: topics such as mental health and wellbeing, building confidence in recognising and responding to mental health challenges, respectful relationships, and creating supportive workplace environments
- Parents and carers: practical strategies for parenting and fostering respectful relationships
- Students and young people: programs and presentations on thriving through adolescence, coping with life transitions, building safe coping strategies, respectful relationships, and mental health and wellbeing
Pastoral Care Support
I assist schools and organisations in strengthening their pastoral care frameworks, including:
- Training staff to recognise and respond to mental health challenges in students, families, or colleagues
- Supporting students at risk, including self-harm, suicide, and significant mental health concerns
- Establishing professional boundaries and practices for staff in pastoral care roles
Professional Supervision
I provide comprehensive supervision services for psychologists and allied professionals, including:
- Supervision for school psychologists, including applied challenges in these roles and a special focus on psychoeducational assessment and report writing
- Support for psychologists pursuing their Educational and Developmental registrar program
Mentoring and Coaching (see more here)
- I offer guidance for pastoral care leaders and managers, focusing on building confidence, leadership skills, and strategies for promoting staff and student wellbeing.
- Note: This is not a health or clinical service.
Michelle Pullen
Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Qualifications
- BSocSci (Psych)
- BPsych (Hons)
- BEd
- MPsych (Ed & Dev)
About me as a person
I am an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, supervisor, and registered teacher with over a decade of experience supporting the wellbeing and learning of students, staff, and families in schools. My work focuses on enhancing the capabilities of school staff, including teachers and wellbeing teams, to better support students’ holistic needs while managing their own energy to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout.
In addition to providing supervision for both provisional and fully registered psychologists working in schools, I guide teaching and pastoral care staff in leveraging their strengths and resources to create sustainable and effective solutions. This collaborative approach fosters supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.
My passion lies in advocating for and assisting students who face challenges in traditional classroom settings due to life circumstances, mental health concerns, or behavioural difficulties. By equipping staff, families, and organisations with practical strategies and insights, I aim to create inclusive and equitable opportunities for all learners.
About me as a consultant
As a consultant, I offer a range of services designed to support the wellbeing, learning, and development of students and the staff who work with them. My goal is to provide tailored, research-informed solutions that empower individuals and organisations to succeed.
Individualised Interventions and Assessments
- Behaviour and learning assessments to identify strengths and areas of need
- Development of tailored individualised behaviour support plans
- Assistance with NCCD documentation and verification applications and reviews
Staff Training and Education
- Delivering workshops and professional development for school staff on:
- Understanding the behaviours of students with disabilities, learning, or emotional needs
- Managing the impacts of trauma on learning and behaviour
- Research-backed strategies for promoting positive relationships and effective classroom management
Whole-School Initiatives
- Planning and implementing whole-school wellbeing programs to foster a positive school culture
- Promoting inclusive practices and ensuring support for diverse learning needs
Parent and Carer Support
- Facilitating workshops for school parent and carer groups on topics such as:
- Behaviour management strategies
- Supporting children with anxiety or school reluctance
- Transitioning into Prep and other significant life changes
Research Translation
- Translating the latest research into practical strategies for teachers and parents
- Innovating new approaches to use tools effectively within the educational context to support students’ learning, behavioural, and emotional needs
Neuroinclusive Practices
- Assisting organisations in implementing neuroinclusive practices, such as:
- Developing reasonable accommodations in hiring processes and work conditions
- Supporting neurodiverse individuals (e.g., ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia) and those with cognitive challenges (e.g., slower processing speed, working memory difficulties, brain injuries, or long COVID)
Professional Supervision (see more here)
- Providing supervision for school psychologists, including upskilling in psychoeducational assessment and report writing
- Supporting psychologists working toward their Educational and Developmental registrar program
Meg Foley
Principal and Teacher
Qualifications
- BPrimEd
About me as a person
I am the founding Principal of Omni Academies of Learning, a new high school in Brisbane that embodies a progressive and innovative approach to education. As a registered teacher, my career has centred on fostering student-led, pastorally oriented initiatives that prioritise flexibility and future-focused learning while achieving strong educational outcomes.
In my role as Principal, I have overseen the creation of frameworks, policies, and procedures that align with the Academy’s vision. Omni Academies of Learning integrates learning across disciplines, offering an alternative education model that empowers students to engage deeply with their studies and prepares them for the challenges of the future.
My commitment to education is rooted in creating environments where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I bring a wealth of experience and insight into developing innovative practices that enhance both teaching and learning.
About me as a consultant
As a consultant, I am passionate about supporting schools and educators in adopting progressive educational practices that meet the needs of today’s learners. I specialise in designing and implementing frameworks and programs that are innovative, integrative, and aligned with future-focused education goals.
School Frameworks for Integrative Teaching
- Developing and implementing models that break down traditional subject barriers to create interdisciplinary, real-world learning opportunities.
- Guiding schools in transitioning to education approaches that emphasise collaboration, critical thinking, and flexibility while maintaining strong academic outcomes.
Pastoral Care Design
- Creating whole-school pastoral care frameworks that are embedded in everyday teaching and interactions.
- Helping schools develop approaches that prioritise student wellbeing, resilience, and personal growth as foundational elements of education.
Development of eSports Programs
- Designing and implementing eSports programs that engage students in a rapidly growing field, fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital literacy.
- Providing guidance on how to integrate eSports into broader school frameworks and align it with educational and wellbeing goals.
Development of Robotics Programs
- Supporting schools in creating and delivering robotics programs that inspire innovation and prepare students for STEM-related futures.
- Ensuring these programs are aligned with curriculum outcomes while promoting creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills.
Businesses and organisations we support and work with
