Jodie has been working in Community Services for 18 years. She began her career in mental health, working with Westminster MIND in the UK. Upon returning home to Australia, Jodie moved into the field of disability, where she found her passion for person centred practice, inclusion, and asset based community development. To complement her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Jodie received extensive training and mentoring in these fields by international leaders like Helen Sanderson, Jack Pearpoint, Lynda Kahn, John O’Brien, Connie Lyle O’Brien, and John McKnight. Jodie has applied these practices principles across various direct support, leadership, operational management, and consulting roles. She also began the NSW Central Coast Person Centred Practice Community, to inform and influence disability sector change during the inception of the NDIS. Jodie is now studying a Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) to continue her own professional development.

Wendy has been working in the community service sector for over 20 years, specialising in hypnotherapy, counseling, and teaching within a range of domains including leisure and health, disability and aged care. Wendy a practicing counselor and hypnotherapist and has a wealth of knowledge gained from her industry experience and qualifications. She has studied extensively and gained a wide range of qualifications across the industry, including a Bachelor of Applied Science, Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Development (major – Counselling), a range of community sector diploma qualifications including Counselling, Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy, Youth, Community Services, Child Youth and Family Intervention and Business and Management. Wendy is also an accredited trainer and published author. As the president of ACCA, she offers a wealth of experience to support members to continue to enhance their own professional practice.

Mary-Kate is a trained counsellor, with experience in the mental health sector for the past three years. Her passion is in the area of Domestic and Family Violence she has continued her professional development in Mental Health First Aid, Recognize and Respond to Domestic and Family Violence, Trauma, Grief and loss. Mary-Kate has attended workshops and attained her certificate in Art Therapy. She gains and continues Professional Development through Mental Health Professional Network and Peer Support.

Mary-Kate is passionate about decreasing the stigma of mental health in the community, support people who have been affected by Domestic and Family Violence. Mary-Kate will continue to work with her peers and help the people in the community gain knowledge around these issues by helping increase social, emotional wellbeing and understanding.

Mary-Kate has the support of a loving family and the acquisition of a new canine puppy which is keeping her busy.

Suzanne Longly has extensive counselling/intervention experience (18 years) in community services welfare industries, working for the government and private organisations. These include working in child protection, drug/alcohol counselling, youth and families at risk services, intervention work in primary schools, and delivery of federally-funded personal support programs in Queensland and Victoria. Many of these roles involved counselling, intervention and advocating for the rights of disadvantaged groups experiencing social and economic exclusion.

Suzanne has substantial work experience coordinating family support services through the delivery of a range of early intervention projects under ReachWise Family Support Program in four primary schools.

Suzanne currently teaches units in Dip Counselling, and engages in therapeutic approach interventions for a local DV refuge.  Suzanne has delivered presentations at numerous workshops and community meetings on children issues including attachment theory, domestic violence awareness training, early intervention practices and social and emotional well being in children and young people. She has delivered specialist counselling workshops in motivational, grief and loss, child-focused therapies, crisis intervention, RET therapies, self-empowerment. Suzanne developed specialized frameworks in one-on-one and group counselling settings using a range of intervention a nd self-empowerment and narrative therapies. 

Suzanne offers a wealth of experience to the members of the ACCA to support and enhance their professional development.

Post Grad Cert in Masters of Child and Youth Intervention Studies – Promoting Children’s protection and participation Strengthening young people’s social and emotional well being – Mental Health frameworks .

Bachelor of Social Sciences Majored in Relationships Counselling/Organisational Communication

Diploma of Applied Sciences (Counselling) Drug/Alcohol Empowerment Therapy/Confidence/Self Esteem, Relationship, Anger Management, Drug/Alcohol Therapeutic Professional Practices and Case Management Practices

Sandra is a person centered psychotherapist and Dance Therapist who believes in creating the space for people to explore their feelings and emotions, enabling them to create changes in their lives with support and validation. She has extensive experience supporting individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship issues and other life events which are preventing them from moving forward. She is creative in her approach; and assists her clients to empower themselves.  She has also supported clients and their families who are experiencing life threatening illnesses via on line counselling through an organisation Life Circle.

Sandra holds a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities and Social Sciences), Diplomas of Counselling and Family Intake Support Work, Certificate IV TAE and an ACCA Supervisor. Sandra also facilitates our : Steps to Wholeness – Anxiety and Depression support group.

Sandra  provides 1:1 and group supervision in the Frankston, Victoria area on a monthly basis or via phone for one on one supervision.

David has a wealth of knowledge with relationship counselling and mental health.

His qualifications include; Theology, MA in Leadership and Management, Grad.Dip. in Relationship Counselling and a Grad.Dip. in Family Dispute Resolution.

He is also Gottman Institute Certified Relationship Educator and also holds a Level 1 Certification with Gottman Institute, Prepare/Enrich Certified, Associate Director/Facilitator of Dr Neil Nedley’s Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counsellor  (National Christian Counselling Association), Certified Temperament Counsellor and a PhD Candidate in Clinical Pastoral Counselling through Cornerstone University, USA.

David provides 1:1 and group supervision in the Newcastle area.

Jess volunteers as a Pyjama Angel with the Pyjama Foundation providing educational support to kids in foster care. The philosophy of the Pyjama Foundation is based on the ‘Love of Learning’ program which focuses purely on learning-based activities enabling a child to reach their life potential no matter what their background is.

Jess is currently studying her Diploma of Counselling and has a passion for the education of children and believes that by utilising her counselling diploma in this field it will enable these children to improve their education positively,  and to make a positive impact on their love for learning also.