team leaders

Maria has completed a Diploma of Counselling and Communications. Her interest in mental health comes from the lived experience of post-natal depression, Anxiety and Major depression. Maria is kind and compassionate and comes with curiosity about what makes up each person’s personality. She has worked in aged care and has been a host carer to international students for many years, Maria values, diversity and inclusion. During her practicum in aged care where she continues to volunteer, Maria has developed further interest in dementia and mental health in the elderly and sees the need for end-of-life companions. Maria has a strong Christian Faith. 

Louise has a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Social Science. Following the long term illness and passing of a beloved parent Louise has sought to provide the support required in grief. With a lived experience Louise's rich experience allows her to provide incredible support to others. She has a passion for supporting all people in particular those that suffer with chronic pain.

Jeannie is a graduate with a Diploma and BA in Counselling. Her interest comes from lived experience of family trauma, anxiety, and depression. Her other lived experience includes over 30 years in customer service and retail, which Jeannie argues is both traumatising and provides ample transferable skills. Jeannie practices a range of counselling modalities online and face-to-face in the South-West Sydney area. 

Maria is the founder and director of the Friendship Centre. She has a BA Social Psychology/Social Research, Diploma of Counselling, Diploma of Community Services and an Advanced Diploma in Biblical Studies. Maria's passion is to help as many people as she can. She designed a model that would provide FREE counselling to whoever needs it. She is keen to apply a holistic approach to helping her clients and uses a vast array of therapy techniques to make sure that she is exhausting all her skills to help the person right in front of her.  Maria speaks English and Spanish.

Julia has a Diploma in Community Services Work and is  a Graduate Diploma in Counselling. For the last ten years Julia has worked as a school chaplain in both primary and high schools. As part of her role she has provided whole school support following critical incidents, as well as small group and individual support to young people, parents/carers and staff facing a wide range of issues including grief and loss, anxiety/depression, domestic violence, eating disorders, self-harm, school refusal and relationship issues. Julia has a heart to walk with people on their journey of self-discover and to help them reach their goals.

Areej has completed a Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology from Charles Sturt University and done my undergrad from overseas. I have been accepted into the Brain and Mind sciences program at University of Sydney for the following year. So far, I have developed knowledge of how to conceptualise clients problems from the standpoint of a professional helper and develop interventional strategies based on a theoretical conceptualisation. I am always striving to learn, grow and gain more knowledge

Divina has graduated with  a Master's in Counselling from The University of Queensland and is a Level 2 accredited counsellor by the Australian Counselling Association.  She is a compassionate counsellor that remains calm yet focused on creating a safe space for clients to explore their needs. She practices from a solution-focused, person-centred, mindfulness and narrative framework. However, she remains open and curious to tailor therapy to meet the needs and goals of her clients.  She is passionate about supporting clients experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, stress, mindfulness, to name a few. Moreover, she enjoys working as a Telehealth counsellor as she saw the number of people that reached out for support from the comfort of their own home.

Nuria is a warm and empathetic Counsellor, Meditation Facilitator, Mental Health First Aider, and experienced youth mentor. She is passionate about assisting and supporting clients working through relationship and parenting issues, body image and food addiction, codependency, trauma, grief, and depression and anxiety, to name a few. She is passionate about working with adults, youth, children, couples, and the Spanish and Latin American communities. She advocates for a person-centred holistic approach and firmly believes in the healing capacity of all individuals. Nuria speaks Spanish and English.

Efi has graduated with a diploma of counseling and is a member of the Australian counseling Association. Her background includes teaching dancing, singing and visual arts, which has given her a wealth of experience in human relations. Efi is compassionate, light hearted and encouraging. Her mission is to provide support to clients facing challenges, some include, life transitions, anxiety, trauma, grief, and depression. A person centered approach and therapies are tailored to each person’s needs, facilitating positive change and new- found strengths. Efi is fluent in Greek.