Chris Naish

Sharon Stokes

Sarn McInnes

Rose Naish

Avril Agius

Cedric Rostenne

Emily Holstrom

With a 25-year career in mental health social work, I bring extensive experience to my practice across aged care, community, and clinical settings. My background includes a decade with the NHS in London, where I worked in both community and private psychiatric environments, supporting individuals from diverse cultural and personal backgrounds. I also have substantial experience in mental health crisis assessment, having worked in A&E and community crisis teams, providing timely, compassionate intervention during acute periods of need.
Throughout my career, I have embraced a holistic, person-centred approach, ensuring that support is tailored to the unique needs of the whole person. It is a privilege to have individuals share their stories with me, and I remain deeply committed to offering steady, respectful, and compassionate care during some of their most vulnerable moments.
I am particularly passionate about my work in aged care, recognising the significant and often ongoing need for emotional and mental health support for residents and their families. Whether assisting with the transition into aged care, facilitating conversations about Advance Care Planning, or walking alongside individuals through grief and loss, I aim to provide reassurance, clarity, and dignity. I also have a strong interest in Reminiscence Therapy, having seen firsthand how revisiting meaningful memories can spark joy, strengthen identity, and enhance wellbeing for older adults.
I am known for being warm, compassionate, and approachable, with a deep commitment to social justice and advocacy for the individuals and families I support. My practice is grounded in empathy, respect, and a genuine belief in the resilience and worth of every person I work with.

Tammy Chung

NDIS Assessment
Advocacy
Case Management
Adults and Older persons community
Mental Health
Psychotherapy
Older Persons Outreach
Crisis Management
Education
Coaching/Mentoring
Young Adults counselling

Martha Dimitriou

AASW Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with 30 years’ experience in the Health & Welfare field. She believes in creating a safe environment for individuals to explore life challenges
• Grief, Loss, Bereavement
• Carer support
• Adjustment /transitions across the lifecycle

DR Kathleen Ryan

I have had many years experience as a senior social worker. These roles have mainly been in the fields of drug and alcohol, mental health and dual diagnosis. My focus within these positions has been on older adults.
Furthermore I completed a Doctorate in Social Work on the topic of older adults and dual diagnosis.

I am finding my role with Care Guidance, providing counselling and support to aged care residents and their families, to be very fulfilling. It is a privilege to work with people at this important and often challenging time in the life cycle.

In my spare time I enjoy yoga, meditation, live theatre, comedy shows, football and time with family and friends

Donna Schwarz-Nielsen

Donna Schwarz-Nielsen is a registered social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
She brings to her role a strong foundation of tertiary education and diverse experience across psychology, social work, and community services. Her professional background includes work as a Disability Justice Coordinator, NDIS Coordinator and Recovery Coach, as well as additional qualifications in Individual Care (Ageing, Home & Community), Mental Health, and Health & Wellness Coaching.
Donna is committed to lifelong learning, with a particular interest in gerontology. She has worked extensively across counselling, disability, positive behaviour support, and advocacy, combining clinical expertise with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a strengths-based approach. She is a passionate advocate for improving the wellbeing and quality of life of older Australians and for fostering inclusive, supportive care environments where individuals can thrive.
Believing that every person is the expert in their own life, Donna values the uniqueness of each individual’s story and works collaboratively to support their goals and aspirations.
Having lived overseas for many years, Donna appreciates the richness of diverse cultural perspectives.
Outside of her professional life, she enjoys SCUBA diving, photography, genealogy, gardening, and classic films.
Her favourite movies include It’s a Wonderful Life, The Notebook, and Hello, Dolly.

Silvia Choy

Silvia is a social worker with experience in aged care, counselling, acute care, mental health, emergency services, and case management. She is passionate in supporting older adults with advocacy, care planning, and navigating complex health and social needs.

Trudi Richardson

Trudi Richardson is a compassionate Social Worker with extensive experience in aged care, disability, neurodiversity, and hospital-based settings. She holds a Master of Social Work (Qualifying), a Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare), an Advanced Diploma of Disability, and a nursing background, providing a strong clinical and therapeutic foundation.
Her aged care nursing and hospital experience give her a deep understanding of health complexity, cognitive decline, recovery, and discharge planning. Trudi is skilled in psychosocial assessment, supportive counselling, case coordination, NDIS navigation, and advocacy. She is committed to person-centred, trauma-informed practice that promotes dignity, independence, and wellbeing for older adults.

Rose Capewell

Aged Care
Palliative Care and Bereavement Care
Home and Community Support and Development
Social Work
Mental Health
Counselling and Case Management.

Bernie Wicks

Bernie is a highly experienced social worker with more than 24 years in the hospital and health care sector, including a range of management and leadership roles. Over the past seven years, she has found her passion in palliative care, providing compassionate counselling and support to people nearing the end of life and their families—both before and after death.
Bernie also facilitates debriefing and reflection sessions with health professionals, helping teams process their experiences and maintain emotional wellbeing in challenging environments. Her warm, approachable nature, strong ethical values, and extensive experience make her a perfect fit for supporting residents, families, and staff within aged care.

Maxine Milton

AASW Accredited Social Worker
Areas of Practice:
- Disability
- Advocacy
- Case Management
- Counselling
- LGBTQI+
- Mental Health
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Carer and Family Support
- Crisis Intervention
- Dual Diagnosis and Complex Care
- Community Development
- General Health
- Chronic Disease Management
- Legal and Financial
- Group Work
- Psychosocial Assessment
- Psychoeducation

DR Irene Renzenbrink

BA Dip SocStuds, M.Soc. Admin, DVATI , PhD
Dr Irene Renzenbrink is a social worker with 40 years experience in health care settings specialising in palliative care and bereavement counselling. She is also a qualified art therapist, using all the art (writing, poetry, movement and music). Irene brings a wealth of experience and dedication to assisting older people and their families with the challenges they face.

Debra Muir

Patsy McCue

Cathy Bolger

Katrine Condon

Jessica Morice

Joanne Richardson

Vicki Tattersal

Anna Corsini