Cristina Fon is a registered clinical psychologist who has many years of experience with the Department of Corrections; over the last 12 years she has been in private practice. FASD became a focus of her work around six years ago, after she'd been asked repeatedly to help individuals and whānau affected by the disorder.

Cristina embarked on a journey of research and discovery to find a model which showed how to work effectively with families affected by FASD. She found many ideas and strategies, but no cohesive model. This led to her undertaking international study, including a week-long course in Seattle with ‘Families Moving Forward’.

This workshop is a synthesis of the information and different models she has come across in her research and study working with challenging behaviours.

Join Cristina for this special opportunity to hear her approach to managing challenging behaviour.

Note: If you have a professional working with you or your whānau, please follow their advice as they will have specific information on your situation.

ABOUT CRISTINA

From an interest that began over 20 years ago, Cristina has focused on developing competence in FASD over the last six years, undertaking further academic study, supervised practice and completing trainings in the assessment and interventions with FASD.

This has taken her to an online Individualised training in the Neuro-Behavioral brain-based approach to intervention run by Diane Malbin’s organisation FASCETS Portland Oregon, and an in-person, week long intensive training with the Families Moving Forward programme run by Dr Heather Carmichael Olson from the University of Washington, Seattle. Cristina has also completed the FASD training offered by Queensland Health.

Realising that there was a central role for psychology in driving best practice and knowledge of FASD in New Zealand at this critical time, Cristina has embarked on delivering a series of workshops to colleagues, whānau and professionals (lawyers, youth workers, alt ed, social workers).

She enjoys running workshops to facilitate discussion and enjoys the interactive nature of them to develop shared, reciprocal and enriched learning. Cristina works with families with children with FASD, and draws together her knowledge from her trainings as well as from her experience of working with challenging behaviour across a range of settings.

Cristina is the current Chairperson of the Nelson FASD Charity.