Our Team of Wildflowers
Alexandra, often referred to as Alex is a soul driven woman who is passionate about wellness, sustainability and living a life deeply anchored in connection to herself and the community around her. Alexandra is a Psychologist and Art Therapist who is often seen not wearing shoes in the therapeutic space!
Alex believes it takes real courage to show up within that space, so authentic expression on her behalf is something she holds high. Working across a variety of settings, she has come to specialise in working with individuals who are experiencing or have experienced trauma. Often when big life events happen we can feel disempowered, which is where her real passion shines through - working with individuals to empower them to become the best versions of themselves and bloom as the wildflower they are. Alex believes if we keep treating individuals as they are, they will be as they are but if we treat them as who they can be, they can become who they can be.
Alex applies a holistic approach to therapy, believing it’s important to look at the person as a whole, not just the presenting issues. Alex brings an eclectic mix of therapies and is often found thinking outside of the box to engage and collaborate with all parties including schools and allied health professional for the best interest of the client.
For Alex, the creation of Wildflower Holistic Services, is the embodiment of a life’s desire to be the ignitor of connection within communities to offer support through clinical and alternative medicine, which Alex appreciates as potently complimentary for complete wellneness.
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Full registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
University of Wollongong
Advanced Diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy
College of Complementary Medicine
300hr Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY)
Justice Research Institute
Alexandra McCarthy
Wildflower Co-Founder, Psychologist, Art Therapist & Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapist
Rebecca, often referred to as Bec, is a woman who is bursting with energy and a vibe of positivity and empowerment. Bec wholeheartedly believes in empowering those around her to achieve their greatness and this is embodied in her role as an Paediatric Occupational Therapist, in which she finds deep joy and satisfaction in supporting her clients, and their parents, to be emboldened with knowledge, self belief and quality support to allow their individual brilliance to be illuminated.
Bec is creatively gifted and has a deep need for sensory input, so she put both together and used these gifts to hand make the divine products of Comfort Buddy Weighted Blankets, which honours her commitment to supporting the mental, physical and emotional development of her clients through sensory engagement.
As a creator of Wildflower Holistic Services it is Bec’s desire to create a truly inspiring space of connection and wellness for her community to thrive within. Bec is inspired by the uniqueness of her life where every day, every situation, every client, brings it’s own individual experiences, challenges and successes to create a life of magic and wonder to be grateful for.
At the moment, no one on one appointments can made with Bec, however you will see her in the space playing with all of our sensory toys, co-facilitating group programs, workshops and of course she is the smile behind your handmade Comfort Buddy weighted blankets.
Qualifications:
Rebecca McCarthy
Wildflower Co-Founder, Occupational Therapist & Comfort Buddy Genius
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Full registration as a Occupational Therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Bachelor of Health Science
University of Western Sydney
Masters of Occupational Therapy
University of Western Sydney
Sensory Integration Continuing Education Certificate Program
University of Southern California
Jessie Mitchell
Practice Manager
Qualifications:
Jessie is curious, adventure seeking moon & cheese lover, who you’d often find soaking up the sun, playing in the snow or gazing up at the sky.
Jessie loves taking her pup Murphy to the beach, ocean swims and having meaningful conversations over coffee with friends. She has a unique fascination with the Harry Potter series and Orcas.
Jessie has an incredible passion for doing purposeful work, engagement and connecting with people from all different communities and cultures from all over the world. She is an advocate for the people and truly believes we as a society have a moral responsibility to push the boundaries and to seek more holistic approaches for creating sustainable ways of living in our most authentic way.
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Madeline Kenny
Provisional Psychologist
Madeline, but you can call her Maddy, is a young woman who is bubbly, chatty and passionate about overall wellbeing. Maddy thoroughly enjoys supporting her clients to grow and develop into their own people and celebrating their wins when they achieve their goals.
Prior to joining the Wildflowers team, Maddy worked in primary schools for 4 years assisting children with diagnoses and learning difficulties in the classroom and playground settings. Maddy also has 5 year's experience working in an after-school care facility, providing care and support to all children to make them feel as though they were at their second home.
Maddy was inspired by the Wildflower philosophy of celebrating each individual and acknowledging that each person has a place in this wonderful world. Maddy is driven to continue her development and learning to provide the best care for children, teens and adults alike and will be working with clients one-on-one as well as helping out with our assessments.
Outside of the Wildflower walls you can find Maddy thoroughly enjoying a good game of league, AFL or netball, cooking and baking, and eating her delicious creations!
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Bachelor of Psychological Science
University of Wollongong
Psychology Honours
Monash University
Jennie is just starting out on her provisional psychologist journey but believes in growth, progress and improvement in both herself and those around her.
With a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Monash University, Jennie has previously worked as an allied health therapist supporting children with autism. Here, she utilised the ESDM framework to individualise and incorporate fun into therapy. Jennie strongly believes in having fun and tailoring towards the individual, always striving to help others feel capable and empowered to make their own choices. Jennie has also worked as a piano teacher, a swimming instructor and has taught at her local martial arts club,. She is a patient and understanding person especially when it comes to skills that enrich our experience.
Knowing that life can feel a bit fast sometimes, Jennie likes to slow down with quiet hobbies such as painting, reading and crocheting, and also dabbles in a little bit of Dungeons and Dragons as both a player and a game master
Qualifications:
JENNIE TRAN
Provisional Psychologist
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Bachelor of Psychology Monash University
Psychology Honours Monash University
LEAH MICALLEF
Provisional Psychologist
Availability: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Leah is a caring, kind and calm clinician who is passionate about clients achieving their fullest potential. Leah believes that understanding and acceptance is at the heart of the therapeutic relationship where there is no room for judgment. Leah believes “When we are accepted for who we are, the real transformation begins”. Leah is committed to a person-centred approach to therapy and recognises that no one knows us better than ourselves. Working in partnership with her child, adolescent and adult clients is at the centre of Leah’s practice.
Family is at the heart of Leah’s life and practice. As a mother to five wonderful children, Leah understands the trials of parenting and navigating the dynamics of blended families. For Leah, parenting is her toughest but most rewarding job and she is passionate about helping parents and children flourish together, united
Outside of Wildflower walls, you can find Leah waterskiing with her family in summer and enjoying time out in nature at the beach.
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Bachelor of Psychological Science
University of Wollongong
Psychology Honours
Monash University
katerina rekoumis
Allied Health Assistant
Kat is free spirited, independent, a good listener and passionate about all thing’s self-awareness and self-growth.
She is currently studying a bachelor of psychological science and believes that a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing is essential for an individual to truly flourish.
Implementing mindfulness, yoga and journaling in her own life has improved the relationship she has with herself and others, therefore she is a strong believer in the need for a balanced life.
At Wildflower Holistic Services Kat's role is to provide support for clients, so you will often find her connecting playfully in the waiting room with clients and their families and providing guidance in group programs. She loves supporting others in any way she can.
In Kat's spare time you will find her on her yoga mat, at the beach, exercising, reading, listening to podcasts or observing and thinking deeply about the world (that’s the Aquarius in her!). She also loves being with her family, friends and her adorable pups!
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Masters) University of Wollongong - still in progress
Ellie is a passionate speech pathologist who enjoys working with a diverse caseload. She has worked with children and young adults to support a range of skills including speech sounds and pronunciation, language, social communication, literacy and multi-modal communication. She has a special interest in supporting the communication needs of individuals with autism, and has over 5 years of experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ellie has experience with the use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices and systems to support and supplement verbal communication, including Proloquo2Go, AACORN, Touch Chat, Go Talk and core vocabulary boards. Additionally she is trained to administer both the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development assessment.
Outside of work, Ellie enjoys cooking, reading, spending time in nature, and connecting with her family and friends.
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Full Registration as a Speech Pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)
Masters - Speech Pathology
Key Word Sign
Hanen 'It Takes Two to Talk
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System
Ellie Warner
Speech Pathologist
Availability: Monday
Dr NILUKA COEHLO
Paediatrician
Availability: First Monday of every Month
Dr Niluka Coelho is a Consultant Paediatrician specialising in the health and wellness of children aged 0 -16 years.
Dr Coelho was born in Zambia and has also lived in South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. She arrived in Australia in 2007.
She received her medical degree from the University of Auckland and did her Paediatric specialist training at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and various metropolitan and regional hospitals in Victoria, Auckland and Sydney. She received her Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from James Cook University in Townsville. Dr Coelho is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
She is the mother of two wonderful young children. In her spare time she enjoys playing guitar and spending time with family and friends.
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
BHB, MBChB, MPH&TM, FRACP
Michelle loved the diversity of working as an occupational therapist and the opportunities it provides to assist clients achieve their goals of independence in their chosen activities. Michelle feels it is a privilege to be invited into our clients’ lives where she can encourage and support them to reach their potential. About working at Wildflower Holistic Services Michelle says it’s fantastic to be part of a team which values each person as an individual and celebrates their differences, knowing that we all have our special purpose in this world.
Michelle has 6 amazingly individual children and she spends her time outside of Wildflowers driving a minibus around and cheering her kids on in their sporting and musical pursuits. Michelle also enjoys spending time outside in the garden, going for walks, playing board games, reading when she gets a chance and of course eating chocolate.
Qualifications:
Occupational Therapist
Availability:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Bachelor of applied science (OT) -
University of Sydney
mICHELLE cAMERON
Gen is a graphic designer, marketer, illustrator and maker. She has a passion for sharing stories, engaging with the local community and enriching people’s lives through creativity and imaginative thinking.
Gen has a background in design communication, events, marketing and is currently studying art therapy. Gen is excited to be part of the wildflower team, to help communicate and share the wonderful work this organisation does within our community, to assist in building new programs and to get crafty and creative in wildflower events, workshops and groups.
Gen is currently navigating being a first time mum to a beautiful baby boy and when she isn’t in the studio working on new creative pursuits or running art workshops you will find her spending time with her family somewhere on the coastline or snuggled up with a good book.
gENNA maroussis
Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator
Qualifications:
Masters Degree in Navigating Life - still in progress
Art therapy - still in progress
Associate Degree, design communication - Billy Blue Design School
Advanced diploma of Events - MEA Australia