Facing the unexpected

Online, interdisciplinary education, networking and reflective practice groups.

For all professionals who work with parents in the perinatal period because a fetal diagnosis is just the start of the journey through the unexpected.

Launching mid-2025: A series of 3hr, interactive and applied learning courses covering different topics. Choose to complete one, some or enrol in the full microcredential program.

Available now! Interdisciplinary group reflective supervision facilitated by Justine Adler, Clinical Psychologist. Our first group will run from May to September 2025.

Interactive & applied learning

Multimedia resources and authentic activities that offer the chance to share disciplinary expertise, gain deeper insights and problem solve with others learners. Complete the course and gain knowledge, strategies, connections and resources.

Evidence informed for best practice

We synthesised the evidence, explored gaps and undertook focused Australian-based research to ensure our courses are informed by recent, high-quality evidence. Feel confident knowing you can follow the embedded citations.

Co-designed & systems focused

Our courses capitalised on insights from health and allied health professionals, researchers, parents with lived experience and experts in systems-dynamics. We balanced individual skill building with strengthening systems to support the workforce.

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Project and research leads

Study 1: Health professionals training perspectives, Principal Investigator:
Dr Belinda Johnson, RMIT University
BA, SSW(Hons), GradCertTertTeach&Learn, PhD

Study 2: Co-producing training resources, Principal Investigator/
Overall Training Project lead:
Pieta Shakes, James Cook University
PhD Candidate, BN(Hons), PGradCertChild&AdolesMentalHlthNurs, GradCertDiagnosticGenomics, GradCertHEdILearnTeach, MNurs(MentalHlth)

Pieta Shakes has lived experience of receiving a third-trimester prenatal diagnosis.

Research Co-investigator:
Dr Tracey Ahern, James Cook University
RN, PhD, BNSc (Hons), Grad Dip (Academic Education), BEd

Research Co-investigator:
A/Prof Chris Maylea, La Trobe University
BSW(Hons) MHSMP, JD, DSW

Project advisors

Project advisors with lived experience of receiving a prenatal diagnosis

Natalie Browning, Central Queensland University & Townsville Hospital and Health Service, RN RM BA MEd BN/BMid GCMid MWomHMed MACM

Julia D’Orazio, Julia D’Orazio Postpartum, Accredited Social Worker

Eleanore Fritze, LLB(Hons), BA, Grad Cert Dis St

Sophie Ward, Clinical Psychologist

Zena Mason, Advocate

Additional project advisors

Amanda Bates, Mater Mothers Hospital, Neonatal critical care unit, Clinical nurse consultant- Masters of Clinical practice (Neonatology)

Elizabeth Callinan, Writer & Producer

Alison Deslandes, Specialist Imaging Partners, Accredited Medical Sonographer (AMS), MMedSono

Lucinda Freeman, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Registered Genetic Counsellor

Dr Nicole Highet, Centre of Perinatal Excellence

Margaret Shield, BHSc(Hons)

Skye Stewart, Red Nose, Registered Midwife

Eliza Strauss, The Perinatal Loss Centre, Bereavement Midwife & Perinatal Loss Educator

Dr Imogen Thomson, Royal North Shore Hospital, MD MPhil

Beatrice Webb, ThinkWise Clinical Psychology, BPsych (Hons), MPsych (Clin), Clinical Psychologist

Kara Williams, Registered Midwife, Masters in Primary Maternity Care (Mental Health)

Collaborators

A/Prof Alison D Archibald
Alison Deslandes

Amanda Bates
Amanda Tipping

Beatrice Webb

Candice Learmouth
Danielle Mortlock

Dr Jane Lockton
Dr Kate Russo

Dr Nicole Highet

Dr Renée Miller

Dr Tracey Ahern

Eleanore Fritze

Eliza Strauss,

Elizabeth Callinan
Georgina Robilliard

Jessica Cute

Jessica Schulter

Kara Williams

Karen Eagleson

Kieran Burke

Lucinda Freeman,

Lyndal Macpherson

Meagan Donaldson

Mel Redman

Melanie Rolfe

Natalie Browning

Rheann Kennedy

Skye Stewart
Stefan Bramble

Sophie Ward

Tara Corder
Tayla Phillipps-Lewis

Our courses and collab spaces will launch by mid-2025

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Who we are

Through the Unexpected is a registered health promotion charity with the vision that all people are informed, supported and empowered through the experience of prenatal diagnosis.

Facing the unexpected