Psychologist Mandy Dexter has spent much of her career working with children and adults who have suffered abuse, neglect or trauma. As the only psychologist in QLD, and one of only eleven in Australia, to be individually certified by the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, Texas, she is at the forefront of research in this area. The world-renowned facility developed the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutic, which measures the impact of maltreatment on the brain. Through her ongoing training with the academy, as well as her Train the Teacher certification, Ms Dexter has access to the latest assessment tools and is linked to an international network of psychologists. Utilising her certification, Ms Dexter has developed and delivers specialist training as a component of the Queensland Police Service ‘Specialist adult and historical childhood sexual offences investigations course’, specifically in relation to brain development and trauma. Mandy delivers training to a range of consumers, including Not for Profits, schools, Government Departments, and Queensland Ambulance Service. At her private practice in Capricornia Ms Dexter attends to clients with challenges ranging from diagnosed mental health issues to parenting difficulties. She has always been particularly involved with victims of trauma and abuse and sees children and adult survivors on a daily basis. She also runs a support group for women and men suffering Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a result of sexual abuse, trauma or domestic violence. All of this work has given her significant insight into the ways the brain responds to abuse and trauma. As a current Forensic Social Assessment Report writer for the Children’s Court, Ms Dexter is regularly contracted by the Separate Legal Representative or Independent Children’s Lawyer to provide assessments for family’s subject to child protection involvement. Ms Dexter is a current Regulation Seven Family Report Writer for the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Additionally, in collaboration with psychologist Jaime Parnell through Dexter-Parnell, she provides training for organisations on topics such as trauma and the brain; sexual abuse in children; problem solving; memory and learning; surviving the workplace and self-care in the workplace. Dexter-Parnell also provides comprehensive assessments and in-home individualised treatment support. Before entering private practice Ms Dexter worked at Department of Child Safety in roles including Child Safety Officer, Court Co-ordinator and Senior Practitioner. This work earned her an Australia Day Award in 2006 for service to the child protection field. While studying she volunteered with PACT for three years, supporting children giving evidence before the courts in relation to allegations of sexual abuse.