Meet Our Team
OUR COUNSELLORS ARE FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL
Our counsellors offer a safe space, underpinned by professional and ethical boundaries, to explore why you came to counselling in the first place and to support you throughout this time.
Our counsellors take a holistic approach and you may be asked about your health and wellbeing in general, as well as the presenting issues.


Joanne Byrnes
Counsellor
Pronouns: She/Her
Joanne has a master’s degree in Gestalt therapy and is also a family constellations facilitator. She has been working with Canberra’s LGBTIQ communities since 2008 and understands the added stresses that comes with being part of a minority community. Using a client-centred and systems approach, Joanne supports her clients to overcome their stresses and anxieties so they can achieve their goals and reach their potential. She works creatively, empowering her clients to experience themselves in new ways.
Joanne enjoys a rural life looking after the land and her horses. She brings her experience working with horses into her therapy to facilitate mindfulness and healing. Joanne spends her spare time listening to classical music, reading and going to the theatre.

Jade Wren
Counsellor
Pronouns: She/Her
Jade joined the AIDS Action Council to complete her Master of Counselling internship after concluding studies in mental health practice. Jade has a trans history and completed her transition nearly 10 years ago. She has a broad background in business and management and brings a wealth of professional and lived experience to her person-centred counselling work. Jade incorporates core elements of Gestalt, Schema, Dialectic Behaviour, and Interpersonal therapies tailored to the specific needs of her clients. Jade is responsive to the needs of all clients; however, she is particularly interested in working with clients who have challenges with their gender and sexuality; personality issues; interpersonal trauma; addiction, including alcohol and substance abuse; impulsive behaviours, self-harm and suicidality; career issues, including redundancy, work stress and retirement; and loss and grief.
Jade is interested in boats and sailing, photography and music, and she has recently joined the Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire.

Tom Skelton
Counsellor
Pronouns: He/Him

Rodney Cole
Counsellor
Pronouns: He/Him