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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Emma Surridge
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Nicola Lock
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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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Jen Lakos
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Gai Pendlebury
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Ruth Speziale
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John Parmentier
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Jennifer FitzGerald
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Ian Batey
Emma Surridge
Director, The Cottage Counselling Centre
Qualifications:
■ Bachelor Counselling (Coaching) (ACAP)
■ Advanced Certificate in Couple and Family Systems (Family Systems
Institute)
■ Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1
■ Parent Hope Project Clinician
■ Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
Memberships:
■ Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling federations of
Australia (PACFA)
■ Member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT)
Registered with Bupa, AHM, Medibank and HCF Private Medical Insurance providers
Location and days of practice: Mosman (Monday) and Crows Nest (Monday & Wednesday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples & Families
Emma provides a supportive and collaborative counselling space where clients can explore challenges, build on their strengths, and pursue positive change. She works with individuals, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, family conflict, and grief and loss, including the loss of a beloved pet.
With a strong interest in Bowen Family Systems Theory, Emma helps clients understand the emotional patterns that shape their relationships and family life. She works collaboratively, encouraging clients to reflect on their experiences and gain new perspectives on longstanding challenges.
Emma is known for her curious, compassionate, and empathetic approach. She creates a safe environment where clients can explore emotions, develop insight, and strengthen connections with others. Her focus is on supporting people to broaden their understanding of themselves and their relationships, build resilience, and move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
Through her work with individuals, couples, and families, Emma combines professional skill with warmth and encouragement, helping clients navigate life’s complexities while fostering personal growth, relational wellbeing, and hope for the future.
Nicola Lock
Founder, The Cottage Counselling Centre
Qualifications:
■ BSc Human Biology: University of Surrey, Guildford UK
■ Graduate Diploma in Emotionally Focused Therapy: Institute of
Emotionally Focused Therapy, Annandale NSW.
■ Graduate Diploma in Theology, Charles Sturt University, Canberra ACT.
■ Masters Elective: Professional Supervision. Tabor College, Adelaide SA.
■ Masters of Ministry (specialisation: Professional Supervision): Charles
Sturt University, Canberra ACT.
■ Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
Memberships:
■ Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of
Australia (PACFA)
■ Clinical/Supervisor member of the Christian Counsellors Association of
Australia (CCAA)
■ Supervisor/Trainer Member Australasian Association of Supervision
(AAOS)
Registered with Medibank Private Medical Insurance provider. NDIS funding available.
Location and days of practice: Telehealth (Tuesday – Thursday)
Meeting type: Telehealth only
Clients: Individuals & Couples
Nicola is the founding Director of The Cottage and brings over 30 years of counselling
experience, along with extensive expertise as a counselling educator and professional
supervisor. She is a caring and professional therapist, committed to helping clients grow, develop, and overcome emotional and relational challenges.
Working primarily as an emotionally focused therapist, Nicola supports individuals facing a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, domestic violence, abuse, and trauma. She also has a particular interest in supporting clients working through sexual addictions. In addition to individual counselling, Nicola works with couples and families, helping them strengthen relationships and build healthier patterns of connection.
Nicola enjoys integrating clients’ faith journeys into their recovery, creating a safe and
respectful space where spiritual values and personal growth can coexist. Known for her compassionate, insightful, and professional approach, she helps clients explore theiremotions, understand patterns, and move forward with confidence and hope.
Through her work as a therapist, supervisor, and educator, Nicola remains deeply
committed to fostering resilience, healing, and transformation in both her clients and the wider counselling community.
Keren Calvert
Qualifications:
■ Clinical Psychologist, Massey University, NZ
■ Masters in Psychology
■ Diploma of Clinical Psychology
■ Clinical Psychology Endorsement
Memberships:
■ The Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi)
■ Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
■ Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Approved Medicare Provider for clients with a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP
Location and days of practice: Dee Why (Monday) and Belrose (Thursday)
Meeting Type: In person and Telehealth
Clients: Individuals
Keren provides a compassionate and collaborative counselling space where clients can explore challenges, receive support, and develop practical strategies for growth and healing. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, trauma, work-related pressures, life transitions, and stress. Keren also has a particular interest in supporting people navigating grief and loss.
Her approach is integrative and flexible, drawing on elements of cognitive-behavioural, emotional, and creative therapies. Keren believes that each person’s story is unique and works respectfully with clients to tailor the counselling process to their individual needs, strengths, and goals. Through this collaborative approach, she supports clients to gain insight, build resilience, and move toward greater wellbeing and wholeness.
Keren is known for her thoughtful and supportive style, creating a safe and welcoming environment where people can reflect on their experiences and explore new possibilities for change. Having previously served as Director of The Cottage, she continues to value and support its commitment to providing compassionate, accessible care for the community.
Genevieve (Gen) Farquhar
Assistant Director, The Cottage Counselling Centre
Qualifications:
■ Bachelor Social Work (UNSW)
■ Masters Health Admin (UNSW)
■ Grad Dip Research Methodology (University of Divinity)
■ ABLE - Active Bystander Leadership and Empowerment trainer
Memberships:
■ Member Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)
Location and days of practice: Telehealth (Tuesday) Dee Why (Wednesday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals
Gen brings over 30 years of experience in counselling, clinical supervision, and research, with a focus on supporting mental health and wellbeing across a range of contexts. While she is not currently seeing counselling clients, her expertise lies in interpersonal trauma, including child abuse, domestic and family violence, and spiritual abuse, particularly within Christian faith contexts.
Gen works as a trainer and clinical and pastoral supervisor, supporting individuals and groups in reflective practice, professional development, and personal growth. She has extensive experience supervising practitioners across a variety of professional roles, including clinical and mental health settings, education, and pastoral care. Her aim is to support the wellbeing, practice, and professional identity of those she supervises, encouraging thoughtful reflection and sustainable career development.
Gen is also an active researcher and a member of the Common Grace Domestic and Family Violence Working Group, contributing to initiatives that seek to address and prevent abuse.
Known for her compassionate and thoughtful approach, Gen is committed to fostering safer, more supportive communities. Outside of work, she enjoys time by the sea, creative pursuits, coffee with friends, and cherishing time with her family.
Kim Morris
Qualifications:
■ Adv. Dip. Counselling
■ Grad. Dip. Relationship Counselling
■ Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
Memberships:
■ Registered Clinical Counsellor with Christian Counsellors Association of
Australia (CCAA)
Location and days of practice: Dural (Friday)
Meeting Type: In person and Telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples
Kim brings over a decade of counselling experience and offers a compassionate, client-centred approach that provides a safe and supportive space for clients to explore life’s challenges. She works with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties, helping them develop greater understanding, resilience, and confidence.
Kim draws on a range of therapeutic approaches to tailor her work to each client’s unique needs. She is passionate about supporting individuals and couples to work through challenges, strengthen relationships, and develop practical skills that promote emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Her approachable and caring style helps create a sense of safety, enabling clients to explore issues and move forward when they feel stuck.
A core focus of Kim’s practice is supporting individuals impacted by domestic and family violence. She offers trauma-informed care with sensitivity and respect, recognising the complexity of these experiences and providing a safe environment where clients can rebuild confidence, restore a sense of safety, and strengthen emotional wellbeing.
Outside of counselling, Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the theatre, reading, and learning to sew.
Anna Felice
Qualification and Affiliations:
■ Master of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling & Human Change
Memberships:
■Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
■ Registered Clinical Counsellor with Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA)
■ Supervisor registered with PACFA and CCAA
■ Registered with NSW Victim Services (for victims of crimes having occurred in NSW)
Location and days of practice: Narrabeen (Tuesday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals
With over 15 years of counselling experience, Anna works with adults who have experienced relational trauma in both childhood and adulthood. Her focus has been shaped by the courage of clients who have shared their stories—through words, silences, and embodied experiences—revealing the lasting impact trauma can have long after events have passed. This has led to a strong commitment to ongoing, specialised professional development in trauma-informed practice.
Anna’s psychotherapy approach is grounded in a trauma framework, where the work begins with establishing safety, trust, and stability both within sessions and in clients’ day-to-day lives. From there, Anna works collaboratively, guided by each client’s readiness, to gently explore more difficult experiences at a pace that supports regulation and minimises overwhelm.
Anna is also a registered supervisor offering professional supervision to counsellors and clergy, providing a supportive space for reflection, growth, and ethical practice. She holds an interest in the intersection of trauma and faith or spirituality and feels privileged to work alongside survivors and other professionals in a process of healing and growth.
If you are a victim of a crime in NSW, Anna can assist with an application if necessary and can provide counselling through NSW Victim Services at no cost to yourself.
Helen Fuller
Qualification and Affiliations:
■ Registered Psychologist
■ Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science (Psychology-Honours) (University of Sydney)
■ Bachelor of Theology (Moore Theological College)
Memberships:
■ Australian Psychological Society (APS)
■ Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi)
Approved Medicare Provider for clients with a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP
Location and days of practice: Narrabeen (Monday & Wednesday)
Meeting Type: In person and Telehealth
Clients: Individuals
Helen brings training and experience across the fields of Education, Psychology, and Christian Ministry. She has supported clients with a wide range of concerns and has a particular interest in anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem challenges, trauma, stress management, and relationship difficulties.
Helen draws on a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She works collaboratively with clients to develop practical strategies, gain insight into patterns of thinking and behaviour, and move toward greater emotional wellbeing.
Known for her gentle and attentive presence, Helen considers it a privilege to hear the stories of courage and resilience shared by those she meets. She is committed to a client-centred and empathetic approach, creating a safe and respectful space where clients can explore their experiences at their own pace. Helen is also sensitive to the importance of spiritual beliefs and worldviews when these are meaningful to her clients.
In her spare time, she enjoys the beach, movies and musicals, escape rooms, and adventures with her mini-schnauzer.
Rhondda Long
Qualification and Affiliations:
■ Master of Counselling (Morling College), BA (JCU)
Memberships:
■ Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
■ Registered with NSW Victim Services (for victims of crimes having occurred in NSW)
Location and days of practice: Telehealth (Wednesday) Parramatta (Thursday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples
Rhondda provides a supportive and safe space where clients can feel seen, accepted, and supported as they explore the challenges in their lives. She works collaboratively with clients to help them develop effective coping strategies, resolve difficulties, and move toward greater wellbeing, offering presence, compassion, respect, understanding, and hope throughout the process.
Rhondda has worked across a variety of counselling settings, including agencies and private practice, and has extensive experience supporting clients experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, guilt, carer overwhelm, shame, abuse and trauma, workplace stress, and relational difficulties. She primarily works from a person-centred framework, integrating aspects of emotionally focused and cognitive therapies to tailor support to each client’s needs.
Rhondda is able to thoughtfully integrate faith into counselling for Christian clients and works sensitively with individuals from diverse faith and cultural backgrounds. She is registered with NSW Victim Services and can assist clients in accessing this support where relevant. Through her work, Rhondda aims to empower clients to build insight, resilience, and healthier ways of relating.
Jenny Fung
Qualification and Affiliations:
■ Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (ACAP)
■ Bachelor of Laws and Arts (Modern History) (UNSW)
Memberships:
■ Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Location and days of practice: Pymble (Monday) and Ryde (Friday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals
Jenny specialises in supporting clients experiencing grief, anxiety, and the long-term impacts of childhood trauma. Using a range of evidence-based approaches, she works collaboratively with clients to help them move from feeling stuck toward living a life that is more aligned with their values and sense of purpose.
Before becoming a counsellor, Jenny worked as a lawyer for 15 years across commercial firms and government. She brings this extensive professional background into her counselling practice, particularly in supporting clients to navigate workplace challenges, stress, and conflict with greater clarity and confidence. Jenny completed her Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy to pursue her passion for supporting meaningful and lasting personal change.
Jenny is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space where clients can build self-awareness, explore their experiences, and make empowered choices toward growth, resilience, and renewal.
Jen Lakos
Qualifications:
■ Graduate Diploma in Christian Counselling (Wesley College)
■ Graduate Diploma in Emotionally Focussed Therapy (IEFT)
■ Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
■ ABLE - Active Bystander Leadership and Empowerment trainer
Memberships:
■ Registered Clinical Counsellor & Accredited Supervisor of Psychotherapy
and Counselling Federations of Australia (PACFA)
■ Registered Clinical Counsellor & Accredited Supervisor of Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA)
Location and days of practice: Telehealth (Monday), Pymble (Tuesday), Narrabeen (Thursday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples
Jen has been providing counselling since 2003 and works with individuals and couples across a wide range of mental health concerns. She supports people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, and challenging relationships, offering a compassionate space where clients can explore their experiences and find pathways toward healing and growth.
Jen’s approach is gentle, curious, and accepting. She believes that a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is central to meaningful change, and she works collaboratively with clients to explore patterns, emotions, and life experiences at a pace that feels right for them. Her work is trauma-informed, with a particular focus on supporting the long-term healing of childhood trauma.
Grounded primarily in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Jen also draws on a range of therapeutic models to meet the unique needs of each person or couple. She is attentive to the impact of domestic and family violence and seeks to create a space where safety, understanding, and resilience can grow.
Jen also provides clinical and pastoral supervision.
Clients may choose to include her therapy dog in sessions, offering an added sense of comfort and calm within the counselling space.
Gai Pendlebury
Qualifications:
■ Master Counselling (Morling College)
Memberships:
■ Graduate member Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA)
Location and days of practice: Dural (Tuesday)
Meeting Type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals
Gai offers a warm, safe, and confidential space where people can explore life’s challenges with care, respect, and understanding. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, grief, overwhelm, or periods of feeling stuck, providing support so they feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Her approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing on person-centred therapy, interpersonal process, family systems, attachment theory, and emotionally focused therapy.
Gai works collaboratively and gently, moving at each client’s pace as they explore experiences, process difficult emotions, and create space for understanding, healing, and personal growth. She welcomes people of all genders, faiths, and cultural backgrounds.
Gai has a particular interest in supporting the wellbeing of women during the perinatal period and beyond, recognising that pregnancy, early parenthood, and life transitions can bring complex emotional and relational challenges. She provides compassionate support for women who have experienced pregnancy loss, whether recent or in the past.
In addition, Gai supports women affected by domestic and family violence, offering a safe, trauma-informed space to process experiences, rebuild a sense of safety, and strengthen emotional wellbeing and resilience, helping them move forward with confidence and hope.
Ruth Speziale
Qualification and Affiliations:
■ Graduate Diploma in Christian Counselling – Morling College
■ Certificate in An Holistic Approach to Christian Counselling – The Anglican Counselling Centre
■ Diploma in Divinity & Missions – Sydney Missionary & Bible College
■ Certificate in School Dental Therapy – Health Commission of NSW
Memberships:
■ Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
■ Registered Clinical Counsellor with Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA)
Other registrations:
■ Registered with NSW Victim Services (for victims of crimes having occurred in NSW)
■ Accredited Supervisor with PACFA
■ Accredited Supervisor with CCAA
■ Prepare/Enrich Facilitator
■ ABLE - Active Bystander Leadership and Empowerment trainer
Location and days of practice: Pymble (Wednesday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples
Ruth is an experienced counsellor who works with individuals and couples, supporting growth in both personal and relational areas. She also offers clinical and pastoral supervision and provides presentations on topics including Domestic and Family violence, life transitions, and relational communication.
Since initial counsellor training in 1985, Ruth’s interest has developed Ruth’s through extensive experience across Christian community agencies, private practice, and counsellor education. She supports clients navigating life transitions, grief and loss, trauma and recovery, addictions and challenges within relationships, including the impact of Coercive Control or Domestic and family Violence.
Her approach is grounded in a trauma-informed framework that recognises the significant role of emotions in shaping experience. Ruth integrates approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotion Freedom Techniques (Tapping) informed by neurobiological understanding and a belief in the inherent value of each person as created by God. She works collaboratively with clients to support insight, healing, and meaningful change.
Ruth values the privilege of walking alongside others and is continually inspired by the resilience and courage she sees in the people she works with.
Outside of counselling, Ruth likes to explore nature on foot, bike, or kayak. She also enjoys messing about with paint and clay.
John Parmentier
Qualifications:
■ Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling (St Mark’s National Theological Centre)
■ Graduate Diploma of Relationship Counselling (St Mark’s National Theological Centre)
■ Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision (Clinical) (Pastoral) (St Mark’s National Theological Centre)
Memberships:
■ Christian Counsellors Associations of Australia (CCAA)
■ Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS)
Location and days of practice: Parramatta (Monday), Belrose (Wednesday) and Telehealth (Thursday)
Meeting type: In person and telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples
After many years in ministry, John transitioned into counselling, bringing a deep understanding of people, relationships, and life’s complexities. For more than 15 years, he has supported individuals and couples as they navigate personal and relational challenges with care and insight.
Trained in a range of therapeutic approaches, John focuses on Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), helping clients understand emotional patterns in relationships and fostering stronger, more secure connections. In recent years, he has expanded his work to include clinical and pastoral supervision, as well as corporate counselling, supporting leaders and professionals seeking reflective practice and personal growth.
John is known for his compassionate, person-centred approach. He creates a safe, supportive space where people can explore their strengths, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence. As a former Director of the Cottage, he remains committed to its vision of accessible care for those who might otherwise struggle to find support.
Family is central to John’s life. He treasures time with his wife and four children, and enjoys gardening or being by the beach—activities that ground him and reflect the relational heart of his work.
Jennifer FitzGerald (Jenny)
Qualifications:
■ BSc The Open University (UK)
■ Grad Dip (Emotionally Focused Therapy ) Institute of Emotionally Focused Therapy
■ Voc Grad Dip (Relationship Counselling) St Marks National Theological College
■ Adv Dip (Christian Counselling) St Marks National Theological College
■ Gottman Method Level 1
■ EMDR Trained
Membership:
■ Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling federations of Australia (PACFA)
Registered with Bupa and Medibank insurance providers & Clergy Assistance Program
Location and days of practice: Avalon (Saturday), Telehealth (Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon)
Meeting Type: In person and Telehealth
Clients: Individuals & Couples
Jenny brings a gentle, caring, and client-centred approach to counselling, offering a safe and confidential space where clients can feel heard, supported, and understood. Although new to The Cottage, she has been working with counselling centres across Australia since 2008, supporting people through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges.
Jenny primarily works from an Emotionally Focused perspective, an approach that seeks to understand the deeper roots of difficulties rather than focusing only on surface symptoms. She works collaboratively with clients to explore emotions, experiences, and patterns that may be shaping their wellbeing and relationships, helping them move toward greater clarity, healing, and resilience.
Jenny has a particular interest in supporting people experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, dissociation, and challenging family situations, both past and present. She also works with clients navigating relational difficulties and the impact these can have on personal wellbeing.
In addition to her counselling training, Jenny is qualified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), a therapeutic approach that uses guided eye movements to help reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories and support recovery from trauma.
In her free time, Jenny enjoys walking her two Labradors, spending time with
family - especially her grandchildren - and relaxing with a good TV series.
Ian Batey
Qualifications:
■ Master of Counselling (In progress) (Morling College)
■ Bachelor of Theology, Diploma of Ministry (Moore Theological College)
■ Bachelor of Nursing (University of Technology)
Memberships:
■ Student member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
■ Student member of the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA)
Location and days of practice: Narrabeen (Friday)
Meeting type: In person
Clients: Individuals
Ian is a counselling intern who works with adults facing personal and relational challenges. He supports people navigating difficult emotions, grief and loss, significant life changes, or periods of feeling stuck. He also works with clients managing anxiety, depression, or coming to terms with an ADHD diagnosis later in life.
His approach is client-centred and collaborative, grounded in an interpersonal process that values each person’s unique story. Practising in a trauma-informed way, Ian creates a safe, respectful space where clients feel heard, supported, and understood. He brings patience, empathy, and genuine care to his work, along with hopefulness and a gentle sense of humour.
Before counselling, Ian spent 25 years in pastoral ministry in Sydney and overseas, gaining a deep appreciation for people’s complexities and the importance of compassionate listening.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys cooking and sharing meals with family and friends, exercising, spending time outdoors, fishing, reading, crosswords, and watching a good TV series - activities that keep him grounded and connected.
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