Jennifer O’Connell
O’Connell Nominees Pty Ltd, Australia
Biography
Jennifer O’Connell is a Clinical Social Worker with 45 years’ experience, mostly in a rural community. She graduated from Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne. In public organisations she initiated or promoted service development including childcare, parenting, child protection, foster care, residential services, a child and adolescent mental health service. She has worked with the aboriginal community for 45 years. In 2000 she conducted an evaluation of the first service sector response after a youth suicide. The evaluation led to the development of the program Leading from Within. She helped establish a not for profit organisation of the same name to address trauma recovery, focussing on Post Traumatic Growth. She and her husband run small groups for people who have suffered from all forms of trauma, including developmental, generational and specific incidents. Recently evaluated by the University of Melbourne it has been demonstrated that this program works and that once people have completed it they are able to mentor others. This aspect of the program - the Ripple Effect - has a community development aspect to it. Jennifer works in her family business: O’Connell Consultancy and also provides programs for Leading from Within (Greater Shepparton) Incorporated.
Abstract
Abstract : Healing and growth after trauma in a rural community: A model and process of development