Meet our Team
When you contact us for the first time, we will work with you to find the counsellor who is the best “fit” for your needs – we know how important it is to find just the right person. Feel welcome to have a look at our team, and we can chat further when you call.
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Keren Calvert
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Genevieve Farquhar
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Kim Morris
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Anna Felice
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Helen Fuller
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Rhondda Long
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Jenny Fung
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Jennie Lakos
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Nicola Lock
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Gai Pendlebury
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Ruth Speziale
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John Parmentier
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Jenny FitzGerald
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Emma Surridge
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TBA
Keren Calvert
Qualification : MA (Psych), Dip Clin Psych, Adv Dip Community Services Work, MACA
Keren is a Clinical Psychologist and Registered Counsellor. She has been working at The Cottage as a therapist since 2011.
She is also the Cottage Director (a role she shares with fellow colleague, John Parmentier), and together they are responsible for the running of The Cottage.
Keren is experienced in working with adults across a broad range of presenting issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem, and stress management.
Keren works with an integrative approach, incorporating elements of cognitive, emotional and creative therapies.
When she's not at work, you're likely to find her at the beach, snorkelling or reading a good book.
Genevieve Farquhar - Supervision Only
Qualification : BSW MHA MAASW(Acc), Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Victims Services Counsellor
Gen Farquhar is an accredited mental health social worker and former Director of the Cottage. She graduated in 1996 and has experience working with several agencies before joining the Cottage in 2003.
Her specialty has always been in trauma; victim/survivors of domestic abuse, childhood abuse and sexual assault. Gen has also been a trainer and supervisor for many years.
Her work now is mostly around supervision and training to support understanding of the experience of abuse and recovery and to equip and support clinicians or other carers in community settings.
Gen has a strong commitment to the Cottage being a refuge for those who most need counselling support and can least afford it. A faith in action organisation.
Kim Morris
Qualification: Adv Dip Counselling, Grad Dip Relationship Counselling
With over a decade of experience in counselling, Kim brings a compassionate, client centred approach to counselling providing a safe space for her clients. Kim works with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship difficulties. Kim draws upon various therapeutic modalities to tailor her approach to each client's unique needs.
Kim is passionate about helping individuals and couples resolve issues and learn new skills. Her approachable style creates safety for clients to work through any issues in life where they find themselves stuck.
A core part of her practice is working with individuals impacted by domestic and family violence. She offers trauma-informed care with sensitivity, recognising the complexity of these situations and providing a safe environment to rebuild client’s confidence and emotional well-being.
Anna Felice
Qualification : M Couns, BCHC, PACFA Reg. Clinical 22418, CCAA Clinical No. 92685.
Anna has been in practice since 2010 and has been with The Cottage since 2017.
Anna works primarily with adults recovering from a variety of traumas; physical, emotional and sexual abuse, coercive control, neglect, bullying and with people living in or having grown up with domestic & family violence.
She is experienced with the flow-on effects of these experiences; depression, anxiety, personality disorders and relational struggles to name a few.
Anna’s ongoing professional development complements these areas of work.
Helen Fuller
Qualification : BEd/BSc (Psyc-Hons), BTh
Helen is a Registered Psychologist based in Narrabeen, and is an approved Medicare Provider for clients with a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP. She has training and experience working in the fields of Education, Psychology and Christian Ministry.
Helen is a gentle listener, and finds it a great privilege to hear stories of great courage and resilience in the clients she meets. Helen is committed to working in a client-centred and empathic manner, and is sensitive to her clients' spiritual beliefs and worldviews. She has experience working with clients of all ages - and particularly enjoys working with adolescents and young adults.
Helen has experience helping clients with a range of issues, and has particular interest in anxiety, depression, grief/loss, self-esteem issues, trauma, stress management, and relationship issues. She utilises techniques from a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
In her spare time, Helen enjoys going to the beach, watching good movies & musicals, playing escape rooms, and going on fun adventures with her mini-schnauzer!
Rhondda Long
Qualifications: Master of Counselling (Morling College), BA (JCU)
Rhondda has been working as a Clinical Counsellor for 10 years. Prior to that, she was a trainer in adult education for over 25 years.
Rhondda aims to provide a place where clients can come and rest, be seen and accepted as they are, and helped to find ways of coping and dealing with the issues that they bring. She offers presence, compassion, respect, understanding and hope.
Rhondda has worked as a counsellor in a variety of settings, with counselling agencies and in private practice. She has experience in working with clients with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, guilt, carer overwhelm, shame, abuse and trauma, workplace stress and difficulties, and relational dysfunction. She mainly uses person-centred therapy, and integrates aspects of emotionally-focussed and cognitive therapies to help clients to resolve issues.
In her spare time, Rhondda enjoys the company of her grown children and grandchildren; and escaping to either the beach or the bush.
Rhondda is able to integrate faith issues in counselling for Christian clients and is able to sensitively address issues for people from different faith and cultural backgrounds.
Rhondda is also registered as a Counsellor with Victims' Services NSW.
Jenny Fung
Qualifications and Affiliation: M Couns, LLB, BA, member of Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Jenny specialises in working with clients experiencing grief, anxiety and the long term impacts of childhood trauma. Using a range of evidence-based techniques, Jenny will work together with you, to help you move from feeling stuck to living a life consistent with your values.
Prior to becoming a counsellor, Jenny worked as a lawyer for 15 years in commercial firms and government. She completed a Masters of Counselling to pursue her passion – empowering lasting personal change.
Jenny’s goal is to provide you with a safe space to gain self- awareness to make choices towards growth and renewal.
Jennie Lakos
Jen has been counselling with The Cottage since 2003. During this time she has worn many hats.
She was a Trainer for Advanced Diploma and Graduate Diploma Counselling Courses and up until recently was The Director of The Cottage.
Jen is now concentrating on her Counselling and Supervision work. She provides Pastoral and Clinical Supervision and Counselling/Therapy to individuals and couples.
She works with clients struggling in all areas of mental health including anxiety and depression.
Jen specialises in healing the longterm emotional impact of childhood trauma. She uses different models of counselling with a basis in Emotionally Focussed Therapy
Nicola Lock
Qualification : B.Sc, Grad Dip EFT, MMin, MAPC, AAOS, PACFA Reg Clinical
Nicola was the founding Director of The Cottage and has been working in the counselling field for over 25 years.
She has a broad generalist counselling practice, with a special focus on relationship counselling and sexual addictions.
Nicola is also a Clinical Supervisor and maintains a role as Clinical Consultant to the centre since stepping down from the Director’s position in 2009.
Gai Pendlebury
Qualification: Grad. Cert Counselling, Grad. Dip Counselling, Master of Counselling. Registered member CCAA.
Gai is passionate about helping others navigate life’s challenges and brings a compassionate, grounded presence to her counselling work, believing in the power of connection, care and personal growth. She embraces a warm, person- centred approach, adopting an integrative approach of modalities including talk therapy, interpersonal process and emotionally focused therapy. Your story is treated with the utmost care. We journey together, gently exploring your experiences, calming the chaos, making room for understanding, self-compassion, healing and transformation.
Ruth Speziale, Grad Dip in Ch. Couns. Clinical CCAA, PACFA Reg. 20961.
Ruth has been hanging out in the field of Counselling since her first encounter with the Anglican Counselling Centre in 1985 sparked a lifelong interest in growth of the personal and relational sort.
Currently practicing with The Cottage Counselling Centre Inc., Ruth has worked in Christian community agencies and Private Practice; Community and Counsellor Education; and continues to provide Clinical and Pastoral Supervision.
These days Ruth’s Counselling Practice with individuals and couples acknowledges the powerful driving force of emotions. Integrating active modalities such as EMDR and Emotion Freeing Techniques, or “Tapping”, Ruth works within a trauma informed framework, founded on neurobiological understanding of how we humans work, and our intrinsic value as created by God.
Ruth is interested in commonalities of human experience including Life Transitions; Grief and Loss; Trauma and Recovery; the prevalence of Addictions; and the presence of Power and Control as expressed in couple relationships and more widely in communities.
When not counselling, Ruth enjoys spending time exploring the great outdoors; the backyard, bush, beach and beyond. When the conditions are right, she enjoys getting around by foot, pushbike or kayak.
John Parmentier
Qualification : Ad Dip Couns, MAPC
John trained as a counsellor with St Mark’s Theological College, joining The Cottage in 2009.
Working with individuals, couples and as a trainer, he loves helping people reach their full potential.
John has developed his specialty in working with men’s issues.
John is Director of The Cottage (a role he shares with Keren Calvert).
Jenny FitzGerald
Qualifications: Grad Dip (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Voc Grad Dip Relationship Counselling, BSc,
Adv Dip Christian Counselling
Jenny brings a gentle and caring client-centred approach, providing a safe, confidential space for her clients. Although new to The Cottage, Jenny has worked with other counselling centres in Sydney since 2008. She uses mainly an Emotionally Focused perspective, an approach which looks at the roots of a problem rather than just the symptoms. Jenny has a particular interest in clients struggling with
depression, anxiety, difficult family situations (past and present), trauma, dissociation and relationships. Jenny is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) a technique using eye movements to help reduce the distress of traumatic memories.
Qualifications: Grad Dip (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Voc Grad Dip Relationship Counselling, BSc,
Adv Dip Christian Counselling
Jenny brings a gentle and caring client-centred approach, providing a safe, confidential space for her clients. Although new to The Cottage, Jenny has worked with other counselling centres in Sydney since 2008. She uses mainly an Emotionally Focused perspective, an approach which looks at the roots of a problem rather than just the symptoms. Jenny has a particular interest in clients struggling with
depression, anxiety, difficult family situations (past and present), trauma, dissociation and relationships. Jenny is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) a technique using eye movements to help reduce the distress of traumatic memories.
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Emma Surridge
Qualification and Affiliations:
- Bachelor Counselling (Coaching) (ACAP)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1
- Advanced Certificate in Bowen Family Systems Theory (FSI) (currently studying)
- Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling federations of Australia (PACFA)
- Member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT)
Emma’s key focus is to work alongside clients to assist them fulfil their potential in both a personal and professional capacity. Using a variety of coaching and counselling methodologies, Emma draws out client strengths, helps them to construct more positive thinking patterns which in turn opens new pathways forward towards improved life satisfaction.
Emma has a special interest in Bowen Family Systems Theory and is currently studying with the Family Systems Institute in Sydney. Using systems theory, Emma will work alongside families who are experiencing relationship challenges.
British born, Emma spent many years working in the London financial markets. She resided in Hong Kong for 10 years before relocating to rural Western Australia and now lives in Sydney with her husband, two daughters and beloved companion dog, Chablis.
After taking time out of the corporate world to become a full time Mum to two daughters, Emma retrained with a Bachelor of Counselling & Coaching and established My Blue Sky Thinking to pursue her real passion – service to people. Emma brings to each individual client, a warm, open hearted interest in who they are, where they have been and with gentleness and hope, works to guide them towards where they would prefer to be.
Contact Emma if you are interested in taking an action orientated approach to reshaping your life.
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