Lynda Jarvis is a woman with a lifetime of professional experience in health, disabilities and welfare services. Although born overseas, she lived most of my childhood and youth in South Australia. Lynda commenced her professional journey as a hospital trained Registered Nurse in South Australia and it was through this role that she was introduced to assisting people with chronic and severe pain, living at home in the community. Here at Distinct Directions, Lynda is the Clinical Director and thoroughly enjoys working as a Behaviour Support Practitioner while building the next generation of Practitioners to exceed the level of excellence she expects of her own work.

Her next major professional role was in the support of long-term unemployed people living in remote areas of the Northern Territory. These roles introduced me to a greater practical understanding of how social and health determinants are inextricably connected and an appreciation of how individuals with disabilities and their families rely on a strong community. 

Lynda's passion for working alongside people with disabilities was extended through her professional journey in government services which included working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. She has worked ‘behind the wire’ providing assessment, planning and transition services to men and women, many with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities, to transition back to community. 

Lynda firmly believes that she has been privileged to meet and work alongside a wide range of people from varying cultural worlds and professional backgrounds throughout her career. As you can see, she is somewhat a ‘practical’ person who relishes experiential learning.

Lynda's learning has been enhanced through academic qualification including: Registered Nursing, Bachelor of Business, Master of Forensic Mental Health, Specialist Certificate Criminology (Intellectual Disability) and studies in Applied Behaviour Analysis.