Meet our Allied Health staff

Zara (She/Her)

Counsellor

Zara is a Registered Counsellor at Left of Centre Therapies who has a particular interest in
working with children, adolescents, carers, and women collaboratively. She has training in
trauma-informed practice, uses a strength-based framework and client-centred approach,
with a strong focus on the client-therapist relationship as the basis for all therapeutic work.
She has prior experience working as a Family Support Worker, and Child and Adolescent
Therapist within the child protection industry. She is passionate about the welfare of children
and has a strong drive to support a healthy carer-child relationship, inclusivity and to support
those most vulnerable in our communities to build safe connections, positive attachments,
and to live meaningful and fulfilled lives.
She has completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, her Diploma of
Counselling with advanced majors in Abuse Counselling, Relationship and Conflict
Resolution, and Introduction to Expressive Therapies. She is a Registered Circle of Security
facilitator, and a Triple P facilitator. Zara is currently completing her Bachelor of Counselling
through the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC).
She is a mum of four in a blended family, spends her free time in the garden, getting out to
explore new places, and making the most of quality time with family and friends. She enjoys
comedy, a good coffee, and being near the water.
Zara has developed her own virtual therapy room, designed to engage, and support her
young clients when working with them remotely.
Availability via telehealth: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Jodi (She/Her)

Counsellor

Jodi has a Diploma in Counselling from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) and is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling at the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP).

She has extensive experience with neurodiverse teens and adults and LGBTQIA+ clients through previous work as a mental health support worker.

Jodi uses a person centered, eclectic approach to therapy, tailored to suit individual clients’ needs and draws from DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), SFT (Solution Focused Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), and Narrative Therapy.

She is a dedicated mum of two children who are both neurodivergent and one LGBTQIA+, and is passionate about advocating for these communities. She loves animals of all kinds and has 2 cats she hand raised named Dora and Dudley, 2 dogs named Roscoe and Charli, and Spike the bearded dragon. In her spare time she loves hanging out with her family, listening to music and audio books, and spending time in nature.

Melissa (She/Her)

Speech Pathologist

Melissa Maddox is a Speech Pathologist at Left of Centre Therapies.

Dobby (Good/Boy)

Service Dog

Dobby is Mel's Assistance Dog. If you see Dobby in the clinic, please be aware he is working and as tempting as it is, please do not pet him.