Say hello to our beautiful team!
Director +
Mental Health - Social Worker
Laura is a qualified, AASW practicing Social Worker with over 13 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.
Mental Health -
Social Worker
Introducing our gentle, kind, caring, driven, perceptive and self-aware Social Worker Jessica. Jessica is a qualified AASW practicing Social Worker with many years of experience in medical and mental health in-patient settings in both private and public sectors. Jessica has also completed a Bachelor of Counselling in 2015 with the Australian College of Applied Psychology and incorporates person-centred, strengths-based principles and theory into her scope of practice.
Jessica prides herself on providing a very high level of trauma-informed care, mental health support and family support to clients and their families. Jessica has worked alongside individuals from all walks of life, ages, backgrounds, experiences and embraces all individuals to support “humans in all their humanness”. Jessica works on important aspects of an individual’s life from their perspective to understand their goals, dreams, hopes, fears and barriers with a focus on capacity building to improve overall well-being and enhanced wellness. Jessica is passionate about supporting individuals to build upon their resilience, capabilities and strengths and supports each person uniquely in their recovery journey.
Jessica is a bubbly, warm and friendly clinician who has a strong connection to family and nature. In the spirit of her love of nature, Jessica will be studying Horticultural Therapy this year with a plan to use nature and plants in healing practices to support overall well-being to the mind and body.
Mental Health -
Social Worker
Introducing our deeply caring, critically thinking, knowledgeable, patient, empathic and highly skilled clinician/Social Worker Kate. Kate is an AASW practicing Social Worker who has profound experience in the mental health, homelessness and disability sectors.
Kate's extensive experience in the homelessness sector has certainly fueled her passion for supporting people to access and sustain housing that promotes their overall mental health. Kate understands that there are many factors that contribute to mental health and wellbeing and enjoys working alongside people to achieve their goals. Kate particularly enjoys supporting individuals to build confidence, work on distress tolerance skills, social skills and navigating systems.
Kate creates a safe space for people to talk openly about their mental health and has a natural ability to tailor supports to meet each person’s unique needs. When Kate is not devoting her professional time to FHH and our supporters she has her own social media wellness presence called “Full Cup Co.” whereby Kate posts about all things human: life challenges, personal growth, relationships and mental health. Kate is also a massive animal lover, enjoys art and getting outdoors in her spare time.
Mental Health -
Social Worker
Introducing our therapy providing, strengths focused, honest, warm, social rights champion and clinician Tracy. Tracy is a qualified AASW practicing mental health social worker with over 13 years of clinical experience working between community and inpatient mental health settings. Prior to this, Tracy worked in the field of child protection and out of home care settings acting as an advocate for children and young people to enhance their safety and wellbeing.
Tracy is passionate about assisting individuals to lead happier and more fulfilling lives and to work towards individuals achieving their recovery goals by supporting people to better understand themselves through a process of self-discovery. Tracy adopts a down to earth, practical and person-centred approach and is a strong believer in individuals as the ‘expert’ in their own lives. Tracy does this by walking alongside individuals in their life journey rather than leading from the front and believes in the power of connection with an aim to build a therapeutic alliance with all of the clients she works alongside as the basis of facilitating change and growth. Tracy loves working as part of a team and takes a shared approach to making progress.
Tracy is excited about working within the NDIS community space and empowering and enabling people to be the best version of themselves whilst collaborating, connecting and creating a workspace that is inclusive, dynamic and meets the needs of our wonderful FHH clients. Tracy is a strong believer in life and work balance and enjoys hanging out with family and friends, enjoying good food, listening to live music and even dabbles in a bit of karaoke!
Mental Health -
Social Worker
Introducing our compassionate, empathic, and dedicated social worker Sarah.
Sarah is a qualified AASW practicing 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.
Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
Introducing our experienced, passionate, knowledgeable and caring clinician Grena. Grena is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist who has experience working in a variety of different areas of Mental Health including inpatient and community settings. Grena has a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and has since worked in both public and private healthcare settings. Grena is registered with AHPRA and is a member of OT Australia.
Grena believes everyone deserves a chance to access the support they require to live meaningful lives. Grena enjoys assisting people to feel empowered and equipped to take on challenges, find purpose and improve their quality of life. Grena delivers occupational therapy with use of different frameworks and approaches and appreciates the uniqueness of everyone’s story with an understanding that we all have different needs and priorities at different stages in our journeys. Grena provides assessments and interventions at our Hub Space in Lorn or in the community. These often include occupational therapy functional assessments, skills training, behaviour activation and coping strategies. Grena works with the individual, their loved ones and other supports to help address an individual’s goals. Grena also values the power of group based interventions and enjoys using her creativity in her work.
Grena embraces the importance of balance between productivity, rest and leisure. In her free time, Grena enjoys playing music, roller-skating, spending time with her loved ones, going for walks/hikes and cooking.
Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
Introducing our spirited, patient, compassionate, caring and vibrant clinician Kristy. Kristy joins the FHH team with over 18 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.
Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
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.
Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
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.
Registered Psychologist
Giselle Naidu is the founder of Courageous Steps Psychology, based in Maitland. Giselle has 20 years of clinical experience as a Registered Psychologist. She trained and worked in South Africa and registered as a Psychologist when she immigrated in 2005. Giselle is registered with APHRA and with the APS. As a therapist she honors the courage it takes to want to work on, and improve ones mental health.
Giselle holds a Master's in Social Science (Psychology) and uses her ongoing professional development to offer clients an experience that respects where they are at in their recovery journey. She has worked at both a primary, secondary and tertiary intervention level within the field of mental health. Giselle's experience within private hospital settings and post discharge continuity of care, has given her a wealth of knowledge of how to tailor therapeutic interventions to best meet the needs of a client. Giselle understands that often change and healing is not a simple process and she will endeavor to continue to walk alongside her clients when change is difficult. As a mental health practitioner, Giselle allows the client to determine the changes they would like to see in their mental health. She believes change, however small, is possible and can lead to improvement in ones sense of well-being and connection within community.
Registered Psychologist
Briana is an AHPRA registered psychologist with experience working within inpatient and outpatient hospital settings for individuals and groups. She provides an empathic, client-centred approach in therapy and enjoys working collaboratively with clients to better understand their lived experience in order to move towards meaningful change. Briana is passionate about delivering quality care in a warm, open manner to improve psychological wellness and enhance life fulfilment.
Briana works with adults across a broad range of mental health concerns including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, stress, relationship issues, adjustment and attachment difficulties. She utilises a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness and Schema Therapy.
Briana also holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Cultural Studies and Critical Theory with a special interest in how our cultural and social life relates to our identity and individual life stories. She finds this knowledge valuable in informing her work as a compassionate client-centred clinician.
Briana loves gardening, camping and bush walks with her family, laughing with her young daughter and is passionate about animal rescue volunteer work.
Counsellor
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.
Accounts Assistant
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!!
Administration Assistant
Introducing our friendly Admin Assistant Ellana Kelly (Lana). Lana brings with her an extensive background in administrative work providing Feeling + Healing Hub - Allied Health Services with a friendly, professional and personalised service. Whilst working within the administration sector, Lana has been awarded nationally for her customer service skills and wishes to maintain this level of excellence with all of FHH clients, family members and support networks. Lana will very likely be your first point of contact, fielding inquiries and referrals in a timely manner.
Lana also will be assisting our amazing clinicians by taking care of our paperwork. You will see Lana getting creative with some of our socials so you can see updates of what the Hub has going on and what our clinicians and amazing clients are up too! Lana when not working, enjoys spending time with her husband and little girl. Lana has an incredible sense of humor and we cant wait for people to experience her amazing aura.
Administration Assistant
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!