Deborah Friend Social Worker

Deborah has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Masters Degree in Advanced Social Work Practice and is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. She has worked in Social Work for over 20 years with the majority of her experience in Public Hospitals (tertiary, metropolitan and rural) and in Community Health Centres. This has involved supporting clients within specialist teams (Oncology, MFMU, Renal Units, Statewide Infant Hearing Service) as well as Generalist counselling and assessments amongst adults of varying ages, genders , cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Interventions have been varied but include grief and bereavement, adjustment to diagnosis, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence, parenting issues, carer stress, anxiety and depression, isolation. Deborah also has previous management experience and is passionate about assisting with workplace stressors, impact of restructures, loss of employment. She has also have worked in the private sector supporting clients through EAP referrals and Mental Health plans. She also has a wealth of lived experience and wisdom regarding the impact of relocation , mobility, parenting and neurodiversity and is also keen to support clients who hold a faith perspective on life. She has worked with many First Nations people and those of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds and passionate about matters of social justice and equity. Deborah has a respectful, holistic and flexible approach.