Our Team

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.

Timothy Maher

Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Charles Sturt University),
Post Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (Deakin University)

Personal Information

Tim is a counsellor with a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Charles Sturt University and is currently completing a Masters in Professional Psychology. He also has six years of experience working as a counsellor across a broad range of difficulties, relationships difficulties, separation, grief, general anxiety, social anxiety, depression, motivational difficulties and substance dependence with both young people (aged 12 – 18) and adults of all ages.

Tim can provide a comfortable place for you to talk about the difficulties you are experiencing, he has further training in cognitive behaviour therapy and experience in solution-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness.

Tim’s approach is focused on being client-centred to address your own needs and make the counselling experience work for you. While he will be able to provide you with a safe place to talk about the impact of your difficulties, his approach is about the here and now and discovering changes that can be made in everyday activities to improve your ability to cope with the challenges you are facing and feel more fulfilled with your life.

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

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.