“Parenting is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you'd have.”
– Brene Brown
Meet Centre Director - Louise Shalders
EARLY PARENTING CONSULTANT
Louise Shalders has worked in the family health sector for more than 30 years. After training as a paediatric nurse, midwife, maternal & child health nurse and perinatal & infant mental health clinician, Louise is now in her final year of Naturopathy at Southern School of Natural Therapies VIC.
For many years, Louise has worked with families in their own homes. She witnessed the challenges of parents trying valiantly to navigate our healthcare system with an unwell child, or as an unwell parent; manage their own anxiety or depression whilst trying to raise their family; face the isolation of feeling that they are alone in their struggles and that "everyone else seems to have it together but me”; face the sometimes subtle, and often, not so subtle devastation of birth trauma or family violence; or struggle with the triggers of their own negative experience of being parented, whilst now trying to parent their own family with positivity and hope.….
Louise started to dream.
She envisaged a facility where parents could feel listened to, nurtured and safe. A place where they could park on site with ease, be welcomed with warmth, be surrounded by the tranquility of nature, be nurtured by ’the village’ and learn to gently develop as a parent alongside their developing child.
And so The Centre for Perinatal Health & Parenting in Ballarat Victoria was born…
MEET THE TEAM
Receptionists & Administration
Annette Millar
Our lovely receptionist, Annette is a Ballarat local through and through, having been born and bred and then raised a family, all in Ballarat. Annette is a highly motivated receptionist, who is very caring and thoughtful in her approach to young families.
Being a mother herself, gives Annette a solid understanding of the highs and lows of the parenting journey, and this shows in her empathetic approach to our families at The Centre. Families are greeted with a welcoming face, a supportive ear, and a warm heart on arrival.
In her downtime Annette can be found reading, getting out for a walk, watching movies, and volunteering in our local community.
Jo Robertson
Jo is another of our very talented and caring receptionists.
Jo loves meeting new people, and being of assistance to our families as they arrive. She is a very thoughtful and friendly presence at The Centre.
Jo, originally from Melbourne, has lived in Ballarat for 15 years, and spent the last 2 years working as a receptionist in a local allied health practice.
Jo has 2 lovely married daughters, and 2 very active grandchildren, which gives her a realistic and lived experience of both the importance of family and the benefits of nurturing and guiding our next generation.
Liv Shalders
Liv attends to all the background administration and HR requirements at The Centre, and often helps out in reception when needed. Liv is Ballarat born and bred, and loves being a part of such a dynamic team that is providing such important and highly regarded services for Ballarat families.
Liv completed a Bachelor of Music performance at COLLARTS, Melbourne in 2020.
When Liv is not working she, enjoys nothing more than singing at local gigs – she also plays a mean guitar and keyboard.
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Kenneth Spedding
Kenneth completed his Bachelor of Psychological Science with Distinction and Graduate Diploma of Psychology at Deakin University. This followed with a Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) at Australian Catholic University.
Kenneth is currently practicing as an Educational & Developmental Psychologist.
Kenneth predominantly uses a client centred approach, to create an empathic, accepting and reflective environment. He believes that everyone has the capacity to overcome their challenges and grow if provided the right environment to do so. He incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) in sessions.
Kenneth has a deep passion for Martial Arts and has had the joy of learning several different forms over the years.
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Kate Wilson Woolley
Kate is a warm and compassionate Registered Psychologist who completed her psychology degree at the Australian National University. She is deeply committed to the mental health and well-being of children, infants, and parents. Over the past decade, Kate has supported children and families in various roles, including as a postnatal doula, and now as a psychologist.
In her practice, Kate adopts a strengths-based, client, and family-centred approach, that is neurodiversity affirming. She often uses play or arts & crafts to create a nurturing environment for her clients, to express themselves and navigate challenges.
Kate’s therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a strong emphasis on the parent-child relationship.
Additionally, Kate has extensive experience in cognitive and behavioural psychometric assessments, to better understand and support children at home and at school.
Kate has recently returned to Australia after living in London, and loves being home as much as she loves traveling. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her family and friends and can't wait to get back into horse riding, now that she's back in the country.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Petrena Laverick
Petrena is a Registered Occupational Therapist and is a current member of Occupational Therapy Australia.
Petrena works with a family-centred, strengths-based approach, to enable independence through participation in everyday activities, with the goal to enhance the client’s engagement in meaningful occupations.
She has worked with children ranging from kindergarten through to high school, and has also worked with adults.
Petrena has experience completing both child and adult assessments related to functional independence, sensory processing, visual motor integration (hand-eye coordination), gross and fine motor skills, and home modifications.
Being fluent in several ‘languages’, including Super Mario, Minecraft, the MCU and Pokemon, Petrena enjoys building a rapport with children, by exploring the child’s interests and making their sessions engaging and fun.
PERINATAL & INFANT MEDICAL PRACTITIONER
Naomi Nuridin
Naomi was born and raised here in Ballarat. She moved to South Australia for Medical School at the University of Adelaide, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 2011. Whilst working in public hospitals in urban and rural SA, Naomi developed a strong interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and chose to work in this area for 18 months whilst working to gain a RANZCOG Basic Diploma in Obstetrics (DRANZCOG). She then worked for a further 6 months in Paediatrics and gained a Diploma in Child Health, before moving away from the hospital setting and into the community to undertake specialty training to become a General Practitioner, achieving fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) in 2017.
An initially challenging breastfeeding journey with her first daughter, and a very positive experience with a supportive midwife/lactation consultant in the first few weeks post-birth, sparked an interest in lactation medicine for Naomi. The years spent breastfeeding her, now, three children further developed this interest into a passion, and led to Naomi undertaking further training to become a Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) Accredited Practitioner, through the Possums Clinic NSW. This training shapes Naomi's approach to parenting support in the areas of infant sleep, feeding, settling and sensory needs.
Naomi then made the decision to move from mainstream General Practice into a context that allowed her to bring together the things she loves the most – pregnancy care, maternal and infant health and early parenting, and breastfeeding medicine.
Outside of work, Naomi enjoys reading historical fiction novels, singing, eating out at cafes and being a mum to her 3 busy, young children!
EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIST & PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Linda Warrener
Linda has done extensive training at the Equine Psychotherapy Institute to become qualified in ‘Equine Assisted Learning’ and the Advanced Intensive of ‘Understanding and Working with Trauma”. She has completed a Diploma of ‘Community and Welfare Work’ from Federation University, and is a registered counsellor after completing the course at The Institute of Applied Psychology (IAP).
Linda has worked and been involved in the mental health industry for over 10 years and feels a strong connection with people, supporting them in their journey to improve their well-being.
Linda has always been passionate about animals, people, personal growth and development. Animals have consistently been a natural companion and close to her heart, and she is now delighted to share this beautiful horse experience and the unique comfort that horses offer, to everyone.
PLAY THERAPIST
Helen Richardson
Helen has a Master of Child Play Therapy from Deakin University and has been involved with helping individuals and families all her working life within roles both in Australia and England. Helen is passionate about enabling children to reach their full potential and assisting them to develop resilience, self-esteem and a sense of self via the power of play. Play is the natural language of children and through play Helen supports children to express and explore their emotions and behaviours. She is welcoming and calm and provides a safe, secure relationship for this to occur. She understands that each child’s journey is unique and that children are best supported when their parents and carers are included in the therapeutic process.
Helen is an integrative play therapist and is trained in a variety of play therapy modalities including LEGO® Based Therapy, TraumaPlay® and Learn to Play. Helen is registered with the Play Therapy Practitioners Association.
After relocating to Melbourne over 20 years ago from the UK, Helen recently moved to the Ballarat area with her family. To relax and unwind in her free time, she loves spending time in nature and enjoys bush walking and watching the local wildlife from her back deck. She also loves enjoying a cuppa with a friend or whilst losing herself in a good book.
ART THERAPIST
Trish Lannen
For many years Trish worked in education as a Primary School teacher, in both the classroom and as an art specialist. Trish was a Deputy Principal, firstly in Tasmania, and then in schools around Ballarat, before completing a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy at the MIECAT Institute in Fitzroy.
Trish loves working with children, always seeking to celebrate them, empower them and assist them to be all that they can be.
Trish is registered with the Australian, New Zealand and Asia Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA).
Trish has also taught art to adults, and teaching art has given her many opportunities to witness the transformative possibilities of art-making.
Trish believes that creative expression provides opportunities for self-exploration, building capacity, deepening understandings of self and others, acceptance and healing.
Mental Health Social Worker
Christine Reupert
Christine holds a Master of Social Work from Federation University and brings over a decade of experience in the welfare sector, working with diverse individuals, families, and communities. Over the past 10 years, she has supported people facing complex challenges related to trauma, displacement, family violence, and sexual assault.
As an accredited mental health social worker (through the Australian Association of Social Workers – AASW) and a trained Synergetic Play Therapist, Christine provides therapeutic support to adults, adolescents, and children, both individually and within family systems. Her practice is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and a strong belief in the capacity for change and healing. Christine offers a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, gain insight, and work toward meaningful, sustainable growth.
Christine works from the belief that all behaviour has meaning—even when it presents as challenging, disruptive, or self-defeating. She takes a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to therapy, helping clients uncover the underlying needs, pain, or protective patterns that shape their behaviours. By supporting nervous system regulation and emotional integration, she helps clients reconnect with their inner resources, develop resilience, and foster healthier relationships with themselves and others. Her work is influenced by attachment theory, neuroscience, and somatic practices, and she integrates evidence-based modalities that support healing at both the cognitive and physiological levels.
Before transitioning into the social work and counselling field, Christine worked for more than 20 years as a registered midwife and nurse. This foundational experience in healthcare instilled in her a deep respect for the human experience across the lifespan—from birth through life’s most difficult transitions. Her background in nursing and midwifery continues to inform her integrated, compassionate, and person-centred approach to mental health and emotional well-being.
Outside of her professional life, Christine enjoys spending time in nature, where she finds restoration and inspiration. She is an avid gardener and devoted beekeeper, often tending to her hives or working in her garden.
ADULT & CHILD COUNSELLOR
Bridget Harvey
Bridget brings a diverse range of experience to her role as Counsellor & Creative Therapist. With a background as a professional artist and experience in the design and animation industries, her creativity and eye for expression are central to her therapeutic approach.
Bridget creates a safe, non-judgmental, and playful space for both adults and children, tailoring strategies to individual goals and needs through art, narrative, movement, percussion, play, and somatic processing. As a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, she is committed to supporting clients in a way that respects their individuality, strengths, and preferences.
Her approach is psychodynamic and integrative, drawing from trauma-informed methods, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, and Strengths-Based approaches.
Bridget holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and ACA-accredited Counselling training from La Trobe University. She is a Level 3 ACA Counsellor and a Professional Member of ANZACATA. Her therapy experience spans inpatient psychiatric care, aged care, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, home visits, private practice, and school visits, equipping her to work with a broad range of presentations.
Passionate about Ongoing Professional Development, Bridget is dedicated to client-informed learning, continuously evolving her practice to meet the changing needs of those she supports.
Outside of therapy, Bridget enjoys good food, travelling, scuba diving, art-making, singing, netball, yoga, dance, and game nights with her family.
ADULT, CHILD & COUPLE’S COUNSELLOR
Stacey Johnston
Stacey brings a wealth of experience and a compassionate approach to her role as a Clinical Counsellor. With a background in Biomedical Science and having recently completed her Master’s in Counselling, complemented by her affiliation with the Australian Counselling Association, she is well-equipped to support her clients whatever their needs may be.
Over the past five years, Stacey has not only dedicated herself to her professional growth but also to her community. As a volunteer basketball coach across domestic, representative, and state-level programs, she has honed her skills in leadership, teamwork, and mentorship. This unique blend of personal and professional experiences allows her to connect deeply with her clients, understanding the importance of resilience, motivation, and the power of supportive relationships.
Passionate about the transformative power of therapy, Stacey integrates a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Drawing from play therapy, trauma-informed, and mindfulness approaches that aim to foster a safe and nurturing environment. Her sessions are characterised by a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to helping her clients achieve their personal goals and emotional well-being.
In her free time, Stacey cherishes time with her family, including her husband, three wonderful children, and their spoilt golden retriever, Scout. When she’s not with her family chances are you will find Stacey at the sideline of a basketball court, coffee in hand, coaching or cheering her team on.
CLINICAL NUTRITIONIST
Rachel Kane
Rachel is a Clinical Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Health Science, a life-long learner and a passion for supporting clients to improve their health.
Rachel spent decades in a corporate job but her most cherished role is being a mother to her three beautiful children, who inspired her to pursue a career in holistic health!
Whether Rachel is reading books (picture a tall pile of to-be-read books), delving into new research, or attending courses, she enjoys keeping up with the latest evidence to deliver the best possible results to her clients.
Whilst life can get busy, it’s important to make time for your well-being, and Rachel looks forward to tennis or coffee dates with friends, walking her gorgeous dog, getting lost in a good book, and family holidays, but sometimes a simple cup of tea outside in the sun is just perfect too!
If you're ever looking for a friendly chat about nutrition, research, or nutrition in general, feel free to reach out. Rachel would love to work together with you, and your family on your health & wellness soon.
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Jen Oakey
Jen grew up in a beautiful Cotswold country village in South west England and moved to Australia in 2013. Jen was drawn to yoga and has practiced for almost 18 years. She has experienced many different styles, from calm slow hatha and yin through to more dynamic styles like vinyasa.
However, it wasn’t until her first son was born, following a difficult pregnancy and birth that Jen found her true calling and wanted to learn more about the great benefits of pre and postnatal vinyasa yoga and share it with other women.
Jen has more recently completed formal training with Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS) to become a fully qualified infant massage instructor. The benefits of infant massage are well documented as ‘highly beneficial both physically and emotionally’, and above all encourages an optimal bond and connection between parent and child.
Jen uses Indian, Swedish and reflexology stroke techniques when providing infant massage instruction to parents and enjoys facilitating infant massage courses to families both individually or in group format.
When Jen is not spending time with her two young sons, she enjoys swimming, horse riding, spending time in her veggie garden, being in nature, and cooking.
Massage Therapist
Rebecca Arrow
Helping bodies heal and minds unwind for over a decade.
Holding both a diploma in Massage therapy and an Infant massage instructor qualification, along with being a qualified Beautician and Hairdresser, Rebecca brings both technical expertise and heartfelt care to every session with a willingness and intention to deliver calm and relaxation within all her treatments.
Her journey began with a personal inspiration – the time spent caring for her niece, and has since grown into a lifelong commitment to supporting people’s health, comfort and wellbeing trough the power of touch.
She’d been dedicating her art of massage therapy since 2011, blending the soothing flow of relaxation massage with targeted precision of pinpoint deep tissue massage.
Over the years she has worked in a variety of settings from busy spa professional clinics as well as running her own practice.
Bec provides relaxation massages, hot stone and deep tissue massages for all; facials and foot treatments; head & scalp Japanese rituals.
Each experience deepening her skills and passion for helping others.
Along with massage and beauty treatments for our clients, Bec teaches Infant massage to expectant and new parents…. and also to all very excited expectant and new grandparents! What a beautiful opportunity to deepen connection and express nurture and love.
When Bec isn’t spending time at work she is at home with her growing family.
With 4 of her own children at home and 2 amazing stepchildren, Life can get pretty hectic. Bec looks forward to her favourite night of the week, Friday night board games and movie night with the kids! The sweets platter is always everyone’s go to!
Absolute privacy for consultancy with your healthcare practitioner
CHAT WITH US
We know this unique family-friendly, relaxed approach to meeting your family’s health and wellness needs is long overdue... so, we are just a little bit excited to offer it all and look forward to welcoming you and your beautiful family soon.