Trauma Support Providers

Vanessa is an empathetic clinician who strives to empower her clients in achieving and maintaining change that is in line with their values. Vanessa has worked with people from diverse backgrounds, across the lifespan and enjoys working with people of all ages.

Before moving into private practice, Vanessa worked in the government and non-for profit sector in the area of child protection and out of home care, providing assistance to children, adults and families who were impacted by trauma. She is experienced in working with complex behaviours and presentations, including oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, ADD, sensory processing disorders, difficulty with self-regulation, suicide prevention and self-harm.

Vanessa's approach in working with families is both multidimensional and collaborative, as she believes our best outcomes come from working collaboratively with family and key stakeholders. Vanessa is also a trained family counsellor.

Vera Auerbach trained as a Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. Vera also completed a two-year counselling training with the Institute of Counselling, and a two-year Family Therapy Diploma. She trained as a specialist Child Sexual Assault Counsellor as well as therapist for Survivors of CSA.
Her main focus concerns PTSD and relationship issues. Vera is happy to see individuals (children, adolescents and adults), couples or families. Vera has a number of specialty areas, child sexual assault being one of them. She has worked as a child sexual assault counsellor & considers herself a specialist in this area, as well as working with adult survivors of Child Sexual Abuse.

WILMA Peters is a mental health professional with more than 20years of experience in the provision of specialist psychological strategies for people impacted by interpersonal trauma. She is currently completing her PhD at Melbourne University, focusing on the treatment of anxiety, depression and PTSD in young people aged 15 to 25. She has travelled to the US to study TFCBT under the leadership of Prof Judith Cohen and has completed one year of supervised consultations. She has also completed EMDR training and is qualified to use a number of other evidence based psychological strategies. She is also a student member of the APS and a full member of the ISTSS.

I am an experienced counsellor, psychotherapist and trainer, who is passionate about supporting individuals, adolescents and families to develop the insight, knowledge and skills to resolve challenges, both past and present. Whether these challenges relate to childhood or recent trauma, issues with anxiety or mood, addictions or grief and loss, parenting or relationship difficulties, I will respond with curiosity, honesty and compassion, and provide a safe, collaborative and supportive therapeutic space.
I have an interest and expertise in working with trauma and dissociation, as well as supporting parents to better manage children or adolescents with challenging behaviours and improve their relationships. I have a Master of Social Health & Counselling, Child and Family, and am an accredited parenting educator (Circle of Security and Triple P Programs).
I know that finding the right therapist for you is an important decision, and one that can feel incredibly daunting. To make that decision easier, I would be happy to make a time to talk about any questions or concerns you may have, or to find out a bit more about whether I may be a good fit for you.

Clinical Psychologist
Medicare Provider
Victims Services NSW Approved Counsellor
EMDR practitioner
Memberships: APS, EMDRAA

Zipporah Oliver O.A.M. is a registered psychologist in private practice and has been a full member of the APS for 24 years. She is committed to applying her skills to enable clients to achieve optimal outcomes. Zipporah utilises an eclectic approach drawing from her extensive training in Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Therapy, Couples Counselling and Solution-Focused Therapies. Zipporah’s personal dedication to integrity and her lifetime commitment to helping people with life challenges led to her being awarded one of the few double citations for the Order Of Australia in 2006. Zipporah holds the Order Of Australia for her honorary work in disability, and for her broad-spectrum community service. Zipporah has an ongoing commitment to her professional development and standard of practice. Zipporah regularly works with clients dealing with complex trauma.

Some of Zipporah's relevant qualifications in trauma support include:

• Therapist to survivors of sexual abuse in institutions, and their families
• Therapist to staff working in institutions
• Regular peer supervision around cases of sexual abuse in institutions
• Ongoing participation in training and workshops regarding trauma
• Attended the 2017 International Conference on Trauma in Jerusalem, and the Royal Commission into sexual abuse in institutions
• Recipient of the Order of Australia in 2006 for exceptional contribution in disability and broad spectrum community services

Sexual abuse within institutions is a complex and far-reaching area, which for too long has been shrouded in secrecy. The Redress Scheme looks to addressing this dark chapter. Zipporah is committed to working to support survivors in their journey.

Tonie Gilbert has worked for 25 years as a Consultant Psychologist. She has a special interest in the treatment of trauma. She worked for five years in a Women's Health Centre providing sexual assault and sexual health counselling services. For the past 25 years she has provided treatment for adults who have experienced trauma generally. More specifically she has provided treatment to adults who have been sexually assaulted as children and for adults who have experienced sexual assault as an adult. She has extensive experience in treating associated co-morbid conditions such as Depression, Anxiety, Phobias and Low Self Esteem. Treatment modalities used are client centred and structured around a Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Treatment framework.

I am a clinical psychologist, having previously been both a registered general and psychiatric nurse. I have worked in community mental health settings in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales for many years, assessing and case managing both acute and chronic psychotic disorders. I have transitioned into the private sector in the last 12 years and specialize in both acute and chronic traumas of all origins. I am passionate about restoring a quality of life appropriate to the clients needs and desires. Therapies I use include evidence based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization & reprogramming (EMDR) as well as Interpersonal Therapy. I believe that a solid therapeutic relationship and psychoeducation provides an excellent basis for establishing a sense of safety and foundation for counselling. As I've been told I have a bright sense of humor I aim to include this in the clinical process. On a personal level, I am now happily single, live with my 2 cats close to the beach, which provides a respite from day to day turmoils of life and a pleasant retreat.

Wendy EVELEIGH is a registered clinical psychotherapist and an accredited supervisor with PACFA (Reg. 21515). Since 1994, she has worked as a counsellor in Family Support Services, Crisis Intervention agencies, Court Support programs, and as an Accredited Mediator with the Attorney General’s Department with Northern Region Community Justice Centre. In 2008 she commenced private practice at LIFE MATTERS Counselling & Psychotherapy Centre. In addition to private practice, she commenced employment as a specialist counsellor with NSW Health, in the field of addiction.

In her private practice, she specialising in the treatment of trauma. Her work is grounded in Somatic Experiencing and is informed by Expressive Therapies, Transpersonal Psychology, Attachment Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology. Her range of qualifications include: Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice (UNE); Postgraduate Studies in Transpersonal & Emotional Release Counselling; Advanced Diploma of Sexual Assault Counselling; Diploma in Counselling Studies; Diploma in Transpersonal & Emotional Release Counselling; and a Diploma Community Services (Case Management). She has completed the three year Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training program and is approved as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) by the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute (SETI). Early in 2019, she completed a 16 day Skills Training for Trauma Therapists with Kathy Kain (USA).

She is currently completing her final year in Bachelor of Science (Psychology), and Master in Mental Health Practice. In addition, she will complete her final training in EMDR, later in 2019.

She is an Accredited Counsellor with:
• Carer NSW – National Carer Counseling Program (NCCP)
• Cancer Council (NSW) – Cancer Counselling Professionals Association Inc
• Blue Knot Referral Database (Blue Knot is registered with National Redress Scheme)
• Trauma Support Providers’ Directory
• EAP Provider with: Hunter New England Local Health District; Access EAP; Converge International; D’Accord; Eudoxia; Optum

LIFE MATTERS Counselling & Psychotherapy Centre has been nominated for awards in the Gunnedah & District Chamber of Commerce & Industry Business & Services Awards, in the category of “Excellence in Supporting Mental Health Recovery”:
• 2016 Business & Services Awards – Finalist.
• 2018 Business & Services Awards – Winner.

At LIFE MATTERS, Wendy provides a unique blend of psychotherapy & personal growth facilitation and offer a variety of modalities, including specific focused psychological strategies, experiential therapies, and somatic process work to explore your own story & help facilitate personal growth, empowerment, self-compassion & transformation. In life, and in her practice, Wendy believes in continuing to learn and grow; a mindset that has shaped her education and career. Her professional training includes more than two decades dedicated to understanding trauma and mental health.

In her work Wendy takes a client-centered therapeutic approach in her work. This approach aims to provide a safe, understanding and collaborative environment wherein clients can be assisted to identify, develop and build onto their individual strengths and support networks, to improve their capacity for self-determination; personal growth and ongoing development of a fulfilling and satisfying life.
Wendy works with clients of all ages. Wendy is able to assist clients with concerns about Anxiety; Loss and Grief; Life transitions; Stress; Trauma; Vicarious Trauma and early intervention.
Wendy has a experience in working with children, adolescents, young adults, older adults and parents. This has lead to training and certification as a specialist practitioner in a number of areas related to families and parenting.
Wendy is a Counselling Psychologist endorsed with the APS Counselling College. Her work and study have also included a focus on supporting counsellors in the human service field to develop strategies for self-care and resilience.
Wendy is an APS Board-Approved Supervisor and provides supervision to Intern Psychologists, Psychologists and Counsellors.