About Us

Shanker Pragnaratne, MAPS

Qualifications: M Crim (Forensic Psych), Grad Dip Appld Psych, B.A (Psych), Cert IV (TAE)

Registered Psychologist
Psychologist and Clinical Director

Shanker Pragnaratne is a registered psychologist, a NDIS registered Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner and a Board Approved Supervisor (Psychology Board, AHPRA).  His career spans over thirty years, from public mental health and in government and non-government disability services (including in management and policy roles) to private practice and teaching.   He has experience in supporting those with complex presentations, including dual disability, trauma issues and offending behaviour, and has a keen interest in building the capacity of organisations to support those with complex needs.

Shanker worked from 2013 – 2016, as the Senior Practice Advisor for Disability and Complex Care, South Division, Dept. of Health and Human Services (now DFFH).  In this role, he provided clinical consultation to the Disability programs of South Division (including on Divisional MACNI panels) and delivered learning programs (including reflective practice and training in trauma informed practice) tailored to individual programs across South Division.   In private practice, Shanker provided psychological services under Medicare (from 2007-2017), forensic risk assessments and treatment plans for those subject to supervised treatment orders (STO), and a range of services in the disability sector.  He was also a contracted consultant and trainer in Positive Behaviour Support for Melbourne Polytechnic (then, NMIT), a lecturer in the Disability and Education programs at RMIT (2012-2013), and a contracted clinical supervisor to a number of not-for-profit disability organisations (prior to the roll-out of the NDIS).   From August 2007 to March 2012, Shanker worked as Manager, Positive Behaviour Support at Yooralla, which incorporated the mandated role of Authorised Program Officer (APO). In this integrated clinical and senior management role, he led and promoted a culture of Positive Behaviour Support across Yooralla, improving outcomes for people who were subject to restrictive practices.   Prior to this, he was Senior Projects Officer at Disability Services Division (DHHS) and the then Office of the Senior Practitioner (OSP; Disability Services Division, DHHS), responsible for a policy portfolio which included the practice interface between Disability Services and Corrections Victoria, and the then State-wide Forensic Services.

Shanker also served as a member of the board of directors of Moira Disability and Youth Services, Melbourne from 2017-2022.  In his current work, he provides clinical supervision and training in Positive Behaviour Support to organisations and staff groups and is honoured to lead an extremely talented behaviour support team at Prag Consulting.

Therese Morgante

Qualifications: M Public Policy & Management

Principal Consultant (Disability Sector & Policy)
General Manager, Operations and Business Development

Therese is an experienced disability administrator with over 25 years’ experience in the disability sector including roles in direct support, management and policy roles in government and non-government organisations and private consulting.

Therese has played key roles throughout Victoria’s progression towards individualised funding, including design and initial implementation of self-directed funding at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC; from 1999 – 2005) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS from 2005 – 2009).  In her role as a senior manager at DHHS, Therese supported the implementation of Victoria’s first Autism State Plan.  She worked as a Consultant at Dyson Consulting Group (2010 – 2016), where she supported organisations across Australia to prepare for providing services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).  Therese was also the Executive Officer for East Division, DHHS (from 2016 – 2020).

In her current work, Therese is responsible for all aspects of Prag Consulting operations including policy development, compliance and practice improvement. Therese also provides consulting services to organisations in the disability and broader human services sectors.

Tracy Wilks

Qualifications: Cert IV Accounting and Bookkeeping

Administration & Systems Support

Tracy is an experienced and highly competent administrator who has worked in the customer service industry for over 15 years in various roles, including in allied health and NDIS administration support in the past three years.

Tracy brings solid experience in system implementation, business management, client relationships, and other administration functions including processing NDIS service bookings, service agreements, invoicing, and accounting functions.  Along with her professional skills and competence, she brings a naturally empathetic personality and a calm and considered approach to her work.

Tracy has recently completed her Cert IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping at Swinburne University.

Alicia Bakker

Qualifications: MSW; BA (Soc Sc)

Senior Clinician, Clinical and Behaviour Support

Alicia is a senior associate and a clinical supervisor with Prag Consulting.  She has worked in the disability sector for a number of years including as a Behavioural Consultant and team leader at Melbourne City Mission’s Affirming Families Positive Behaviour Support Program.  Prior to this she has worked for several years providing crisis intervention support for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Alicia enjoys supporting children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability and mental health needs from a Positive Behaviour Support approach.   She is passionate about building positive relationships, promoting full inclusion in family and community life and improving quality of life for children and young people with complex needs.

​Alicia has completed a BA in Social Sciences at La Trobe University and a Master of Social Work at Monash University.  She also has a keen interest in alternative therapeutic approaches and has undertaken training in animal assisted therapy.

Stacey Antonopoulos, Assoc MAPS

Qualification: B App Sc. (Disability), Grad. Dip. Psych, M Prof Psych (Current)

Provisional Psychologist
Senior Associate, Behaviour Support

Stacey is a senior associate and a clinical supervisor with Prag Consulting.   She has worked in the disability sector for 25 years within a variety of organisations including the Department of Health and Human Services as an Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner and supported young people and adults with a range of complex disabilities and mental health needs utilising evidence based positive behaviour support approaches.

Throughout her career, Stacey has gained an understanding of the biopsychosocial factors that impact on a person’s behaviours and how these factors can influence their sense of wellbeing, interactions with others and meaningful inclusion within their community.   She has a particular interest in supporting people, their families and service providers to develop and maintain constructive relationships that facilitate positive change and improvement in their quality of life.

​Stacey has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability), a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and clinical training in family therapy.  She is currently undertaking the degree of Master of Professional Psychology at Monash University.

Loren Coburn

Qualifications: MProf Psych, BPsych (Hons), B AppldSc (Disability)

Registered Psychologist & Senior Associate, Clinical and Behavioural Support

Loren is a senior associate and a clinical supervisor with Prag Consulting.  She brings 17 years’ experience working in various roles in the disability sector, crisis intervention and homelessness support, alcohol and other drugs services and forensic services.

Throughout her career, Loren has developed a keen interest in working with people who have complex and multifaceted presentations and support needs utilising evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches. Loren views behaviour as an accumulation of the individual’s past experiences, their biological predispositions and their adaptive behaviour to gain insight and understand how these factors together influence and mould the individual’s thoughts, feelings and observed behaviour. Utilising applied positive psychology and a strengths-based approach, Loren’s focus is on promoting the individuals/ family’s wellbeing, building resilience and emotional coping strategies to develop preventative mental health strategies. Loren has worked primarily with adolescents and adults presenting with cognitive impairment (Intellectual disability, Acquired Brain Injury and neurodevelopmental disability), a history of trauma, complex mental health presentations and other psychosocial issues, including those with a forensic history or current involvement with the criminal justice system providing clinical assessment and intervention supports.

Loren is passionate about sharing her knowledge and promoting staff development. In her current work, Loren provides clinical supervision to Behaviour Support Practitioners and delivers training (internally and externally) to promote effective service delivery to those with complex presentations whilst supporting staff in demanding environments.

Bob Bowen

Qualifications: B.A (Social Work); Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, NY.

Senior Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Bob Bowen is an internationally known consultant, author, and speaker who has over 40 years of experience in supporting people affected by complex disabilities.  He started teaching about behaviour in 1981 at the college level and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester in New York.  In this role he has written three book chapters and over 20 articles and conference presentations on the role of culture in workplace violence.

Bob has taught workshops and consulted with families and organisations throughout Europe, Canada, the United States and Australia.  Bob believes that families can and should, where possible, be actively involved in the support process. He travels to Australia frequently and even when not in the country, he is able to support families and organisations through video and tele conference technology.  He has demonstrated his expertise and compassion in working with individuals affected by autism, mental health concerns and complex behavioural needs in Victoria and is looking forward to serving more people through his affiliation with Prag Consulting.

Stephanie Angelis

Qualifications: B Psych. (Hons); M Clin Psych (Current)

Provisional Psychologist

Advanced Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Stephanie is an advanced associate of Prag Consulting with previous work experience as a Forensic Disability Behaviour Support Practitioner with the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) and of Melbourne City Mission’s Affirming Families Program.

Stephanie has experience supporting individuals of all age groups but has a particular interest in the assessment and support of young people with forensic (criminal offending) behaviour and complex trauma presentations.  Stephanie has a passion for supporting young people’s mental health needs through trauma-informed practice and enjoys supporting care teams to adopt a Person Centred, Positive Behaviour Support approach to ensure that holistic support is provided to each individual.

Stephanie is currently completing a Master of Clinical Psychology.

Dr. Katherine Howells

Qualifications: PhD, MPsych(Ed&Dev), BPsych(Hons)

Registered Psychologist and Advanced Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Katherine is a registered psychologist and Advanced Associate at Prag Consulting. She holds a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and a PhD. Her doctoral research explored the outcomes of community, organised physical activity for children on the autism spectrum, and she has published several journal articles in this area.

Katherine has experience supporting neurodivergent young people in therapeutic settings and is passionate about promoting inclusion, building community participation, and supporting overall wellbeing. Her approach is warm, empathetic, and collaborative, drawing on a range of evidence-based strategies tailored to each person’s individual needs.

Outside of her work, Katherine enjoys being in nature and spending time with pets.

Tracy Fink

Qualifications: Adv. Dip. Disability; Grad Cert PBS (Current)

Advanced Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Tracy has worked in the Disability Sector for 30 years, beginning with aiding Integration for students with a disability into mainstream secondary college.   She began working at the then Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in 1995 in Disability Accommodation Services and spent 18 years as a House Supervisor supporting adults with a range of cognitive disabilities to live independently, develop skills and participate in their community.  She finished her career with DHHS as an Operations Manager supporting Staff and Residents from multiple Group Homes with a variety of complex needs.

Tracy is passionate about supporting people with a disability to live their best life by building positive relationships with family and community, promoting full inclusion, choice, decision making and access to their chosen services.

Tracy has a particular interest in supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or complex behaviour needs through Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), and has a Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support.

Rebecca Ryan

Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability)

Advanced Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Rebecca commenced at Prag Consulting in August 2021, having worked for the past four years as a positive behaviour support practitioner and lead authorised program officer.   She has over 25 years of experience in the disability field having also worked in case management, support coordination and project roles.

Rebecca always aims to reduce restrictions in the lives of her clients, ensuring their dignity and human rights are at the centre of all decisions.

She has a passion for working with young people and adults who may experience challenges in their day to day lives and believes that everyone, regardless of disability, can contribute positively to their communities.

Rebecca works from a trauma-informed approach and has a keen interest in supporting disability staff to feel pride in their roles.

Kara Makhetha

Qualifications: BAppSc (Psych); Grad Dip Counselling (current)

Advanced Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Kara is an Associate in Positive Behaviour Support, and Psychoeducational Practitioner, and brings valuable experience from within the NDIS and the primary health sector.  In her last role, Kara was employed as a Planning Performance Officer with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NQSC), and brings good knowledge of the NDIS and the NQSC regulatory environment.  She also brings a background in psychoeducation and mental health promotion, and skills and experience in counselling in the primary health sector, where she has worked with clients of various presentations.   She has a passion for helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge to gain personal autonomy over their lives and to live their best life.

Kara is a culturally competent practitioner with a person-centred approach. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) and is currently in the completion stage of her Graduate Diploma of Counselling.

Wasima Faruq

Qualifications: Bach Business, Bach Health Sciences, Grad Dip. Psychology

Advanced Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Wasima Faruq is an experienced Behaviour Support Practitioner with a background in public health, health promotion and support coordination.

Wasima has supported people with psychosocial disability over a number of years and has a particular interest in supporting individuals with forensic backgrounds and complex personality disorders using a trauma informed practices and collaborative person-centred approaches.

Providing culturally sensitive practice to people across the lifespan, Wasima believes in developing the capacity of individuals by providing holistic support and focusing on quality of life.

In previous roles, Wasima has provided mentoring and supervision to behaviour support practitioners and is currently completing a Master of Clinical Psychology.

Meagan McLean

Qualifications: B Soc Sc (Current); CertIV Mental Health

Meagan joined the team at Prag Consulting with experience in therapeutic person-centered support roles, alongside adults and youth with complex psychosocial presentations.

Meagan is a creative and compassionate practitioner who has a keen interest in understanding each person’s unique circumstances and targeting her support with the aim of empowering individuals to reach their optimal capacity. Her areas of interest include mental health, building positive relationships and person centred and solution-focused counselling practices.  She has a strong commitment to ensuring inclusion and equal opportunities for everyone.

Meagan is currently studying a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Behavioural Studies.

Nadia Riva

Qualifications: Diploma of Counselling, AIPC

Nadia is an Advanced Associate at Prag Consulting, bringing with her many years of experience in the disability sector. Her professional background reflects a deep commitment to supporting individuals with diverse needs across a range of settings.  Nadia is a highly creative and enthusiastic practitioner, with a particular strength in working with children and young people. Her ability to engage young people through imaginative and playful approaches allows her to build strong, trusting relationships that foster growth and development.

Before completing her Diploma in Counselling, Nadia worked as a Therapy Assistant at the Victorian Autism Specialist Early Learning and Care Centre. In this role, she focused on incorporating the Early Start Denver Model into children’s play to support language development, engagement, and learning in an inclusive environment. She also has over seven years of experience as an Education Support professional, working with a wide variety of children and young people. Her work spanned across those with intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and mental health needs. This hands-on experience further shaped her strengths in providing tailored, person-centred support.

Nadia is passionate about developing collaborative, strengths-based solutions with individuals and their support networks to promote meaningful, inclusive, and fulfilling lives. She believes the foundation of effective support begins with listening and taking the time to genuinely understand each individual and their unique needs.

Lauren Hanafin

Qualifications: B Arts (Psych)

Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Lauren joined the team at Prag Consulting having completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology and having worked with children as a nanny, for a number of years.

Lauren enjoys working with children and is passionate about supporting their goals and developmental needs.  She enjoys working from a positive behaviour support framework adapting play-based, skill focussed and educational approaches to her support.

Lauren has completed a Bachelor of Arts with an extended major in psychology and a minor in criminology and aims to continue her studies to become a clinical psychologist.

Fiona Fisher

Qualifications: Grad Certificate, PBS; Cert III Fitness; Cert IV, TAA; Bach of Arts; Bach Sci.

Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Fiona has worked in the disability field for 10 years, with a special interest in running sports programs for people with disability.  She worked as a recreation coordinator in a not-for-profit organisation for many years and developed programs that catered for specific and individualised needs of participants.  Following completion of her Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support, she joins Prag Consulting to pursue her interest in practicing as a positive behaviour support practitioner.

Fiona has a particular interest in autism spectrum disorder and those who need additional support with communication and to support their individual goals in enhancing quality of life.

Fiona brings lived experience to her role and a deep commitment to safeguarding human rights of people with a disability and a passion for the Geelong Football Club.

Elissa Vellios

Qualifications: B. Appl. Sci (Psychology), Grad. Dip. Psych.

Registered Psychologist, Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Elissa is a registered psychologist with a passion for improving mental health and wellbeing of children and young people she supports.  She joins Prag Consulting, having worked previously as a behaviour intervention (ABA) therapist where she has worked directly with young people and their families in addressing skill development and wellbeing needs and in occupational psychology, where she conducted psychological assessments of individuals with mental health barriers.  Elissa strongly believes in the value of collaboration to build strong working relationships and in achieving goals.

With a keen interest and background in occupational psychology, she is committed to supporting young people to achieve their optimum potential, wellbeing and independence through person-centered and strengths-based support principles.

Dezeree Pearl

Qualifications: Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Psychological Sciences.

Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Dezeree joined Prag Consulting having worked as a program facilitator (at I CAN Network), counsellor and early intervention specialist for several years including.  Working mainly with children with an autism spectrum disorder, she provided young school students group-based programs that focused on developing social, emotional and daily living skills.  As a school counsellor (and a clinic-based early intervention therapist), Dezeree supported students to address anxiety, depression and behavioural issues associated with ASD and ADHD.   She worked from a trauma informed perspective utilising a multitude of therapeutic modalities (including play therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, humanistic therapy and collaborative problem solving), working collaboratively with parents, teachers and other relevant supports.

Dezeree is committed to working holistically with her participants through individualised strength-based approaches that address the needs of each individual, whilst also being inclusive and collaborative with the support system of each of her participant.

Zeki Bowen

Qualifications: Bach Psych

Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Zeki joins Prag Consulting having worked as a specialist support coordinator and with over six years of experience in the disability sector and having worked with those presenting with complex needs.

Zeki enjoys working from an evidence-based, person-centred approach, aiming to reduce restrictive conditions in people’s lives.  He takes a holistic approach to his work, focusing on understanding the diverse dynamics that shape each participant while promoting personal growth and independence.  He has a compassionate and strengths-focused approach grounded in the belief that everyone’s journey is unique, and the role of positive behaviour support is to support that journey in achieving lasting positive change.

Zeki is currently working towards his psychology registration and has a special interest in youth and forensic disability behaviour support practice.

Will Ferguson

Qualifications: BSc Psych (Hons) (Current); Cert IV Mental Health

Associate, Positive Behaviour Support

Will joins Prag Consulting having previously worked in crisis accommodation for men experiencing homelessness and in day programs for young adults with intellectual disability.

Will is passionate about promoting positive life-style choices that lead to improved well-being for those whom he supports.   He acknowledges that people see the world from their own unique perspectives and has a deep respect for individual perspectives and the collective wisdom of family and support systems in leading their own support.

Will believes that by working together empathetically and collaboratively, we can support participants to thrive in their communities and relationships and achieve their goals.