Our Team
Lifeskills Australia is a team of registered & qualified counsellors & psychologists committed to help Australians achieve positive work-life balance

Lee Pagana
Director of Lifeskills Centre, Counsellor, Lifeskills Seminar Facilitator
Speciality:
- Mental Health Awareness
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- EAP Counselling
- FIFO Counselling
- Critical Incident Response
- Personal Development Seminars- Couples, Individuals, Communication, Mental Health Awareness and many more.
Affiliations:
- ACA-Australian Counselling Association
- PCWA- Professional Counselling of Western Australia
- CBT Australia- Cognitive Behavioral Therapist of Australia
- EAPAA- Employment Assistant Program Association of Australia
- MHFA- Mental Health First Aid Instructor in the following courses:
- The Standard Mental Health First Aid
- Mental Health First Aid Refresher
- Blended Workplace F2F
- On line Workplace
Personal Information
After a turbulent beginning to her marriage, Lee and her husband started counselling and attended an intensive personal development seminar. This was over 30 years ago and was the catalyst for Lee becoming a Counsellor herself. Today she is a Registered Counsellor with many affiliations and is renowned for her openness and down to earth approach.
Lee was the founder of the “Desana Whole Health Clinic” in Wembley WA.
Desana was based on a holistic approach to health bringing together GP’s (General Practitioners) and allied health professionals such as Counsellors, Psychologists, Naturopaths, Herbalists and specialists in Collation treatment and Ozone therapy.
She developed and co-facilitates the Lifeskills Seminar – an intensive program ran over 4 days on a bi-monthly basis which is now in its 28th year. The seminar has helped thousands of individuals and couples to take control of their lives and find a balance that they once thought was unattainable.
Lee was a keynote speaker at the FMG Wellness Conferences for consecutive years and regularly attends conferences, facilitates workshops and training programs in her capacity as Clinical Director of Lifeskills Australia. She frequently participates in mine site visits, crisis calls and hands on management of critical incidents and other emergency situations. She is passionate about her one-on-one counselling work and is committed to continued professional development in order to provide the best possible research and evidence-based therapies for her clients.

Viviana Jancso
Clinical Psychologist (Registrar)
BA Law, MA Applied Psych, Grad Dip Counselling, BA Psych
Personal Information
Viviana is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience in EAP, Private Practice and in a Government setting in a vocational rehabilitation capacity. She works with children, adolescents and adults with a range of mental health and behavioural issues. She is nearing the completion of a law degree and is often approached to deal with court related matters including reportable family therapy, court ordered anger management and reporting on criminal cases.
Viviana has experience working across several psychological problems including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, trauma, couples counselling, anger management, eating disorders and autism. Viviana uses evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and is trained to use EMDR for trauma and Schema Therapy for personality disorders and family of origin issues. Other therapeutic approaches are used depending upon a clients presenting issues.

Joen Choi
Counsellor, Facilitator and Certified Hypnotherapist
BA(Psych)(Hons), MCouns
Personal Information
Joen is an engaging and supportive counsellor who offers professional and confident services to her clients, ensuring they feel safe and heard during their counselling experience with her. She uses person-centred approach, together with hypnotherapy techniques to effectively help her clients work through a wide range of difficult situations, from emotional well-being to any addictions and habit management. Joen passionately believes that with good mental health, any individual will be able to build resilience and find their inner strength to reach their full potential. Fluent in English and Chinese languages, Joen works with a culturally diverse clientele of youths, adults, and couples.

Erfan Nasheri
Provisional Psychologist
BA Psych, BCom, Mnr Community & Family Studies, Grad Dip Psych, AMAPS, Cert IV TAE, MASORC, MBus
Personal Information
Erfan is a provisional psychologist who has worked in both government and private with adolescents, adults and groups. He has over ten years of experience working with clients with trauma/PTSD, anxiety, stress, depression, self-harm, poor self-esteem, relationship or team challenges and psychosomatic issues. Erfan has also worked as a senior manager managing and empowering teams, and values supporting people to make effective health and lifestyle changes to improve their wellbeing.
Erfan is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Meditation, Workplace Counselling and Trauma Counselling. He is passionate about working with clients issues in their personal, working and parenting lives and aims to build a strong alliance with clients and, empower them to improve their quality of life and psychological wellbeing.

Sophie Curelic
Provisional Psychologist
BA Psych
Personal Information
Sophie has a Bachelor of Psychology from Curtin University and is a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Sophie seeks to create a safe space which is warm and engaging for clients to share their feelings, thoughts and experiences. She takes a strength-based approach to support clients to enrich their relationships with themselves and with others; and to help them lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
She is particularly interested in creative therapies to engage individuals in a meaningful way without the barriers of communication or language. She also has an interest in women’s health and sexuality and is looking forward to exploring this area further through professional development.

Darryl Shirt
Counsellor and Teacher
Grad Dip Counselling, Adv Dip C&FT, Grad Dip Applied Science, Grad Dip Prim Teaching
Personal Information
After completing 34 years as a Primary Teacher and Librarian in a range of schools in NSW and here in WA Goldfields, Darryl commenced training as a counsellor. His transition to counselling was driven by a strong desire to make a difference especially for families experiencing a range of grief, trauma and relationship challenges. Darryl’s areas of interest span all age groups and include sexuality, relationships(individuals/couples/families), trauma, grief, anxiety and depression.
On a personal note, Darryl is a moderately keen gardener, cyclist and involved in numerous community associations in NSW and regional WA.

Frank Jacobsen
Counsellor and Director of Regional Counselling Services
Diploma of Counselling, Cert IV in Mental Health WAPHA, Cert Business Studies
Affiliations:
- ACA-Australian Counselling Association
- Australian Chaplaincy
- CBT Australia- Cognitive Behavioral Therapist of Australia
- MHFA- Mental Health First Aid Instructor in the following courses:
- The Standard Mental Health First Aid
- Mental Health First Aid Refresher
- Blended Community F2F
- Blended Workplace F2F
- On-line Community and Workplace
Personal Information
Frank is a country boy at heart, born and bred in the WA Wheatbelt. He started facilitating programs in 2003 to help families. Frank’s areas of interest include peer support, pastoral care, FIFO counselling, critical incident response and the personal development of couples and individuals. He is a founding Director of the Family Centre in Kalgoorlie, W.A. Health Departments Mental Health Advocate for Kalgoorlie and volunteer with the Red Cross in Psychological First Aid. He has been providing peer support in the mining industry for many years, assisting mining companies by building relationships with their employees and helping develop their life skills and resilience. He facilitates toolbox talks, mental health presentations and on-site self-development workshops.

Mary Worthington
Business Manager
GAICD
Personal Information
Mary is a senior executive with extensive experience in corporate and commercial business leadership within the finance industry. Her recent move to the health industry has allowed her to transfer this skill set to Lifeskills Australia where her key responsibilities are identifying and shaping new commercial opportunities, building partnerships with industry leaders, tender preparation and negotiation, delivery of industry focused mental health education and ensuring best practice in service delivery for all our clients.
Why Choose Lifeskills Australia?
Testimonials
I walked out of Lifeskills feeling…
“I was taught some great behavioural skills, coping skills and learned about myself and why I behave the way I do”
E.P 52Trainer/Manager
“Equipped with tools to face challenges that will come. I feel connected to myself, my partner and my children”
L.H 32Professional Boxer
“ Clearer about decisions and changes I need to make to move forward and face the next chapter ”
M.B 45Broker
“Confident, excited, lighter. I feel like I can breathe again”
S.C 27Receptionist
“Ready to get back into it and stand in me again. Stronger, lighter, empowered!”
N.H 37Mum
“ Revitalised and with a deeper view on the next chapter of life and career. ”
C.H 39Business Owner
“ Ready to address the next chapter with confidence. ”
E.R 48Paralegal
“ I have a better understanding of why I am the way I am and that to have a healthy relationship I need to first take care of myself. ”
J.H 27Physio
“ Accomplished, ready to get on with my life in a cleaner more honest way. ”
S.P 30Sales Adviser
“ I have purpose – and control of my life. ”