Donna Kerr Social Worker

I have always been passionate about supporting others to find happiness, balance, optimising physical, emotional and mental health, and living the best life possible. I consider each person has capacity for healing and self-empowerment, and that life can often present us with challenges leading to mental health vulnerability, requiring support and connection with others to navigate adversity, complex circumstances and to find meaning. In my practice, I use a collaborative, genuine, curious and compassionate approach, with respect for individual differences and experiences. I have been involved in supporting vulnerable and diverse populations in the human services for over 17 years. I initially started my profession supporting people with a disability in developing their confidence, skills, capacity and overcoming barriers to return to work while maintaining and improving their physical health, mental health and exploring creative solutions to complex circumstances. As a Social Worker, I have worked locally, regionally and nationally in Australia with individuals across the lifespan impacted by a wide range of mental health disorders, family and domestic violence, in significant financial distress, homelessness, people in crisis, grief/loss, and other complex psychological and social circumstances. Over the past five years, I have supported military personnel, veterans and family members with mental health concerns, in mental health crisis and who may be experiencing relationship, family issues and distress, and adjusting to civilian life, loss, injury or other life issues. I am a registered and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). In my practice, I use trauma-informed, client centred and strengths-based approaches in a non-judgmental, ethical and flexible manner. For interventions, I use evidence-based therapeutic strategies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation and mindfulness strategies, problem solving and solution-focussed approaches, incorporating aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy, depending on individual needs. I have a broad range of experience and interest in some of the following areas: • Anxiety, stress and worry • Depression • PTSD • Suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviours, risk assessment and safety planning • Adjustment and interpersonal difficulties • Crisis intervention • Psychological impacts of physical and health related issues • Emotional dysregulation • Family and domestic violence