Jace Cannon-Brookes
Jace is Co-Director of Birchtree Centre of Excellence. She began her career as a Registered Nurse, working within Acute and General Psychiatry, Drug and Alcohol, Palliative Care and Eating Disorders. It was during these years that she retrained as a Clinical Psychologist. For fourteen years Jace then worked within the field of addiction in a variety of roles. She designed and co-ordinated a six week residential rehabilitation program, with a focus on the treatment of complex trauma for women with histories of substance dependence. Jace has also completed the intensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) training and subsequently co-ordinated the implementation of a 12 month out-patient DBT program. Jace subsequently completed the three year Diploma of Psychotherapy with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy (ANZAP). It was through these professional experiences that Jace developed an interest and passion for working with survivors of complex trauma. She recognised and holds as deeply important the need to shift from a frame that asks ‘what is wrong with someone’ to one that questions ‘what happened to this person’. Jace believes in the importance of creating a safe space that holds and contains both clinicians and survivors enabling them to come together to focus on healing and recovery. This passion for working within the field of Complex Trauma resulted in Jace and Dr Sophie Reid opening Birchtree Centre in October 2015.
Jace provides clinical supervision regularly to clinicians, including clinical registrars. She has also taught for a number of years within the post graduate clinical psychology programs at the University of New South Wales, University of Technology and University of Sydney. Within her role as Co-Director of Birchtree Centre, Jace and Sophie have provided training on complex trauma to many private and public health agencies, as well as to a number of legal services.
Setting up Birchtree Centre also highlighted to both Jace and Sophie the need for the provision of support to clinicians and survivors of complex trauma in rural and regional Australia. In line with this need, Jace and Sophie have launched the Birchtree Foundation through which they provide workshops, support groups, supervision and mentoring.
Qualifications
- Masters of Clinical Psychology (University of New South Wales)
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Hons) (University of New South Wales)
- Bachelor of Nursing (University of Technology, Sydney)
Professional Memberships
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Australian Psychological Society
Dr Sophie Reid
Sophie is Co-Director of Birchtree Centre of Excellence and is a clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience. She holds a Masters of Clinical Psychology and a PhD in Child and Adolescent Psychology. Understanding families, relationships and the day to day challenges of both growing up and raising children underpin her clinical work. A passion for child advocacy has lead Sophie to focus her clinical work on helping people heal from the trauma of childhood difficulties and trauma and to assist people to become a more peaceful integrated self and return to the person they were born to be. In her work with parents and couples, Sophie seeks to support adults to interrupt the intergenerational impact of childhood trauma. Sophie has extensive experience working with adults, children and adolescents, parents and families at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, with Sydney’s homeless community, school communities, and in private practice. Sophie specialises in helping both individuals and families to recover from trauma, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, addictions, relationship issues, workplace and childhood bullying, and childhood illnesses.
Sophie has been a clinically focused academic at Sydney University, Monash University, Melbourne University, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. She has supervised PhD, Masters and Honours students, produced many publications, and continues to collaborate on a number of projects in the trauma and eating disorder areas. Sophie has been a member of the Expert Working Committee for beyondblue. Sophie also provides clinical supervision to clinicians including Clinical Psychology Registrars.
Together with Jace Cannon-Brookes, Sophie established the Birchtree Centre of Excellence in Trauma, Addiction and Eating Disorders in 2015 to address the pressing need to provide a place for adult survivors of childhood trauma to be welcome, held and heal. The Birchtree Centre has run a number of workshops and training for clinicians on complex trauma. The newly founded Birchtree Foundation was launched to provide trauma support and care to regional communities and to conduct cutting edge research to impact and interrupt the outcomes of childhood trauma.
Qualifications
- PhD (University New South Wales)
- Masters Clinical Psychology (University of Melbourne)
- Bachelor Science (Psychology), Hons 1 (University New South Wales)
Professional Memberships
- Australian Psychological Society
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency – Clinical Psychology Endorsement
Amy Dyson
Amy is a warm and compassionate psychologist who believes everyone has the right to be heard and to experience healing. She holds a Master of Professional Psychology through Macquarie University.
Amy has worked primarily within Not-For-Profit organisations due to her passion of providing quality service to everyone regardless of financial status, culture, age, gender, sexuality, religion, or any other barrier. These settings have included community services for young people (ages 12-26), community drug and alcohol services, gambling services, anger management services, and working with people who have had survived suicide attempts.
In addition to these services, Amy provides therapy for people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, developmental trauma, family violence, unwanted substance use, chronic suicidality, and aggression outbursts. Amy is experienced working with people who have complex trauma histories as they often underpin a lot of the more visible challenges that people experience.
As a therapist, Amy is passionate about conveying the unique value of every person she meets and to work with them wherever they are at, with whatever goals they have. Initially trained in a Cognitive Behavioural approach (CBT), Amy found that many people responded better to a varied approach. Other modalities that Amy works with, and will integrate into sessions, include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Amy works with people aged 14 years and older, all the way up to 90 years. She works to create a non-judgement, safe, and stable space where people can understand themselves more and be supported in seeing meaningful change.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Macquarie University
- Master of Professional Psychology (with Vice Chancellors Commendation for Academic Excellence) – Macquarie University
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists inc (AAPi)
Candy Liu
Candy Liu is a warm and compassionate Clinical Psychology Registrar who is devoted to providing the best evidence-based psychological care within a trauma-informed framework. Candy is curious and sensitive in her therapeutic approach and enjoys working collaboratively with clients from across the lifespan, and diverse backgrounds, and to establish a safe and open environment where they feel heard and supported.
Candy is trained in and draws upon a range of modalities, including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Metacognitive Insight and Reflection Therapy, to tailor treatment that meets her clients’ needs and supports their growth, well-being and development towards personally meaningful goals. She has special interests in emotional regulation and relationship challenges, acute and complex trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, grief and loss, disordered eating, self-esteem and identity concerns, and adjustment difficulties. Candy also has experience working therapeutically and in clinical research with individuals, families and systems in the areas of cross-cultural mental health, disabilities, and crisis support.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Technology Sydney)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (University of New South Wales)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists inc (AAPi)
Daniela Peiris
Daniela is an approachable and empathic psychologist who holds a Master of Clinical Psychology from Macquarie University. Daniela has specialised training and experience working with young people, adults, and families who have experienced trauma as well as anxiety and phobias, depression, child behaviour problems, adjustment difficulties, relationship problems, loss and grief. She is passionate about developing a collaborative therapeutic relationship in order to walk beside her clients as they grow.
Daniela’s drive to work in the field of trauma began when she conducted research at the Traumatic Stress Clinic, where she had the privilege to hear the stories of people from a refugee background and first responders who had experienced significant trauma. Their stories of both struggle and resilience encouraged Daniela to pursue a career where she could support survivors of trauma.
In addition to trauma, Daniela has conducted research to investigate the connection between the gut and mind, and has a special interest in how stress, the gut, the immune system, and mental health interrelate. She later conducted research exploring the interaction between adult attachment and relational stressors, and has also worked clinically with both adults and children in mental health inpatient units. Through these experiences Daniela has developed a special interest in working with individuals to maintain psychological, physical, and relational wellbeing and seeks to approach mental health in a holistic manner.
Through her varied experience Daniela understands that every client is unique and therefore her therapeutic approach should match her client’s personal needs or goals. She is able to work from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach and also incorporate approaches such as Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Attachment Based Therapies.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Clinical Psychology, Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (Psych), University of New South Wales
Professional Memberships:
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society
- Associate member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
Edward Wynter
Ed is a kind, compassionate and open-minded psychologist who enjoys working with people from all ages and walks of life.
Ed began his career in the corporate sector before transitioning to teaching mindfulness and yoga and completing training in clinical psychology. He has since had experience working in non-government organisations, public health, and university clinics including the Black Dog Institute.
Ed is currently working at the Mt Druitt Centre for Addiction Medicine, where he has developed a passion for working with survivors of trauma. Ed’s experience includes helping people with anxiety, depression, alcohol or drug dependence, childhood trauma and abuse, domestic violence, and with children experiencing behavioural issues.
Ed’s therapeutic approach draws upon a range of influences including mindfulness, family systems theory, narrative therapy, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Ed understands that every individual and family is unique and takes a flexible and collaborative approach.
Qualifications
- Master of Clinical Psychology (Western Sydney University)
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Hons, 1stclass) (Western Sydney University)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Monash University)
- Master of Organisational Development (University of New England)
- Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences (University of Sydney)
Professional Memberships
- Australian Psychological Society
- APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Elisabeth Awad
Elisabeth began her career as a clinical psychologist in 2007 and has worked in a variety of settings including drug and alcohol, gambling, mental health, and sexual assault. She practiced in public health roles at Drug Court, Liverpool Hospital, and Royal North Shore Hospital before joining Birchtree Centre. Elisabeth co-facilitated Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups at Liverpool Hospital where she witnessed the power of social connection that is so often disrupted by trauma and the tremendous capacity for survivors to forge healthier lives for themselves and their families. She has been a facilitator in adult education at the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) and tutor at Macquarie University. Before becoming a psychologist, Elisabeth spent two years as part of a team providing Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy for children with severe Autism Spectrum disorders and volunteer work with Lifeline. Elisabeth provides clinical supervision to clinicians and is a Psychology Board approved supervisor.
Initially trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Elisabeth has also trained in a variety of other therapeutic modalities that include Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT), phase-based models for complex trauma, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness and Meditation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Polyvagal theory. She has an interest and passion in working with adults and adolescents to recover from the impacts of recent or historical trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, addictions, and grief and loss.
Striving to build an understanding of what has led to the present experience of life for her clients, inviting collaborative consideration of what might gently move someone towards meaningful change, and honouring the many ways people survived adversity guides her work with adults and adolescents. Elisabeth believes in the importance of creating a safe space that allows individuals to build on their strengths and hold hope in all forms.
Qualifications
- Masters of Psychology (Clinical)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Professional memberships
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Psychology Board
Gwenda Gilligan
Gwenda qualified as a Clinical Psychologist in 2013 and since then has worked exclusively in private practice. Her work includes individual therapy, couple therapy and group work. Gwenda’s clients are primarily adults and older adolescents who have experienced trauma. She has a particular interest in working long term with clients, especially those seeking to deal with the effects of trauma in their lives.
She also works with clients presenting with a broader range of issues including anxiety, depression, addictions, and eating disorders.
Her academic research interests have included: Performance Anxiety; Attitudes towards death & dying in CALD communities: the impact on provision of Palliative Care services; Communication between Health Professionals and Indigenous Cancer Patients.
Gwenda brings to her practice an extensive and varied life experience. She has a serious and practical approach to therapy which is married with compassion and dedication to the wellbeing of her clients. She understands that most people enter therapy wanting to bring about change in their lives and she sees her role as facilitating the changes the client wants to make.
Gwenda has an eclectic approach to therapy and is engaged in ongoing training in methodologies pertinent to the difficulties her clients face. In the area of trauma this includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative therapies and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Gwenda has also completed her training in the Poly Vagal Therapy approach to understanding the nervous system. Other therapeutic trainings include: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Brief Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Attachment Theories.
Gwenda has a Diploma of Hypnotherapy and is a trained Meditation Teacher.
Prior to becoming a Clinical Psychologist Gwenda worked as a singing teacher and counsellor with clients in the performing arts, sports people, students and business people in overcoming performance related anxiety. This included working with clients experiencing generalized anxiety, social phobia and panic attacks. As well as counselling individual clients, Gwenda conducted workshops in schools, at universities, and privately.
Gwenda also had an extensive teaching career including primary, secondary and adult education. She has worked multi-culturally with children, adolescents, teachers and families in the public and private educational domains. Through the implementation of English as a Second Language programs and while teaching with Adult Migrant Education Gwenda worked with child and adult refugees and new arrivals to Australia. She has also worked with Indigenous Australians teaching on Palm Island, Qld.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Canberra)
- Master of Creative Arts (University of Wollongong)
- Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education (BA Dip Ed) (Macquarie University)
- Diploma of Theology ( Mater Dei Institute)
Professional Memberships
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)- Clinical Psychology
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Member of APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Kate Hinsley
Kate is a clinical psychologist with a warm and genuine approach. She works collaboratively with people to resolve the issues that brought them to therapy and to empower them as agents in their lives. She works with adults and adolescents providing longer term psychotherapy as well as brief interventions. She has expertise in working with a range of presentations including exposure to childhood trauma, emotional dysregulation, depression and anxiety, dissociation, impulsive behaviours, sexual trauma, relationship problems, and addictions. Kate draws on best practice and evidence-based therapies to support clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and their presenting difficulties, and to bring about changes that are meaningful to them. She has specialised training and experience in the delivery of cognitive behavioural therapies (CBTs) including dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness based interventions, and trauma informed care.
Kate has a special interest in addictions and trauma. She understands that problem alcohol and other drug (AOD) use can be an attempt to regulate emotions and a symptom of trauma exposure. In addition to her role in private practice at Birchtree Centre, Kate works across the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network where she supports young people who use alcohol and other drugs and their families, and provides education and consultation to service providers across the state. She has previously worked with people in custody accessing longer term rehabilitation and with people with addictions in a private hospital. Furthermore, Kate has published in the field of addiction and developed a patient reported experience measure to better understand the experiences of people with addictions accessing care.
Kate is also a meditation teacher influenced by the Vipassana (insight) tradition. She has travelled overseas to complete 10-day silent meditation retreats and completed her qualification in mindfulness teaching. Her passion for meditation was influenced by her volunteer work while studying at university where she saw positive results from teaching mindfulness to children from refugee backgrounds and to aboriginal children in rural communities.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Psychology (Clinical), University of Wollongong
- Bachelor of Psychology, The University of Sydney
Professional Memberships
- Australian Psychological Society
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency – Clinical Psychology Endorsement
Lauren Murray
Lauren is a registered psychologist who has completed postgraduate study in clinical psychology. She is completing the registrar program for endorsement as a clinical psychologist and has further specialised training in trauma informed care and anxiety management.
Lauren has worked across a variety of clinical settings, including university clinics, hospital inpatient and outpatient units, and in private practice. She has also worked for over five years as a social worker supporting individuals experiencing a range of multiple vulnerabilities, histories of complex trauma, domestic violence, homelessness and drug and alcohol concerns.
Lauren has experience and training in the psychological assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults. She utilises evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Schema Therapy.
Lauren is a compassionate, warm and empathic clinician who believes in the importance of providing an empowering, safe and nurturing therapeutic space in order to support meaningful change. She is dedicated to working collaboratively with others to ensure that treatment is personalised to suit the unique needs and goals for each individual.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours – 1st class) – Macquarie University
- Master of Clinical Psychology – Macquarie University
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Member of APS College of Clinical Psychologists
Dr Lucy Shi
Lucy is a psychologist who has much compassion and warmth towards her clients, approaching each person with openness and respect. She aims to make genuine connections with people through which the healing process may be nurtured. She believes in the importance of collaboration and teamwork within the therapeutic relationship, and as such, intervention will be openly discussed with her clients at every stage of therapy. Her approach will be guided by the formulation of the client’s challenges, and the intervening strategies may be drawn from CBT, DBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, attachment, and trauma informed perspectives.
Lucy has interest and experience in working with a range of complex presentations, including mood disorders, phobias, parenting difficulties, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, emotion dysregulation, disordered eating, addiction, complex trauma, trauma, and abuse. She gained clinical experience in the public and private health systems, university, and private practice settings.
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Psychology – Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology (University of Queensland)
- Bachelor of Psychology – First Class Honours (Macquarie University)
Professional Memberships:
- Member of Australian Psychological Society
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
Micaela Bucich
Micaela is a Clinical Psychology Registrar committed to building safe therapeutic relationships, shared understandings, and new pathways to satisfy the needs we all share. Micaela is passionate about working both with individuals and their support systems to improve psychological, social and physical wellbeing. She particularly enjoys witnessing the strengthening of relationships fundamental to our health.
Micaela has experience working with people across the lifespan in a range of services, including university clinic, primary school and public health settings. Across settings she has supported people in managing anxiety, low mood, complex responses to trauma, difficulties with attention and emotion regulation, grief and loss, parenting challenges and social/ relationship difficulties. Micaela has particular interest in the diverse ways of responding to interpersonal trauma, which has extended into her research practice. She is deeply open-minded to new perspectives and person-centred in her approach.
Micaela has been trained in a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney
- Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), The University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Associate member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
Nadia Teong
Nadia is an empathic and down to earth Psychologist, who began practicing in Sydney in 2010.
Nadia served as a Psychologist in the Australian Regular Army for 11 years, and is a veteran of operational tours to Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands. Her lived experience of exposure to potentially traumatic events in conflict zones provides her with a unique insight and sensitivity to the impact of trauma across all life domains. Nadia acknowledges the resilience of trauma survivors, and is strengths-focused in her approach.
In addition to her work with military populations, Nadia has experience working across the lifespan with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, chronic pain, grief and loss, disability and developmental concerns. She has been trained in several evidence-based therapy modalities, and tailors intervention to individual clients’ needs and preferences. She commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution-focused Brief Therapy and Schema Therapy based approaches.
Qualifications
- Master of Psychology (Clinical) – Charles Sturt University
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology)(Honours) – University of Southern Queensland
- Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies – Deakin University
- Bachelor of Education – Griffith University
Professional Memberships
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Tanuza Rahman
Tanuza is a registered psychologist who works with clients across the age range including, children (in the context of family therapy), adolescents, and adults. She has broad experience with a variety of presentations including complex trauma, adjustment issues, grief and loss, depression and anxiety disorders, parenting as well as family and relationship challenges.
Tanuza’s approach is holistic and client-centred, supporting the diverse needs of her clients, their families and communities. Her warm and caring nature enables her to instantly build rapport with clients and their support networks. Tanuza employs evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, solution focused brief therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Dialectical Behaviour therapy (DBT).
Tanuza is also a bilingual clinician with Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) having worked extensively with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She is a mindfulness group facilitator for women’s health and wellness, as well as a sessional clinician with the Multicultural Problem Gambling Service (MPGS). Tanuza has developed specialist knowledge in child protection and early intervention in her previous work with the Department of Human Services.
Qualification
- Postgraduate Diploma in Social Health- Macquarie University
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) – The Open University (London)
Professional membership
- General registration with the Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency
- Member of Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)