Sunrise Behavioural Health exists to provide high-quality behavioural health solutions to people with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and mental health concerns. We are an NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) approved provider since July 2016.
Our experienced team of professionals is keen to assist persons with developmental disabilities, mental health concern and other related concerns using the cutting-edge research in their practice to achieve the best treatment outcome for each client. We offer a wide range of behavioural & mental health services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and including those with challenging behaviours. The overriding goal of our services is to enable each individual with a critical skill set to live an independent and dignified life as a valued member of society.
Jay (Rajesh) Sharma
BCBA. director
Jay has over 20 years of professional experience in education, disability and mental health sector in India, the USA and Australia. He has completed B.A. (Hons) Psychology, B.Ed (Intellectual Disability) M.A. Applied Psychology ( Clinical Psychology), M.A. Applied Psychology ( Applied Behaviour Analysis), Master of Social Work, and a Diploma in Training & Development. Jay is also a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), trained in the USA in a University-based program accredited by the Association for Behaviour Analysis International (ABAI). He is also a Social Worker registered with Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). He has worked in senior roles with Queensland and Victorian Government departments.
He has designed, delivered, implemented, & supervised positive behaviour support (PBS) and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) based interventions for all age groups including young children with autism and adults with developmental disabilities and other mental health conditions. He has been a member of advisory boards/groups with non-profit organizations and managed positive behaviour support services in large-scale organisations. Jay’s areas of expertise include behaviour assessment, designing and developing, and implementing therapeutic interventions for a wide range of clients with a developmental disability, mental health diagnosis, and other psychosocial disabilities.
He also has strong research interests in behavioural interventions and clinical innovations to support people with psychosocial disabilities. Jay enjoys coaching, supervising students pursuing their education in applied behaviour analysis, mentoring, and empowering carers, support staffs & health professionals with evidence-based interventions and support strategies. Along with his colleagues Dr Jahirul Mullick and Tsuyoshi Imasaka, Jay has recently authored book chapters on behavioural treatments of intellectual disability and ADHD
Dr Rupak Dasgupta
Senior Psychiatrist
Dr. Rupak Dasgupta is a senior psychiatrist who has vast experience in different areas of psychiatry.
He has worked as a psychiatrist both in public and private and has worked across three different continents. He graduated from India, completed his Diploma in Psychological medicine and then moved to United Kingdom where he completed his basic psychiatry training leading to the award of Membership of Royal College of Psychiatry. He then moved to Australia and completed his fellowship and is the member of Faculty of Adult Psychiatry of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry. He is currently employed in a public hospital in Melbourne and has been in leadership roles both in public and private systems.
He is associated with us purely in an advisory and honorary role and is not associated with the profit in business in any way. We benefit from his advice and the relationship that we have developed with him over past few months and try to incorporate some of the recommendations he may make.
Murray Dawson-Smith
principal advisor / consultant
Murray has held senior management positions in the Community sector for over 35 years and the past 22 years in the disability sector. The roles held include Chief Executive Officer of VICRAID, Chief Executive Officer, Active Property Services Management (now known as Active Community Housing), Chief Executive Officer, Amaze (formerly Autism Victoria), Chief Executive Officer of Distinctive Options and currently Director of Live Work Relate providing Support Coordination and Behaviour Support to individuals with complex behaviours. At Sunrise Murray provides strategic oversight and guidance to sustainable business growth and development. Murray also oversees the company’s policy frameworks and its alignment with broader NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission requirements for the provision of disability services.
Madhu Sharma
General Manager
Madhu has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in her roles as an educator, administrator, and manager. Since late 2019, she has taken on the pivotal responsibility of overseeing our administrative operations and finance, ensuring that our organization runs efficiently and effectively. In her new capacity, she has expanded her portfolio to include governance oversight for our associated entities, Aurora LifeWorks and Sunrise Holistic Care Inc. She is the sole director at Aurora LifeWorks. Her ability to manage complex operations have been instrumental in driving our mission forward, and her commitment to excellence continues to inspire confidence among stakeholders and team members alike. We are excited to see how she will further enhance our governance framework and operational success in the coming years.
Tsuyoshi Imasaka
BCBA, behaviour support specialist
Tsuyoshi Imasaka has completed Bachelor (B.Sc) and Honours degree majoring in psychology, and Master of Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) at Monash University. He joined the team at Sunrise Behavioural Health as a behaviour support practitioner in July 2019. Tsuyoshi gained the credential of Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in 2020. He is also a provisional psychologist. Tsuyoshi works closely with families, disability service providers and agencies to design, develop and implement behaviour support plans informed by comprehensive functional behaviour assessments. Tsuyoshi also has extensive experience in identifying and addressing restrictive interventions / practices consistent with DHHS-RIDS policies and NDIS Quality & Safeguard Commission requirements.
Tsuyoshi has keen research interests in behavioural intervention strategies in supporting individuals with ASD, ADHD and other mental health concerns. He has published research in a peer-reviewed journal and intends to expand his research interest in evaluating and optimising clinical outcomes in Sunrise Behavioural Health. Recently, Tsuyoshi completed a book chapter on treatment of ADHD along with his colleagues Dr. Jahirul Mullick and Jay Sharma at Sunrise Behavioural Health.
Dr. Frances Lewis
Behaviour Support Practitioner & Psychologist
Dr Frances Lewis has a BA/BSc (Psychology Honours) from the University of Melbourne. Her PhD from the University of Melbourne investigated developmental trajectories of attention in primary school aged children. Dr. Frances supports clients of all ages. Dr Frances Lewis is a registered psychologist. Her areas of professional interest include anxiety in children, particularly in the school setting, developing, and implementing behavioural interventions and support strategies for a wide range of disabilities and psychiatric diagnoses.
Ms. Taniya Jayasinghe
counsellor & behaviour support practitioner
Taniya has completed Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has master’s degrees in counselling & Education. In the year 2020, she graduated with Master of Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Monash University.She is a trained counsellor and a professional member of Australian Counselling Association (ACA). She hopes to gain the credential of Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in near future. Taniya has strong interest in positive behaviour support (PBS), early intensive behavioural interventions (EIBI) and providing counselling support services to individuals across lifespan. Recently, she was awarded ‘The Ambassador for Peace Award’ by Universal Peace Federation.
Prachi Mehta
behaviour Support Practitioner
Prachi has an undergraduate degree in psychology. Prior to working with Sunrise Behavioural Health, Prachi had worked as an Assistant School Counsellor in India. She completed her master of education (M.Ed) degree in applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Monash University. Prachi is on her pathway to become a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)in near future.
Amber ( Zihan) Wang
ABA Therapist
Amber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New South Wales and a Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis from Monash University. During her undergraduate studies, she had the opportunity to intern at the psychology outpatient department of a hospital, where she gained practical experience in clinical settings. Currently, she works with individuals with disabilities and children to address behavioral challenges and promote skill development. She is also preparing to sit for the BCBA certification exam to further advance her professional qualifications in the field of behavior analysis.
Carolyn (Shangrong ) Xue
ABA Therapist
Shangrong (Carolyn) Xue has successfully completed her Master of Education in Special Education as well as her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). With over ten years of teaching experience, she has effectively applied the principles of ABA in various contexts, including home, community, and educational settings. Ms. Xue aspires to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in the near future.
Amanda ( Andong) Chang
ABA Therapist
Andong has completed Bachelor degree majoring in psychology and Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) at Monash University. Andong is dedicated to implementing effective, evidence-based strategies to address diverse behavioral challenges and help clients achieve meaningful progress in their daily lives. She hopes to gain the credential of Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in future.
Xinyiran Zhang
ABA Therapist
Xin graduated with a double major in Psychology and Marketing from the University of New South Wales. During postgraduate studies, Xin pursued a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Monash University and successfully earned the degree in mid-2024.
From a young age, Xin has been deeply fascinated by psychology. This passion has provided a profound understanding of human behavior and inspired a dedication to using professional knowledge to bring tangible help to those in need.
Currently, Xin is working towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). With a commitment to applying evidence-based behavior analysis techniques, Xin aims to improve quality of life and foster growth, whether on an individual or organizational level. Areas of particular interest include child development and autism intervention.
Ashveena (Ash) Appadoo
Disability Support Team Leader
Ms. Ashveena Appadoo is a dedicated mental health and disability support worker. She successfully completed her Certificate IV in Mental Health in 2022 and has previously served as a graduate educator in her native country of Mauritius for eight years.
Ms. Appadoo is a dynamic, ambitious, and inspiring individual, fluent in both English and French. She possesses a strong interest in community engagement, particularly in promoting social inclusion.
In 2025, she is set to graduate with an Advanced Diploma in Community Service Management, after which she will continue her commitment to serving society with compassion, care, and respect.
Julian Huang
Disability Support Team Leader
Julian Huang is a highly dedicated support worker and an accomplished team leader, renowned for her extensive experience in providing exceptional care to adults with autism in residential care settings. With a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism, Julian has cultivated a wealth of knowledge and expertise that underpins her effective support strategies and leadership approach.
Ye Han (Freya)
behaviour therapist
Freya has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts. She is currently enrolled in master’s degree in applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) at Monash University. She is on her pathway to become a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) in near future. Freya is a highly preferred therapist to work with Mandarin speaking individuals and families and provides consistent direct support with therapy implementation.
Feixuan Lu (Macaria)
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Feixuan Lu is a behaviour support practitioner and provisional psychologist at SBH. She finished her 4 years of Psychology study at the University of Melbourne and the Monash University. She also has a degree in Masters of Counselling form the Monash University. She has experience of working with both adults and children.
Angeline Rodriguez
behaviour Support Practitioner
Angeline has an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy and a Master’s in Conselling. Prior to coming to Australia, she was a practicing physiotherapist and clinical mental health consellor overseas. Much of her work involves cognitive- behavioural and behavioural therapies in order to improve the wellbeing of neuro- divergent children (such as those with Autism), and adolescents with mental health conditions (such as depression and anxiety). Angeline is currently studying to become a Clinical Psychologist, and is taking her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science at Deakin University. She is also presently working towards a Registered Behavioural Technician credential. In her work with Sunrise Behavioural Health, Angeline integrates her skills and perspectives from physiotherapy, counselling, and psychology.
Research and Evaluation Team
Our research and evaluation team works closely with our clinical governance team to ensure that our practitioners are well-equipped with cutting-edge research and innovative clinical practices to support our clients’ complex needs. Our researchers have extensive experience in conducting and evaluating large-scale research projects and supporting institutions, schools, and businesses with our clinical and research acumen.
Dr Jahirul Mullick, PhD.
consultant-behaviour specialist & research
Dr. Jahirul Mullick is Assistant Professor in Wenzhou-Kean University, a Sino-American institution of higher education. He is also a Research Fellow at the Neurodiversity Research Centre (proposed) in Wenzhou-Kean University. He taught in Monash University and RMIT University in Australia before taking up the new assignment in Wenzhou-Kean. He completed his PhD from Monash University and attained his postgraduate degree, Master of Education in ABA from the same institute. Dr. Mullick has a strong interest in the theory and practice of applied behaviour analysis (ABA), positive behaviour support (PBS) and inclusive education. He is also keen on contextualizing behavioural principles to meet the learning and behaviour support needs of the persons with ASD, ADHD, intellectual disabilities and beyond. Other than providing direct behavioural services (PBS and ABA), Dr. Mullick has been working on developing contextually fit positive behaviour support framework for Schools at Sunrise Behavioural Health based on cutting-edge research and best clinical practices. His areas of research are: policy and practice in special and inclusive education, positive behaviour support, leadership practices, and applied behaviour analysis. He has authored several research articles and book chapters in the past fifteen years.
Dr. Saiful Malak, PhD.
consultant-educational / therapeutic services & research
As a special education professional, Saiful has over 16 years of experience in disability, therapeutic intervention, early years schooling, inclusive education, and teacher preparedness. He has mixed working experience in both developed and developing countries context. His academic qualifications include Bachelor of Special Education (Honours), Master of Education (Special Education), Master of Education (concentration: special education; inclusive education) and PhD. He completed his PhD from Monash University. In his PhD thesis, he investigated critical aspects of student behaviour in mainstream schools. He is one of the core members of the Lead Team of a highly competitive international research grant (CAD 1.2 million) called KIX EUROPE, ASIA, and the Pacific REGION to undertake a collaborative research on Gender and Inclusive Pedagogy funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. This project is being implemented in five countries: Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. Saiful’s role in this project includes Gender and Inclusive Education Expert and International Focal Point. He is the South Asian representative for Consortium of Inclusive Teacher Education and Development (CITED) https://www.monash.edu/cited/members. He is experienced in RCT based Impact Evaluation of a variety of educational interventions. Saiful has been teaching disability and special education related courses in the Department of Special Education, Institute of Education and Research, the University of Dhaka for past 14 years. He is experienced in planning and implementing early interventions for children with autism and other disabilities. He has a strong interest in intervention-based research and publications. His academic career also includes development of a scale for measuring teacher’s attitudes towards student’s inappropriate behaviour. He has published numerous Book Chapters and research-based papers in globally reputed journals.
Dr Aditi Lohan, PhD. Consultant-Behaviour Specialist & Research
Dr Aditi Lohan was conferred a PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Queensland in 2017, and has extensive experience in leading, managing and implementation of large research projects. Aditi’s specific research and professional interests are in the areas of parenting, couple and child relationships; family dynamics; developmental disabilities; chronic illnesses; early intervention and evidence-based interventions. Aditi has extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the Triple P- Positive Parenting Program and is an accredited provider of various Triple P levels including Group Triple P, Group Teen Triple P, Discussion Group Triple P, Discussion Group Teen Triple P and Triple P/Teen Triple P Seminars.
Prior to joining Sunrise Behavioural Health, Aditi led a team of researchers at Relationships Australia Queensland in her role as the Manager of Research, where she was responsible for planning, monitoring, leading, coordinating and conducting multiple high impact research projects in areas such as, family dispute resolution, relationship counselling, problem gambling. Aditi is passionate about using her research knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to the community, particularly to the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Aditi is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
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