who we are

Thrive in Thought is a positive space for all individuals ranging from 3 years of age to 100 years of age, who need a helping hand.

Thrive in thought was established in 2023 to provide gender-affirming, body-positivity, spiritually welcoming, holistic counselling and behavioural support services. We aim to assist with the challenges and opportunities that life holds. We strive to create a safe space for all individuals, by providing an opportunity for everyone to express and explore themselves.

Thrive in Thought is a proud small counselling and NDIS therapeutic support provider based in Thirlmere, NSW.

We provide telehealth counselling services and therapeutic supports under the NDIS.

Meet the Team

Kirslyn Conlon-Novak

Director/ Psychotherapist/ Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner/ Key Worker

Kirslyn has always had a passion to help. First as a disability support teacher, then as a musician and dance teacher, then finally working in youth organizations for over a decade. Even today, I still take these passions and aim to help others with my music.

Kirslyn has a Graduate Diploma of Counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP), and is an NDIS Proficient Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and Key Worker. I have the honour of currently undergoing my Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy at ACAP. Kirslyn is a member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMHA) and Behaviour Support Practitioners Association (BSPA).

Kirslyn worked with tertiary students ranging from 18 - 73, with experience in Trauma, LGBTQIA+, Anxiety, Depression and Disability Care. Kirslyn also has a specific interest in the development of Paediatrics aged 3 - 10 and assisting them with their cognitive and social development, as well as assisting families with understanding and learning about the developmental impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity- Disorder (ADHD).

Kirslyn has training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Person Centred Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.

She is passionate about all individuals having the ability to live their most authentic life. Kirslyn is fully committed to walking alongside you on this path, as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of life together.

Kirslyn is extremely passionate about Paediatric counselling, and the benefits of play for children, particularly those who are neurodivergent or developmentally delayed.

Aaidan Novak- Operations Manager

Aaidan knows all the tips of the trade! An avid musician himself, and with a deep understanding of mental health and disability care, with many years as a carer himself, he is an excellent asset to the team. Aaidan has years of sales, networking, customer service and experience under his belt to help our business “thrive”.

When Aaidan is not working, he is spending quality time with his family, bush walking, exploring, playing music or catching up on some quality gaming.

Lisa Matthews- Senior Advanced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Lisa completed her mental health and clinical counselling training in Sydney. She graduated from the Australian College of Psychology and undertook further training with Schema Therapy Training Online, where she completed a certificate in Schema therapy for forensic clients conducted by Dr Lars Masden, Forensic and Clinical Psychologist. She is a member of the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia. She has completed Work Cover training and has consulted as a rehabilitation Counsellor.

She has worked with CSNSW within multiple roles, managing his complex mental health inmates and managing high complex behaviours and risky behaviours. She has undertaken projects that provided evidence to CSNSW and AOD rehabilitation agencies, on how to effectively work with forensic clients that are bailed in AOD rehabilitation centres to increase higher success rates. She has worked within Odyssey House as a clinical AOD rehabilitation Counsellor. She has worked within Wesley Mission as a clinical counsellor, reconnecting families and reducing high risk behaviours in young mothers. She had undertaken extensive research of Schizophrenia clients to reduce high impulsive behaviours caused by their diagnosis.

Lisa is recognised as a Senior Behaviour Support Specialist under NDIS, where she provides specialist behavioural assessments to NDIS clients with complex psychiatric presentations and high risk and complex behaviours. She undertakes high complex transitions out of custody and mental health wards and reintegrate clients back into the community with an exposure and individualized approach that meets the clients needs and behavioural presentations.

She has provided numerous reports to various bodies including I-care, Local Courts, District Courts, Supreme Court, Drug Court, Federal Magistrates Court, Parole, and the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

Lisa has an interest in all areas of general and forensic behavioural presentations and expertise in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of complex behavioural issues stemming off psychiatric issues including but not limited to mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorders), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, problem behaviours, ADHD, drug and alcohol use disorders, schizophrenia.

Lisa services:
✨ Macarthur LGA

✨ Camden LGA

✨ Illawarra LGA

✨Southern Highlands LGA

✨Wollondilly LGA

✨Wingecarribee LGA

✨Penrtih LGA

If you would like to catch Lisa for personalised mental health services, you can catch her at her business LM Therapy.

Kylee Johnstone

  • Accounts and bookkeeping

Kylee is an accomplished accountant and book keeper, who looks after all of Thrive in Thoughts accounts and invoices, to make sure the most professional and ease of access to services.

Kylee services:
✨ Macarthur LGA ✨ Camden LGA ✨ Illawarra LGA ✨Southern Highlands LGA ✨Wollondilly LGA ✨Wingecarribee LGA ✨Penrtih LGA ✨Adelaide and Surrounds

When Kylee is not working hard at crunching numbers, she is enjoying time with her family, caravanning around the country with her two cats or hiking in the great outdoors.

Nicole Napret

  • core positive behaviour support practitioner

  • Key Worker

Nicole holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and is an accomplished Early Childhood Educator with over 15 years of experience in the sector. As a skilled facilitator of behavioural interventions in paediatrics, she has worked with clients accross the lifespan, supporting individuals with diverse disabilities and mental health presentations.

Nicole is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons), continuing her passion for behaviour support. She specialises in Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and brings a unique perspective as an Autisic, ADHD and PDA adult with neurodivergent children. This lived experience enriches her ability to provide compassionate, person-centred care, especially for clients with complex behaviours.

As a neuro-diverse affirming educator and behaviour support practitioner, Nicole is dedicated to evidence-based approaches that foster positive outcomes. She joins the team as an experienced Key Worker and Core Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, with a strong commitment to helping individuals thrive.

Nicole services:
✨ Adelaide plains LGA (S.A)

✨ Playford LGA (S.A)

✨ Gawler LGA (S.A)

✨ Salisbury LGA (S.A)

✨ Port Adelaide Enfield LGA (S.A)

Nicole is available Monday - Friday for Positive Behaviour Support Services and Key Worker Services.

Isabell Joummaa - Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

Isabell has joined the Thrive team as our positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.

Isabell has a strong passion for mental health, positive intervention, collaboration and holistic care for her participants. Isabell has a wealth of knowledge surrounding psychosocial disabilities and psychological care, and loves to help all individuals achieve their goals.

Isabell has been in the field for a number of years, graduating with a B.(Hons) Psychology and is a Proficient Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, working with clients from across the lifespan and with varying disabilities and mental health presentations. Isabell has had many years working across a number of mental health settings across Sydney.

Isabell services:
✨ Macarthur LGA
✨ Camden LGA
✨ Liverpool LGA
✨ Penrith LGA

Isabell is available Monday - Friday for Positive Behaviour Support Services.

If you would like to link with Isabell for Psychology or other mental health services, you can catch her at her business Greater Minds Psych Services.

justin davis

  • core positive behaviour support practitioner

  • support coordinator

  • counsellor

Justin completed his Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, and is currently undertaking further study with a Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Justin joins the team as an experienced Support Coordinator and Core Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner.

Justin is an accomplished mental health mentor and coach, with over 7 years in the NDIS sector working with various presentations as a Support Worker, providing 1:1 mentorship for a number of clients. Justin has worked with clients from across the lifespan and with varying disabilities and mental health presentations.

Justin services:
✨ Macarthur LGA

✨ Camden LGA

✨ Illawarra LGA

✨Southern Highlands LGA

✨Wollondilly LGA

Justin is available Monday - Friday for Positive Behaviour Support Services and Support Coordination.

If you would like to link with Justin for Support Work, you can catch him at his business Thrive Together Care.

  • Adolescents

    Adolescent counseling is a type of therapy for young people going through a lot of changes and challenges during their teenage years. It helps them to talk about their feelings and concerns in a safe space with a trained professional.

    The goal is to develop healthy coping skills, improve relationships, manage mental health concerns, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

  • Adults

    Adult counselling is a form of therapy where a person talks with a trained therapist to overcome emotional, psychological, and behavioural issues in their personal or professional life.

    The goal is to help them cope better, feel better, and make positive changes in their life. There are different types of counselling approaches, and the therapist will choose the one that best suits the individual's needs.

  • LGBTQIA+

    LGBTQIA+ counselling is a type of therapy that focuses on the unique needs and challenges of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other related identities.

    The goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore and work through issues related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as coming out, coping with discrimination, and improving communication with loved ones.

  • Disability

    Disability counselling supports individuals with disabilities and their families. It is designed to help people with disabilities cope with the challenges that come with living with a disability, such as social isolation, discrimination, and physical limitations.

    These sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual and may involve a range of therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and psychotherapy.

  • Veterans

    Veteran counseling addresses a range of issues that veterans may face, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and adjusting to civilian life. It recognizes and acknowledges the specific experiences, traumas, and challenges that veterans have encountered during their service.

    Having a background with defence, we have specialized training in understanding military culture, combat-related trauma, and the unique needs of veterans. We create a safe and confidential space for veterans to express their feelings, discuss their experiences, and work through their challenges.

  • Anxiety

    During anxiety counseling sessions, individuals have the opportunity to discuss their specific fears, worries, and triggers in a safe and supportive environment. We help you to identify thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions that contribute to their anxiety. Through various therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy (PCT), relaxation techniques, and mindfulness individuals learn to challenge negative thoughts, manage stress, and gradually face their fears.

    The goals of anxiety counseling may vary depending on the individual's needs. Some common objectives include:

    Understanding anxiety: The therapist helps individuals gain insight into their anxiety, its causes, and its impact on their life.

    Developing coping strategies: Individuals learn practical skills and techniques to manage anxiety symptoms, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques.

    Challenging negative thoughts: Cognitive restructuring techniques are used to identify and challenge negative or irrational thoughts that contribute to anxiety, replacing them with more positive and realistic thinking patterns.

    Stress management: Counseling can help individuals identify and manage sources of stress in their lives, which can contribute to anxiety symptoms.

    Anxiety counseling is tailored to each individual's specific needs. The duration and frequency of sessions can vary depending on the severity of anxiety and the progress made.

  • Depression

    In depression counseling, individuals have a safe and supportive environment to talk about their feelings, experiences, and challenges related to depression. We help you to understand the factors contributing to your depression, such as negative thought patterns, unresolved emotions, or life stressors. Through various therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, or psychodynamic therapy, individuals learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts, manage emotions, improve relationships, and regain a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

    The goals of depression counseling may vary depending on the individual's needs, but some common objectives include:

    Understanding depression: The therapist helps individuals gain insight into their depression, its causes, and its impact on their life.

    Developing coping strategies: Individuals learn practical skills and techniques to manage depressive symptoms, such as challenging negative thoughts, engaging in pleasurable activities, and practicing self-care.

    Improving relationships: Depression can strain relationships, so counseling can help individuals improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build support networks.

    Identifying and managing stress: Counseling can assist individuals in identifying stressors and developing effective stress management strategies, reducing the impact of stress on their mood.

  • Children

    Play Therapy and Paediatric counselling are important for children to navigate the adventures of life and early childhood. This could be going to “big school”, separation anxiety, trauma, out-of-home care and peer relationship issues.

    We have a strong focus on Paediatric counselling, and the benefits it could give a child learning to navigate the big beautiful world around them.