About Us

 

 

Meet the Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy Team

Anita Geary of Insight Therapies

Anita, Director and Lead Therapist

Anita’s passion is helping clients rise from self-defeating thoughts and behaviours to realise their potential and she believes strongly in the importance of the mind-body connection.  Anita does not view herself as the expert in other’s lives, but rather walks alongside clients and assists them to tune into their own strengths to learn life-long skills on how to be their own best therapist.

Her therapeutic style is compassionate, gentle, collaborative, and intentional.  She focusses on building a relationship with each client which places them as the leader in their own work and supports both physical and emotional safety.

Anita sets the tone for each client to begin where they are at, both emotionally and developmentally, as she believes this to be integral to her client’s success in achieving their therapeutic goals.

By using a therapeutic approach which draws from a range of frameworks including psychotherapy, strength-based approach, client-centred therapy, expressive therapy, animal assisted therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, narrative therapy, developmental theory, and trauma informed theory, Anita is able to ensure your unique emotional needs are met.

Professional Background

Anita is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Registered Counsellor, Certified Animal Assisted Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and owner of Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy in Wodonga., Her background includes working both in the child and family services and family violence sectors for over a decade prior to entering the private practice space where she supported countless children, adults and families to heal from trauma, establish safety and achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes. Anita has experience supporting individuals and families across various socio-economic backgrounds to achieve stronger family relationships, decrease challenging behaviours, build more connected social relationships, and create safe and stable homes.

With an extensive history in working therapeutically with adults, children, young people and families affected by trauma, Anita understands the complex work that is required to support clients achieve lasting change. Anita’s ability to support people experiencing a variety of challenges has equip her to always engage a trauma informed approach, which is developmentally appropriate and respectfully delivered to promote individual, long term, sustainable change and to support those in the helping roles achieve this same change with their clients.

Anita established Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy in 2019 which is the first and only Animal Assisted Therapy Group practice in our local area and has since become a leader in the development of Animal Assisted Therapy in Australia including the delivery of presentations at national conferences, development and delivery of training and actively participating in the development of national standards for AAT in Australia as part of the leading national body, Animal Therapies Limited’s AAT committee .

Anita has a passion for supporting adult and child victim survivors of family violence with experience in both family violence crisis care and recovery counselling.  She feels privileged to have been able to be a part many survivor’s journeys towards safety and empowerment, self-realization and increased self-worth, confidence, and access to future opportunities.  Overall, Anita has been supporting adults and young people for over 20 years to move from surviving to thriving and hopes to be delivering the same high quality, evidenced based support to clients for many years to come.

Alongside her client work Anita also offers tailored training and clinical supervision to professionals in the helping professions.  Anita has completed the Australian Association of Social Work’s Advanced Supervision Program (Mental Health) and delivers clinical supervision which is trauma informed, reflective, and strength based to promote best practice and enhance the professional development and satisfaction of her supervisees.

Anita Geary and Bacardi Therapy Dog
Anita Geary and Bacardi Therapy Dog

Professional Background

Anita is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Registered Counsellor, Certified Animal Assisted Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and owner of Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy in Wodonga., Her background includes working both in the child and family services and family violence sectors for over a decade prior to entering the private practice space where she supported countless children, adults and families to heal from trauma, establish safety and achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes. Anita has experience supporting individuals and families across various socio-economic backgrounds to achieve stronger family relationships, decrease challenging behaviours, build more connected social relationships, and create safe and stable homes.

With an extensive history in working therapeutically with adults, children, young people and families affected by trauma, Anita understands the complex work that is required to support clients achieve lasting change. Anita’s ability to support people experiencing a variety of challenges has equip her to always engage a trauma informed approach, which is developmentally appropriate and respectfully delivered to promote individual, long term, sustainable change and to support those in the helping roles achieve this same change with their clients.

Anita established Insight Therapies Counselling and Consultancy in 2019 which is the first and only Animal Assisted Therapy Group practice in our local area and has since become a leader in the development of Animal Assisted Therapy in Australia including the delivery of presentations at national conferences, development and delivery of training and actively participating in the development of national standards for AAT in Australia as part of the leading national body, Animal Therapies Limited’s AAT committee .

Anita has a passion for supporting adult and child victim survivors of family violence with experience in both family violence crisis care and recovery counselling.  She feels privileged to have been able to be a part many survivor’s journeys towards safety and empowerment, self-realization and increased self-worth, confidence, and access to future opportunities.  Overall, Anita has been supporting adults and young people for over 20 years to move from surviving to thriving and hopes to be delivering the same high quality, evidenced based support to clients for many years to come.

Alongside her client work Anita also offers tailored training and clinical supervision to professionals in the helping professions.  Anita has completed the Australian Association of Social Work’s Advanced Supervision Program (Mental Health) and delivers clinical supervision which is trauma informed, reflective, and strength based to promote best practice and enhance the professional development and satisfaction of her supervisees.

Professional Qualifications

 

  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
  • Diploma of Applied Social Science
  • 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 Some Private Health Funds
  • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
  • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway

 I will utilise my experience, skills and knowledge to assist you to access your own wisdom and solutions. I will help you to gain insight into your own strengths and to better understand yourself and the world around you. I will help you to look into your inner self and find internal resources which can be built on and used when times get tough, thus creating change long after our counselling relationship is over.

Anita Geary

Bessie

As a play therapist and registered social worker, with a background in complex trauma assessments and early intervention, as well as parent support and education, Bessie has a passion for helping little people to grow and feel confident in themselves and the world around them.

With over 10 years’ experience working to support children and families who have lived through a variety of life challenges, Bessie’s delivery of child centred play therapy aims to ensure the best possible outcome for children and their families. Through her methods, she can set the right conditions for children to express, process and integrate what is holding them back, allowing them to move forward in life with joy and mastery. Bessie also provides regular play therapy services to local schools to promote children’s social development and engagement in learning.

Having trained in multiple parenting and early childhood education programs, along with completing significant post graduation studies including Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Child Play at Deakin University, Bessie is also available to provide one-on-one parenting support and education. This work is delivered from a position of compassion, understanding, and encouragement for parents who are experiencing a sense of overwhelm or disconnection with individualised plans and feedback provided to meet each family’s unique needs and to promote happier, healthier family relationships.

Qualifications:

  • Master of Social Work
  • Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Child Play (In progress)
  • 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 a dedicated and experienced Social Worker with a passion for working closely with children, young people, and families. Caryn’s rich professional background means she has cultivated an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges that families often encounter.

Caryn holds a genuine interest in facilitating healing through a trauma-informed and person-centred perspective and has honed her skills by integrating insights from various therapeutic modalities, ensuring that each client’s journey is tailored to their individual strengths, goals, and life experiences.

 

Central to Caryn’s professional identity is her desire to continually enhance her skills and knowledge. By remaining up to date with the latest best practices and techniques, she ensures that her clients receive the most effective care available.

 

With a keen interest in fostering positive change, Caryn seamlessly bridges her administrative support role with her therapeutic responsibilities. Her ability to connect with individuals on a meaningful level enhances the quality of care she delivers, making her a compassionate and reliable source of support.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Social Work

Professional Affiliations:

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

Shannon

Shannon is an Early Years Professional, Group Facilitator and Administration wiz bringing a wealth of experience & expertise to our team a background in Children’s Services, Animal Studies and Administration.

Holding both a Certificate II & III in Children’s Services, Shannon’s proficiency in engaging with children has been fine tuned. With a commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for children and a dedication to empowering them, Shannon creates a safe space where they can flourish. Shannon also delivers social skills groups which facilitates social development and the formation of meaningful connections, supporting children’s long-term wellbeing.

 

Complementing her passion for working with children, Shannon’s background in administration spans over two decades, underlining her strong organisational and communication skills. Shannon uses this experience to ensure our programs meet the needs of those we work with and to keep the back end of the business running smoothly.

 

Qualifications:

  • Certificate in Animal Studies
  • Certificate II in Community Services (Children’s Services)
  • Certificate III in Community Services (Children’s Services)
  • Diploma in community services (currently completing)

    Tanya

    Tanya’s background is in education with 20 years experience as a theatre and English teacher. She realised that what she loved about that time was the connections she was able to make with young people as she supported them through high school. She then completed her Masters in Guidance and Counselling with a focus on working creatively with young people in a therapeutic way.

    Tanya is passionate about building and nurturing self-efficacy so that people can be the best versions of themselves as they navigate the ups and downs of life. With a keen interest in supporting the Queer community, Tanya loves seeing people find ways to accept themselves for who they are. As a self-professed “neuropspicy” human, she also enjoys working with neurodivergent people to help them journey through a world that doesn’t always understand their skills and experiences.

    Qualifications:

    • Masters of Guidance and Counselling
    • Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
    • Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English

    Professional Affiliations:

    • Registered Member of the Australian Counselling Association (Level 2)
    • Registered provider for Victims Assistance Program and VOCAT
    • Registered counsellor for Carer Gateway
    • Registered provider for some Private Health Funds

    Karen

    Karen is an experienced Social Worker and certified Animal Assisted Therapist, with over 10 years’ experience & a passion for helping those experiencing emotional distress. Karen practices with the understanding that self-determination, choice & participation are key for successful healing & utilises a strength based, emotion focused approach to help clients achieve their goals.

    By helping clients to unpack what has been holding them back & supporting the development of new skills & improved self-understanding, Karen supports meaningful, lasting change with her clients, enabling them to realise a happy & successful future.

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor of Human Services
    • Master of Social Work
    • Diploma in Community Services
    • Diploma in Case Management
    • Certified Therapy Dog Team – Animal Assisted Therapy

    Professional Affiliations:

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