Email: ajadmin@winhaven.com.au
About Us
CONSULTATION TO THE TEAM
Dr Alasdair Vance
Psychiatrist | 095883AB
FRANZCP MBBS MMed MD CertChildPsych
Terri-Pratt Coates
Administrative Manager
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.
The papers Jo has been involved in publishing can be found here:
https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Jo-Winther-55301181
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.
Terri is our number one when it comes to organising referrals and ensuring Winhaven, AJ Psychology and Animal Assisted Therapy runs smoothly. Terri has been a local for 20 plus years. She has a grown-up family (3 beautiful young people). She has worked in various medical centers across her career.
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.
Josh Winther
Volunteer and Website Extraordinaire
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.
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
Educational Guide / Support
Steph Morrell
Psychologist
.
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Australian Catholic University
- Graduate Diploma Psychology, Monach University
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Honours), Deakin University
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.
Deb Clark
Psychologist
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology, Federation University
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Federation University
- Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Deb is a 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.
Oneli de Saram
Psychologist
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology, Federation University
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Federation University
- Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
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.
Kameka assists running Winhaven Activity Days and Group Programs. She is bubbly, friendly, honest, open minded, non judgemental, fun and patient.
Kameka also works at the Global Village Learning School. She 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.
Lilly Hutchinson
Provisional Psychologist
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (currently completing, Federation University)
- Psychology Honours
Bachelor of Criminology and Psychologcial Science
Lilly takes a warm, person-centred and collaborative approach to psychology, valuing the importance of building a genuine therapeutic connection with each individual. She aims to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood and comfortable exploring their experiences.
She has a strong interest in psychological assessment and psychoeducation, supporting individuals to better understand their mental health, recognise their strengths and gain insight into the factors that may be influencing their wellbeing. Her therapeutic approach draws on evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), with a developing interest in schema therapy.
Lilly values a holistic approach to psychological care, recognising the influence of relationships, family dynamics and broader life experiences on wellbeing. She is committed to providing inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming care that respects individual differences and recognises each person's unique strengths and experiences. She also facilitates adult group therapy, supporting participants to develop self-awareness, build practical skills and learn from shared experiences.
Tia Newnham
Provisional Psychologist
Qualifications:
- Master of Professional Psychology (Federation University)
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Diploma of Mental Health
Equine Assisted Learning Certificate
Tia is a Provisional Psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Psychology Board of Australia.
She has a particular passion for working with children and adolescents and is committed to creating a warm, safe and supportive space where young people feel heard, understood and valued. Tia believes every young person deserves to know that someone genuinely cares about what they have to say and that their thoughts and feelings matter.
With a background in running a swimming school, Tia has developed a strong understanding of the importance of working collaboratively with young people and their families. Her experience has taught her that achieving meaningful goals is often a team effort, built through trust, communication, patience and support. She brings this same approach to her work in psychology, working alongside young people and families to build on strengths and develop practical strategies for positive change.
Tia draws from evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and has a special interest in equine-assisted therapy. She has completed training with the Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy Institute and is passionate about creating engaging and individualised therapeutic experiences for young people.
Outside of psychology, Tia is a big animal lover and enjoys spending time with her much-loved groodles, Edie and Remy.
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.
Stephanie Kishta
Provisional Psychologist
Qualifications:
- Master of Clinical Psychology (currently completing), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Stephanie is a provisional psychologist completing her final year of studies in a Master of Clinical Psychology at RMIT University.
She strives to create a warm, welcoming and collaborative environment for children, adolescents, adults and families attending the Winhaven clinic.
Stephanie implements a supportive, caring and person-centred approach to aid clients in reaching their therapeutic goals. She adopts evidence-based treatment strategies and tailors them to the clients’ specific needs.
She also enjoys spending time in nature and is an animal lover that has three playful dogs of her own.