
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:
-
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

Adam Dickes
Adam uses a range of approaches to suit individual needs. He has training and experience in Compassion Focussed Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and attachment approaches such as Circle of Security.
Experience
Adam is a warm, empathic and non-judgemental psychologist. He enjoys connecting with people from all walks of life, hearing their stories and working together to solve problems and overcome difficulties. Adam has worked with a wide range of clients who have experienced trauma, especially those from disadvantaged groups. He has worked at the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors and the Spilstead Family Intervention Service. Adam is currently the vice-president of the Hearing Voices Network, where he has facilitated support groups for people who hear voices.
Research
Adam’s current research is focused on developing and evaluating a family-based intervention to improve parent-child relationships for children in out of home care who have experienced complex trauma and maltreatment, an area he is especially passionate about.
Qualifications:
- PhD candidate, Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney
- Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Psych), University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association

Alex Roach
Clinical Work
Alex has a warm, open and down to earth style. She has worked with individuals and families privately, as well as in hospital and university settings. Providing a safe and non-judgemental space, Alex gives clients room to process life’s challenges, get to know themselves better and create meaningful lives.
Drawing on modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness techniques, Alex works with clients to create intervention plans that align with their values and strengths.
Alex sees adult and adolescent clients with a range of needs, including:
- Anxiety, worry and stress
- Depression, mood problems, low-motivation and hopelessness
- Trauma
- Parenting and family challenges
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Adjustment and interpersonal difficulties
Research
Alex is completing her PhD at Sydney University. Her research focuses on the use of parenting techniques with children who have experienced trauma and adversity. She is investigating the impact of these techniques on the development of secure attachment bonds and self-regulation skills.
Qualifications:
- PhD Candidate (University of Sydney)
- Masters Clinical Psychology (Australian National University)
- Bachelor Science (Psychology), Hons 1 (Australian National University)
- Bachelor Commerce (Australian National University)
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency- Clinical Psychology Endorsement
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association

Anila Azhar
Anila has been practicing as a psychologist for over 5 years, and has been passionately developing her skill as a therapist throughout that time. She holds general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia Anila brings a broad range of experience to her practice, having begun her career in educational and developmental psychology, and in private practice working in mood disorders, anxiety and depression. Most recently she has geared her career towards specialising in eating disorders. Anila has lived in Melbourne for several years where she was a psychologist at Eating Disorders Victoria and is currently working as at Northside West Hospital in the eating disorders unit. She brings with her extensive experience in providing short and long term therapeutic interventions for individuals affected by self-harm, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem. She has particular interest in working with complex emotional and interpersonal trauma, and in continuing her specialisation in eating disorders.
Anila draws from a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to suit the needs of each individual. She uses evidence-based therapies to address psychological problems, and has extensive training and experience using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and DBT skills.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts (USyd)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (USyd)
- Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours ) (ACAP)

Dr Ariana Krynen
Ariana is a warm and down-to-earth clinical psychologist. She enjoys connecting with people and aims to facilitate a safe and non-judgmental space to help people explore their challenges and create more meaningful lives and relationships. Ariana works with adolescents, adults and families from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
Ariana has experience working with a range of presentations, including trauma and abuse, complex trauma, emotion dysregulation, relationship difficulties, mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, parenting difficulties, and grief and loss.
Ariana’s clinical experience comes from working across various public, private and university settings. Ariana enjoys working in an authentic and collaborative style, drawing on evidence-based approaches tailored to individual client needs and goals. Ariana’s therapy modalities include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). She also draws on Mindfulness, polyvagal theory, attachment, and family therapy approaches.
Ariana is an AHPRA Board approved principal and secondary supervisor to registrars for Clinical Psychology endorsement.
Ariana is also a Casual Academic at the University of New South Wales.
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Clinical Psychology (University of Auckland)
- Bachelor of Science Honours, First Class (Psychology, University of Auckland)
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology, University of Otago)
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Psychological Society Member
- APS College of Clinical Psychologists Fellow
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency – Clinical Psychology Endorsement

Asa Clarke
Asa Clarke
Asa is a warm and passionate registered psychologist. Asa endeavours to create an accepting and non-judgmental environment where clients are able to feel safe to explore their recovery, face challenges head-on and increase their understanding of themselves. They have a passion for helping people with their recovery from trauma and working with people in the LGBTI community.
Experience
Asa works with adolescents, young people and adults who are;
- Survivors of sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence and traumatic accidents and/or PTSD
- Dealing with issues relating to sexual orientation and/or gender identity
- Recovering from eating disorders
- Experiencing difficulties with alcohol or drug use
- Dealing with mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, phobias, bipolar disorder, personality disorders).
- Experiencing personal problems (such as relationship issues, low self-esteem, anger issues, self-harm, life transitions)
- Experiencing grief or loss (including complex grief)
- Dealing with chronic pain or sexual difficulties.
- Culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal, or Torres Strait Islander people
Treatment Modalities
Asa works with clients to tailor a therapeutic approach that is appropriate for the client’s individual needs. These include, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Trauma-Informed CBT, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Curtin University
- Masters of Psychology (Professional) at Curtin University
- Internship with the College of Professional Psychology
Professional Memberships:
- Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Member of the Australia Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (AACBT)

Dr Beata Robins
Beata completed her PhD and Master in Clinical Psychology at the University of New South Wales. She has extensive training in the psychological assessment and treatment of adults, adolescents, children and their families. She has worked across a variety of clinical settings including hospital inpatient and outpatient units, a university clinic and private practice. Beata’s special areas of interest are: depression, anxiety, attachment, trauma, grief and loss, eating disorders, addiction, relationship issues, and psychosis.
Beata enjoys working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and walks of life. She has a deep appreciation of how many of the difficulties and concerns that clients experience are understandable given specific life events, as well as social, cultural and familial factors at different stages of a client’s life. Beata endeavours to create a non-judgemental and accepting space where clients can feel safe to explore the challenges they are experiencing, increase self-understanding, and where their individual strengths and wisdom gained from their personal journey can be nurtured and built upon. Beata works collaboratively with clients using a wide range of evidence-based treatment approaches tailored to their individual needs.
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Philosophy (The University of New South Wales)
- Master of Clinical Psychology (The University of New South Wales)
- Bachelor of Advanced Science with Honours in Psychology (The University of New South Wales)
- Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Social Anthropology; The University of New South Wales).
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- The Australian Psychological Society, Member (APS)

Ben Larke
Ben is a warm, empathetic and open-minded clinical psychologist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Sydney. He has an integrative, evidence-based approach to therapy that draws on his training and experience in delivering a wide-range of therapy models. Central to his approach, however, is the belief that the therapeutic relationship – the connection that can be made between a client and their therapist in the room – is the most powerful tool.
Ben works with men and women, as well as those who don’t identify with these binary definitions of gender, on a range of issues that they are struggling with in their lives, including: supporting people coping with complex emotional and interpersonal trauma; people motivated to explore identity and other life issues; people exploring sexual and sexuality issues; people living with grief and bereavement to people experiencing eating disorders, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
Ben has led groups focusing on social anxiety, social skills and support for young adults on the autism spectrum. Alongside his work with people in Australia, Ben also provides support to those affected by conflict internationally and has recently begun working remotely with Timorese mental health workers, particularly in their management of vicarious trauma. Ben also works casually at the University of Sydney, delivering lectures on post-conflict reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Research
Ben has conducted research on attitudes and stigma towards mental illness in the East Timorese setting as well as on Indigenous Australian attitudes and preferences for health care providers in urban and rural Australia. A prior career working in post-conflict, complex humanitarian situations has left him with an abiding interest in exploring how our culture shapes and informs our mental health and pathways to recovery.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Psych), University of New England
- Master of the Anthropology of Conflict, Violence and Conciliation, University of Sussex
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Behavioural Science), University of Glamorgan
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association

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)

Chantell Sheehan
Chantell is a clinical registrar who adopts a client-centered approach, offering warmth and comfort to her clients. Drawing from the framework of cognitive behaviour therapy, schema therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), she tailors her approach to the needs of her clients, working collaboratively to find the best approach.
She has experience with mood disorders, anxiety, Borderline personality disorder, life stressors, trauma and bullying. She has facilitated group therapy, providing education and techniques about mental health concerns, in a community health setting. She has clinical experience in public health, community mental health, tertiary education, and the NGO sector. She has experience with clients across the lifespan, and within the LGBTIQ(+) community.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)

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.
Currently, Daniela works for a non-governmental Organisation in the of home care sector. In this role she is able to work with children, adolescents, families, and carers and has gained an understanding of the importance of childhood experiences in shaping our perspectives and wellbeing as an adult.
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

Danielle Russom
Danielle has over 15 years experience working with clients both in the community sector and in her own private practice.
She specialises in working with couples and groups, with people living with HIV, the LGBTIQ community, complex trauma, and executives in the corporate sector.
As a Somatically trained Psychotherapist and Life Coach, Danielle is particularly interested in how her clients have adapted in their lives in response to their external environment. She works from the frame that body, mind and emotions are intimately interrelated and that if you can better understand yourself, then you have more capacity to make choices in your life that will best serve you.
Danielle is passionate about supporting her clients to achieve whatever it is that they desire in their lives, and in providing them with tools and techniques that will assist them in creating a more harmonious and healthy environment.
Danielle has more than five years of experience in facilitating the trauma support groups at Birchtree. She currently runs the online Trauma Support Group.
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Somatic Psychotherapy
- Diploma in Herbal Medicine
- Diploma in Life Coaching
- Diploma in Executive Coaching
Professional Memberships:
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

Diana Sales
Diana is a psychologist specialising in trauma informed care who has completed her Masters of Clinical Psychology at Western Sydney University. She has worked extensively with people from a wide range of cultures and identities in her role as a psychologist as well as in her 10+ years as a social worker in the homelessness and youth sector.
Diana identifies as an indigenous Quechuan woman and is proud to be called family by the Kamilaroi people. She has worked with a diverse population in her career, people from marginalised backgrounds experiencing hardship, isolation and family breakdown and has a passion for working with First Nations, migrants, women and young people. Identifying underlying issues of trauma, including developmental, situational and complex trauma, Diana works collaboratively to help support her clients, their families and community.
Diana works with clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, identity and relationship difficulties, disability, DV, loss and grief, learning disorders, chronic pain, and substance abuse. She tailors her therapeutic modalities to suit the client and works within a mindfulness space, utilising techniques such as early intervention, emotion regulation, attachment therapy, narrative therapy, CBT, ACT and Schema. Diana is a bubbly, kind, and a patient person who builds holistic relationships with her clients to support them and achieve their goals.
Qualifications:
- Masters of Psychology (Clinical) Western Sydney University
- Graduate Diploma in Advanced Psychology Macquarie University
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Danielle McHugh
Danielle is a clinical psychologist who has practiced as a psychologist for over ten years. Prior to gaining her qualifications Danielle worked in the community sector for 20 years supporting people to improve their circumstances and overcome adversity.
Danielle’s clinical expertise is broad and includes working with adolescents, their families and adults across a range of areas including depression, anxiety, relationship stress, complex trauma, sexual abuse and sibling sexual abuse, drug and alcohol issues, and disordered eating. Danielle has worked in the community sector, public health, and private practice.
Danielle has a gentle, warm and compassionate approach in assisting individuals and families with their concerns and providing therapy to meet their specific needs. She has a passion for assisting people to improve their emotional well-being and to overcome the impact of adversity.
Danielle has special interests in helping people who have been impacted by trauma and/or are experiencing emotional or relationship stress, and people facing difficulties with disordered eating.
Danielle has completed specialist training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Impact and Treatment of Childhood Trauma, Sexual Assault Counsellor Training, Sibling Sexual Abuse, and Treatment for Eating Disorders.
Qualifications:
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) – University of Western Sydney
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Hons) – University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Full Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (FACPA)
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency – Clinical Psychology Endorsement

Eliza Sajo
Eliza Sajo is a Clinical Psychology Registrar with a compassionate, warm and authentic therapeutic style. Eliza is passionate about collaborating with clients to tailor treatments that meet their needs, utilise their strengths and help support their values and goals.
Eliza has worked with adults and young people who have experienced acute and complex trauma. She has worked with a range of client presentations, including anxiety and mood disorders, relationship problems, emotion regulation and self-esteem concerns, disordered eating and adjustment difficulties. Eliza also has experience in public health and private settings, supporting individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, families and carers, and people with complex medical needs or concerns.
Eliza is trained and experienced in a range of evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Integrated CBT. Eliza has a particular interest and passion for working with survivors of complex trauma and is committed to creating a safe space for healing and recovery.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Technology Sydney)
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) (University of New South Wales)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)

Emma Sheens
Emma is a warm, genuine and trusted Psychologist. Her clients typically build strong and natural connection with her early in treatment. She works from a person-centred and collaborative approach and aims to create a safe space for her clients. She draws on a range of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Schema Therapy.
Emma works with adults and adolescents. She has specific interest in working with those experiencing eating disorders, body image issues and compulsive exercise. She also provides therapy for depression/mood disorders, self-esteem issues, adjustment and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, difficulties associated with attachment and trauma.
Emma’s clinical experience comes from working in various private and not-for-profit organisations. In addition to her clinical experience, Emma is dedicated to raising awareness about eating disorders and has been published. She presented her research at the Australian and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) conference in 2017.
Emma also has experience in running group treatment programs, working with families and individuals. She has previously worked on the Eating Disorders Day Program at ‘Northside Group St Leonards Clinic’ as well as the Treatment Programs at ‘The Butterfly Foundation’.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology – University of Sydney
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology – University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) – University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioners’ Registration Agency

Fiona Lumsdaine
Fiona Lumsdaine is an experienced psychotherapist specialising in relationship counselling. She provides a safe, non-judgemental therapeutic environment, helping individuals, couples and families to heal and communicate in a more direct and connected way. Fiona’s approach, based on a lifetime of counselling, teaching and experience, is that our shared humanity is stronger than our differences – that the way forward is best navigated with empathy, curiosity and compassion. She helps develop the skills necessary to identify, negotiate and resolve relationship challenges. Fiona also has a specific interest in helping individuals, couples and families dealing with issues related to LGBTQI and cross-cultural challenges.
As a qualified Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice (ICP) coach, Fiona is uniquely able to help couples going through separation and divorce to reach positive, mutually-beneficial settlements. ICP is a team-based, principled-negotiation approach designed to keep both parties in control of the outcome and to avoid the need for costly, traumatic litigation and Family Court intervention.
As an educator, Fiona teaches a specialised course on conflict resolution and mediation skills in the health care sector. She also runs workshops helping couples and families negotiate their way through separation and divorce in a way that helps preserve and evolve their parenting and communication skills in order to minimise trauma for all members of their families.
Qualifications:
• Graduate Diploma of Relationship Studies (Australian Institute for Relationship Studies)
• Qualified Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Coach
• Diploma of Professional P.S.H. Therapy
• Certificate of Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy
Professional Memberships:
• Member, Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
• Member, Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc

Hannah Deen
Hannah is a Registered Psychologist completing the registrar program for endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. She has worked with adults of all ages, children, parents, and families across a range of settings including university, public health, and research clinics. Hannah has worked with clients who have experienced complex trauma as well as clients who have experienced severe stigmatisation and discrimination, including LGBTQI and HIV positive individuals.
Hannah provides a warm, empathic, and safe space for clients to explore any difficulties they are having in life. In building a genuinely open, authentic, and collaborative relationship, Hannah helps clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their history, and their internal world before walking beside them as they build a more meaningful and satisfying life. Throughout this process, Hannah draws on therapeutic techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Parent Management Training.
Hannah sees adult and adolescent clients with a range of needs, including:
- Anxiety, worry, stress, and procrastination
- Depression, mood problems, low motivation, and hopelessness
- Adjustment and interpersonal difficulties
- Trauma
- Parenting and family challenges
Alongside her clinical work, Hannah works as a Research Assistant at the Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney on a national health initiative funded by the Australian Government Department of Health that aims to reduce harms associated with crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) use in Australia.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (The University of Sydney)
- Bachelor of Psychology, Hons 1 (The University of Sydney)
Professional Memberships:
- Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)- Clinical Psychology

Jude Tynan
Jude Tynan is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Family Therapist. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in working with individuals, families and communities that have experienced the impact of trauma. Jude has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, community health, sexual assault and domestic violence services, prisons, counselling services, and private practice. She has also delivered training across NSW state to mental health professionals, has taught in higher education, provides supervision and run both therapeutic and educational groups.
Jude brings to her work a strong sense of social justice and human rights. Some of her approaches include narrative work, cognitive behaviour therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing) systemic work, acceptance and commitment therapy. These frameworks sit alongside a passion for empowerment and healing. Jude believes in the amazing resilience of people impacted by trauma and feel privileged to share their journey.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
- Graduate Diploma of Family Therapy
- Masters in Couples and Family Relationships.

John Hristoforidis
John is a compassionate and empathic Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who holds a Master of Counselling Social Work. John has been working in direct clinical practice for over ten years and enjoys working with people from diverse and varied backgrounds. John’s professional interests include trauma and complex trauma, eating disorders and disordered eating, sexuality and working with LGBTIQ+ communities. John also provides therapy for mood and anxiety disorders, carers of people with illness or mental health issues, grief and loss, couples and families.
John has worked across both public health, not-for-profit organisations and lectured at University including:
- Being a Local Eating Disorder Coordinator for Public Health where he implements the Statewide Eating Disorders Strategy including service and workforce development, and clinical consultation to individual clinicians and multidisciplinary teams.
- Developing Public Mental Health care pathways for members of the Transgender and Gender Diverse Community.
- Developing and evaluating carer services across the public health sector including a carer’s suite of services for a Statewide Tertiary Service.
- Guest Lectures at University level for social work and community welfare work courses, and delivering and providing extensive training and professional development across multiple sectors.
- Public health policy development and review across Statewide hospitals and community health providers.
John is passionate about working collaboratively to support the journey of self discovery and resilience building with clients and families. John provides therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychotherapeutic Approaches and Family-based therapies.
John also enjoys clinical supervision and enabling clinicians to feel confident and empowered within themselves. John is experienced in building workforce capacity, empowering individual clinicians and teams, quality improvement and striving to achieve access and equity for people living with mental health issues, their carers, family and significant others.
Qualifications:
- Master of Counselling Social Work – University of New South Wales (UNSW), Kensington, NSW.
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker – Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Bachelor of Social Work – University of Western Sydney (UWS) (now known as Western Sydney University), Milperra, NSW.
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED)

Karen Brien
Karen has over 10 years of clinical experience in the private and public sectors as well as her own private practise. She has written and facilitated both inpatient and outpatient programs supporting a wide variety of clientele who experience PTSD, complex trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders and substance abuse disorders.
This work also includes many years of running Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups and workshops for hospitals, NGO’s and corporate clients.
“I really enjoy being helping people understand their biology and learn practical skills that help them to feel more emotionally in control”

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

Kate O'Brien
Kate is an experienced counsellor having worked with a variety of mental health presentations, complex PTSD and developmental trauma, particularly with survivors of adult and child sexual assault as a Senior Clinician. Her work focuses on assisting the brain and body to cope with challenging life experiences and emotions.
Kate enjoys working with adults and young adults. Her style is warm, empowering and transparent. She understands the significance of deciding to come to counselling. Kate aims to sensitively attune to her clients, humanise lived experiences and work collaboratively.
Kate has an eclectic knowledge base and uses a range of therapy modalities as she believes a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Kate draws from CBT, DBT, ACT, Sensori-motor psychotherapy, Narrative therapy, Schema therapy and Hakomi therapy. She also sees the relevance of how our socio-cultural context can shape our mood, mental health and recovery.
Kate feels honoured to bear witness to her client’s hardships and growth. She feels it is a privilege to play a role in each person’s healing journey and is humbled by people’s resilience.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts (sociology major) – The University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Social Work (Hons 1) – The University of Sydney
Professional Memberships:
Australian Association of Social Workers, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

Kate Turner
Kate is a clinical social worker and a certified neuropsychotherapy practitioner. She has over 25 years’ experience working with young people and adults who have experienced the broad impacts of trauma and mental illness. Kate has worked extensively across mental health and trauma service settings, in both the public and private sector. She is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW).
Kate primarily works with young people and adults across the gender, sexuality and age spectrum, who have experienced:
- Childhood and adolescent developmental/attachment trauma;
- Sexual abuse and sexual assault;
- Domestic and family violence;
- Single-incident traumatic events;
- Mental health challenges including depression and anxiety;
- Medical trauma;
- Grief and loss;
- Parenting issues (including for survivors of trauma);
- Workplace-oriented vicarious trauma, stress and burnout.
Kate is passionate about working with her clients to facilitate recovery and healing from the effects of trauma and adversity in their varied forms. She works in partnership with her clients, and tailors the therapeutic process to the needs of the individual. She works from a variety of clinical treatment modalities including (but not limited to): Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Model, Structural Dissociation Model, Polyvagal-Informed Therapy and Attachment-Focussed Therapy. She has obtained training and professional development in these therapeutic models. She has also completed Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training Level I and II (CCTP I/II: Janina Fisher, 2018).
Kate integrates a neurobiologically-informed understanding of trauma and attachment with a practical approach to therapeutic work. She recognises that individuals who endure trauma frequently experience deep shame, the absence of a sense of bodily safety and a fractured sense of self. She deeply acknowledges that trauma is frequently experienced somatically (within the body) and emotional memory, and that the work of re-establishing a sense of safety and connection is critical in trauma therapy. She also appreciates that attention to repair of early attachment wounds is important for many of her client’s recovery. She recognises that just as trauma occurs in the context of relationship, healing also occurs in relationship.
Kate views her clients as the experts in their own lives, and works from a strengths perspective. She enjoys working in partnership with her clients to transform the legacies of their current and/or past life experiences and relationships.
Kate began her career working in a broad range of NSW Health mental health clinical settings with individuals and groups who had experienced significant impacts of mental illness, substance abuse and childhood adversity. In her first decade in clinical practice, her interest in working with people who had experienced complex trauma emerged. Kate then developed specialist skills, knowledge and experience in working with individuals who had experienced recent sexual assault and/or earlier life sexual, emotional and physical abuse, via counselling and management roles within a trauma-specialised NSW Health service.
She later gained extensive and invaluable knowledge and experience in understanding broad individual and systemic responses to trauma, working as a senior counsellor for the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
In addition to direct client work at Birchtree Centre, Kate continues to provide consultation and clinical services to human-service organisations and commissions within her private practice. She provides regular consultation, training and direct clinical services to legal organisations, health services and non-government organisations regarding organisational trauma, vicarious trauma, Trauma-Informed Care and staff wellbeing.
Kate also provides extensive individual and group clinical supervision to mental health and trauma practitioners, sexual assault and sexual abuse counselling services, trauma-specific counselling services, trauma-informed family services and human service practice groups within statutory bodies in NSW.
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- International Association of Applied Neuroscience (IAAN)
- Australian Mental Health Professionals Network

Liberty Shuttleworth
Libby is a registered psychologist and is completing the registrar program for endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. She completed a Master of Arts – Psychology and Sociology with first class Honours at The University of Edinburgh and a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of New South Wales. Libby has experience in a number of clinical settings, including university clinics and hospital inpatient and outpatient clinics. Libby has experience working with individuals from all age ranges and their families.
During her training and clinical work, Libby has worked with individuals with a range of presentations including anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders and complex trauma including individuals who have experience childhood sexual and physical abuse. Libby has a specific interest in working with individuals who have experienced complex trauma, as well as working with people who experience difficulties regulating their emotions, and receives supervision in the area.
Libby has experience, throughout her training, delivering evidence-based treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). She is passionate about working collaboratively with her clients to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life and takes a warm, genuine and compassionate approach during her sessions
Qualifications:
- Master of Arts (Hons) Psychology and Sociology (University of Edinburgh)
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of New South Wales)

Liz Fitzgerald
With over 15 years of experience, art therapist Liz has worked with adults and children in services and private practice, including facilitating art therapy for people who have been affected by developmental trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety and self-harm. Liz currently works with people individually and in groups. She is trained in a psychodynamic, trauma informed approach and is a clinical supervisor and visiting lecturer on the Western Sydney University Master of Art Therapy course. Liz has also completed a Certificate of Traumatic Stress Studies with the JRI in Boston. Liz enjoys advocating for art therapy in the wider community, including teaching the Sydney University CCE course “An Introduction to Art Therapy”, and was the inaugural group leader of the ANZACATA Sydney regional group. Liz understands that you don’t need to be “good at art “or a practicing artist, to benefit from the shared creativity and other relational aspects of art therapy, which are as important as the art made in sessions.

Lucie Frankham
Lucie is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about empowering her clients. Her therapeutic practice is strengths-based, inclusive and Trauma Informed. A queer-identified woman, Lucie frequently works with other members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Lucie draws on a range of evidence based psychological approaches in her work, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Schema Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, DBT Skills training and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing).
Lucie has worked with clients with a broad range of issues in both public and private settings. Before moving into Psychology and while retraining as a Clinical Psychologist, Lucie worked as a Registered Nurse and brings her understanding of the interaction between body and mind to her work. During that period, Lucie worked in both drug and alcohol and mental health.
Lucie has particular interests in trauma recovery, compassionate self-care, managing life transitions, and in the treatment of anxiety, depression, substance use, living well with chronic illness and managing stress.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (Macquarie)
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours Class 1, University of New England)
- Bachelor of Nursing (University of Sydney)
Professional memberships:
- Full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) with endorsement in Clinical Psychology
- Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists
- Member Australian Clinical Psychology Association
- Associate Member of the EMDR Association of Australia

Meg Carrigan
Meg (she/her) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 10 years’ experience as a counsellor, social worker, manager and trainer. In recent years, she has worked as a sexual assault and domestic violence counsellor and has developed a special interest in the area of trauma.
Meg’s approach is warm, gentle and non-judgemental. She understands that for healing to take place, the connection and trust between therapist and client is paramount. She considers it a privilege to accompany clients on their journey toward change and healing.
Meg primarily works with adults and young people in addressing:
- PTSD and single incident trauma, including sexual assault
- Domestic and Family Violence (current or historical)
- Developmental trauma
- Childhood abuse and neglect, including childhood sexual abuse
- Attachment injury
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship difficulties
- Carer stress
- Workplace burnout and vicarious trauma
Meg understands that there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to treatment and tailors her approach based on the individual, using a range of therapeutic models and theories, including (but not exclusively):
- Polyvagal theory
- EMDR
- Structural dissociation model and parts work
- Attachment theory
- Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Somatic therapies
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Social Work – Sydney University.
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) – Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

Nadine Neukirch
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (University of New South Wales)
- Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Technology Sydney)
- Yoga Teacher Training (200h, Hatha)
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency


Paul Kelly
Paul is a Clinical Social worker and Psychotherapist with an approachable friendly demeanour who specialises in helping people with drug, alcohol, sex and porn problems. He also has extensive training and experience working with individuals, couples and adolescents struggling with trauma and abuse, depression, anger, and loneliness. He is an intuitive non-judgemental therapist that tailors his approach to the person he is working with utilising a range of therapies including Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy.
During Paul’s career he has worked with individuals, couples and groups helping people become more comfortable with intimacy and improve their self-esteem and their connections with others. Paul has worked for many years in the LGBTIQ community, with people experiencing disability and social and cultural exclusion.
In recent years he has facilitated groups for men with problematic sex and porn behaviours both as a consultant and in private practice.
Paul has worked extensively with couples using a range of therapeutic techniques to help them develop a common language of respect and trust, so both partners experience being truly “seen” by the other.
Paul has a passion for working with adolescents and their families and for 18 years has provided therapy for adolescents with a focus on those experiencing poverty and family breakdown. Currently he co-ordinates an NGO providing therapy for disadvantaged and marginalised young people in Sydney.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts –Social Science, Macquarie University
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying), Sydney University
- Graduate Certificate, Gestalt Therapy, The Relational Institute, Sydney
- Certified Sex and Trauma Therapist, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals, USA
Professional Membership:
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP)

Rachel Moss
Rachel (she/her) is a passionate human rights and social justice advocate with an extensive work history as a counsellor, manager, trainer and educator in sexual assault, higher education and mental health settings. A career highlight so far has been working at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse as a senior counsellor.
Rachel has a social work degree and a Master’s degree in counselling, and is proficient and highly experienced in various counselling modalities including dialectical behavioural therapy, narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, group work and clinical supervision. Rachel’s practice is built on the principles of client focussed collaboration and empowerment.
Rachel has over 20 years clinical experience working with people of all cultures, genders and ages affected by trauma. This includes developmental, single incident, and complex trauma. She also works with clients who are struggling with gender and identity issues, self harm, depression and anxiety, relationship and sexuality issues, grief and loss and interpersonal issues. Rachel has firsthand experience of the healing that is possible in the counselling space.
Rachel is dedicated to continue to work in support of justice for our First Nations People.
Qualifications:
-
Bachelor of Social Work (UNSW)
-
Master’s of Counselling SW (UNSW)
Professional Memberships:
-
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker registered with the Australian Association Of Social Workers

Sally Curtis
Sally is a registered psychologist who has a warm, accepting and engaging manner. Her therapeutic style is open and flexible, and she aims to create a nurturing, growth-conducive environment in the therapy room. Sally brings sound clinical skills, psychological insight as well as a safe and non-judgmental space in assisting clients to achieve their goals.
Sally enjoys tailoring interventions to suit each individual’s needs and goals, drawing on a number of therapeutic approaches including trauma-focused therapy, DBT, CBT, Narrative therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
Sally sees both adult and adolescent clients with a range of needs, including challenges with anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, complex trauma, eating disorders, adjustment difficulties and interpersonal difficulties.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology) University of Sydney
- Graduate Diploma of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Jansen Newman Institute
- Yoga Teacher Training 200 hours
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society

Sue Moloney
Sue is a Registered Psychologist who specialises in working with people struggling with the legacy of early childhood trauma and neglect. Her background as a Registered Nurse working in Intensive Care, a Midwife and a Rehabilitation Counsellor has fostered her interest and passion for assisting people in crisis facing transitions in life. Her work as a midwife has resulted in a deepened understanding of the importance of secure attachments early in life and her interest in working with women and families in the perinatal period.
Sue has worked in the private and public health sector for the past twenty years. Currently she works at a private hospital facilitating groups in DBT, addiction, as well as in recent and developmental trauma. Sue brings a particular curiosity in the legacy of growing up in a disrupted or neglectful household to her therapeutic connections. She is aware of the long-term impact of trauma and the challenges faced by people struggling to make meaningful connections in adulthood. Her group work has also extended her experience in trauma to include PTSD therapy with frontline workers, police and emergency services.
Sue has undertaken extensive training in Polyvagal theory, the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, and regularly attends conferences to extend and deepen her knowledge and understanding of complex trauma.
Qualifications:
- BSc (Psychology) Macquarie University
- Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology (UWS)
- 3 year training in the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy with Australian New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy
- Grad. Dip. Rehab. Counselling (Syd. Uni)
- Grad. Cert. Applied Ethics (ACU)
- General Nursing Training Prince of Wales & Prince Henry Hospital
- Intensive Care Training – St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney
- Midwifery Training, St Margaret’s Hospital, Sydney
Professional Memberships:
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – Psychologist; Nurse and Midwife
- Australian Psychological Society
- Australia New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy

Sindy Kwok
Sindy is a dedicated and compassionate psychologist who works with adults, young people and their families. Sindy has extensive professional experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. Her clinical experience comes from working in mental health hospital, public, private and community settings including the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors. Sindy supports people with emotional and interpersonal trauma and provide therapy for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm and other behavioural concerns.
Sindy is committed to helping her clients enhance the quality of their lives by working collaboratively to achieve their treatment goals and move beyond their current circumstances. She believes in creating a therapeutic relationship that values the strengths and vulnerabilities of each individual, and in providing a supportive and caring space in which people can feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings. Sindy aims to empower her clients with skills and strategies that promote emotional resilience, and enable them to deal more productively with difficult life events.
Sindy personalised treatment and draws techniques from a range of evidence-based therapy models, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and family system approaches. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Sindy conducted research on cognitive training, eating behaviours and weight management. She has also contributed to research on cognitive training for elderly with cognitive impairment at the Brain and Mind Research Institute.

Vanessa Tate
Vanessa offers psychotherapy, trauma counselling and support as a qualified Mental health practitioner registered for Psychological Services with Medicare.
Vanessa is qualified and has experience with adults, adult survivors of abuse, adolescents and children.
Vanessa brings a wealth of private and public clinical and training experience in Australia and the USA. Vanessa has been a Therapist and Clinician for over 20 years, she is an Accredited Mental Health Clinician, an approved counsellor with Victim Services and a qualified Clinical Social Worker, she works with adults, adolescents, children and adult survivors. Vanessa has worked in Hospital settings, a Forensic Unit, Community Health and private practice. She has had roles as Staff Trainer, Manager, External Supervisor, Therapist and Counsellor. She has provided clinical supervision to staff who like her, have worked at the coalface of patient/client care. Vanessa can assist through challenges in all domains of life including the workplace, relationship issues, traumatic events, grief and loss, sexual assault, and family violence. She has significant experience in treating Post Traumatic Stress reactions, Complex PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. She uses her extensive training and experience in Trauma Informed Therapy, CBT, DBT, Systems Theory, Sensorimotor and Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy to help clients gain symptom relief and improve their general life quality. She also has specialised experience in child development, parent/child attachment and the interface of these experiences on adult health and functioning across the lifespan. Vanessa’s interests are in effective, evidenced based practice in psychotherapy and holistic wellbeing.
Qualifications:
- Associate Diploma in Social Science (Child Studies)-UWS
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours invitation) –UNSW
- Masters of Counselling – ACU
- Post Grad Certificate in Psych-Archetypal and Cross Cultural Institute- U.S.A
Professional Memberships:
- AASW- Accredited Mental Health SW
- Mental Health Professionals Network.