Meet the Newcastle + Hunter Team
Say hello to our beautiful Newcastle + Hunter team!
Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapists | Senior Occupational Therapists
She/Her
Occupational Therapist
About Jess
Age: 16+
Location: Hunter Valley, Newcastle & surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Adults and young people with complex mental health diagnosis
- Psychotherapy
- Daily Living Skills building, goal setting, Routine development
- Relapse prevention and wellness planning
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Introducing our warm, down to earth, understanding, and empathetic Clinician Jess. Jess has over 16 years of experience working as a Mental Health Occupational Therapist and holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. Jess has predominately worked in the public system in various roles within Hunter New England Health including inpatient and community rehabilitation, as well as more acute community health services across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley occupying senior OT and management roles. Jess is a registered Occupational Therapist with AHPRA and is a member of OT Australia.
Jess is driven by her passion and desire to help others access the very best within themselves to live a meaningful and productive life. She strongly believes in working from strengths-based approaches to support others to feel empowered, to find purpose and generate motivation and skills to improve quality of life.
Jess is also trained in DBT, ACT, and sensory, psychosocial and functional assessments and can provide interventions including goal setting, skills building, support with emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, and activities of daily living. Jess is dedicated to completing assessments and delivering interventions in a compassionate and holistic manner so as to ensure that individual needs and goals are addressed, that family and loved ones are incorporated into care and that everyone is working collaboratively on achieving the individual’s identified goals and improved functioning. She really views working with individuals and supports in these ways as a privilege.
Jess is also a mum of two beautiful girls and loves spending time with her family holidaying, camping, attending concerts and festivals, painting and drawing and playing with her two border collie pups.
She/Her
Occupational Therapist
About Kristy
Age: 12+
Location: Lower and Upper Hunter, Port Stephens & surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Adults and young people with complex mental health diagnosis
- Neurodivergence
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Trauma
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Trauma-Focused ACT
- Daily Living Skills building, goal setting, Routine development
Introducing our spirited, patient, compassionate, caring and vibrant clinician Kristy. Kristy joins the FHH team with over 20 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist having worked in a variety of diverse and interesting settings. In more recent years Kristy has focussed on community based mental health including providing holistic supports alongside individuals in the NDIS space. Kristy is registered with AHPRA and is a member of OT Australia.
Kristy takes a client centred approach in helping individuals achieve their optimum potential to live a meaningful and happy life. Kristy believes in meeting clients where they are at on their journey and empowering individuals to work towards where they want to be. Kristy’s gentle and kind nature provides the foundation for an effective therapeutic relationship for clients to feel comfortable and motivated to achieve their goals with an ally by their side.
Kristy has extensive experience in providing both therapy and assessments for people with psychosocial disabilities and has a particular interest in trauma informed therapy including incorporating sensory modalities for a bottom-up approach to recovery.
Kristy will soon be launching her own Health and Wellbeing practice which incorporates nature-based therapies including concepts from Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), meditation and breathwork surrounded by nature. Kristy has herself realised the benefits and healing power of nature for her own mental health through being immersed in nature with her favourite leisure activities including adventure racing, hiking and alpine sports.
Kristy will be covering a diverse area of the region and has a particular interest in connecting with and servicing individuals in the Upper Hunter and surrounding areas.
She/Her
Occupational Therapist
About Jane
Age: 16+
Location/s: Maitland, Cessnock, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and surrounding suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Neurodivergence
- Significant Mental Health & Psychosocial Presentations
- Improving Executive Functioning; Daily Living Skills Building, Routine Building, Improved Self Confidence and Well-being
- Functional Assessments
- Home and Living Assessments
Jane is an Occupational Therapist with over 24 years experience. She enjoys working with participants to tailor programs that help them to achieve their goals and gain improved sense of control over their own lives.
Jane has a strong belief in neuroaffirming practice and enjoys working across neurodiverse presentations. She believes in helping people to identify their values and build routines that assist them to achieve a balanced lifestyle that helps them maintain a sense of health and achievement.
Jane believes in empowering participants to recognise and focus on their strengths and use these to achieve their own identified goals for wellbeing and function. She has significant experience working across a number of mental health and psychosocial presentations and a strong desire to help in the path to sustained wellness and fulfillment. Jane also has her complex home modifications credentials and enjoys working with participants to ensure their home environment supports their needs.
Jane graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) and is registered with AHPRA. During her career Jane has worked across a number of private and public settings and has enjoyed embracing the opportunities the NDIS has provided for participants.
In her spare time Jane enjoys spending time with her family, walking with her dog, going to the beach and reading.
She/Her
Occupational Therapist
About Nicole
Age: 18+
Location: Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Lower Hunter
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Major Mental Illness
- Psychosocial Disability
Introducing our warm and compassionate clinician, Nicole. As a highly experienced Mental Health Occupational Therapist Nicole is dedicated to providing a person centred, trauma-informed and down-to-earth approach to practice. Nicole has extensive experience working with youth, adults and older people across a variety of settings including outpatient community services (mental health rehabilitation, care coordination, day program and drop-in center) and inpatient services (acute, sub-acute and forensic).
Nicole is highly skilled in providing holistic psychosocial and functional assessments to advocate for access to tailored, evidence-based interventions. Nicole is able to provide goal-based recommendations to improve functioning, ability and independence through psycho-education, skills building, and task/environmental modifications that are specific to individual needs. Nicole has a strong focus on goal setting that incorporates leisure as well as self-care and productivity.
Nicole is passionate about working alongside complex and vulnerable clients to support and empower them to lead fulfilling lives filled with meaningful activities. Nicole has strengths in building connection, trust and rapport by providing genuine, non-judgmental and respectful care and support in a flexible way, to meet people where they are on their unique journey. When not working Nicole likes all things active, relaxing in nature like the beach, bush and snow. Nicole loves trying new things and has a love of books, podcasts and sudoku.
Behaviour Support Practitioners
She/Her
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
About Alisha
Age: All Ages
Location: Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Lower Hunter, Mid North Coast
Areas of speciality:
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Complex Behaviour Support
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Trauma and Attachment-Informed Practice
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Systems and Family-Centred Practice
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Restrictive Practice Reduction
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Training and Capacity Building
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Functional Behaviour Assessment and Clinical Formulation
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Psychosocial Disability and Mental Health
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Supervision
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Alisha is a Social Worker and Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner with extensive experience supporting individuals with complex psychosocial needs, trauma histories, and behaviours of concern.
Her practice is grounded in trauma-informed, attachment-informed, and systems-based approaches. Alisha is passionate about understanding behaviour within the context of a person's experiences, relationships, and environment, and works collaboratively with individuals, families, and support networks to build insight, consistency, and capacity. She values creating safe, respectful, and relational spaces where people feel understood and supported.
Alisha brings both clinical leadership and experience, having led the development of behaviour support services within the NDIS. She has a particular interest in supporting complex presentations and reducing the use of restrictive practices through ethical, person-centred approaches that promote dignity and meaningful quality of life outcomes.
In addition to her clinical work, Alisha is an accredited Team Teach Intermediate Trainer and provides training in de-escalation and safe, ethical responses to behaviour, supporting teams to feel confident and capable in their roles.
Alisha values authenticity, accountability, and equity in her work, and is committed to walking alongside the people she supports to create meaningful and sustainable change.
She/Her
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
About Danni
Age: 18+
Location: Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and surrounds
Telehealth: (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Data Analysis
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychological Disability - primarily acute psychosis, schizophrenia and personality disorders
- Reducing the use of Restrictive Practice
- Forensics
- Supervision and Training
Danni joins the Hub Team as our Professional Lead + Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner (Advanced/Specialist) level. Danni brings with her over 13 years of diverse experience in the disability and psychosocial space, inclusive of leadership roles. She is masters-qualified in Special and Inclusive Practice with a major in Behavioural Disorders and has specialised in Behaviour Support for over 7 years.
When meeting Danni you will quickly find that she has a natural ability to engage with her friendly, respectful and kind demeanour. She has a yearning for ongoing professional development, deep practice knowledge and a desire to reduce restrictive practices. Danni’s work is grounded in a person-centred approach, where she focuses on building trust, fostering safety, and empowering participants to grow their confidence, capacity, and independence while achieving their goals.
Danni has a dual role within our Hub combining her love of making a difference through direct practice - working holistically alongside participants/networks of support and utilising her advanced skillset and practice knowledge to both supervise and support the Hub’s team of registered Behaviour Support Practitioners. Danni has a positive and proactive leadership style embedded in strategic thinking, innovation and action which cultivates an empowering and ongoing internal learning environment that benefits both our clinicians and importantly the people we work alongside.
Danni is the perfect fit for the Hub’s values base and larger vision and is certainly here to make a difference!
He/Him
Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner
About Mitch
Age: All Ages
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog Shire, Mid North Coast & Surrounding Suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate)
Areas of speciality:
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Motivational Interviewing
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Psychosocial Disability
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Intellectual Disability
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Autism
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With over 12 years of experience in the disability and mental health industry, Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) from the University of Newcastle. Currently registered as an Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, he is passionate about providing client-centred programs to enhance the quality of life for individuals in a collaborative team environment.
Specialising in Motivational Interviewing and supporting individuals with psychosocial disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism, Mitchell is committed to empowering clients aged 7 and above to reach their full potential.
Previously, he played a pivotal role in overseeing clinical supervision and quality assurance within a multidisciplinary team. His expertise in behavioural intervention was instrumental in delivering specialised support across various regions, fostering positive outcomes for clients and their families.
His experience also includes collaborating with NDIS participants, families, and community organisations to assess needs, develop support plans, and facilitate service connections. This role deepened his understanding of the NDIS framework and reinforced his commitment to client advocacy.
With a strong sense of social justice and a client-centred approach, Mitchell focuses on building strong therapeutic relationships to support individuals in achieving their goals. His dedication to enhancing the quality of life for his clients is evident in every aspect of his work.
She/Her
Support
Practitioner
About Laura
Age: 12+
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate)
Areas of speciality:
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- Psychosocial Disability
- Major Mental Illness
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism
Laura is a qualified, AASW practicing Social Worker and Behaviour Support Practitioner with over 17 years of clinical experience, providing clinical mental health support across community settings for primary mental health services, private practice, and the disability and child protection sectors. Laura’s most recent roles include Therapeutic Support Clinician, Behaviour Support Clinician, Clinical Advisor and working in a Clinical Practice Directorate as a Senior Practice Leader/Project Lead in the Northern Territory.
Prior to this, Laura spent a large majority of her career with her family in remote parts of Australia (WA, NT), whereby cultural humility, sensitivity and congruence is significant. Rustling in the red dirt and camping in the outback suited Laura and her family perfectly! Her strong connection to her hometown of the Hunter Valley and her extended family brought her home, where she implemented her vision of creating a Hub space for individuals that fosters healing, connection, recovery and clinical excellence.
Laura is extremely passionate about walking alongside individuals on their own unique journey and has a natural ability to build relationships. Laura does this with ease through her professional, warm and down to earth nature and is highly skilled in providing a service that is tailored to an individual’s needs and essence. Laura is committed to ongoing learning, striving for deeper practice knowledge and understands the importance of staying connected to new learnings to be an effective and strong ethically-minded Director.
Laura is grateful for the ‘Hub’s Dream Team’ whereby all staff and clinicians hold values that align with the Hub’s deeper purpose. The Hub wouldn’t be what it is without our amazing clinicians!
Laura is grateful for the community support and looks forward to ongoing opportunities to grow and respond to the needs of our diverse community.
She/Her
Support
Practitioner
About Melissa
Age: All
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate)
Areas of speciality:
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- Psychosocial Disability
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Reducing Restrictive Practices
Melissa joins the Hub team as a Behaviour Support Practitioner, bringing with her over 12 years of experience working in the psychosocial disability space, with over six years of these working in leadership roles.
She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science, equipping her with a strong foundation in behavioural theory and practice.
Melissa has a calm, approachable nature and a genuine commitment to person-centred, trauma-informed practice.
She is passionate about supporting individuals to feel safe, heard, and empowered, working alongside participants and their networks to build confidence, reduce distress, and foster meaningful, sustainable change.
With a professional background in mental health, disability, and leadership, Melissa brings a diverse and valuable skill set to the team. She has strong capabilities in reflective practice, service coordination, and written communication, and is known for her collaborative approach to working across systems.
Her style is thoughtful and grounded, drawing on both practical experience and ongoing professional learning. Melissa’s time in leadership has also given her a natural aptitude for coaching, developing programs, and promoting best practice in complex environments. She has a genuine desire to help others succeed, whether that be participants, families, or colleagues, and contributes to a positive culture of learning and growth within the Hub.
In her downtime, Melissa enjoys Reformer Pilates, reading a good book, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
She/Her
Support Practitioner
About Amy
Age: 16+
Location/s: Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Surrounding Areas.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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Psychosocial Disability
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Intellectual Disability
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Autism
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Reduction of Restrictive Practices
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Amy is an empathetic and client-focused Behaviour Support Practitioner with over eight years of experience working across disability, youth and mental health settings. She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and brings a strong foundation in human behaviour, therapeutic support, and person-centred practice to her work.
Amy has worked extensively with individuals with psychosocial disabilities, autism, intellectual disability, and complex physical health needs, including high-intensity supports. She has supported participants through transitions, crisis management, and long-term behaviour support across both community and residential settings.
Amy works collaboratively with participants and their support networks to deliver practical, evidence-based strategies that develop confidence, build everyday skills, and enhance emotional wellbeing. Her focus is on meaningful, strengths-based support that aligns with each individual’s values and goals. When Amy is not working some of her interests include the gym, running, snowboarding and reading.
She/Her
Support Practitioner
About Gemma
Age: 3+
Location/s: Lower Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Surrounding Suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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Trauma Informed Care
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Autism and ADHD
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Non-verbal Communication
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Psychosocial Disability
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Gemma is a compassionate and dedicated Proficient Behaviour Support Practitioner whose experience has largely focused on working with young children (3+) and their support networks. She seeks to help reduce the impacts of concerning behaviours, and improve quality of life outcomes through a combination of evidence-based techniques.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Psychology and gaining valuable experience in both Behaviour Support combined with work within the disability space for many years, Gemma discovered her passion in helping parents guide their children’s learning and strengthen family dynamics.
Gemma has advocated for her participants across school and daycare settings, and has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by those in carer roles. Her experience has focused largely on supporting young participants and their families in managing a wide range of behaviours of concern, including verbal and physical aggression, meltdowns, anxiety-related behaviours, and impulsivity.
Gemma applies a strengths-based and person-centred approach to her practice, ensuring that each individual’s unique needs and strengths are at the forefront of her work. She is experienced in supporting children and young adults on the autism spectrum, as well as those with ADHD, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Additionally, she is familiar with supporting non-verbal communication and is passionate about the use of Key Word Sign/Auslan.
When working with Gemma, participants can expect a collaborative approach where they are informed at each step. She is dedicated to building meaningful, trusting relationships with participants, making sure they feel like equal partners in the therapeutic process.
Gemma’s ultimate aim is to empower individuals and families with strategies and support to improve long-term outcomes.
He/Him
Support Practitioner
About Stephen
Age: All Ages
Location/s: Lower Hunter, Upper Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and surrounding suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Working in the Out-of-Home Care system for children and carers (including kinship care)
- Reducing the use of Restrictive Practice
- ASD and ADHD
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Supporting Indigenous people and families
Stephen is Behaviour Support Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the Out-of-Home Care sector, supporting children and their carers, including kinship carers. Stephen has worked extensively throughout Western NSW with Indigenous families to promote safe, culturally respectful practices that enable children to remain with family whenever possible. He is qualified with a Master of Professional Psychology and also works part-time with various ages and presentations in the field, specialising in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
In addition to his therapeutic work, Stephen has developed a particular interest in Dignity Therapy – a life review intervention designed to enhance quality of life and provide meaning for older adults. Stephen presents as an empathic and caring person, whose calm and gentle communication style fosters safety, respect, and trust.
He is committed to continuous learning to deliver the best possible outcomes for those he supports. His practice is grounded in empowerment, encouraging individuals to grow, achieve their goals, and live with greater autonomy and dignity. Stephen is experienced in working across the lifespan and understands the importance of linking and working alongside a multi-disciplinary team to ensure holistic, person-centred support. He has extensive experience supporting individuals with NDIS access and is committed to helping them navigate services to achieve the best possible results.
Stephen is passionate about continuing to uphold and promote the Hub’s values and mission and is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
He/Him
Support Practitioner
Senior Mental Health Social Workers | Senior Social Workers
She/Her
About Laura
Age: 12+
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate)
Areas of speciality:
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- Psychosocial Disability
- Major Mental Illness
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism
Laura is a qualified, AASW practicing Social Worker and Behaviour Support Practitioner with over 17 years of clinical experience, providing clinical mental health support across community settings for primary mental health services, private practice, and the disability and child protection sectors. Laura’s most recent roles include Therapeutic Support Clinician, Behaviour Support Clinician, Clinical Advisor and working in a Clinical Practice Directorate as a Senior Practice Leader/Project Lead in the Northern Territory.
Prior to this, Laura spent a large majority of her career with her family in remote parts of Australia (WA, NT), whereby cultural humility, sensitivity and congruence is significant. Rustling in the red dirt and camping in the outback suited Laura and her family perfectly! Her strong connection to her hometown of the Hunter Valley and her extended family brought her home, where she implemented her vision of creating a Hub space for individuals that fosters healing, connection, recovery and clinical excellence.
Laura is extremely passionate about walking alongside individuals on their own unique journey and has a natural ability to build relationships. Laura does this with ease through her professional, warm and down to earth nature and is highly skilled in providing a service that is tailored to an individual’s needs and essence. Laura is committed to ongoing learning, striving for deeper practice knowledge and understands the importance of staying connected to new learnings to be an effective and strong ethically-minded Director.
Laura is grateful for the ‘Hub’s Dream Team’ whereby all staff and clinicians hold values that align with the Hub’s deeper purpose. The Hub wouldn’t be what it is without our amazing clinicians!
Laura is grateful for the community support and looks forward to ongoing opportunities to grow and respond to the needs of our diverse community.
She/Her
About Sarah
Age: 16+
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle & surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Social and emotional dysregulation
- Major mental illness
- Capacity building and social and emotional connection
Introducing our compassionate, empathic, and dedicated social worker Sarah.
Sarah is a qualified AASW practicing Senior Mental Health Social Worker with over 17 years clinical experience working in public mental health across inpatient, community, adult and older person’s sectors. Sarah has also spent time working in an Emergency Department. Sarah has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Newcastle.
Sarah is trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy enhanced for eating disorders (CBTE) and has a passion to help people learn skills and have self-determination in their lives. Sarah has provided therapy in the DBT field for over 15 years.
Sarah has a strong sense of social justice and is passionate about helping people reach their full potential and being guided by people as the experts in their own lives. Sarah is friendly, approachable and open-minded and sees the importance of building a strong therapeutic rapport to help people work towards and achieve their goals.
Sarah finds importance in the work/life balance space and in her spare time she likes to spend time with family, practice karate and listening to a wide range of music.
Psychology
He/Him
About Stephen
Age: All Ages
Location: Lower Hunter, Upper Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and surrounding suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
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Dignity Therapy
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),
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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
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Narrative Therapy
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Trauma-Informed Care
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Working in the Out-of-Home Care System for Children and Carers (including Kinship Care)
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Reducing the Use of Restrictive Practice
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ASD and ADHD
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Intellectual Disabilities
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Supporting Indigenous People and Families
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Stephen is a Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner holding a Master of Professional Psychology from Bond University, complemented by a Graduate Diploma and Post-Graduate Diploma of Psychology from Charles Sturt University. With nearly 20 years of experience in the Out-of-Home Care sector, he brings a uniquely integrated psychological and community-based perspective to his practice.
Stephen has extensive experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments across the lifespan, utilising a broad range of standardised tools including the Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WISC-5, WAIS-5, WPPSI-4), Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (4th edition), Conners Comprehensive Behaviour Rating Scale, Brown Executive Function/Attention Scale, DIVA-5, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF), Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (3rd edition), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID), among others. He integrates assessment findings into comprehensive psychological reports that inform meaningful, person-centred intervention.
Stephen's therapeutic practice is grounded in evidence-based frameworks, with particular expertise in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for presentations including anxiety, depression, and trauma across diverse age groups and presentations. He has also developed skills in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, enabling a flexible, multi-modal approach tailored to each individual's needs and goals.
He has worked extensively with Indigenous families throughout regional NSW, promoting culturally safe and respectful psychological practice that supports children to remain connected with family and community wherever possible. His deep understanding of trauma, complex attachment presentations, and the Out-of-Home Care system positions him to provide holistic support to children, carers, and kinship families navigating significant systemic challenges.
In addition to his lifespan work, Stephen has developed a specialised interest in Dignity Therapy, a structured, life-review psychological intervention designed to enhance meaning, purpose, and quality of life in older adults. His professional development further includes targeted training in suicide risk prevention, the aetiology of anxiety, depressive, personality, and eating disorders, and the assessment and management of delirium and dementia.
Stephen presents as a warm, empathic, and reflective practitioner whose calm and gentle communication style cultivates psychological safety, trust, and therapeutic alliance. His practice is guided by a commitment to empowerment, autonomy, and dignity, ensuring individuals are supported to grow, achieve their goals, and exercise greater self-determination. He values collaborative, multidisciplinary engagement and is committed to integrating psychological expertise alongside allied health, community, and family networks to deliver truly holistic, person-centred outcomes.
Counsellor
He/Him
About Justin
Age: 9+
Location: All Locations across Newcastle + Hunter Regions
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
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- Psychosocial Disability
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism
- Grief and Loss
- Trauma
- Individuals involved with justice system/incarcerated
Introducing our skilled and passionate Counsellor Justin Carl. Justin is the Director of ‘About You Counselling’ and a great asset to our dynamic team. Justin has his Diploma of Counselling and Communication from Torrens University and is also studying a Bachelor of Social Work through UNE. Justin provides opportunities and a safe space where you can be yourself - talk about life and be supported to live the life that you want to live. The professional counselling techniques that align with Justin are Person Centred, Strengths-Based and Solution-Focused Therapy. Justin is an incredibly worldly character, who has this calming, engaging, insightful demeanor and energy.
Justin has supported people of all ages, backgrounds, and diverse circumstances such as those incarcerated or living in transience. Justin began studies for his Bachelor of Social Sciences in 2015, whereby he then proceeded to move into the social service/disability specific industries working in a variety of roles and of course walking alongside some incredible people on their unique journeys and has a particular interest in the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Space’. When Justin doesn’t have his Counselling hat on his greatest achievement is that of his beautiful family (being a father and husband) and is active in his community such as coaching his son’s soccer team and managing his other son’s AFL Team. Justin has also been known to play in the AFL Masters. For self-care Justin loves to go mountain bike riding and play golf.
Administration and Accounts
She/Her
About Brooke
Introducing our wonderful Accounts Assistant Brooke Omotosho. Brooke brings a very diverse work history whereby she has lived and worked abroad specialising in accounts and credit control. Brooke's role is to support our amazing clinicians in doing what they do best by managing the paperwork in a highly organised and professional manner. Brooke is thrilled to be part of a dynamic team and a unique organisation who are shaking things up in the Mental Health Space. Great leaders are certainly often behind the scenes!!
She/Her
About Narelle
Introducing our kind, bubbly and creative Admin Assistant Narelle Cassidy (Nez). Nez brings with her an extensive background in customer services with well over 15 years experience across a variety of industries inclusive of diverse management roles. Nez also has experience of running her own business, allowing for an abundance of transferable skills that we are lucky to learn and grow from as a small and passionate organisation. Nez is looking forward to becoming a valued member of the dynamic FHH team and working alongside our supporters and wider community and is committed to the Hub’s values, vision and deeper purpose. Nez will very likely be your first point of contact alongside Lana, fielding inquiries and referrals in a timely manner.
When not working Nez enjoys spending time with her partner and three young boys, being near the ocean, a day at the bay with her family or taking the caravan away. Nez has a very calming, open, and fun demeanour and a very contagious laugh!