Credentialed Mental Health and Eating Disorder Clinician

Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse, Division 1), La Trobe University

Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Mental Health), The University of Melbourne

Full Member: Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN), Australia & New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMHA) and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC)

Gerald is a credentialed mental health and Eating Disorder Clinician. He has extensive experience providing quality care and treatment to individuals experiencing difficulties with their mental health and eating disorders. He has experience working in acute inpatient units, Alcohol and Other Drugs, forensic mental health and community mental health.

Gerald is passionate about mental health which has resulted in him being a junior board member of BPD Community. He has completed his masters in mental health nursing and is currently studying towards his Masters in Nurse Practitioner (Mental Health Specialisation) from Flinders University. Additionally, he has undertaken postgraduate studies in mental health and completed training in the treatment of eating disorders through the use of CBT-E. He is also passionate about the provision of care that enables each person to achieve their goals and lead the life that they want regardless of age, gender, culture, and health status.

Gerald provides 1:1 counselling utilising person centred, holistic care approach that is based on evidence based interventions with focus on relapse prevention and maintenance of stability. He believes that every individual should receive quality care in a timely manner that meets their individual needs, promotes their health, and enables them to lead a life full of dignity and respect

When not working, Gerald likes to spend his time with his family, watching his soccer team Manchester City and reading books.

Gerald’s areas of interest are:

• Personality Disorders (incl. Borderline Personality Disorder)

• Eating Disorders

• Mood and Anxiety disorders

• Psychotic disorders (incl. schizophrenia

• General support and counselling

• Psychosocial interventions and skill training

Interventions

-Motivational Interviewing

-Strengths based approach

-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E)

-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

-Narrative Therapy

Our vision: “Helping you through the rainbow to find your Pot of Gold”

Peer Support Worker/ Creative Consultant

Amy is a dedicated Peer Support Worker with a passion for empowering individuals on their journey towards mental health and well-being. With 6 years of lived experience and training in mental health recovery, Amy brings a unique perspective and deep empathy to their role.

Having navigated their own mental health challenges, Amy understands first hand the importance of peer support and the transformative impact it can have on individuals' lives. They are committed to providing compassionate, non-judgmental support and fostering a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel heard, valued, and empowered to take control of their recovery journey.

As a Peer Support Worker, Amy leverages their personal experiences and recovery journey to connect authentically with clients, offering empathy, understanding, and hope. They actively listen to clients' stories, validate their experiences, and provide practical guidance, resources, and coping strategies to help them navigate challenges and achieve their recovery goals.

In addition to their lived experience, Amy has completed training in Community Services, Mental Health, Suicide Intervention and Mental Health First Aid, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively support individuals in their recovery journey. They are passionate about destigmatising mental illness, raising awareness about mental health issues, and promoting self-advocacy and empowerment among individuals with lived experience.

Amy incorporates Motivational Interviewing, trauma informed approaches, mindfulness and gratitude into her everyday practice.

Currently, Amy serves as a valued member of the Wellbeing Team at a local school, where they play a vital role in providing one to one and group support services to individuals in need.

They are excited about the opportunity to continue making a positive difference in the lives of others and contributing to the mental health and well-being of their community.

Outside of work, you can find Amy enjoying being outdoors, close to nature, playing ukulele, reading, listening to her eclectic playlist or enjoying having different creative outlets.

Accredited Social Worker

Karina is an accredited social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers, bringing over 10 years of diverse experience in the caring field. Her background encompasses mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services, homelessness, crime prevention, and both residential and outreach community services, as well as clinical mental health.

Areas of Passion and Expertise

Karina is deeply passionate about mental health, trauma, and psychoeducation, particularly within the contexts of ADHD and ASD. She is dedicated to helping individuals and families understand their mental health conditions, live with dignity, and achieve their personal goals. Karina is trained in trauma-informed approaches that span the lifespan and enjoys working with clients aged 15 and older.

Therapeutic Approach

Empathetic and compassionate, Karina approaches therapy with a strong sense of social justice. She creatively applies a range of psychological interventions to empower clients in understanding and managing their diagnoses, navigating life's up and downs. Her therapeutic practices include:

-Trauma-informed Care: Extensive training in trauma-informed approaches to mental health diagnoses, including the Hearing Voices Approach.

-Psychoeducation: Offering education and support to individuals, families, and caregivers about mental health, addiction, and coping strategies.

Holistic, Person-Centred Interventions: 1:1 counselling sessions focused on relapse prevention, skills development, and stability.

Karina utilizes various therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy and harm reduction/risk management strategies.

Experience with ADHD

Living with ADHD herself, Karina is particularly attuned to the challenges faced by others with this condition. She offers single-session interventions that incorporate skills building, psychoeducation, and support in managing routines, impulsiveness, and ongoing development.

Collaborative Care

Karina believes in a collaborative approach, working alongside clients' treating teams and supports to ensure comprehensive care. She is also available to provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for NDIS providers in the area.

Beyond Work

Outside of her professional life, Karina enjoys napping, watching documentaries and spending time with her family and a variety of animals, including horses, goats, dogs and a llama. Her interests may shift frequently, but you can often find her reading, playing Sims, or simply being herself.