Our Team

AusPsych is very proud of the exceptional people we are privileged to have in our team. Our people are the hallmark of our service and our reputation. In every area of our operation, we have highly qualified, talented, committed and enthusiastic employees.

Our experienced, professionally qualified counsellors hold formal University qualifications and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). They practice according to professional and ethical standards set out by the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and AHPRA.

A commitment to continued professional development, sense of community and an overriding desire to improve clients' lives utilising recognised and proven practices are the core features of our counsellors.

A summary of each of our counsellors is as follows:

Ron Farrell

Director/Psychologist

Qualifications:

BA., Master of Applied Psychology

Experience:

Ron has over 27 years experience as a Counsellor working with disability, injury rehabilitation, critical incident services and psychological counselling. His interests are in medical psychology and working with the elderly. He has specalised in trauma counselling services in the coal industry, emergency services and veteran community. He has two grown up daughters and enjoys surfing and music.

Ross Leembruggen

Psychologist

Qualifications:

Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) with Honours

Experience:

Ross is our Principal Psychologist and has over 12 years experience providing clinical, organisation, sport and forensic psychological services to individuals, families and organisations. He is highly experienced in the provision of counselling, assessment, debriefing, mediation, training and coaching.

Lesley Hills

Psychologist

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with Honours
Master of Human Resources Management with Merit
Master of Business Administration
Postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology
Graduate Diploma in Education

Experience:

Lesley has over 20 years experience working as a psychologist, specialising in assessment, the promotion of mental health and rehabilitation in adults and adolescents. She has previously worked as a trainer, liaison and co-coordinator between child and adolescent mental health services and within the education sector. Her current interests include relationship counselling and trauma in the emergency services. She has a grown up daughter and enjoys music and travel.

Donna Manning

Psychologist

Qualifications:

Post graduate diploma in psycholog
PTSD Training
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with Honours
Diploma in Education
Bachelor of Arts

Experience:

Donna has worked in counselling for 9 years. She worked for NSW Corrective Services for four years and was later a case worker in child protection. She has also had experience in residential care and education.

Katherine Pacey

Psychologist

Qualification:

Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

Experience:

Katherine has over 8 years experience as a counsellor providing a wide range of counselling services. Her previous roles have included coordinating emergency assistance, mentoring and counselling training program development.

Jacqueline Davies

Psychologist

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

Experience:

Jacqueline has over 7 years experience as a Counsellor working with Youth's, Families and Individuals. Her previous roles have included working for the Mental Health and Association and Assistant Lecturer at Newcastle University.

Caroline Wilson

Social Worker

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Social Work

Experience:

Caroline is a Clinical Social Workers. She has over 9 years experience as a Social Worker working with Individuals, Families and Youths. Caroline has specalised in crisis intervention for children and supporting families, as well as, facilitating and implementing groups and programs.

Alix Bilton

Psychologist

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Social Science Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Graduate Diploma in Counselling
Substance Use: Motivation interviewing, Relapse Prevention and Dual Diagnosis
Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety
Certificate of Psychotherapy

Experience:

Alix has over 11 years experience as a Counsellor providing a range of counselling services. Alix is also experienced in recruitment assessment and community liaison.

Diane Arnott

Psychologist

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Associate Diploma in Community Welfare
Bachelor of Social Science

Experience:

Diane worked for around 8 years as an academic psychologist in social and cognitive psychology. She has worked in the areas of depression, anxiety, trauma and pain management. She also offers couples/marital and family counselling. Her interests include close relationships, and working with children and adolescents.

Eric Best

Psychologist

Qualification:

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Diploma of Science
Bachelor of Theology

Experience:

Eric has over 26 years experience working as a Counsellor which includes experience as a Family Court Counsellor & Academic Tutor.

Doug Calder

Psychologist

Qualification:

Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours)

Experience:

Doug has over 15 years experience which includes providing psychological services to individual in acute and chronic stages of distress in corrections, hospital and community settings.

Jenny West

Social Worker

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Social Work
Post Graduate studies in Family Mediation

Experience:

Jenny is a Senior Social Worker with 13 years experience working in a variety of mental health settings, including development and implementation of improved mental health procedures for Hunter New England Mental Health and Northern Territory Health.

We are also proud to have with us, the following management team at AusPsych:

Harry Parker

Director

Qualifications:

Master of Business Administration

Experience:

Harry has over 38 years of business experience in risk management, client relationships, management, marketing, business development, contract negotiation, ethics and corporate governance. He is a strong advocate for promoting the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within the EAP Industry particularly throughout the Asia Pacific Region. Currently, Harry is a Board Member and the Immediate Past President of The Asia Pacific Employee Assistance Roundtable (APEAR), Adjunct Director of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association International (EAPA), Treasurer of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association International (EAPA - Australian Branch) and International Officer of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australia (EAPAA). He is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).

Lyndie Wallace

Practice Manager

Experience:

Lyndie has over 10 years experience working as a practice manager and other various office positions in a number of different allied health providers.