Say hello to our beautiful Newcastle + Hunter team!
Director +
Behaviour Support Practitioner,
Senior Mental Health - Social Worker
(she/her)
Age: 12+
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding areas
Telehealth: (If assessed to be appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- Psychosocial Disability
- Major Mental Illness
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism
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.
Professional Lead +
Senior Behaviour
Support Practitioner
(he/him)
Age: 7+
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog Shire, Mid North Coast & Surrounding Suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate)
Areas of speciality:
-
-
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
-
Motivational Interviewing
-
Psychosocial Disability
-
Intellectual Disability
-
Autism
-
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 Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), 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.
Professional Lead +
Senior Behaviour
Support Practitioner
(she/her)
Age: 18+
Location: Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and surrounds
Telehealth: (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- 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!
Senior Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
(she/her)
Age: 16+
Location: Hunter Valley, Newcastle & surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- 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.
Senior Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
(she/her)
Age: 18+
Location: Newcastle, Hunter, Lake Macquarie & surrounds
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- Psychosocial Disability
- Major Mental Illness
- Social and Emotional Dysregulation
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.
Senior Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
(she/her)
Age: 12+
Location: Lower and Upper Hunter, Port Stephens & surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- Adults and young people with complex mental health diagnosis
- Neurodivergence
- 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.
Senior Mental Health -
Occupational Therapist
(she/her)
Age: 18+
Location: Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Lower Hunter
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- 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.
Senior
Occupational Therapist
(she/her)
Age: 16+
Location/s: Maitland, Cessnock, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and surrounding suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- 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.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Senior Social Worker
(she/her)
Age: 7+
Location/s: Lower Hunter, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Surrounding Suburbs.
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
-
Psychosocial Disability
-
Neurodevelopmental Presentations
-
Trauma
-
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)/Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)/Functional Family Therapy/Internal Family Systems Therapy/Motivational Interviewing
-
Somatic experiencing practices
-
Reducing the use of Restrictive Practice
-
Data Analysis
-
Kelly is a deeply compassionate Behaviour Support Practitioner with a background as a Social Worker, Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Teaching - specialising in inclusive education and counselling. Kelly has been therapeutically supporting people of all ages and backgrounds for the past twenty years in many diverse roles equipping her to be a very holistic and well-rounded clinician.
Kelly holds a profound belief that every person deserves a safe space where their voice is heard, their emotions are respected, and their unique challenges are met with both care and expertise.
Kelly offers individualised support that’s thoughtfully designed to support you on your unique journey and her priority is creating a nurturing environment where you feel safe to explore your dreams, emotions, overcome challenges, and experience true healing and growth. In your work together, Kelly takes into account the influences of your life experiences, your nervous system, and the environment in which you currently live.
Her approach is grounded in building a collaborative relationship that empowers you to tap into your inner wisdom, discover your strengths, and feel truly supported every step of the way.
Senior Mental Health -
Social Worker
(she/her)
Age: 16+
Location: Lower Hunter, Newcastle & surrounding areas
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- 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.
Senior Mental Health -
Social Worker
(she/her)
Age: 8+
Location: Newcastle + Hunter
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- Psychosocial Disability
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism
Introducing our deeply caring, critically thinking, knowledgeable, patient, empathic, and highly skilled clinician/Social Worker Kate. Kate is a qualified AASW Social Worker with experience in a variety of sectors including mental health, education, disability, and homelessness. Kate works with people at all different stages of life from their teenage years to older adulthood. Kate enjoys supporting people with a variety of experiences and diagnoses. Kate recognises the importance of developing a professional relationship where you feel comfortable to talk openly and work at your own pace. Kate does this through a combination of her down-to-earth and empathetic nature and commitment to providing predictable and consistent support.
Kate has a holistic approach and understands that many factors contribute to individual and family mental health and wellbeing. Kate is particularly passionate about providing inclusive and neuro-affirming therapeutic support. Kate regularly provides support in the areas of:
- Participation in daily living tasks
- Social understanding and safe/healthy relationships
- Building a network and relationships with professional supports
- Exploring and sustaining housing options
- Exploring new and previously enjoyed forms of recreation
When Kate is not devoting her professional time to FHH she enjoys spending time in the garden, getting outdoors, and art-making. Kate at times incorporates art-making, the outdoors, and walk and talk appointments into her practice.
Registered Psychologist
(she/her)
Age: 18+
Location: Clinic Based - Infuse Therapy Space Adamstown
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Trauma
- Personality Vulnerabilities
- Relationship Issues
- Adjustment Difficulties
- Chronic Pain & Illness
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
(he/him)
Age: 8+
Location: All Locations across Newcastle + Hunter Regions
Telehealth: Available (If assessed appropriate).
Areas of speciality:
-
- 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.
Accounts Assistant
(she/her)
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
(she/her)
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
(she/her)
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!