The VU Counselling team is a committed group of psychologists and social workers who aim to enhance the wellbeing of all VU students, to ensure they meet their academic and personal goals.
The professionals in our team come from various backgrounds with specific training in supporting the diverse psychological needs of the VU student community.
Counsellors are based across campuses. Appointments can be made via phone, video call and in person where possible.
Our counsellors offer guidance and support at VU's various campuses.
Margaret is an AASW Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Family Therapist (AAFT).
Margaret oversees VU Counselling Services, Accessibility Services, Student Support and Advocacy, and Chaplaincy. She has over twenty years’ experience as a social worker and mental health clinician. Margaret is experienced in leading counselling and welfare programs, and has the privilege of managing dedicated and highly skilled teams of VU wellbeing practitioners.
Prior to joining VU, Margaret worked at the Department of Health and Human Services, Eastern Health Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault, non-for profit organisations, and private practice.
BA, BSW, Cert IV TAE, DPC (Dev Psych), M Clin Fam Ther, Dip Business.
Tony is the team leader of the Victoria University counselling service. As someone who studied at Victoria University, his passion is to provide a holistic service to students by offering a range of programs that are accessible, relevant and engaging. Tony works with students to co-design a service that acknowledges the challenges and strengths in the cohort and ultimately empowers students to get the best out of their time at university and beyond.
Tony is a registered psychologist with experience working in the community and private sectors in Australia and overseas, offering therapeutic services to a variety of clients and organisations. He has developed a significant level of practice and research into themes such as:
Tony uses a range of evidenced based therapeutic approaches for a range of mental health challenges to any students including:
As the current LGBTIQA+ counsellor for students (as recommended by the “LGBTIQA+ Student Wellbeing Survey 2022”) Tony is happy to provide a safe and confidential counselling service to any students who seek support in this area.
Bpsych (Hons), MPsych (Com). Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS).
Jodie has over 20 years combined experience in the counselling, disability, mental health, tertiary, and employment sectors. Jodie is a qualified Social Worker, Counsellor, Counselling Supervisor and Mental Health First Aid Instructor and trainer. Jodie is passionate about assisting individuals and workplaces to navigate challenging situations.
Jodie holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Counselling. She is a registered full member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and the Australian Counsellors Association (ACA). Jodie has a warm, relaxed, and eclectic counselling style and uses a range of evidenced based therapeutic approaches focusing on assisting individuals to improve insight, self-compassion, and practical strategies to achieve counselling goals.
Therapeutic interventions used:
A specialist counselling psychologist in tertiary education settings for over 20 years, Julie is passionate about making psychological support accessible and meaningful for students.
She does this by collaborating with students and by offering a range of flexible, creative and evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions.
BA, Grad Dip Child & Adolescent Psych, Grad Dip Ed, MEd Studies, Member Australian Psychological Society.
Freda is a counselling psychologist who has worked within secondary and tertiary educational settings for over 20 years.
Freda has experience in counselling a diverse range of students such as mature age, youth and international.
She has worked with a wide range of issues including developing self-esteem, relationships, dealing with grief and loss, time and stress management.
Freda uses a range of evidence-based psychological interventions in her work with students.
BA, GradDipEd, GradDipCouns, MEd (Psych), Member Australian Psychological Society.
Liz has over 20 years of experience of counselling within the tertiary education sector, having previously worked in community health. She has an abiding commitment to the West and an appreciation of the cultural and social diversity of the region.
Liz has a holistic approach to counselling, with extensive experience working with clients across a broad range of personal, family and relationship issues, gender diversity, grief and loss. She has a particular interest in narrative therapy and other strength based, collaborative approaches, valuing the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
Liz's qualifications
BA Social Work, MA (Education), GradDip, (Community Development), GradCert (Narrative Therapy).
Adriana is an AASW Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with specialist training and experience in Lacanian Psychoanalysis.
Adriana has worked as a counsellor, analyst and mental health clinician with young persons and adults, in both public and private practice settings. She has over 10 years of counselling experience in the tertiary education sector.
Adriana has a strong interest in the areas of:
She uses a range of therapeutic approaches including cognitive, analytic, psychodynamic and phenomenological frameworks.
Adriana is an accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor.
BA (Phil), BSW, DPC, AMHSW, MFSM.
Sara is a registered psychologist with extensive experience working with young people in both community and educational settings. She has a passion for helping individuals experiencing a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, as well as educational and adjustment concerns.
She engages with students through a compassionate care approach that places them at the centre of the therapeutic process and allows their unique voice to resonate and be heard. She utilises several evidence-based therapeutic approaches to promote change which include cognitive behaviour therapy, emotion focused therapy, acceptance commitment therapy and mindfulness techniques.
Sara is happy to provide counselling support in both English and Arabic.
BBNSc (Hons), MPsych (Couns). Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Whitney is motivated to help every student learn healthy means of dealing with mental and emotional difficulties. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, results-orientated and solution-focused care. Whitney has experience working with various age groups in both tertiary and private practice settings, as well as people from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. She likes to take an integrated approach to suit the needs of her students. Whitney uses a range of evidence-based psychological interventions in her work with students.
Whitney is happy to provide counselling support in both English and Shona.
BA, BA Psych (Hons), GDip (Couns), M.ProfPsych (Prof Psych). Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Member of Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Counselling services periodically offers supervised placements to counsellors-in-training when there is an available staff psychologist or social worker.
Contact us to find out more about our services or to make an appointment with a counsellor at one of our campuses.
