Chantel enjoys listening and getting to know people from all different journeys of life. A significant aspect of her work is providing a space of understanding, empathy, and safety. As a member of the LGBTQI+ community, she is passionate about embracing openness, as well as helping people re-connect with themselves and uncover hidden strengths that lay in the challenges they may be facing. Chantel holds an interest clients living with grief and/or trauma, hearing voices, expressive therapies and play therapy. Chantel is a PACFA registered psychotherapist completing her Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Adelaide. Chantel has a background of working with young people and families in various capacities for the last seven years in primary and secondary schools, focusing on well-being capacity including relationships, emotions, and identity. She uses a relational approach to build a culture of safety. She has previously worked with young people with learning difficulties to engage in learning and build positive relationships.

Makaela is a compassionate, person-centred Art Therapist with a background as a Registered Nurse in intensive and critical care. Her nursing career taught her empathy, resilience, and the ability to support individuals through life’s most challenging moments. Graduating with a Bachelor of Art Therapy from IKON Institute in 2024, she combines this experience with creative therapeutic practices, uniquely bridging medical understanding and emotional well-being. Her rural upbringing informs her approach to eco-psychotherapy and mindfulness practices.

Clinical Family Therapist and Systemic Practitioner and Registered SW. Expertise in working with individuals and families to help improve functioning and resolve a wide range of problematic issues that are impeding wellbeing

Paula Gillespie-Fotheringham is the founder of AkindaCo, which was born out of Paula’s love of working with early and primary years children – supporting them to reach their developmental milestones and helping them process their worries and enhance their emotional wellbeing. Paula specialises in supporting children who have experienced traumatic events, have extreme difficulties forming relationships, or are low or non-verbal. Paula has worked in a wide range of child-focused settings – as both a child development specialist, a child psychotherapist and in managerial capacities. These include at Yourtown in the Early Child Development Program, in various Child and Adolescent Mental health services (CAMHS) in the UK, in inpatient psychiatric services and residential units. Paula holds a range of Masters level qualifications (Arts Psychotherapy, research, CBT) and has additional training in trauma related dissociation, EMDR, EFT, Clayfield, play therapy, Learn to Play program and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). Together with her clinical work, Paula has worked as an educator in Expressive Therapies in both the UK and Australia for the past 10 years. Holding the post of Head of Faculty at the Ikon Institute and later Program Coordinator for the Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Adelaide. AkindaCo welcomes the opportunity to host students on placement. Outside of work Paula enjoys being a parent, getting outdoors as much as possible – bike riding and walking her dog and drinking great coffee! She shakes stress off using martial arts, painting and settling into a good novel.

Rana is a Senior Psychotherapist at AkindaCo, utilising Integrative Systemic Psychotherapy with individuals, families and young people. She is a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor and AAFT general member. An important aspect of Rana’s work involves working collaboratively with families in a way that validates power injustices and systemic oppression, while striving to create opportunities for families’ strengths and important values to also come forward. She strives continuously toward cultural democracy and humility in her work. She is a passionate member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and welcomes clients from all walks of life. Rana has experience in providing counselling to young adults at the University of Adelaide College, and provided psychotherapy for adults and children in distress at the Humane Clinic, and has taught undergraduate psychology students at the University of Adelaide as an Academic Staff Member. Rana is passionate around subjects of critical psychology, climate change related distress, decolonising and anti-oppressive methods and qualitative research in psychotherapy. She is a published, peer reviewed author and continues to write on these topics. Rana has a background in medical science and public health research. She completed her Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy from The University of Adelaide. Here, she received the Adelaide Graduate Award for her co-curricular work and volunteering, was the MCP representative on the School of Public Health Board, and recieved Dux of the School of Public Health in Qualitative Research. She is currently undertaking a Master of Clinical Family Therapy at The Bouverie Centre and LaTrobe University. Outside of her work, she enjoys yoga, bike riding and dancing.