In the last 12 years of my career Jelena has been the supervisor that has had the greatest impact on my professional practise. The skills that I was able to develop with Jelena have continued to shape my therapeutic approach to working in the child protection sector:  in particular in the area of domestic and family violence, safely partnering with victims and holding perpetrators accountable in the child protection space. 

During sessions Jelena was able to challenge my thinking as well as build my confidence. When I would struggle with self-doubt Jelena would be there to support me and remind me of my skills. Jelena supported me to navigate therapeutic approaches within a systemic lens, which are the foundations of my ongoing professional practice. In our sessions I felt safe, affirmed, inspired and challenged to critically reflect on my work.

I highly recommend Jelena as a supervisor as she will support and build your skills and thinking.

- Melissa B, Child Protection Social Worker

Supervision with Jelena is great, I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to engage in critical reflection of their Social Work Practice in a meaningful way. 

Jelena is a kind, caring and honest supervisor who creates a genuine safe space for discussion of important issues.  I felt as though I was both seen and heard with anything I brought to supervision which created a place that I found I could be completely honest about anything impacting my practice.  To be able not only to speak about client work but also any struggles I might have within the workplace, I found Jelena to be so helpful with understanding the support I needed to walk beside me in my reflective learning journey.

With patience and a willingness to challenge reasoning behind entrenched beliefs, Jelena continues to impact my career for the better and I’m so thankful. For anyone wanting a trusted confidant that will help you to not only mitigate the risk of vicarious trauma but expand and enrich your understanding of Social Work practice, I strongly encourage making Jelena an integral part of your supervision practice as I have.  

- Emily C, Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Social Worker

I consistently found Jelena’s support to be timely and incredibly holding. Jelena would make herself available for appointments with me on a needs basis and would always show up prepared to navigate complex case discussions with me in a way where I felt both listened to and empowered to move forward with a collaborative plan of action. Jelena was able to offer her expert knowledge in the context of highly complex situations, particularly those involving domestic family violence, where families would face multiple layers of vulnerability and intersectionality.

As a social worker, Jelena adopts a person-centred, strengths-based approach, always aiming to partner with women, children and families to provide the very best support possible. I always felt safe to explore cases with Jelena, and one of her qualities that created this open dialogue was her ability to hold a non-judgmental stance for my presentation of information, while also helping me learn in a space that at times felt tremendously difficult to navigate independently. I greatly benefited from the ad hoc supervision I was fortunate enough to access through her.

- Edie K, Social Worker

I have been very privileged to have Jelena as my supervisor.

Jelena has a warm, non-judgemental approach with excellent active listening skills - resulting in me feeling heard and understood throughout our sessions. Jelena brings many years of experience and wisdom which I found extremely helpful to learn from, whilst building upon my own practice framework. Jelena encourages critical thinking which I found refreshing, whilst also providing professional guidance through some difficult moments. Jelena is supportive, encouraging and collaborative which has been extremely beneficial to my own practice and wellbeing.

Jelena also brings unique expertise in Domestic and Family Violence which I have learned so much from and this has significantly informed my own practice as a Social Worker. I highly recommend Jelena as a professional supervisor.

- Claire D, Homelessness Social Worker

Supervision with Jelena will expand your practice and support your professional growth.  Her years of experience in a variety of sectors contributes to her ability to build a safe, supportive and a collaborative environment for social workers and human service professionals.

- Deborah W, Social Work Lecturer and Author

I cannot recommend Jelena more highly as a professional supervisor. I have 12 years experience working in the sector, and yet, I found I was always able to learn something new from her. She is approachable and professional, and an expert in her field.  She led me through reflective practice in a safe way, challenged me and promoted ongoing growth. She increased my confidence as a social worker, and intensified my passion for intersectional feminist approaches. She has a strong focus upon wellbeing, and helped me re-connect with the values that keep me in the profession. 

- Claire R, Program Manager

I had the privilege of being supervised by Jelena as a new graduate in a clinical pediatric health setting, and I can confidently say she is an exceptional social work practitioner. Jelena combines deep knowledge, outstanding skill, and a clear commitment to the field of social work. Throughout our time together, Jelena's approach to supervision was both supportive and empowering. She establishes clear boundaries, encourages accountability, and fosters an environment of curiosity and openness to learning, all of which were instrumental in my professional development.

Her exceptional depth of knowledge and commitment to social work practice inspired me to safely develop my own practice framework, enabling me to grow with confidence. Jelena’s mentorship allowed me to navigate the complexities of the role while ensuring I always felt supported and guided.

I could not recommend Jelena highly enough to anyone seeking a supportive and knowledgeable supervisor. Her dedication to the social work profession, combined with her ability to nurture and challenge her supervisees, makes her an invaluable mentor to anyone looking to excel in this important and often challenging field.

- Ang B, Social Worker

I can only say how fortunate I am to have Jelena as my clinical supervisor. She has been a wonderful addition to my support network and without her continued guidance and advice who knows what state I would be in. Jelena has always listened without bias to all the concerns I bring to our sessions, and I always feel confident putting her advice and strategies into my daily practice. Jelena has a unique way of breaking down any complex situation I am experiencing, allowing me time to reflect and always suggests manageable strategies to navigate them. 

I thrive for the weeks after our sessions and really look forward to the next time we catch up. At the end of every session, I leave feeling so grateful and lighter and ready to face my challenges head-on with a new, clearer focus. Jelena demonstrates a high proficiency in her area of expertise and since she has been my supervisor, she has exceeded my expectations of what supervision should really be. I would literally be lost without her.

- Jeanne H, Social Worker

Jelena is an amazing supervisor. She shared her wisdom and experiences in best practice to support my professional development. She also created a safe space for me to reflect my practice and explore and navigate challenges and difficult conversations. It was an absolute privilege to have Jelena to be part of my Social Work journey and would highly recommended Jelena if you are seeking external supervision and support.

- Spencer W, Social Worker

Jelena is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced clinician, not just in the DFV space but across the social work continuum. Jelena's guidance and input into my practice within my early career has been invaluable. Jelena provides a safe space to debrief and discuss practice openly. Jelena is not afraid to professionally challenge practice and perspectives.

This has helped me immensely to feel confident in challenging beliefs, processes within the workplace which often reflect dominant discourses & outdated perspectives of social issues. I feel so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to work with Jelena in direct practice and to now have her continued support as an external supervisor. I highly recommend Jelena to any practitioner who wants to grow their clinical skills and practice.

- Meghan G, Wellbeing Social Worker

Jelena has advanced ability to convert layered, complex ideas and concepts into clear, sharp and impactful explanations. She has a critical eye for truth and innovates with ease. Her values of honestly are as strong as her voice when confronting injustice. Importantly Jelena “shows up” for you when you seek out her support or guidance. The status quo gets very uncomfortable, as it should, when Jelena speaks – she’s a transformative practitioner and mentor.  If you want to stretch your knowledge, mind, your confidence, and your perspective of what is possible in the art of Social Work and its impact – Jelena is the professional supervisor for you.

- Rebecca L, Workforce Specialist

Jelena is a highly knowledgeable, driven and nurturing supervisor. She possesses a depth of experience and continued commitment to her own learning that enriches the supervision experience.

She has so much to offer clinicians seeking to expand their scope of practice, develop strong leadership skills and progress in their careers, whilst holding a safe space for curiosity, reflection, and growth. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jelena.

- Katie L, Statewide Program Director

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jelena for over 10 years and can attest thatshe brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to supervision—creating an environment that feels safe and reflective yet encourages critical thinking. Her ability to hold space for complexity while offering clarity, direction, and compassionate challenge is a true gift.

Her deep understanding of the intersections of harm and risk, coupled with her ability to translate systemic issues into tangible practice improvements, has had a lasting impact on my work. She’s also someone who brings warmth and integrity to every conversation—whether it’s supervision, practice guidance, or just checking in. I’ve come away from every interaction with Jelena feeling more confident, better resourced, and clearer about my next steps. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough to any social worker looking for a skilled and supportive supervisor.  

- Yasmine H, Social Worker

At the time I commenced working in DFV my knowledge and understanding of the complexities were minimal, and I quickly felt overwhelmed and like I would not be competent in this field. Jelena always made herself available to queries I had and learning I was interested in. Her approach is one of kind patience that supported me to feel heard, understood and valid.

In a space that would easily become chaotic, Jelena was able to give clear direction. This was invaluable to me to help me remain calm and steadfast in situations that could easily spiral. Her Practice Framework includes many elements she has shared with me that I continue to utilise, including a person-centred, fully consenting practice that respects the rights of the individual to be supported in a way that is tailored to their needs through a trauma informed lens. I have continued my study into individual support and advocacy in part because of how much Jelena inspired me to build this within myself.

- Heather T, Sero4 Next Step Home Support Worker

Jelena and I have been working together for over 5 years. Jel is a once in a lifetime practitioner/mentor.

Initially, I was instantly impressed with how she would advocate for victim survivors in a room full of people of power and hold them to account. Jelena is not scared to step on toes and ruffle feathers. We need more Jelenas to hold people to account who are inflicting harm whether they know it or not.

Jelena has been my role model and the practitioner I want to grow into and I’m very grateful she has continued to mentor me through my ongoing practice. I would suggest anyone who is working in the health, gov or DV/SV sector to explore professional supervision with Jelena. She’s the best ⭐️

- Maddie L, DFV Specialist Support Worker

I have been privileged to witness firsthand Jelena’s deep knowledge, ethical practice, and unwavering commitment to professional growth. She offered invaluable guidance and support, helping me navigate complex cases with confidence and clarity. Jelena creates a safe, reflective space for social workers to process their experiences, develop their skills, and ensure best practice.

Her insight, empathy, and real-world experience make her an excellent choice for professional supervision. I highly recommend her services to anyone seeking meaningful, supportive, and growth-focused supervision.

- Laura M, Crisis Intervention Counsellor

I have had the privilege of being supervised by Jelena in my role as a social worker in a hospital setting, and I cannot speak highly enough of the support and guidance she has provided. As someone transitioning into this new and complex environment, particularly in managing high-risk domestic and family violence cases in a paediatric setting, her practical and evidence-based approach was invaluable.

Jelena consistently demonstrated kindness, patience, and a deep understanding of where I was in my career. She met me where I was, offering direct support that was both thoughtful and grounded in the best practices. She helped me navigate difficult cases by guiding me through safety planning, assisting in understanding the complex dynamics between victims and offenders, and helping me find creative, safe solutions for each situation.

One of the most significant ways Jelena has supported me is in helping to manage the complexities of the broader work systems around me. In an environment where domestic and family violence is often misunderstood, Jelena has been instrumental in teaching me how to advocate effectively when colleagues or other professionals may not fully grasp the intricacies of these issues. Whether it was challenging misconceptions or educating others about the particular risks and needs of families experiencing violence, Jelena equipped me with the tools and confidence to advocate for my clients' safety and well-being, even when it felt like an uphill battle.

What stands out most about her supervision style is how she empowers you to take initiative first, then provides guidance once you’ve attempted a solution. This approach fosters independence and confidence while ensuring you never feel unsupported.

Jelena is an exceptional supervisor—one who combines expert knowledge with a compassionate and empowering approach to supervision. Her support has been critical in my professional growth and ability to manage challenging situations with confidence.

- Liza T, Adolescent Social Worker

From the very beginning, I was deeply impressed by Jelena’s unwavering passion for supporting families in crisis. Jelena approached her work with a genuine commitment to making a positive impact on their lives.
Her extensive expertise in navigating the complexities surrounding domestic violence issues was truly evident. When I found myself in need of assistance with a particularly challenging case, Jelena stepped in with an impressive wealth of knowledge and experience. This guidance greatly enriched my practice, enabling me to approach the situation with greater confidence and compassion.
Jelena's insights were always delivered with care, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth.

- Ronald S, Social Worker

Supervision with Jelena assisted me to navigate complex circumstances, and to connect with my values and to see the bigger picture throughout the process.

- Jodie T, Social Worker 

Jelena's esteemed knowledge and expertise in the sector are highly regarded amongst our peers. Jelena has an assertive and confident way in sharing her ins-and-outs knowledge of DFV that challenges people's thinking. I have learned so much from Jelena personally and professionally, building my own awareness of this very important issue in the society. As a feminist myself, I see Jelena as my role model. Jelena has a critical approach in dissecting social situations that encourages me to keep upholding social justice.

- Dee R, Social Worker

For a number of years, I have been guided by the wealth of knowledge that Jelena holds and have continued to draw on elements of her practice since. Jelena’s ability to provide extensive social work intervention that is heavily embedded with a domestic and family violence lens was highly appreciated by myself when I was early on in my career as a newly graduated social worker.

Jelena has been a pivotal influence on my practice framework and has provided both professional and personal supervision that will remain at the forefront of my work with patients and families.

- Georgia B, Social Worker

Jelena identified my desire to learn more about risk assessments and to become more confident when advocating for victim survivors. She provided me with relevant literature, sat with me as I made calls and always provided helpful feedback. 

I find that Jelena is someone I often to turn to breakdown complex cases, ask for guidance on DFV matters and problem solve with when facing systemic barriers. I am always grateful for her original support as a student and how that has continued as a qualified social worker.

- Katie H, Social Worker 

Jelena is a very knowledgeable, respectful and supportive Social Worker, mentor and supervisor. She has an extensive DFV knowledge which she is very passionate about and was always happy to share her skills and expertise in her work with patients and peers.

- Hayley M, Homelessness Social Worker