meet the team
Meet Angie
Hi! I am the Founder of Reflective Haven.
I am a Social Worker and Psychotherapist with 20 years’ experience in counselling. I have degrees in Social Work, Child Psychotherapy including a Masters in Mental Health (Psychotherapy). I have several national publications in diabetes including a children’s book, conducted research for diabetes and mental health and presented overseas at type 1 medical conferences on the importance of mental health and diabetes care.
I am also a wife and mother to 2 children aged 4 and 6 years old. I love the outdoors, hiking and painting with my children, I make many cups of tea but only drink half, reading feeds my soul and I can get obsessed with psychology books – I can be seen getting up at 5 am to finish a book, I love creating new art ideas for my kids, I laugh loud and always have and love learning new ways to help people. I am passionate about providing a nurturing space for exploring insights for change and understanding. I have worked with both children and adults in various fields, including children’s hospitals, adult mental health hospitals, facilitate parent groups and university lecturer to name a few.
Angie is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays via phone or zoom
Degrees:
- Diploma in Welfare
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Graduate Diploma in Child Psychotherapy
- Masters in Mental Health (Psychotherapy)
Specialised training and certificates in:
- Cool Kids Program (Group for kids with anxiety)
- Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT)
- Art Therapy/Play Therapy
- Sand Tray therapy
- Guided Drawing
- Transformational Journey Drawing
- NSW Health Clinical Supervisor
- Gestalt Dream work
Memberships:
- Blue card (working with children’s check)
- Member with the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)
- Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Workcover Provider
- Health Insurance Provider
Meet John
Hello, My name is John. My personal Journey through life has exposed me to thousands of moments of insights and growth- whether it be adventure hiking, raising 7 children or stepping into the threshold of a new field of experience. I have approached the innermost self with vulnerability and celebration. I enjoy the natural world and practice mindfulness. I study the latest popular ideas/philosophies.
I derive most of my passion for counselling from my clients, who are always the front of courage and reality. We laugh and as we share the pain and tears of our everyday lives. I am resigned to the fact that we are all in this together and we cannot do it in isolation, we all need to get honest and have people in our lives where we can BE who we are – our Authentic self.
I have been working in the counselling/psychotherapy field for the past 33 years- working with individuals – adults/youth/families/couples and facilitating groups- therapeutic, educational and supportive. My current focus has been counselling parents who have a child with Type 1 Diabetes. My experience has been extensive over the decades counselling people with mental health issues, addictions, forensic counselling, first nations peoples, and other marginalized groups.
My passion and experience have helped me interact with diverse groups of people which has increased my ability to relate, empathize and help people process and heal the wounds of trauma, grief and shame and work towards effective long-term change.
My approach is multi-facetted and eclectic. Strength based and Client focussed.
My style is good humoured, empathic and challenging, I explored the origins of issues and give strategies for practical, measurable, solution focussed and connectedness.
My background has been Counselling/psychotherapy with a post grad in social health.
John is available Monday – Friday
Meet Rachel
Hi, my name is Rachel
I like bikes, books and mountains. After completing my Bachelors of Counselling in Victoria, I moved to Tasmania where I’ve spent the last 8 years working in youth mental health and immersed in nature. As someone with Type 1 Diabetes myself, and a degree in Diabetes Education, I know how important it is to speak to someone who ‘just gets it’. In the past, I’ve worked in secondary schools running workshops on mental health, as a Nature Therapist and as a Park Ranger!
My passion for Diabetes specific counselling started after navigating the ups and downs of Diabetes as a teenager myself. My work running Diabetes Camps in Tasmania has kept me actively involved in the community and there’s nothing I love more than traipsing through the bush with a bunch of other people with Diabetes.
When I’m not working, you can find me out hiking, cycling across a foreign country, dancing around the kitchen or curled up with a book.
I’m available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and every second weekend.
MEET NIAMH
BSc Nursing, Post Grad Dip Diabetes, Registered Nurse, Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Niamh is a registered nurse, with almost 15 years clinical experience working as a specialist nurse in diabetes with adults, children and adolescents. She has extensive experience and up to date knowledge of the latest diabetes treatments and technologies. She provides holistic diabetes education and care and will be happy to help and support you on your diabetes journey, no matter what age or stage you are at.
Niamh has extensive experience in using new diabetes technologies and finds this an exciting way forward, in diabetes management, in reducing the burden of diabetes care for people. She is also very experienced in the use of oral medications, insulin and GLP-1 medications for treating Type 2 diabetes and has broad experience in initiating these medications.
Appointments available from the practice in Samford Valley. Telehealth appointments are also available.
Annika has a Masters Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy from the Miecat Institute, Melbourne and is formally a registered ANZACATA member. Annika has a warm, gentle and playful approach to connecting with clients in therapy. She takes inspiration from and has done training in Sand Tray Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Interpersonal Neurobiology.
She is available for Zoom appointments on Fridays.
Meet Annika
Annika has worked as an Art Therapist for the last 10 years in both community and clinical settings. Over this period, her primary focus has been supporting young people experiencing complex mental health challenges, as well as injury, chronic and severe illness.
Being a young person; forging your identity and finding your place in the world can be really challenging. The difficulties so many young people face as they make the bumpy transition into adulthood are only amplified by illness and mental health struggles.
Annika is passionate about supporting young people to utilise expressive arts as a way to make sense of and foster resilience through adversity, gain self-insight,build confidence, uncover coping strategies, and have fun. When words are hard to find, Art Therapy offers a safe way to unpack challenging experiences, feelings and thoughts.
Annika’s approach is strengths oriented and trauma informed. In her sessions, all forms of art are valued equally and are guided by the clients’ creative interests.