About Us
About AJ Psychology
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About Winhaven Animal Assisted Therapy
We are a psychological practice who believe that access to quality psychological care should be available to all people. We are an inclusive practice, everyone is welcome. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view.
We work with children, adolescents, adults, and families to enhance wellbeing and resilience.
At AJ Psychology we provide individual and group therapy as well as consultation and workshops.
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.
Providing you with the best psychological care
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.
Kameka Winther
NDIS Support Worker
Kameka is 23 years old, 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.
Alasdair is the practice Psychiatrist. Alasdair is the head of the Academic Child Psychiatry Unit (ACPU) and the Developmental Neuropsychiatry Program (DNP) at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne.
He has years of experience in high prevalence and high risk child psychiatric disorders and the psychiatric aspects of key paediatric neurological and endocrine disorders.
Alasdair provides consultation and medication advice to the AJ Psychology team and their clients at the practice — he does not accept private referrals at AJ Psychology.
Josh Winther
Volunteer and Website Extraordinaire
Josh is a Psychology/ Criminology student and will be assisting with running group workshops and maintaining the AJ Psychology website.
He co-owns a miniature dachshund named Alfonzo who is just as peculiar as he sounds.
Cheryl McMahon
Volunteer and
Gardening and Grounds Manager
Cheryl oversees ensuring the property is maintained and gardens blooming. She is the artistic grounds director and very creative in creating lovely areas to explore.
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
Provisional 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.
She is currently completing her Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and 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
Provisional Psychologist
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Steph is a provisional 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.
Meet the Herd
Elly the therapy dog
Elly is a certified Therapy Dog with Lead The Way, (Professional Animal Assisted Therapy Course).
Elly spends most of the day showing us all how to relax. She loves to be involved in what's going on and to be close at all times. She loves her job (and the belly rubs).
There have been many benefits found when animals assist therapy:
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Positive physiological effects (e.g. decrease heart rate and blood pressure)
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Feelings of acceptance and help in rapport building
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Opportunities for empathy and nurturing
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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.
Elly is only present upon request and when suitable.
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:
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Self-efficacy and confidence
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Communication and trust
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Impulse control and boundaries
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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) and Zach the therapy donkeys
Em and Zach are the newest recruits to the Winhaven herd and are already favourites among the crew (not that we have favourites).
These two 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.
Zach and Ember are only present upon request and when suitable.
Dr Jo Winther
Clinical Psychologist / Principal Psychologist and an Equine therapist| 4394666L
Qualifications:
-Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne.
-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) and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS). She has a Ph.D. from Melbourne University and has worked in Disability Services, Juvenile Justice and Mental Health over a 20-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 is also available to provide supervision to psychologists who are completing their clinical registrar program and to provisional psychologists, 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
The sheep
Bruce (right) was rescued from the abattoirs at a young age and has since taken up residence at Winhaven farm. Much like any sheep he is an excellent lawn mower but also has a big bold personality.
He is very good at helping us work on our boundaries and what is okay for us.
Herb, 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.
