Trauma Support Providers

Caroline is a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Clinical Social Worker (Medicare Provider). She has 12 years experience providing therapeutic services and has worked in community, hospital, university and private settings. Caroline specialises in the treatment of anxiety, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults and adolescents. She is an Accredited EMDR Practitioner and Consultant (Supervisor). She frequently completes assessments for the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. Caroline is also trained in couple therapy and experienced in working with military veterans and their families. In addition to private practice, Caroline is employed as the EMDR Program Coordinator at a private mental health hospital. Outside of work Caroline is an animal lover and enjoys walking her dogs, yoga, laughing and sharing meals with friends and family.

I am a trauma informed counsellor who will take time to build a relationship with you that is based on trust and mutual respect. I will work collaboratively with you to achieve the things that you desire from therapy and to explore the somewhat uncomfortable territory that accompanies traumatic experience. I am trained in EMDR and have been using this remarkable approach to trauma therapy for several years. I have nearly 20 years experience working with addiction and trauma across schools, TAFE, homeless centres, mental health settings, an addiction medicine clinic and private practice.

Chris is a highly qualified and experienced Counsellor, Sensorimotor Art Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who specialises in supporting nervous system regulation and the processing of traumatic experiences that are held in the body. A session might range from the more traditional 'talking' therapy through to the more sensory based somatic techniques that allow a client to work on processing any trauma held in the body, without having to retell details of the experience itself. She has a keen interest in supporting the recovery of people impacted by sexual assault, family violence, and childhood abuse. Modalities used include Child Centered Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Clayfield Therapy, Sensorimotor Art Therapy and a general range of Art Therapy techniques. Professionally, as part of her work in private practice, Chris has presented aspects of her work at State, National and International conferences, and her interests are reflected in her professional memberships. In addition to being a Professional Level 4 member of Australian Counselling Association, she is currently a faculty member and trainer at the Institute of Sensorimotor Art Therapy, a Board Member of No To Violence, and a registered supervisor with ACA and ANZACATA (The Australian Art Therapy Association).

Meet Christophe, an accredited mental health social worker (AMHSW), therapist and humanist with 15 years’ experience in working with youth (16+) and adults in the mental health and disability sectors.

His core area of interest and passion is fostering safety, compassion, understanding, and commitment in the mental health recovery journey, firmly believing that hope and recovery is possible despite the often-overwhelming nature of the recovery journey.

Christophe has had therapeutic and practical experience in working with a diverse range of people, presentations and life difficulties related to:
- eating disorders
- mood (depression, bipolar)
- anxiety (OCD, panic)
- trauma (PSTD, CPTSD)
- personality (BPD)
- hoarding and squalor
- alcohol and substance dependency
- psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective), and
- neurodiversity (ASD, ADHD, dyslexia)

Christophe’s therapeutic approach is grounded in authentic, strengths-based, collaborative, and person-centred principles. He draws heavily from trauma-informed practices, community development, social justice, and feminist frameworks to provide a holistic and empowering healing experience that recognises the courage it takes to reach out and show up as well as the inherent ability for all people to make fulfilling, lifelong changes.

Honouring the therapeutic relationship, Christophe sees the importance of your expertise in your own experiences. Balancing the gravity of mental health work with a touch of respectful humour, he aims to make each session comfortable, ensuring you feel listened to and well supported to collaboratively undertake purposeful actions.

Utilising therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Specialist Supportive Clinical Management, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions Focused, and creative expression, Christophe guides individuals along their unique recovery journeys.

Christophe also has experience in and is available to provide clinical supervision to social workers and human service professionals.

I am a Clinical Psychologist and an Accredited Advanced Schema Therapist and accredited EMDR practitioner. I have extensive experience in both private and government settings. I am also currently employed with the Health Department of Western Australia as a Senior Clinical Psychologist (within a specialist service working with those who have have experienced recent or childhood sexual trauma).

Courtney Gardiner is a Mental Health accredited social worker with a practice framework guided by narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, client centered perspective, person-in-environment perspective, systems approach, trauma informed practice and strengths perspective. Areas of interest and experience include mental health, trauma, disability, child and youth, the therapeutic interventions listed above, art and play therapies and psychoeducation. Strong commitment to professional development and supervision to continue to develop, reflect upon and improve practice methods.

I have been a registered psychologist (BBSc (Hons), MPsych) for 15+ years. I have experience working with (complex) clients in the clinical, forensic and sporting fields. I am a full member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). I have extensive experience in working within the correctional environment, both in juvenile and adult prisons and community corrections. I have held various senior and management roles, providing clinical leadership and supervision to an array of allied health professionals. I have also practised as a consultant to a number of organisations and services.

Throughout the past two decades, I have completed assessment and treatment service provision with a variety of high needs individuals. I have provided a range of trauma-specific and trauma-related treatments. My approach has been centred on evidence-based strengths, schema focussed, CBT and narrative frameworks. My previous work activities have also included the facilitation of trauma-informed practise workshops to varied professionals including practitioners, residential staff and correctional staff.

I understand that seeing a psychologist can be challenging and anxiety provoking. I hope to always provide a safe, respectful environment and to make sure that any work we do proceeds at a pace determined by the other person. At times, discussing or thinking about trauma can be distressing and sessions are structured to allow for grounding, calming and other skills to be practised. This gives people a chance to manage potential distress that might arise in therapy and develop the skills in a safe, contained way.

Sometimes, as a result of trauma, people can end up on a trajectory to making choices they regret, or coping in a way that is unhelpful. In order to address some of these potential outcomes, I take an open, non-judgemental and accepting approach.

Sessions are approximately an hour in duration and we will initially develop a treatment plan based on your goals for therapy. Treatment options will be provided and we will aim to measure change in a meaningful way. The work is client specific in that there is no one goal or outcome that fits everyone. The pace of treatment and any subsequent change is individually based and can vary.

Importantly, I work within a safe, welcoming clinic staffed by friendly and professional clinicians.

If you have any questions about treatment which would like answered before considering what you would like to do, please feel free to contact me via the clinic. Inquiries can be made by email: [email protected] or by telephone: 03 9434 4161.

Ainsley is a registered psychologist who helps people learn to reclaim their lives after psychological trauma, emotional suffering or goal frustration. She hopes to inspire people to seek, understand and trust in their strengths and inner personal wisdom.

After university Ainsley pursued a role in a Corporate Environment. After several years however her natural curiosity, and connection to people and their personal struggles prevailed. Over the past eight years her work has moved into a clinical private practice setting, offering integrative trauma-informed psychotherapy solutions.

Her approach is trauma-informed and draws upon such therapeutic modalities as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy; therapies for structural dissociation; Mindfulness; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Alee (Alison) Lee specialises in supporting people who are recovering from trauma and loss while navigating life challenges and transitions through Heartwork.

Alee is interested in the interconnectedness between human health, the environment, our relationships and practices. Alee believes that our ability to cultivate empowering practices, creative freedom and develop safe, authentic, caring relationships are the keys to overcoming trauma and living wholehearted and satisfying lives. Whether you are interested in making a meaningful contribution to your community, becoming a better parent, or taking better care of your health Alee Lee - Heartwork can help you make a difference to the quality of your life and your capacity for joy.

Alee has lived experience of mental health and abuse within an institutionalised care setting.

Alee Lee has been a counsellor, psychotherapist, group facilitator, professional supervisor for more than 30 years and has made significant contributions to a range of community organisations including Kids Help Line; ParentLine; Eating Disorders Queensland; Brisbane Rape & Incest Survivors Support Centre/Women’s House & SCOPE – Domestic Violence Service.

Alee is a trained Yoga teacher, brings a trauma informed and anti-oppressive lens to Heartwork

Alee maintains a private practice in Brisbane & Sunshine Coast whilst continuing to develop and explore her own interests and passions for art and yoga.

Alee has completed and provided training in Expressive Therapies, Compassion Focused Therapy, Drama Therapy, Art Therapy and Integrated Relational Approaches to working with the Body and Trauma.

2008 Masters of Gestalt Therapy

2016 Embodied Social Justice Conference

Alee continues to explore the interface between the arts, social justice and how these can inform human sustainability.

For more information

Contact: Website: www.heartworklife.com.au Email: [email protected] Mobile: 61 410 457 208

I have worked for 34 years as a clinical psychologist in a range of areas. I have experience in working with people who have experienced trauma within a variety of contexts. My approach is trauma informed. This means, for me, acknowledging that the majority of human suffering is based on exposure to deeply disruptive or abusive experiences which leads to the development of neurophysiological, psychological and emotional adaptation as a way of coping with, or moderating, the effects of traumatic stress. My approach to helping is to explore the adaptations that have been made, honour them as survival strategies, and work on re-assimilating fragmented aspects of identity and behaviour.