Manda has worked with children and families experiencing complex disadvantage for over 20 years. She is qualified as a Psychotherapist and Counsellor and has worked in both private practice as a Creative Arts Therapist and in Non Government organisations. She is currently leading a pilot funded by Department Social Services to provide a healing and recovery service for children and their families who have had an experience of Family and Domestic Violence. Many of these families come from refuge and transitional housing services. This project seeks to support holistic healing and recovery and improve the social, emotional and educational outcomes for these children through supporting family functioning and addressing the many issues that keep families in disadvantage following experiences of family violence.