About Us

 

 

Meet the Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy Team

Anita Geary of Insight Therapies

Anita, Director and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

Anita is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Certified Animal Assisted Therapist and Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families impacted by complex trauma, attachment disruption and family violence.

She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and integrates EMDR with Animal Assisted Therapy to provide carefully paced, relational trauma recovery. Her work focuses on developmental trauma, long-standing relational patterns and rebuilding safety, self-trust and emotional regulation.

Prior to founding Insight Therapies in 2019, Anita worked extensively across child and family services and the family violence sector, supporting victim survivors through crisis response and recovery. She established the region’s first multidisciplinary Animal Assisted Therapy practice and contributes to national standards development through Animal Therapies Limited.

Alongside clinical work, Anita delivers professional training and provides trauma-informed clinical supervision, supporting practitioners to strengthen ethical, reflective and sustainable practice.

Professional Qualifications

  •  Bachelor of Social Work
  • Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
  • Diploma of Applied Social Science
  • EMDR Level 2
  • Diploma of Animal Assisted Therapies
  • Diploma of Community Services, Child Care
  • Certified Therapy Dog Team – Animal Assisted Therapy
  • Certificate in Expressive Therapies
  • Certificate in Play Therapy Studies
  • Advanced Supervision Program (Mental Health) – AASW

Professional Affiliations

  •  Member of Australian Counselling Association
  • Member of Australian Association of Social Workers
  • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
  • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway

Bessie

Bessie is a dedicated Play Therapist and registered social worker with over ten years of experience supporting children and families impacted by trauma, attachment disruptions and early developmental stress.

Her background includes complex trauma assessments, early intervention services and parent support. This experience has shaped her deep understanding of how relational wounds, nervous system dysregulation and early life stress can influence a child’s behaviour, learning and emotional wellbeing.

Bessie’s child-centred play therapy provides a structured and emotionally safe environment where children can express themselves symbolically, process difficult experiences and build resilience. Through therapeutic play, she supports children experiencing anxiety, behavioural challenges, developmental trauma, attachment difficulties and emotional dysregulation.

She is also a facilitator of the Learn To Play and Sunshine Circles programs, supporting children to strengthen social skills, emotional regulation, confidence and peer relationships. These structured therapeutic group programs focus on connection, regulation and the development of practical relational skills that extend into school and home environments.

In addition to her direct work with children, Bessie offers one-on-one parenting support and therapeutic guidance. She understands the vulnerability parents often carry and works collaboratively to strengthen attachment relationships, build confidence and restore connection within families. Drawing on specialised training in Theraplay, developmental trauma and therapeutic child play, she tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each child and caregiver.

Bessie’s work is grounded in steadiness, empathy and relational safety. Her focus is not only on reducing symptoms, but on helping children and families build stronger foundations for long-term emotional health.

Professional Qualifications

  •  Master of Social Work
  • Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Child Play
  • Level 1 Theraplay and MIM
  • Sunshine Circles Facilitator
  • Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma
  • Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Child Play
  • Bachelor in Social Science (Social Welfare)
  • Diploma of Community Services Work (Distinction)

Professional Affiliations

  •  Registered member of Australian Association of Social Workers
  • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
  • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway

Caryn

Caryn is an experienced social worker and certified Animal Assisted Therapist who supports children, adolescents and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, emotional overwhelm and relational challenges.

With a strong background across child, youth and family services, Caryn works with clients of all ages. She understands that each person’s history, relationships and nervous system responses shape how distress shows up, and she tailors therapy to meet the developmental and emotional needs of the individual in front of her.

Caryn incorporates Sandtray Therapy, play-based approaches and creative modalities across age groups. Having completed formal training in Sandtray Therapy, she uses this structured expressive modality to help clients safely explore attachment patterns, trauma experiences and internal conflicts in a contained and symbolic way. Sandtray can be particularly helpful for individuals who find it difficult to articulate their experiences verbally, including adolescents and adults processing complex relational histories.

For adolescents and adults, Caryn also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, walk and talk therapy and experiential interventions where appropriate. She recognises that traditional seated talk therapy does not resonate with everyone and offers flexible approaches that support insight, regulation and meaningful change.

As a certified Animal Assisted Therapist, Caryn works alongside our therapy dog, Kaluah. The human-animal bond can support co-regulation, reduce anxiety and strengthen relational safety across all ages.

Caryn’s work is holistic and deeply relational. She prioritises emotional safety, clarity and collaboration, supporting clients to build resilience, strengthen self-understanding and move forward in ways that feel steady and sustainable.

Professional Qualifications

  •  Bachelor of Social Work

Professional Affiliations

  • Registered member of Australian Association of Social Workers
  • Certified Animal Assisted Therapist
  • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
  • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway

Shannon

Shannon is the Practice Manager at Insight Therapies and a Certified Animal Assisted Practitioner. She brings over two decades of experience across children’s services, animal studies and administration, combining relational understanding with strong operational leadership.

Her background in early years work has shaped her deep appreciation for emotional safety, regulation and the importance of consistent, nurturing environments. This understanding informs how she leads the practice operationally, ensuring that systems, communication and processes reflect the same steadiness and care that underpin the clinical work.

Shannon oversees bookings, intake processes, compliance and day-to-day operations, ensuring families, referrers and professionals experience clarity and responsiveness from their first contact. She plays a central role in maintaining the integrity and smooth functioning of the service so that therapists can focus fully on client care.

As a Certified Animal Assisted Practitioner, Shannon works alongside Bacardi in structured hospital visitation programs. These visits provide therapeutic presence, co-regulation and moments of connection within medical settings, supporting patients through the calming and relational benefits of the human-animal bond.

Shannon’s work is grounded in reliability, warmth and attention to detail. She is committed to ensuring that every person who reaches out to Insight Therapies feels supported, respected and guided with care.

    Professional Qualifications

    • Certificate in Animal Studies
    • Certified Animal Assisted Group Facilitator
    • Diploma in community services
    • Certificate II in Community Services (Children’s Services)

    Savannah

    Savannah brings extensive experience supporting adults and young people navigating domestic and family violence, housing instability, trauma and complex mental health challenges. Her work across community services has given her a strong understanding of the social and systemic factors that shape a person’s wellbeing.

    Drawn to working alongside individuals during periods of significant stress and transition, Savannah combines relational therapeutic work with thoughtful advocacy. Her background in social work and human services equips her to support clients not only emotionally, but also within the broader systems impacting their lives.

    She supports clients experiencing anxiety, trauma-related distress, identity exploration, relational strain and the cumulative impact of marginalisation. Savannah focuses on helping individuals strengthen self-understanding, confidence and practical coping strategies while fostering greater self-acceptance and resilience.

    Savannah is committed to inclusive practice and works affirmatively with LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent clients. She understands the importance of feeling genuinely seen within therapy, particularly for those who have felt misunderstood or excluded in other settings.

    Her approach is steady, respectful and collaborative. She creates emotionally safe spaces where clients can explore challenges openly and build meaningful, sustainable change at their own pace.

    Professional Qualifications

    • Masters in Social Work
    • Bachelor of Human Services
    • Diploma of Community Services
    • Diploma of Human Resources

    Professional Affiliations

    • Accredited Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers
    • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
    • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway

    Eve

    Eve is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Animal Assisted Therapist who supports children, adolescents and adults to build practical capacity, emotional wellbeing and greater independence in everyday life.

    She brings extensive experience working alongside neurodivergent individuals and those with additional cognitive and physical support needs. Eve specialises in comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessments from a mental health perspective, ensuring reports accurately reflect lived experience, functional impact and support requirements. She also provides sensory assessments and tailored interventions that address regulation, executive functioning and daily living skills.

    Eve integrates occupation-based frameworks with mental health practice, helping clients translate therapeutic insight into meaningful change in real-world environments. Her work supports individuals navigating anxiety, trauma-related challenges, emotional dysregulation and participation barriers.

    As an Animal Assisted Therapist, Eve incorporates the therapeutic benefits of the human-animal bond where appropriate. Animal Assisted Therapy can support co-regulation, engagement and relational safety, particularly for clients who benefit from a more grounded and experiential approach.

    Eve’s therapeutic style is gentle, collaborative and strengths-focused. She prioritises listening to each person’s full story, recognising clients as the experts in their own lives. By working holistically across mind, body and environment, she supports clients to build sustainable routines, emotional regulation skills and confidence in community participation.

    Professional Qualifications

    • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
    • Safe-guarding children and young people certificate

    Professional Affiliations

    • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
      (AHPRA) registration
    • Member of Occupational Therapy Australia

    Chardonnay

    Chardonnay brings over a decade of experience across community services and counselling, supporting children, adolescents, adults and families during periods of trauma, crisis and significant life stress.

    Her background includes work across neurodivergence, homelessness, family violence and child and youth services. She has supported individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and complex mental health challenges. Her experience working with adults experiencing homelessness in St Kilda has shaped her ability to remain steady and compassionate when clients are facing layered adversity, addiction and survival stress.

    Chardonnay understands the vulnerability involved in seeking counselling, particularly when parents are entrusting someone with their child’s wellbeing. She prioritises emotional safety, respect and consistency, creating spaces where clients feel genuinely heard and supported.

    Her therapeutic approach is flexible and tailored to each individual. She draws from attachment-based frameworks, trauma-informed practice, family systems understanding, expressive therapies, solution-focused approaches and evidence-informed counselling models. Rather than applying a fixed method, she works collaboratively to support emotional regulation, self-understanding and meaningful change.

    Chardonnay’s work is strengths-based and holistic, recognising the wider relational and environmental contexts that shape a person’s experience. She listens deeply, moves at your pace and supports steady growth grounded in safety and care.

    Professional Qualifications

    • Bachelor of Psychology
    • Master of Counselling
    • EMDR Level 2
    • Master in Social Work (currently completing)
    • Accredited Peaceful Kids Facilitator
    • Level 1 Theraplay and MIM

    Professional Affiliations

    • Member of the Australian Counselling Association – Level 2
    • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
    • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway

    Katie

    Katie is a registered Counsellor supporting individuals aged seven and above through trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, neurodivergence, burnout and relational challenges.  

    She works collaboratively and at your pace, helping you understand not only what is happening, but why. Katie integrates neuroscience-informed counselling with somatic awareness, mindfulness and polyvagal principles to support meaningful, long-term change across mind, body and emotion.

    With almost a decade of experience across private practice and community health, Katie draws on trauma-aware, animal-assisted psychotherapy models, including equine-assisted principles, to deepen insight and emotional regulation. Her approach supports clients experiencing anxiety, attachment wounds, low self-esteem, stress and life dissatisfaction.

    Katie is currently completing practitioner accreditation in Intention Tapping, an energy psychology approach that helps update long-held beliefs and patterns that may no longer serve you. Where appropriate, she can also incorporate Lifestyle Medicine assessments and practical strategies to strengthen both mental and physical wellbeing.

    Her work is grounded, curious and compassionate, supporting sustainable change rather than short-term symptom management.

        Professional Qualifications

        • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
        • Bachelor of Health Science
        • Graduate Diploma of Counselling
        • Graduate Diploma Lifestyle Medicine (currently completing)

        Professional Affiliations

        • Registered member of The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
        • Professional member of Animal Therapies Limited
        • Professional member of International Institute for Complementary Therapists

        Alice

        Alice is a compassionate counsellor supporting adults, young people and families across Albury Wodonga who are navigating trauma, emotional distress and complex life challenges.

        With over eight years of experience in early intervention services, school wellbeing programs, suicide prevention and community mental health, Alice brings both depth and steadiness to her therapeutic work. She has walked alongside individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma, suicidality, relational difficulties and significant life transitions, offering thoughtful, grounded support through each stage of their journey.

        Alice works from a holistic, person-centred approach. Rather than focusing only on symptom management, she gently supports clients to explore what sits beneath their experiences. This deeper work helps individuals reconnect with their sense of identity, strengthen self-trust and build meaningful change that holds up in everyday life.

        She offers counselling for:

        • Trauma and complex life experiences
        • Anxiety and emotional overwhelm
        • Suicide prevention and post-crisis support
        • School-related stress and wellbeing
        • Family and relational challenges

        Alice also provides Animal-Assisted Therapy in Albury Wodonga, working alongside her therapy dog, Leo. When appropriate, Leo’s presence can support emotional regulation, increase feelings of safety and help clients feel more at ease in sessions. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who find traditional talk-based therapy challenging or who benefit from a more grounded, relational therapeutic experience.

        Connection and empathy are central to Alice’s work. She is committed to creating calm, emotionally safe spaces where clients feel genuinely heard and supported. Alice works collaboratively and at each person’s pace, helping them move toward greater balance, confidence and wellbeing.

          Professional Qualifications

          • Bachelor of Arts (Rural Social Welfare)
          • Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice)
          • Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) – Completing 2026
          • Certified Therapy Dog Team – Animal Assisted Therapies

          Professional Affiliations

          • egistered member of Australian Holistic Healers and Counsellors Association (AHHCA
          • Professional member of Animal Therapies Limited