Brittany McVeagh

About me

I have been working in various mental health lived experience roles since 2016, just 2 months after an inpatient stay where I was first introduced to peer work which sparked a strong sense of hope in my recovery and a passion for improving the experience for others.

I approach capacity building, education and professionalising lived experience with energy and passion - I love being able to see a person grow, develop and find their feet (particularly when they find themselves moving into lived experience work). The other side of my interest in training and education is targeted towards non-lived experience workers where I can teach and demonstrate the value and expertise of people with a lived experience.

Social Justice and Human Rights frameworks inform my work, additional to my own experience navigating the mental health system/dual diagnosis space.

Outside of work, I enjoy driving and tinkering with my car, spending time with friends, staying active and being the best possible dog-mum to Forrest.

My experience

My work experience in the lived experience space has been diverse.

I started off as a Peer Worker, moved into a consumer consultant role, then focused on developing the forensic peer workforce which I now manage.

I having been supervising lived experience workers across Victoria in various roles for a few years, however I am always learning something new off the people I supervise.

I consult externally around the lived experience perspective in response training for emergency services, sit on a range of advisory groups and committees and am also a guest lecturer for Social Work, Youth Work, Psychology and Nursing students.

I will often speak at events or conferences and find myself enjoying the research space when the opportunity arises.

My current role/work

I am currently working at Forensicare full-time where I am based at Thomas Embling Hospital and occasionally in the Prisons and Community Forensic Mental Health Service.

My training

I believe my own lived experience, professional experience and networks are my greatest asset when delivering supervision.

However, I do have formal supervision training which I draw upon as a Supervisor.

Some other relevant training which informs my practice as a Supervisor is Intentional Peer Support, eCPR (Emotional CPR) and Training & Assessment.

My approach to supervision

All my work uses a strengths-based approach that allows for self-determination and relies upon accountability.

The way in which I supervise varies from person to person, to suit the needs of the supervisee.

I like to work in quite a structured way that is not overly formal, yet still explorative.

We can choose to focus on the current 'hot topic' of your day, or work through reflections, challenges and solutions since we last met.

Supervision should be a dynamic process that you drive - I'm just here to steer the growth.