The role of a Therapy Supervisor in supporting kids with behavioural challenges

In the spotlight with Eli 

Deciding to seek support for your child is a big step. At Lizard Centre, we want you to feel confident that you’ll have a dedicated partner to guide you through the process. Our Therapy Supervisors are here to design personalised programs, track your child’s progress, and make sure you feel supported as a parent every step of the way. 

Eli, our Therapy Supervisor in Newcastle, will be helping local families do just that. With her expertise and passion for working with children, Eli partners with parents to create practical strategies, celebrate milestones, and navigate challenges together. She’s here to ensure that families in Newcastle feel not only supported, but empowered, as their children grow and thrive. 

Ahead of Lizard Centre’s launch into Newcastle this October, Eli shares her journey, why she loves working with parents and kids, and what excites her most about bringing Lizard’s evidence-based approach to families in the Newcastle region. 

Eli’s path: research, ABA, and a child-first approach

A Therapy Supervisor does more than check boxes. They set the direction for your child’s program: choosing goals that matter for daily life, breaking goals into manageable steps, and continuously evaluating progress so the plan adapts as your child changes.  

For Eli, the connection to this work began early. “I’ve worked with children since high school,” she says, and it was during her Master’s degree that she saw how powerful Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can be in supporting children and families. 

“Becoming a Therapy Supervisor gave me the chance to apply a different set of skills: not just working directly with children, but also evaluating progress, analysing data, and developing tailored solutions. With my research background, I rely on evidence-based practices to guide decision making and ensure each child’s program is as effective as possible” she says. 

How Eli works with children – and why play matters

Eli describes the way she begins work with a child as relationship-first. “We don’t force learning and instead, we integrate skill development through play and gradually build towards other goals,” she explains. 

That approach helps children feel safe and engaged, and it makes learning easier to generalise into everyday situations. 

She’s also clear that progress looks different for every child. “Sometimes progress happens quickly, while other goals take more time and persistence, but every achievement feels meaningful. Watching a skill we’ve worked on make a real difference for a child and their family is always the best part of my day.” 

Partnering with parents

One of the core parts of Eli’s role is supporting parents, not replacing them. “Therapy is a two-way street, and open, honest communication with families is essential,” she says.  

At Lizard, this begins with building the relationship with child and explaining the ‘why’ behind goals, modelling strategies parents can use at home, and creating regular opportunities for questions and feedback. For Eli, the goal is practical: help parents feel confident using the strategies that matter most to their child’s everyday life. 

“I make sure the parents feel supported by encouraging ongoing conversations and creating space for them to share any questions or concerns,” she says. 

What progress looks like in practice

For Eli, the true reward of her work is watching children grow and seeing the ripple effect that growth has on their families. Every step forward, big or small, carries meaning. 

“I love that we get to play such a meaningful role in a child’s development. Working closely with families to identify the skills that will truly improve daily life is incredibly rewarding.” 

It’s not just the achievement itself, though, but how it translates into everyday life. Eli lights up when she describes the moment a child uses a skill in the real world — asking for what they need at home, playing with a sibling, or managing something independently for the first time. 

“It’s not just about a skill being mastered in a session, it’s about that skill becoming part of their everyday life, helping them communicate, connect, or gain independence.” 

A quick word to parents thinking about starting therapy

If your child has NDIS funding for behavioural therapy and you’re unsure where to begin, Eli’s advice is straightforward: simply give it a try. 

“Starting therapy doesn’t mean you or your child are locked in forever. It’s about seeing if it’s the right fit. I do encourage allowing some time for your child to settle into the sessions, but if it doesn’t feel right, you can always explore other options. And throughout the process, remember you have every right to ask questions and share your thoughts at any stage.” 

What Eli loves about working at Lizard

For Eli, having worked with Lizard Centre in Sydney and now moving to lead the team in Newcastle, the best part of working here isn’t just the children she supports. It’s the way the organisation operates. 

“I was drawn to Lizard because of its neuro-affirming approach where the child’s best interest is always the top priority. Every service is carefully designed to be both compassionate and research driven.” 

She also values the culture of support and learning for the team. 

“As one of Australia’s leading providers, Lizard not only ensure children’s needs are met but also invests heavily in ongoing support and professional development for its team, which I have found invaluable in my own growth.” 

For Eli, it’s this combination of meaningful work with children and the strong team support that makes Lizard a place she truly loves to come to every day. 

Practical next steps

If you want clarity on whether therapy supervision is right for your family, consider booking an initial consultation where you can: 

• Ask how goals are chosen and measured. 

• Learn what day-to-day therapy looks like for your child. 

• Talk about how you’ll be involved and how progress will be tracked. 

For families in Newcastle: Lizard Centre opens in Newcastle in October, and Eli will be available to support local children and parents as Therapy Supervisor. If you’d like to meet her or arrange an intake, get in touch here.