Lea has over twenty-five years of experience as a psychologist in the clinical, management, and training sectors and has her own lived experience of intimate partner abuse (IPA). She has worked with women who have experienced IPA or childhood abuse extensively throughout her career, both individually and in groups, across private practice, hospital, and community settings. Lea also received her PhD in sociology at the University of Tasmania focusing on the prevention of IPA and has developed and implemented prevention activities within childcare, sport, and school environments.