Our Team

Brilliant Life Services

Larissa has worked as a behaviour support practitioner for 3 years and started her career as a social work student here at Brilliant Life Services. Larissa studied through Charles Sturt University where she obtained her bachelor of social work in 2022. Prior to her working within the NDIS scope, Larissa worked alongside children as an early childhood educator where her passion for supporting children with disabilities stemmed from.

After entering the NDIS space, Larissa has continued to work alongside children and their families to work towards increasing their quality of life. However, Larissa has also found a passion for working alongside individuals living with dementia. Over the past three years as a behaviour support practitioner, Larissa has primarily had a focus on supporting participants with dementia alongside their families and caregivers.

She believes at such a vulnerable time in life, it is crucial for her participants to be given the best opportunities to maintain their independence and their self determination through utilising a person centred approach. Committed to making a meaningful difference, Larissa is dedicated to empowering individuals and their families in navigating the complexities of care and support. Within her team leader role, Larissa is passionate about teaching and educating social work students and behaviour support practitioners to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they require to provide high quality supports to their participants.

Outside of work, Larissa enjoys reading and spending quality time with her two children and two dogs.

Danait has worked as a behaviour support practitioner for 2.5 years; she began her role as an engagement officer and soon after moved into positive behaviour support and intervention. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychological Science and Philosophy and a Bachelor of Business Management.

She has extensive experience working with participants across the entire lifespan, including those diagnosed with schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and reactive attachment disorder.

Danait is passionate about strength-based therapies which support individuals to lean on their strengths to make positive changes in their lives. She enjoys supporting individuals to reach their behavioural, personal, and therapeutic goals by understanding them as a person, involving them in the therapeutic process, and tailoring the service and therapy to meet their unique and individual needs.

Outside of work, Danait is committed and passionate about actively serving in her local church and the wider community. She loves being a positive support and role model to young children and adolescents. She also volunteers weekly at a local charity founded by her church youth group which provides free meals, clothes, and support services to those in need.’

I am Marsil, a dedicated Behavioural Support Practitioner, embarked on my professional journey just four months ago. Currently, I’m in the final stages of completing my psychology degree, with aspirations to become a clinical psychologist in the long run. My academic journey includes a degree in Human Resource Management and Psychological Studies, where I was honoured with a Dean’s Merit in 2022, reflecting my commitment to academic excellence.

Known for my compassionate and sincere approach, I bring a high standard of care to my work, treating everyone with love and respect. After spending two years in Human Resources, I discovered my true passion lies in directly assisting individuals, particularly children, in making positive changes in their lives. My experiences in various educational settings reinforced my belief in my purpose: to be a source of comfort and support for vulnerable individuals.

Driven by a desire to become a role model and positively impact lives, I am dedicated and hardworking, always striving to improve myself. I value continuous learning as a source of personal growth and am committed to going the extra mile to excel in my field.

In my interactions, I believe in empowering and uplifting others, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. I envision a world filled with love, peace, serenity, faith, and forgiveness, and I am eager to embark on this journey with those I encounter.

If destiny brings us together, rest assured that I will bring my utmost dedication and compassion to support your journey towards growth and fulfillment.

Angela completed a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Criminology in 2023 and is currently completing her Honours in Psychology to work towards her goal of maintaining full registration as a psychologist. She has a passion for working with children with disabilities to foster an environment they can thrive and grow. She also has experience across a range of ages and needs such as autism, intellectual disabilities, down syndrome, and schizophrenia, as well as anxiety and depression. Additionally, she is always seeking to develop her skills and understanding to continue improving the quality of life of those she works with. She is committed to providing the utmost quality and care to her clients to ensure they feel heard, safe, and supported in their environments.

With her strong academic foundation and previous work experience in the community sector, Angela has grown a deep appreciation and understanding of collaboration in achieving goals. She is passionate and proficient in identifying strengths and capabilities in others to create opportunities and coaching individuals to do this for themselves. She harnesses therapy and evidence-based practice to connect, promote, and guide growth whilst empowering individuals. She also has a strong interest in cultural awareness and how our cultural identities influence the beliefs we hold, the environments we live in, and hence choices we make.

Angela’s key goal is to continue to develop her skills and work with a range of people and strategies to strengthen her therapeutic approach and give her absolute best in supporting others.

Ana is a Provisionally Registered Psychologist who has been with the Brilliant Life Services team since 2022. She currently holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). Ana has been in the disability sector for over four years, previously having worked as an ABA therapist.

Ana has experience delivering intervention strategies for a range of mental health disorders across the lifespan. While Ana enjoys working with individuals of all ages she has a strong interest in developmental psychology and working with children. Ana’s style can be described as holistic, warm, inclusive and approachable, and she can easily engage with individuals in a respectful and non-judgmental manner. She aspires to create safe and inclusive spaces for those in CALD and LGBTIQA+ communities where individuals can feel seen, heard and valued. Her therapeutic approach is both collaborative and client-centred.

Ana is currently working towards her general registration a psychologist and aims to achieve this early 2025. Ana endeavours to amplify the conversation around mental health and advocate for change at both the individual and systemic levels.

BPsych (Honours)

Derek has worked in the NDIS space for over two years, both as a Behaviour Support Practitioner and as a Psychologist. Previously, he also worked as an ABA therapist and research assistant.

During his studies, Derek gravitated towards developmental psychology and psychopathology. As a result, he has developed an interest with assisting and managing children’s mental health and behaviours. He believes working with the young population is where we can see the most growth, change and potential. His interests extend to young adults who belong to the same generation as him due to the various shared interests and upbringings.

Currently, Derek would like to develop his competency with diagnostic assessments. In the future, he hopes to learn niche therapeutic models such as interpersonal therapy, schema therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprogramming (EMDR).

“George is a highly skilled Behaviour Support Practitioner who embarked on his professional journey after completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2022, followed by a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) in 2024. With a strong foundation in psychological principles and a deep passion for working with children with disabilities, George is dedicated to fostering environments where his clients can thrive and grow.

George brings a wealth of experience in supporting individuals across a broad spectrum of ages and needs. His expertise spans various conditions, including autism, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. This diverse experience enables George to tailor his approach to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring they receive the best possible support.

In his practice, George is committed to continuous professional development. He actively seeks opportunities to enhance his skills and knowledge, striving to improve the quality of life for those he works with. His dedication to providing the highest quality of care is evident in his approach, which prioritizes making clients feel heard, safe, and supported in their environments.

Beyond his professional achievements, George is an avid sports enthusiast. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, squash, and paddle. His love for sports not only keeps him active but also provides a balanced approach to his personal and professional life.

George’s unwavering commitment to excellence and his compassionate nature makes him an invaluable member of our team. We are proud to have him on board, providing exceptional support to our clients and contributing to their overall well-being.”

Ayush graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2023. After completing the degree, Ayush entered the disability sector as a support worker, where he discovered a deep passion for working with people living with disabilities.
Ayush has experience working with individuals with a variety of disabilities, including autism, intellectual disabilities, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and various physical disabilities.
Ayush’s primary aim is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing them with choice and control, fostering independence, and helping them become integral parts of the community.
In his spare time Ayush enjoys doing combat sports, which includes boxing and wrestling. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as hikes and fishing.

“Priyanka completed a Bachelor of Science Psychology in 2024 and is currently working towards completing her Honours in Psychology. Priyanka found a passion for working with people living with disabilities after graduating Bachelor of Psychology.

Priyanka is a dedicated and compassionate Behaviour Support Practitioner with a passion for enhancing the well-being and quality of life for individuals with diverse needs. With a strong foundation in evidence-based practices and a commitment to person-centred care, Priyanka works collaboratively with clients, families, and support networks to develop tailored strategies that foster positive behavioural outcomes. Priyanka’s goal is to empower individuals to achieve greater independence and lead fulfilling lives.

People often describe Priyanka as patient, compassionate, and a great listener. In her spare time, Priyanka enjoys reading, walking, exercising and spending time with her friends and family which helps her recharge and stay inspired.”

Alex is a Behaviour Support Practitioner who embarked on his career with the NDIS in 2024, after completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Psychology in 2020 and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) in 2023. In his post-graduate thesis, Alex explored the idea of social identities and their effects on levels of depression when moderated for the effects of innate extraversion and agreeableness. Equipped with an expanse of volunteering experience and involvement with differently abled populations over the course of four years, Alex is eager to delve into the Behavioural Support sector, aiming to enhance mental health services through compassionate and innovative approaches.

As an enthusiastic entrant into this sector of mental health, Alex is willing to engage with a large repertoire of clients, including teenagers and young adults. As a second generation Australian, a particular focus for Alex is an individual’s connection to their culture, exploring how different aspects of everyday experiences can beneficially intertwine through a multicultural lens. He is currently working on improving his own command of the Korean language. Moreover, Alex aims to assist with the fostering of diverse interests and hobbies in clients to work as protective factors against mental detriment.

Outside of his professional undertakings, Alex participates in and can teach archery as a competitive sport. He is also an avid angler and expresses interest in complex forms of floral and faunal husbandry.

Mariella has completed a Bachelor of Social Science Psychology sub majoring criminology and criminal justice in 2023. She is deeply committed to engaging in the wellbeing of people living with disabilities and improving their quality of life. She possesses the ability to establish trust and rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds and can do so in both English and Spanish.

Having cultivated collaborative skills through previous team-based roles, she recognises the importance of collective effort to achieve a goal. Her passions to effect meaningful change in the lives of others is only matched by her eagerness to learn and refine the most impactful ways to do so. She possesses a solid foundation in delivering therapy and guidance, with aspirations to strengthen her expertise in mental health and various disabilities through future studies and practical experiences. She has developed strong foundational knowledge and skills to be able to deliver meaningful therapy and guidance to those in need. Mariella’s career goals involve future studies surrounding mental health and gaining experience on a diverse range of disabilities.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing competitive soccer, baking sweets, watching movies, and playing instruments such as the guitar and piano.