Our team

At Jansen Newman we believe students should receive support in both the academic and personal aspects of their study.

Our Student Support Coordinator and the Academic and Administration teams are on hand to assist students in all aspects of learning, including the use of video and audio equipment in the clinic, arranging bookings and allocating rooms for client sessions.

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Our Academic Staff
Our Administrative Staff
JNI Academic Board Members

Our Faculty

Jansen Newman Institute provides an exciting, challenging and dynamic learning experience. All our lecturers are experienced practitioners, actively engaged in clinical work, who bring the real world of the counsellor and psychotherapist to classroom and clinical learning. A number of our lecturers are published authors and have national and international reputations in their specialised fields.

Jan Alexander B Soc Work, MAASW

Jan lectures at JNI in the Adolescent Issues & Therapy elective. She has also lectured at the Institute of Psychiatry in Adolescent Mental Health. She currently works in private practice with individuals, couples & families.

Margaret Appleby OAM B Ed, Dip Teaching

Margaret is a pioneer in the area of prevention of suicide in Australia. Founding member of Suicide Prevention Australia. Consultant with Rose Education. Margaret has been a faculty member for many years.

Melinda Austen M Couple & Family Therapy, B Soc Wk

Melinda lectures in Cross-cultural issues. She has worked extensively in the area of trauma counselling, both currently at the VVCS with war veterans & previously with refugees at STARTTS (the NSW Service for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Torture & Trauma Survivors).

Cathy Bettman PhD, M Counselling, M Couple & Family Therpay, BA, PGDip Conflict Resolution, Cert IV A & WT

Cathy lectures in Family Therapy, Couples Therapy & Person-centred Therapy. She has worked with Relationships Australia as a Couples & Family Counsellor & is currently the Academic Head of the Australian Institute for Relationship Studies.

Paul Bogacs BA Theology, MSc Marriage & Family Therapy

Paul works with individuals, couples and families. He teaches in the areas of Family and Couples Therapy, Depression, Anxiety Disorders and CBT. Paul has recently moved from being Manager of the Salvation Army Counselling Service to working in the field of School Counselling. He is a member of the executive committee of the Society of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE) and past editor of the society’s newsletter.

Katrina berg-Howard B Couns & Human Change

Katrina is a Student Support Co-ordinator. For several years she worked in areas of representation & change management within the arts industry & is now a partner of Creative Counsel, consulting with a broad range of creative artists & organisations. Katrina is a trained MBTI facilitator, volunteer Lifeline telephone counsellor & co-presenter of a regular mindfulness meditation course.

Charmaine Bradley BA (hons) Law; Grad Dip (Leg Prac); Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy

Charmaine is a Student Support Coordinator at JNI. She also works here as a consultant therapist, where she sees individuals and couples. 

John Butters MAPsS, BA (Psych), PG Dip Psych, Adv Dip Psychotherapy (ICP)

John is a Psychologist/Psychotherapist. For the last six years he has been practising as an individual psychotherapist and for the last 4 years working in psychiatric hospitals as a psychologist (group and individual counsellor). John is currently working with people struggling with self-harm and emotional disorders at St John of God Private Hospital, Burwood and completing post graduate studies at Macquarie University.

Janice Cade MApp Sci (Crit Psych), BAd Ed, Adv Dip of App Soc Sci, CMCAPA

Janice works as a therapist in private practice. She has an extensive background in conducting change management programs for international companies. At JNI Janice teaches a range of subjects including counselling, personality development and personality disorders, mental health issues, psychodynamic theory and cultural anthropology. 

John Franklin PhD, Mclin Psych, BA Hons.

John lectures at JNI in Psychoses & CBT. He is also a senior lecturer in Psychology at Macquarie University, where he is the Director of the Behavioural Disorders Research unit & the Helath & Anxiety Clinic. He has had extensive experience as a clinical psychologist with a wide variety of clients.

Oisín Friel RN, Grad Dip Health Sc (Drug & Alcohol)

Oisín is the Nursing Unit Manager at Ryde Drug and Alcohol Service. He has 20 years experience in the UK and Australia in the Drug and Alcohol field. He has taught addictive disorders at Jansen Newman since 1996.

Thomas Greaves BA Hons (Phil), Dip Core Process Psychotherapy

Tom lectures in Psychodynamic Therapy, Grief & Loss, Adlerian Therapy & Personal & Professional Seminars. He is also an individual & group supervisor. He has worked in London & Barcelona as a supervisor, lecturer & psychotherapist with individuals, couples & groups.

Ross henderson BA (Economics & Psych), Grad Dip Couns, Cert IV A & WT

Ross lectures in several organisations, consults & also has a private practice. He has a strong management background & lectures in Therapeutic Intimacy.

Philip Hilder BA (Psych & Sociology); PGDip Psychology; Addictions Counselling Cert., Cert IV Adult Education; Hakomi Integrative Psychology Training; Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Training; & Clinical Supervisor Training. 

Phil has been working in the counselling & psychotherapy areas for almost 20 years. He is an educator & a psychologist & has specialised in gambling addictions, drug & alcohol addictions, couples & family assessment & crisis intervention.

Barbara Jones PG Dip in Comms Mgmt, PG Dip Psychotherapy

Formerly working for an international consulting organisation managing the organisational change unit, Barbara coaches senior executives in human change processes & lectures in Change Management & Coaching.

Kevin Keith M Phil, MA, M Div, BBA, Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy, STL

Kevin is a graduate of JNI & lectures in Human Development & the areas of Spirituality & Psychotherapy. He also works in private practice. He holds two postgraduate degrees from the Catholic Univeristy of Louvain, Belgium where he studied theology & philosophy. He holds an MPhil in Jewish Studies from the Oriental Faculty, Oxford University. He has also been an undergraduate & postgraduate lecturer in the US.

Dion Khlentzos B Sc Hons (Psych), Grad Dip Couns, BA, Dip Ed, Cert IV A & WT, Assoc MAPS

Dion is the Academic Coordinator at JNI, where he also lectures in Ethics & supervises interns. He is a Registered Psychologist & has worked with the Salvation Army, training volunteer telephone counsellors. He is also a therapist at JNI.

Robyn Lamb B Soc Stud

Robyn is Deputy Head of the Child Protection Unit at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead. She has taught child sexual abuse at JNI since 1997.

Mary McGuiness M Ed, BA (Psych), Dip Couns, Dip Teaching

Mary has 19 years experience in MBTI Accreditation as well as consulting to organisations and educators. Mary served as National President of the Australian Association of Psychological Type (1993-4) and as President of the Sydney Chapter (1991-6). Mary has published a successful book called “You’ve Got Personality”. Mary teaches one of the personality strands in the academic program.

Edna McKelvey BCHC, Group Leadership & Facilitation (Yalom Method), Post Induction Therapy & Relational Development, Dip Mktg Mgnt, Cert nLP in Business

Edna is a facilitator of family-of-origin & interpersonal groups, runs experiential psycho educational programs at South Pacific Private Hospital & teaches group process & facilitation. She also has a private practice.

Adam McLean BCHC, Grad Dip Couns/Psychotherapy, BN, CM, CertIV A&WAT, MCAPA, RN

Adam has over 20 years experience in the health and community sector, is responsible for the development of innovative support and counselling programs within a leading NGO. Adam is a Therapist and Group Therapy Facilitator.

Sue Morris BSc (Psychology), M Clinical Psychology; Advanced bereavement Facilitator Cert; Corporate Coaching Program

Sue is a clinical psychologist & published author. She specialises in grief & loss & other adult mental health issues including: relationship problems, anxiety disorders & depression. She is the author of "Overcoming Grief: A Self-Help Guide Using CBT" & has co-authored four self help books about relationships.

Brian Nannetti Grad Dip Counselling (ACAP), CPE Programme, Group Facilitation Training (AICA) 

Brian has been a group facilitator for a perpetrators of domestic violence, a counsellor on the pastoral care team at St Vincent's hospital & a lecturer in Gestalt therapy. He also runs his own private practice as a therapist, where he specialises in Existential (particularly Yalom) & Gestalt approaches.

Nerida Oberg BCouns, Dip Psychotherapy/Couns, Dip Prof Couns

Nerida’s relationship with JNI began over a decade ago. Since that time she has trained extensively in the field of psychotherapy and counselling whilst working as a Couples and Family therapist. Nerida is a Group Therapist at Jansen Newman.

Philip Oldfield BA, Accredited Gestalt Therapist and Trainer

In his private practice Philip works extensively with individuals and couples. Philip has taught Same Sex Relationships in the Jansen Newman program since 1998.

Gail Pemberton M (Counselling), Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy, MCAPA, PACFA (reg.)

Gail is a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Supervisor and Hypnotherapist. In the academic program she is a Supervisor, Group Therapist and facilitates the Sandplay Therapy short course. Gail has run groups for the Department of Corrective Services and Relationships Australia. She has specialist knowledge in conflict resolution, anger management, drug and alcohol abuse as well as domestic violence and sexual abuse.

margaret Ploskodniak BA (Library Science), Grad Dip Counselling

Margaret has experience in working directly with clients living in the community, piloting a project for the Dept of Ageing and Home Care providing social support to frail aged living in Dept of Housing. She also developed a Community Advisory Service to support older people living in their homes for as long as possible. She is currently the Clinical Coordinator for the Intern Program at JNI.

Clinton Power BMUS, Grad Dip Mus, Grad Dip Couns/Psych, II Gestalt Therapy

Clinton was a classical musician for over 15 years before commencing his training in counselling and psychotherapy, specialising in couples under the supervision of David Jansen and Margaret Newman. He works with individuals, couples and families at Relationships Australia and has experience in child and adolescent education and the drug and alcohol fields. Clinton is a Group Therapist at Jansen Newman.

Jane Quayle BCHC, certified Focusing Trainer; Certified Focusing Oriented Therapist, Dip Dru Yoga Therapy, Dip Remedial massage

Jane lectures in the Focusing short course & is a certified Focusing trainer. She is also a group facilitator for Relationships Australia & a tutor in counselling skills at UWS.

Dr Michael Reed BSW, MSW, PhD

Michael is a Registered Psychologist and Accredited Social Worker. He is Co-director of ‘Gestalt Practitioners Training Sydney’ and a visiting faculty member of several training institutes across Australia. Michael has taught in the areas of Gestalt Therapy, Human Development (Adolescence), Couples Therapy and Ethics since the early 1990s. Michael is in private practice in Sydney.

Elizabeth Riley M Couns, Grad Dip Couns, Cert Couns, BSc, Dip Homeopathy, Cert IV W & AT

Elizabeth lectures in several different organisations. She is the head convenor of the CAPA Ethics Committee & has been involved over many years with the Gender Centre as well as the St James Ethics Centre. She also has a private practice. Elizabeth lectures at JNI in Adult Human Development & Human Sexuality.

Susanne Scheurer-Mechtersheimer MPsych, BPsych, Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy

Susanne is a business consultant & counsellor working in the fields of change management & organisational development. She has more than 17 yrs experience working with academics & professionals in change management projects. She is lecturing at JNI in the Differentiation of Self.

Elisabeth Shaw BA Hons (Psych), Dip Fam Therpay, M (Community Management), Grad Dip Prof Ethics, M (Cpl & Fam Therapy), Cert IV A & WT

Elisabeth has been training therapists to Masters level since 1992 & she has been a therapsit herself since 1985. She was the Manager of Community Services at Relationships Australia & has publsihed books & papers on a number of topics, including Couple Therapy & Ethics. Elisabeth teaches the Couples Elective at jNI.

Michele Stewart BA (Theatre), Dip Ed, Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy, MCAPA

Michele has broad experience with groups & individuals, from youngoffenders to older people. She likes to approach her work with a creative & experiential focus. Michele is a Group Therpay Facilitator at JNI.

Deborah Stirrat B Couns & Human Change

Deb is a group Supervisor at JNI & works in private practice. She is currently also a co-facilitator for the Holyoake programs at Centacare, Sydney. She has a keen interest in alcohol & drugs work & has worked to establish & running Support groups for the parents of adolescents experiencing AOD problems.

Gaye Stockell MA, MAPS (Psychologist)

Gaye has been involved in presenting Narrative Therapy Workshops in many parts of Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. She is also a lecturer at the University of Western Sydney. Working in private practice, Gaye meets with individuals, couples and families and provides individual, group and agency supervision.

Alison Strasser DProf, MA (Psychotherapy & Counselling), BA Hons (Soc Sc), Cert IV A & WT, Cert Mediation & Coaching

Alison is the Director of the Centre for Existential Practice. She lectures at JNI in Existential Therapy & Anxiety Disorders. She was the Executive Director Academic at ACAP & has extensive experience as a supervisor & psychotherapist.

Dr Pam Stavropoulos PhD(Politics), Grad Dip Pychotherapy

Pam is the Program Director for the the Bachelor of Applied Social Science, the Bachelor of Counselling & Human Change & the Graduate Diploma of Counselling & Psychotherapy. She holds a doctorate in Politics from the University of Melbourne & a Graduate Diploma in Individual Psychotherapy & Relationship Therapy from JNI. She has held lectureships in politics at Macquarie University & the University of New England, is a practising therapist & author of a recently published book on the politics of depression.

Anne Surtees Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy, BA & MA Hons (History) 

Anne is a counsellor & psychotherapist in private practice and at JNI she is involved with students' clinical development.

Helen Turner BA, Grad Dip Couns/Psychotherapy, CMCAPA

JNI's CEO, Helen also has a hands-on role in the teaching & supervison of students. She practices privately, working with individuals, couples, families & children.

Adrian van den Bok MA (CulPsych-Narrative Studies), DipPsychotherapy/RelCouns, Cert Internship

As a Clinical Supervisor/Educator and Psychotherapist/Counsellor, Adrian works with individuals and couples experiencing persistent problems and/or at critical moments in their lives. He lectures in Narrative Therapy & conducts group supervision classes and individual supervision for Intern Clinic students.

Kieran White Chartered Inst of Mgnt Accountants, Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy

Kieran is a graduate of JNI and is working as a Group Therapist. He also runs his own private practice and is an executive coach.

Deborah Wolfson BCHC, Dip Clin Hypnotherapy, Grad Dip Systemic Therapy, Cert IV A & WT

Deborah lectures at JNI in Person-Centred Therapy, Counselling Skills & Assertive Communication. She is also an educator & group program coordinator with Relationships Australia.

Our Academic Staff

Pam Stavropoulos PhD(Politics), Grad Dip Psychotherapy

- Programs Director 

Dion Khlentzos MBA, Dip Ed, BSc (Hons Psych), Grad Dip Counselling, Cert IV Workplace Training & Assessment, Assoc MAPS, Registered psychologist  

— Academic Coordinator 

Margaret Ploskodniak BA(libSc), Grad Dip Couns

— Clinical Coordinator 

Grace Corcega-Chan MA Phil, BA Pol Sci

— Assistant Programs Coordinator 

Emma Parks

— Assistant Clinical Coordinator

Charmaine Bradley BA(Hons) Law; Grad Dip (Leg Practice); Grad Dip Couns and Psychotherapy

— Student Support Coordinator

Katrina berg-Howard BCHC

— Student Support Coordinator

Janice Cade MApp Sci (Crit Psych), B Ad. Ed, Adv Dip of App Soc Sci, CMCAPA

— Student Support Coordinator 

OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Tharanga Ranawake

— Registrar

Steve Troth

— Assistant Registrar

Sris Ponniahpillai BAPP Sc (Information Studies)

— Librarian

April McFadden BA Ed, Grad Dip Couns & Psychotherapy

— Course and Careers Advisor

David McGinty

— Student Support Officer 

Susan Nash

— Administration Manager

Emma Parks

— Administration Assistant 

Belinda Wilson

— Administration Assistant

Jinnie Kuk

— Administration Assistant

Cassie Hallinan

— Administration Assistant

JNI academic board members

Judith Townsend

— Independent

Professor Mark Israel

— Educational Leadership

Dr Natalie Bolzan

— Disciplinary specialists

Dr Jane Maley

— Disciplinary specialists

Marcus Mackay

— Institute alumnus and professional consultant

Phyllis Parr

— Counsellor and psychotherapist

Dr Pam Stavropoulos

— Programs Director

Anthony Bohm

— Group Chief Executive Officer - Operations

Helen Turner

— CEO

Dr George Brown

— Group Academic Director

Download the JNI Academic Board Charter as a PDF here