Dr Amanda M Nickson is a wife, mother, Social Worker, Christian Pastor, author and speaker. Amanda was born in Sydney, growing up with her parents (until their separation when she was 17) and her younger sister there. Amanda went to the University of New South Wales to study a Bachelor of Social Work and started working in social work in western Sydney before moving to Central Queensland.

Amanda chose to do social work as her profession as an extension of her Christian faith, being able to help and serve others at their point of need. She has worked in a variety of positions in government, non-government organisations, academia and private practice. She currently runs her own business in training, supervision, social work services and organizational consultancy. She has a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work from James Cook University.

In 2023, Amanda was ordained as a minister with the Australian Christian Churches (ACC). Her Christian faith and beliefs are at the core of everything she does, and she also has a Diploma of Leadership from Alphacrucis College. Amanda’s Christian ministry includes workshops on faith, Building Resilience, Thriving with Purpose and creating your vision; being a speaker at Women’s Conferences and a guest speaker at churches and for other organisations. She provides professional pastoral supervision to Pastors and Chaplains. She produces podcasts, does radio interviews and provides workshops to encourage people’s faith, resilience and to bring hope.

Amanda has been a Christian for over 40 years. She is a registered Supervisor with Chaplaincy Australia; Scripture Union and the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Her passion is to encourage others to reach their full potential and in their journey of faith, to help bring people to a closer personal relationship with God.

Amanda lives in Townsville with her husband, one of her three adult children, her dog Scruffy and her cat Kitty. She loves catching up with friends with a cup of tea, and making time to walk in nature, such as in beautiful national parks nearby and those further afield.