She has worked as a clinician and researcher in the areas of substance misuse, multi-problem families and child protection since 1997, and was involved in the initial implementation of the PuP program. For the past 5 years she has worked in private practice in Northern NSW and as a consultant psychologist in care and protection for Life Without Barriers and the NSW Department of Community Services. In 2005, she also designed, implemented and evaluated a part of the Communities for Children project in the Lismore region. Vanessa currently continues to work in child care and protection and with the PuP program as a therapist, trainer and supervisor.