Val Townsend
Val is a registered Psychologist and Nurse. Val has a Bachelor Degree in Social Science-Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Science-Psychology.
Val is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the NSW College of Nursing. Val has spent many years working with clients suffering from depression, anxiety, sexual and emotional abuse, trauma, grief as well as clients who have difficulty in relationships and with families. Val also has years of experience working with clients and their family members who are facing issues related to death and dying. Val uses various models of therapy including Cognitive Bahavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Val is approved to offer care to clients funded under Medicare Arrangements. She is also approved by NSW Psychologist Registration Board to train and supervise other Psychologists and Counsellors.
Magdalena Liem
Magdalena has worked over 25 years in pastoral and university ministries in several countries.
She has worked as a trainer and program manager, working with children, parents, young couples, adults, women, and is also running Pre-marital Counselling. Her professional background in several fields and countries has broadened and benefited her experience and knowledge. In the last 12 years, her work has focused more in clinical counselling, with individuals, couples and families, as well as dealing with Domestic Violence issues. Besides clinical counselling and supervising, she also trains a multicultural group for a nationally recognized Christian Counselling Course under one of the RTOs in Canberra. She is also a clinical member of AARC (Australian Association of Relationship Counsellors) and is registered with PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia).
Grant Twivey
Grant holds a Graduate Diploma in Counselling with qualifications in Emotional Focused Therapy for couples in particular.
He has tertiary qualifications in Human Resources and in the past has held middle management positions with several international organisations. Grant has led Anger Management programs for perpetrators of domestic violence and is particularly skilled in dealing with men and their issues. He also sees families and couples dealing with relationship issues. From an individual perspective Grant helps those struggling with Anxiety, Depression and Self-Esteem. In the past Grant has been called upon to lecture to community organisations and has run support groups dealing with Divorce Recovery. Grant has Professional Registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Christian Counsellor's Association of Australia.
Chester Carter
Chester has recently set up a consultancy project with the Gaming Industry on Social Responsibility. Prior to this Chester was the Manager of Wesley Mission's Gambling and Financial Counselling Service.
He was also a State representative of the National Association of Gambling Studies and a past President of the NSW Council on Problem Gambling, a state-wide body representing gambling counselling and treatment services. He has a contract with Clubs NSW to provide a telephone counselling service for patrons that may be experiencing difficulties in life because of excessive gambling. Chester is a sought after conference speaker nationally and internationally often called on by the media to give comment on gambling related issues and the impacts they have on families and individuals. He has also appeared on channel 7's Sunrise program on a number of occasions to give informed comment on gambling issues. He is also qualified in other areas of addiction counselling including drug and alcohol related problems, combining both Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with Reality Therapy to bring about a very practical treatment plan for the client.
