New South Wales



The New South Wales Branch officially commenced operating on 1 July 2016.

Individual members of PACFA in NSW receive automatic membership of the NSW Branch with their PACFA membership.
Activities will include:
  • Providing continuing professional development
  • Providing opportunities for networking and peer support
  • Undertaking local outreach
  • Promoting PACFA to local education providers and students
  • Building a vibrant community of practitioners in a particular geographic area
  • Providing opportunities for practitioners in regional and rural areas to participate

New South Wales Leadership Group

 

Diana Sands (Convenor) PhD, Director, Bereaved by Suicide Centre for Intense Grief, is a postvention and prevention clinician, researcher and educator. Diana provides counselling following sudden, violent and traumatic death, and in particular individual, couple and family counseling and group programs, for those who have lost a loved one through suicide. Her counseling and group programs draw on a range of theoretical perspectives including narrative and family systems theory and incorporate expressive artwork. She is a Clinical member of PACFA, and the Deputy Chair of Postvention Australia, and the Honorary Advisor to the Wings of Hope Charity. Diana has served on the NSW Executive Committee, National Association Loss and Grief, and as the NSW representative with Suicide Prevention Australia. Diana is a Member of the International Work Group Death, Dying and Bereavement, and a recipient of the Vice Chancellor Post Graduate Research Grant, Australian Government Research Scholarship. Diana has presented seminars and workshops in Australia and Internationally drawing on her clinical experience and research. She has published a number of peer reviewed academic articles and book chapters and is the author of a book and DVD resource, “Red Chocolate Elephants: For Children Bereaved by Suicide.

Francis Kim (Deputy Convenor) 

is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, accredited supervisor, and educator. Francis has been a member of PACFA since 2014 and a member of the NSW Branch Leadership Group since 2016. Francis has been a PACFA Board member as Treasurer since October 2022. Francis is a proud father of three adult children and a new grandfather. Francis runs a busy private practice at Strathfield and Campsie NSW, is an NDIS provider, EAP counsellor and a visiting clinician to NSW Mental Health. Francis has been an educator teaching counselling and psychotherapy since 2017. Francis has completed a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (ACAP), Graduate Diploma in Counselling (USyd) and Bachelor with Psychology major (Macquarie University). Francis is passionate to see qualified counsellors and psychotherapists recognised in Australia at a government level, as well as in the minds and hearts of the Australian community.

 

Karen Phillip has been a Professional Clinical Counsellor for 20 years and a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist for 10 years. She works with a variety of different clients on a range of diverse issues specialising in relationships, parenting, communication, and family mediation. Her credentials include PACFA clinical accreditation and supervisor; Australian Hypnotherapy Association (AHA) clinical accreditation and supervisor; Director and trainer with the Australian Hypnotherapy College; Family Dispute Mediator registered with the Attorney General’s Department; Victim Services Counsellor; and Accredited iCare Counsellor. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Counselling Hypnotherapy with Griffith University, and her qualifications include Master of Counselling; Master of Family Studies; Grad Dip Counselling; Advanced Diploma Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy; and a Diploma Naturopathic Nutrition.

 

 

Karyn Krawford has written and published on a wide variety of Applied Psychology and Social Science subjects for over 15 years. She has been interviewed and published by government publications and mass media on the subject of Cyber Psychology.  She designs training programs to meet Psychoeducation needs for clients and the public at large.  She is a certified Transactional Analysis Practitioner with the USATA, she facilitates a learning group in Transactional Analysis and is in the process of starting the only accredited training certification program here in Australia.  As a registered Psychotherapist, she works with a variety of young adults to help and facilitate change and recovery, with a focus on Trauma, complex trauma, early childhood issues, existential issues, and identity.  Karyn has a special interest in the Child Protection field from her work experience with FACS and local Council.  She advocates the advancement of mental health services in Australia that include recognition of the full evidence based Psychotherapies the global field of Applied Psychology offers. 

Riccardo Ingle is a seasoned counsellor with a Diploma and a Bachelor's degree in counselling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP). He is currently in private practice in Potts Point, Sydney and has provided individual counselling, facilitated group sessions, and ran social support programs across a wide range of organisations and community groups. Additionally, he has previous experience pioneering telemental health strategies, particularly working with gender and sexually diverse communities (LGBTIQ). He believes in lifelong learning and continues to participate in professional development workshops and training. He takes a non-pathologising and humanistic approach to mental health well-being, acknowledging all aspects of an individual are in the context of modern-day concerns, technologies, cultures, pressures, assumptions, and expectations. Riccardo has a deep respect for the importance of peer support and the healing power of shared human experiences.

 

Contact the New South Wales Branch