Meet Kristina Petkovich

Q&A

Why were you drawn to studying Positive Behaviour Support?

I was attracted to Positive Behaviour Support because of its holistic approach to helping individuals overcome struggles in their lives. Rather than just addressing challenging behaviours in isolation, PBS emphasises the importance of understanding the whole person, including their environment, strengths, and challenges. This allows me to create personalised, effective interventions that benefit my clients in the long term.

What do you enjoy about your work, and what are you interested in or fascinated by?

Working in Positive Behaviour Support means that every day I get to help someone in need. It is rewarding to see my clients develop confidence in themselves and gain new skills. I also enjoy that I get to collaborate with other individuals who support my clients such as family members, support workers and other health professionals. Working within such diverse circles means that I am constantly able to broaden my perspectives and gain new insights into how to best support my clients.

What drives you to show up for yourself and your clients in this role?

I always try to be my best for my clients, as that is what they deserve. Part of this process includes furthering my knowledge and skills, for example by looking into new approaches or treatments. Thankfully, this is quite easy for me to do since I find everything in psychology to be interesting! I also try to maintain my own happiness and mental health, as this gives me the energy to commit to fulfilling my clients’ diverse needs.

What have people said about your approach to this work?

I have been told I am very caring and dedicated to my clients. I am also a good communicator, able to explain concepts clearly to my clients and their support networks. I love working with children and can often connect with my young clients quickly and easily. 

Behaviour Support Practitioner

  • I have experience working with children and adolescents with ASD and ADHD in the education sector. My areas of interest include the following across the lifespan:

    • Psychosocial Disabilities 

    • Anxiety disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

    • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – University of New South Wales (UNSW)

  • I draw upon strategies from the following:

    • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)