Open to opportunities

Dragana Mandic

@draganamandic

Highly experienced Family Counsellor and Child Inclusive Practitioner specializing in trauma-informed, attachment-based family therapy.

Australia

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m seeking a role where I can deliver trauma-informed, attachment-based family counselling, run child-inclusive sessions and parenting programs, and collaborate within complex family systems to improve outcomes for children and parents.

I’m a Dedicated and highly experienced Family Counsellor and Child Inclusive Practitioner with over 10 years of experience supporting children, families, and vulnerable populations. I deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions and work inside complex family systems to help achieve positive outcomes for children and parents.

At St Vincent de Paul Society – Child & Family Services (Oct 2023 – Present), I provide counselling and therapeutic interventions to children and families. I facilitate parenting programs, deliver psychoeducation, conduct assessments, and develop tailored intervention plans while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to support client outcomes.

Previously, at UnitingCare, I facilitated parenting programs for separated families in the Parenting Orders Program (Nov 2017 – Oct 2023), with a counselling focus on child wellbeing and court-related parenting matters. I also worked in Family & Relationship Services (Jun 2022 – Sep 2024) providing intake, risk assessments, referrals, and ongoing support for relationship and parenting challenges, including child-inclusive practice within dispute resolution processes.

I also bring leadership and broader client support experience from earlier roles, including child-inclusive sessions within dispute resolution with legal professionals and court systems, case management for vulnerable clients, and operational oversight as a Business Co-Owner. My professional ethos is firmly trauma-informed, attachment-based, ethically grounded, and centered on safety, engagement, and measurable progress.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Family Counsellor / Educator

Current

St Vincent de Paul Society

Oct 2023 - Present (2 years 8 months)

Delivered counselling and therapeutic interventions to children and families, including assessments and tailored intervention plans. Facilitated parenting programs and psychoeducation while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to support client outcomes.

Counselling Family Therapy Risk Assessment Case Management Trauma Informed Care

Current

Business Co-Owner

Current

D. Dukic & V. Mandic Car Dealership

Jan 2011 - Present (15 years 5 months)

Managed dealership business operations, administration, and client relationships to support service delivery. Coordinated scheduling, logistics, and customer/client communication to ensure smooth operations.

Business Operations & Administration Client Relationship Management Scheduling Logistics Coordination Service Coordination Customer Service Process Management Reporting Coordination

Family Counsellor

UnitingCare

Jun 2022 - Sep 2024 (2 years 3 months)

Provided counselling to individuals, couples, and families, including intake, risk assessments, and referrals. Supported clients with relationship and parenting challenges while coordinating care pathways.

Intake Assessment Risk Assessment Referral Coordination Couple Counselling Case Management Trauma Informed Care Documentation

Family Counsellor / Educator

UnitingCare

Nov 2017 - Oct 2023 (5 years 11 months)

Facilitated parenting programs for separated families and delivered counselling focused on child wellbeing. Supported families navigating court-related and parenting matters while maintaining compliant case documentation.

Parenting Orders Support Counselling Case Documentation Stakeholder Engagement Family Systems Approach Compliance Goal Setting

Child Inclusive Practitioner

Family Relationship Centre

Jan 2017 - Jun 2022 (5 years 5 months)

Conducted child-inclusive sessions within dispute resolution processes and supported families through family therapy and mediation. Collaborated with legal professionals and court systems while managing case files, documentation, and reporting.

Family Therapy Dispute Resolution Case Management Therapeutic Engagement Reporting

Case Worker

Anglicare Southern Queensland

Jun 2008 - Jan 2011 (2 years 7 months)

Provided case management and support to vulnerable clients, including those experiencing homelessness. Delivered community-based support and referrals to help clients access appropriate services.

Case Management Homelessness Support client support Referrals Documentation Stakeholder Engagement Reporting

Parts Dispatch Manager

Auto Pro – Moorooka

Mar 2006 - Aug 2008 (2 years 5 months)

Managed inventory, logistics, and customer service operations for parts dispatch. Coordinated parts distribution activities while supporting accurate fulfillment and smooth service delivery.

Inventory Management Logistics Coordination Customer Service Parts Dispatch Scheduling coordination Warehouse operations order fulfillment Stock Control Process Adherence Reporting

Cleaner

Millennium Cleaning

Jan 2004 - Jan 2006 (2 years)

Performed cleaning duties for the Hippodrome site, supporting a maintained and hygienic environment. Followed cleaning procedures and quality expectations to ensure consistent service delivery.

Facility Maintenance Attention To Detail Safety Compliance Time Management Housekeeping Procedure adherence