- 1300 995 135
- info@chrysalisgroup.org.au
- Monday to Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM
- Now Accepting New Referrals
Our vision is to provide an individualised, person-centred approach that respects and empowers the people we support. We aim to help participants reach their full potential and achieve constant, progressive improvements in their quality of life.
At Chrysalis Group, our mission is to enrich lives by fostering resilience, independence, and community connection. We believe that everyone has a story, and we are here to empower individuals to see their own strength and build their capacity to thrive. We do this with acceptance, ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity and respect.
CEO/Founder & Clinical Director.
Senior Social Worker/NDIS Certified Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Operations Manager Newcastle/Sydney.
NDIS Registered Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner.
NSW Intake and Engagement Coordinator.
NDIS Registered Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner.
NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner
NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner
NDIS Registered Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner.
NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Operations Manager - Mid North Coast.
SIL Program Coordinator.
SIL Program Coordinator.
Quality and Compliance Lead
NDIS Registered Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Certified Play Therapist, Qualified Counsellor, and NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner.
NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner
NDIS Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner.
Contact form for referral for Chrysalis Group
VALUES AND APPROACH
Tracey participants can expect her to be fair and listen to any concerns or ideas they may have to do with their SIL Accommodation. She has always practised working alongside her participants to get the best outcome for them. She doesn’t believe in doing things for the participants if they can do it themselves.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Cert IV Mental Health
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?
“Be honest in your work and be compassionate to yourself and others”
With over six years of diverse experience in the NDIS sector, Trent brings a comprehensive understanding of supporting individuals with varied and complex needs. His background spans support coordination, Supported Independent Living (SIL) management, staff training, and direct support work—providing him with valuable insight into the participant journey across home, community, and employment settings.
In his role as Quality and Compliance Lead, Trent is dedicated to upholding and enhancing the organisation’s commitment to high-quality, person-centred support. He places strong emphasis on professional development and continuous improvement, ensuring that both participants and staff experience excellence in every aspect of service delivery.
Collaboration lies at the heart of his approach. By working closely with families, professionals, and the broader support network, Trent fosters strong partnerships that lead to better outcomes and sustained growth within Chrysalis’ services.
Emily is a highly experienced Behaviour Support Practitioner with over a decade of expertise in supporting individuals with complex disabilities and challenging behaviours. For the past five years, she has served as a Senior Behaviour Practitioner with Chrysalis, delivering person-centred assessments and interventions that promote positive behavioural change and enhance quality of life.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science (Psychology), a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Psychology, and a Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by completing a Master’s in Professional Psychology, deepening her skills in behavioural science and therapeutic support.
Emily specialises in complex disability and high-risk behaviour, with a strong commitment to empowering individuals, families, and support teams. She works closely with participants, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams to develop evidence-based behaviour support plans that are not only aligned with best practice but also practical for implementation by caregivers. Her approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep understanding of participants’ unique needs.
Beyond her direct work with participants, Emily is dedicated to the training and development of high-quality behaviour support practitioners. Ensuring that practitioners have the skills and knowledge to create and implement effective, ethical, and evidence-based behaviour support plans, fostering a higher standard of support for our clients.
Emily firmly believes that every individual has the potential to thrive when provided with the right support. She takes a holistic, whole-picture approach to understanding behaviour, ensuring that interventions are meaningful, sustainable, and person-centred.”
Practitioner Identification Number: P0001354
ABOUT
Nerida’s journey began 35 years ago with the purchase of a long day care preschool kindergarten, so I could take my 2 small children, aged 3 years and 6 months, to work with me. My interest in child development soon flourished into family therapy and child-focused play therapy as I observed a lot of the ‘issues’ with child behaviour and development were directly affected by emotional and psychological issues present in the family.
VALUES AND APPROACH
Nerida initially studied 16 different modalities of therapy and then went on to teach 12 therapeutic modalities at leading tertiary colleges in Sydney for well over a decade 15 years ago. Whilst predominantly referring to herself as an Existential Psychotherapist, meaning “acceptance of the unknown and learning to be comfortable in the uncomfortable” Nerida’s approach is diverse where she can match the needs of the clients. Clients can expect a genuine and real connection to who I am as a person which is very much who I am as an integrated Therapist, there is no separation.
‘Play’ is a natural occurrence for children. ‘Play Therapy’ provides a safe place where children are supported and guided towards revealing and healing their inner emotional world. With the use of therapeutic miniatures, sand tray work, clay and art therapy, children engage in the process of relearning and emotional release, towards the mastery over feelings that would otherwise overwhelm them. Play Therapy often provides a safer pathway for the expression of the inner emotional world than words or conversations.
SPECIAL INTEREST
As a Play Therapist my interests are in creating a safe place for children to freely express their inner world.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Nerida is a Registered Psychotherapist and Specialist Counsellor for Child Focused Play Therapy, Bereavement Care (grief and loss) and Couples and Family Therapy. She is a published Author “Voices of the Children 2012” – a book that demystified Play Therapy for parents, carers, teachers and all guardians for children. Nerida has over 3 decades of diverse experience, she studied 16 different modalities of therapy and taught 12 modules at 2 leading tertiary colleges in Sydney for over a decade. She spent over a decade working in Aboriginal communities on the far south coast of NSW being mentored by Aboriginal Elders to work with Aboriginal children and families. Nerida’s passion is her service to others, for healing, growth and behavioural change where needed.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?
“Whatever you resist persists”
Isabel Pavlich-Miles (Coffs)
Behaviour Support Practitioner | The Chrysalis Group
ABOUT
As an advocate for social justice, I have been drawn to the NDIS industry to support the development of a more equitable society for everyone.
VALUES AND APPROACH
Isabel brings a strong background in community development, with extensive experience supporting marginalised young people. She holds a Bachelor of Community Development and is currently completing a Master of Social Work (Qualifying). Driven by a deep commitment to social justice, Isabel works from a strengths-based framework that empowers individuals and meets them where they are.
Her practice is grounded in cultural safety, trauma-informed care, and inclusivity, ensuring all participants feel respected, heard, and valued. Isabel is dedicated to building genuine, positive relationships as a foundation for achieving meaningful and lasting outcomes.
Outside of her professional life, Isabel is a proud mum to two energetic young boys. She enjoys boxing, spending time in the ocean, exploring nature, and listening to the timeless music of Dolly Parton.
SPECIAL INTEREST
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?
“When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else’s oppression, we’ll find our opportunities to make real change.”
— Ijeoma Oluo
ABOUT
I have lived, worked, and raised my family in the Coffs Harbour region for over 15 years. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, camping, attending markets or music events, completing home renovations, and dabbling in arts and crafts. I am a bright and outgoing person, who enjoys getting to know people and building relationships.
APPROACH AND VALUES
My work is based in trauma informed and strength-based practice, and I am passionate about working collaboratively with people, their families and supports to build capacity and wellbeing. I consider myself to be engaging, empathetic, and creative, and pride myself on my communication skills. I believe these qualities and skills enable me to engage and consult with people and families to create plans that respond to the challenges and risks in their lives in order to create sustainable change that enhances safety and improves outcomes. I aim always to provide culturally appropriate support for the people I work with, and proactively seek to further develop my understanding of diverse cultures.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
I hold a BBus. in Communication and a BBus. in Event Management, a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, and a Certificate IV in Youth Work. Additionally, I am certified in Positive Behaviour Support by Monash University. My professional background includes significant experience in the community services, child protection and education sectors, working as a high school teacher, apprenticeship and training consultant, youth worker, case worker, and coordinator in these fields. I consider myself to have extensive knowledge in child development and the way in which trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact behaviour.
QUOTE
“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets” – Leonardo Da Vinci
ABOUT
Sarah is a passionate and dedicated professional who takes a holistic, person-centred approach to her work—considering not only the individual but also their broader support network. She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Master of Social Work, providing her with a solid theoretical and practical foundation.
Throughout her studies, Sarah gained valuable experience across a range of settings, working closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds to advocate for their rights and help them navigate complex service systems. She is committed to ethical, culturally safe, and strengths-based practice, tailoring support to each individual’s unique needs and goals.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys staying active, discovering new hobbies, and spending time with friends.
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ― Oscar Wilde
Sonya Salter is the SIL Administrator at Chrysalis Accommodation, bringing 25 years of administrative experience across the corporate, legal, and property sectors.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional organisational capability, attention to detail, and a commitment to operational excellence.
Before joining Chrysalis Accommodation, Sonya held senior administrative roles including Personal Assistant and Paralegal positions, providing high-level support within complex corporate environments.
In December 2024, she transitioned into the disability support sector, applying her extensive administrative expertise to support quality service delivery and compliance within Supported Independent Living (SIL) operations.
In her role, Sonya is dedicated to ensuring efficient administrative processes, accurate documentation, and effective communication across the organisation. Her professionalism, reliability, and focus on best practice contribute to the smooth functioning of Chrysalis Accommodation and the high standard of care provided to participants.
Colleen brings over 15 years of management experience, including seven years working across mental health and community services. Her career spans a range of frontline and leadership roles, including Disability Support Worker, SIL Team Leader, Support Coordinator, and Psychosocial Recovery Coach, giving her a well-rounded and practical understanding of participant needs and service delivery.
Colleen is known for her strong leadership style, genuine care for both participants and staff, and exceptional organisational capability. She is highly skilled in building positive, collaborative relationships with teams, participants, families, and external stakeholders, ensuring services are delivered with consistency, quality, and respect.
With extensive experience mentoring and developing teams, Colleen is also deeply committed to maintaining high standards of NDIS compliance and best practice. Her leadership plays a key role in supporting safe, person-centred services that promote choice, independence, and positive outcomes.
Colleen is a valued member of our Coffs Harbour leadership team and is passionate about creating supportive environments where both participants and staff can thrive.
Tendayi is a Behaviour Support Practitioner and Credentialed Mental Health Nurse at The Chrysalis Group, bringing over 13 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Throughout her career, Tendayi has worked across community, forensic, and centre-based settings, developing extensive skills in delivering education, promoting holistic care, and supporting recovery. Her practice is grounded in person-centred, strengths-based, and respectful approaches that empower clients, families, and service providers alike.
Tendayi is deeply passionate about improving the quality of life for the individuals she supports, fostering growth and independence through compassionate, evidence-informed practice.
Outside of her professional work, Tendayi enjoys travelling, camping, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
