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Deputy Convenor - Karen Phillip

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 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.

Sarah Kallon

Sarah Kallon is a Clinical Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Association of Australia (PACFA) and an NSW Approved Victims Services Counsellor. She is also part of the academic staff and a supervisor at Western Sydney University.

Qualifications:

• Masters of Psychotherapy and Counselling
• Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling
• Bachelor of Art (Majoring in Psychology)
• Certificate IV in Mental Health

Sarah is a bilingual and bicultural clinical counsellor, also known as the “smiley impact marker”. She is dedicated to providing a safe, energetic, and supportive environment for clients, clinicians, and organizations. As an academic staff member and supervisor, one of Sarah's core values is to establish genuine connections, creating a foundation of trust and safety. She specialises in working with individuals impacted by complex trauma, mental health challenges, and systematic social barriers. As an Approved NSW Victim Service Counsellor, she provides ongoing support to individuals and families affected by crime. In her practice, Sarah utilises an evidence-based, hope, and resilience-based integrative therapeutic model to help clients, clinicians, and organisations overcome challenges and thrive beyond simply surviving.

Living by the ethos of UBUNTU – “I am because we are”, Sarah understands the importance of unity and solidarity in fostering a strong and supportive network. She is truly humbled and thrilled to contribute and serve as a member of the PACFA NSW Leadership Group.

Parvinder Gill

Parvinder is a registered clinical counsellor and works for a non-profit organisation as a Senior Program Manager overseeing a team of therapists. She also works in private practice being a registered counsellor with Victim Services NSW, where she uses an integrative approach with clients based on their goals. Parvinder has completed level two training in IFS. She has worked extensively with clients on grief and loss, trauma, mood disorders, and chronic pain. She is also a member of the Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists (AABCAP).

Menaka Iyengar Cooke OAM

Menaka Iyengar OAM (M.Com., M.App.Psych., FAHRI) is a Clinical Registered Psychotherapist and coach in private practice. She started work in corporate HR, retired as HR Director and continues to consult in Human Resources and Organisation Change. She got her Psychotherapy degree while working in HR and has practiced as a Psychotherapist for the past 15 years, working in Anxiety, Couples & Family counselling, Grief, Attachment and Trauma using a multi-cultural lens.

Her early experiences in Australia with racism and sexism led her to become a passionate advocate for social justice, working with Women’s and CALD organisations (Equality Rights Alliance, Women’s Electoral Lobby, Older Women’s Network NSW and Women Chiefs of Enterprises NSW) for women’s rights and empowerment. As a therapist, she continues to work with the effects of racial trauma and sexual harassment.

She recounts her experiences in her book ‘Monsoon Woman – wouldn’t take No for an Answer’ (2019) - a memoir of her life starting as a single migrant parent in Australia in the early 1970s who educated herself to reach the Executive team in large corporations.

She has received various awards for her community service: Prof. Shirley Randall AO & Women Chiefs of Enterprises Australia Award in 2021 for Social Contribution, and The International Alliance of Women - World of Difference Award in 2022. In 2025, she was honoured with an OAM in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Archana Waller

Archana is a registered clinical counsellor dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centred care. Working in private practice in Crows Nest with adults navigating interpersonal challenges, unresolved trauma, and those seeking to reduce stress and anxiety to improve their overall well-being.

Archana’s practice takes an integrative approach, grounded in how early attachment and conditioning shape present-day behaviours and beliefs. She is dedicated to supporting personal growth and helping clients rebuild meaningful relationships with themselves and others.

Informed by interpersonal neurobiology, trauma and attachment research, and neuroscience, Archana incorporates mindfulness and somatic techniques to support healing with self-compassion and curiosity.

At the heart of her work is the belief that "Between stimulus and response there is a space... in our response lies our growth and our freedom."

Qualifications

• Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Bachelor of Counselling
• Credentialed Eating Disorder Practitioner