ABOUT US

About AJ Psychology

Psychologists bring a specialist understanding of human behaviour, group dynamics, and behaviour change.

At Winhaven, we provide high‑quality psychology care alongside comprehensive professional development and learning.

Our work spans a wide range of areas, including mental health and wellbeing, trauma‑informed practice, cultural responsiveness, neurodiversity, leadership development, team functioning, behaviour support, animal‑assisted therapy, and capacity‑building for individuals, schools, organisations, and communities.

We work with children, adolescents, adults, families and organisations to enhance wellbeing, resilience and self-awareness that transfers directly into daily work and life contexts.

At AJ Psychology we provide individual and group therapy as well as consultation and workshops.

About Winhaven Animal Assisted Therapy

Winhaven Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) provides individual or group sessions with our highly trained four legged team (guided by Dr Jo Winther). AAT promotes individual motivation and engagement in therapy sessions as well as giving us some valuable insights into social, emotional, cognitive and psychological functioning.

You can find out more about the Winhaven Property by clicking the button below.

STEP INTO WINHAVEN

Providing you with the best psychological care

Dr Jo Winther
Clinical Psychologist / Principal Psychologist / Director and an Equine and Animal Assisted Therapist| 4394666L
Qualifications:
-Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne.
- Diploma of Management, Proteus Education and Training.
-Master Applied Science (Psychology), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
-Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy, Latrobe University.
-Graduate Diploma in Applied Child Psychology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
-Bachelor of Arts, Victoria University.

Jo is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS), The Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) and the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). She has a Ph.D. from Melbourne University and has worked in Disability Services, Juvenile Justice and Mental Health over a 30-year career.

Jo is a proud Wadi Wadi Wamba Wamba woman, born on Yorta Yorta country and now works and lives on Wurundjeri land. She enjoys working in the outdoors and with her four-legged coworkers. Jo uses a range of theraputic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family Systems Therapy, Gestault, and EMDR. She uses trauma informed practices and culturally responsive practices.

Jo is also available to provide supervision to psychologists and provisional psychologists, and thoses who are completing their clinical registrar program. She is an AHPRA approved clinical supervisor.

CONSULTATION TO THE TEAM
Dr Alasdair Vance
Psychiatrist | 095883AB
FRANZCP MBBS MMed MD CertChildPsych

Terri-Pratt Coates
Administrative Manager

Dr Alasdair Vance is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist who led a Developmental Neuropsychiatry program at the Royal Children's Hospital for over 20 years. He has worked with treatment non-responsive and diagnostically difficult young people and their families and developed innovative and successful ways to assess, formulate and manage them.

He leads a Victorian Elder-governed cultural therapy clinical research program that is exploring ways to provide culture centred mental health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their kinship networks.

Dr Vance works 3 days per week (fortnightly) supporting the psychological work done through AJ Psychology at Winhaven Animal Assisted Therapy. He will accept referrals to AJ Psychology for holistic assessment and management involving the psychologists working at Winhaven.

Josh Winther
Volunteer and Website Extraordinaire

Terri is our number one when it comes to organising referrals and ensuring AJ Psychology runs smoothly. Terri has been a local for 20 plus years. She has a grown-up family (3 beautiful young people). She also works in a local medical center.

She is very passionate about her dog Watson and is a valued member of our team.

Nikki Lam
Psychologist
Qualifications:
-Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental).
-Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), La Trobe University.
-Bachelor of Arts, University. of Melbourne.

Nikki is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi). She has experience working in behavioural therapy and educational research.

Nikki is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of children and adolescents through their development and learning. She is an animal lover and aunt to two adorable labradoodles.

Nikki is available to provide cognitive, educational, and mental health assessments and therapy for children and adolescents. She has also previously run group therapy programs at the clinic and can occasionally be seen snapping some gorgeous photos of the animals around the property.

Steph Morrell
Psychologist
.

Steph is a psychologist with an empathetic person-centred approach. She strives to build meaningful therapeutic connections with clients and approaches therapy holistically and collaboratively, assisting clients to understand their own experiences and achieve their goals.

Steph draws from evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing and mindfulness.

Josh is a Youth Worker with a Bachelor of Psychology and major in Criminology.

At Winhaven he can be seen assisting with work shops, conducting website maintenance and ensuring there isn't a surplus of snacks in the office.

Oneli de Saram
Psychologist

Oneli is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency. She has a strong passion for working with individuals and family systems to create meaningful, sustainable change. She believes that people do not exist in isolation — relationships, family dynamics, and broader systems all play a vital role in wellbeing and long-term outcomes.

With a collaborative and strengths-based approach, Oneli supports children, adolescents, and adults to better understand patterns within themselves and their families, improve communication, and build practical strategies for navigating challenges. Her focus is always on practical outcomes — equipping families and individuals with tools they can use beyond the therapy room to strengthen relationships and achieve lasting positive change and healthy functioning.

Her therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She brings warmth, curiosity, and clinical expertise to her work, creating a safe and respectful space.

Jessica Winther
Animals and Grounds care
Qualifications:
-enrolled at Melbourne University in the Doctor of Veterinary.
- Bachelor of Agriculture.

Jess oversees keeping the animals healthy and all their needs met. From ensuring that their feet are trimmed, teeth are filed, all vaccinated and wormed to being rugged up toasty during winter. She has significant expertise in diet and nutriction and ensuring the pastures are kept in tip top condition.

Deb Clark
Provisional Psychologist

Deb is a provisional psychologist who works with children, adolescents and adults across a range of presentations. She takes a practical, collaborative approach, drawing largely from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) alongside attachment and trauma‑informed principles. Deb focuses on helping people understand what is happening for them and build strategies that feel realistic in everyday life.

She aims to create a space that feels calm, respectful and paced to the client. Curious and playful in her style, Deb supports clients to make sense of their experiences and develop strategies they can use beyond sessions. She enjoys working with family systems and collaborates with parents and caregivers so that progress carries into everyday life.

Through gentle interactions with animals and the natural environment, Deb supports clients to build insight, strengthen emotional regulation and develop more confident relationships with themselves and others. Drawing on her own lifelong connection with the animals in her life, she recognises how quickly they can help people feel safer, seen and more at ease in therapy.

Kameka Winther
NDIS Support Worker

Kameka assists running Winhaven Activity Days and Group Programs. She is bubbly, friendly, honest, open minded, non judgemental, fun and patient.

Kameka has experience working in disability accommodation and community access as well as experience in the health care system through a diploma of nursing.

Kameka also has a Cert III in Allied Health Assistance, a Cert IV in Disability, a NDIS screening check, current first aid & CPR, valid drivers license as well as a Cert II in business.

Zoe Butzkueven
Provisional Psychologist

Qualifications:

- Master of Clinical Psychology (currently completing), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

- Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Zoe is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing her Master of Clinical Psychology at RMIT University. She is passionate about building strong therapeutic relationships and creating a safe, supportive space where clients feel heard and understood.

Zoe adopts a warm, collaborative and person-centred approach, working alongside clients to support progress towards meaningful goals. She is also an animal lover who enjoys spending time with her much-loved Staffy x Great Dane.

Meet the Herd

Elly the therapy dog

Elly (now passed) paved the way for what Winhaven Animal Assisted Therapy has become today. Elly was the first certified Therapy Dog with Lead The Way at Winhaven and was a master of teaching us to stay present, relaxed and love unconditionally.

Whilst Elly will be sorely missed, her legacy lives on with all the animals and people that travel through Winhaven, as she watches from above, guiding the next generation.

Lola and Lulu

Lola (left) and Lulu (right) are the residential golden retrievers and trouble makers.

Lola is incredibly loving, naughty (in the best way) and passionate. Whilst she is often the first to lead her sister Lulu astray, she is an amazing therapy dog, sitting with people through some of their hardest times.

Lulu is sweet, intelligent, affectionate and (sometimes) partakes in the shenanigans.

Lulu can often be found on her back looking for belly rubs, hanging out on the couches in the office or surveying the kitchen to plan her next heist.

There have been many benefits found when animals assist therapy:

Positive physiological effects (e.g. decrease heart rate and blood pressure)
Feelings of acceptance and help in rapport building
Opportunities for empathy and nurturing
Increased motivation.

In the Mental Health field benefits including increased attention skills, reduced anxiety, and reduced loneliness have been cited.

Several studies also suggest that the presence of a dog reduces aggression and agitation, as well as promoting social behavior in people.

Bindy is the new recruit in a line up of therapy dogs. Whilst she is still young she has been working as a therapy dog since she was 8 weeks old. Bindy carries with her the wisdom of her predecessors, yet still remains a bundle of joy.

Bindy is a welcome addition to the Winhaven crew and is sure to make you smile.

Bindy

Heidi and Noah the therapy ponies

Noah and Heidi are standouts among the Winhaven cohort and it's not because of their size! Don't worry though what these two lack in height they make up for in personality.

Noah (right) is a mini blue roan pony and can be shy until he gets to know you, however, he is good mates with Heidi. Due to a medical condition Noah had to have one of his eyes removed but this doesn't affect his good looks.

Heidi (left) loves being groomed and is a great lawnmower, keeping the grass down, and is very affectionate for a handful of grain.

Heidi and Noah are perfect for getting an interactive experience and it has been cited that horses provide specific benefits when in a therapeutic setting. These two provide immediate feedback to their handlers and have the ability to mirror one's feelings, both of these contribute positively to the developments of an individual's:

Self-efficacy and confidence
Communication and trust
Impulse control and boundaries
Perspective

Noah and Heidi are only present upon request and when suitable.

Georgie and Be the Camels

As you can see Georgie (left) and Beatrice ("Be") (right) are definitely characters.

Georgie was rescued from the Northern Territory after getting caught in a fence and being nursed back to health in Nagambie. Naturally, Georgie loves people now and you can rely on the fact that if there is something going on in the paddock she wants to be involved.

Beatrice (Be) was adopted from Matty's Sanctuary. She is a very shy girl and is learning to develop trust in people.

Charlie and Cisco (the boys)

Charlie (left) AKA Smoke N Spark is a Quarter horse and sees himself as the leader of the herd. He has a dominant personality, however, he enjoys carrots and a scratch.

Cisco (right) AKA Kinders Dunn Tryin is a Quarter horse x Paint gelding and a real sensitive guy, almost the opposite of Charlie. While he is curious he takes a while to build up trust and prefers to watch what is happening from a distance.

Charlie and Cisco are available for both AAT and Equine Therapy.

Jazz

Jazz is a sweet thoroughbred mare with a gentle and calm nature.

Opal

Opal is a Warmblood x Irish Sport Horse with a strong personality and requires humans to have clear boundaries. She still has a lot to learn.

Tilly

Tilly is a mini pony with a crazy mop of red hair. She is just beginning to develop her self confidence with people.

Houdini

Houdini is a mini pony full of character. He loves attention, cuddles and being brushed.

Ember (Em), Zach and Duke the therapy donkeys

Em and Zach were adopted from Loki's Lodge recently and while they have had limited interaction with people they are very calm, inquisitive and will be your best friend for a carrot.

Zach (left) is a bit shyer than his counterpart Em. He's often seen as hanging out in the background but don't worry he's never too far to miss out on what's going on.

Em (right), short for Ember is the more up close and personal of the two. She is very friendly and approachable and will most likely be the first one to approach you in the paddock.

Duke (bottom) is our residential miniature donkey. He is very cute and especially stubborn. He is often hanging out with his longer legged friends and enjoying the fresh grass and sun.

Zach, Ember and Duke are only present upon request and when suitable.

The sheep

Elliot (adopted from Loki's Lodge) and Harry (adopted from Matty's Sanctuary) (below) are stealing hearts. Full of personality and love cuddles (and a milk bottle!).

Little Ying (adopted from Loki's Lodge) has the sweetest of natures. She can be a bit shy at first, but doesn't want to miss out on anything.

Lulu the goat

Lulu can be present for therapy at request. She is a bit of a lone wolf on the Winhaven farm however is not shy to a frolick through the obstacle course and the occasional head scratch.

The Guinea Pigs

Sid & Harry, Gizmo, Eric Jnr and Jerry

The Ginea pigs are timid little guys but can be the perfect companion to aid in regulation and cuddles of course.

About Us