PREGNANCY AND FAMILY SUPPORT ASSOCIATION
GOLD COAST INCORPORATED
ACNC / ABN No: 77 24 393 0715
(07) 5575 8442
MEET THE TEAM
The Faces of Our Organization
VIOLET - COORDINATOR
BIG BOSS AND GRANDMA TO THE COAST
Violet has been running the Pregnancy and Family Support Association since 1996. She LOVES babies and is passionate about helping families experiencing adversity. Violet runs the Emergency Relief program and supports families in financial, emotional and environmental crisis. Violet has a huge heart, is highly empathic and will go above and beyond to help others. She has been recognised within the local community and highly regarded for her contribution to volunteering. She was nominated for Australian of The Year in 2016, awarded the McPherson Community Award 2017 and Outstanding Contribution Award for the Prevention of Domestic Violence 2018. She has hit the grand old age of 70 and refuses to retire as she believes there is still too much work to do!
SARAH - PSYCHOLOGIST
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Sarah Sherrington is a registered Psychologist holding a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Sarah has over 20 years experience working in the area of Perinatal Mental Health. She is a mother herself of two boys and has a passion for assisting all families achieve optimal well-being during the perinatal period and a genuine, empathic approach to support parents who have experienced a loss through the grief process. Sarah also has extensive experience with parent/child attachment and child behavioural management and is a facilitator of the International Circle of Security Parenting Program. Utilising a combined approach of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focussed Therapy and Person Centred Therapy, Sarah provides therapeutic intervention and support those in the perinatal period, with a significant focus on mindfulness approaches.
FIONA - PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
PERINATAL SUPPORT COUNSELLOR
Fiona is a provisionally registered Psychologist and completing the 4+2 internship. She is the mother of 2 children and previously spent over 25 years working in the corporate sector before deciding to pursue her life-long passion of wanting to support people to live happier and healthier lives by completing her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in 2020. Through her genuine, person-centred style, Fiona offers an empathic approach to her Provisional Psychology role. Clients value her youthful energy and gentle nature, and Fiona enjoys working alongside her clients to help them meet their therapeutic and life goals by using a range of evidence-based therapies. Fiona has a specific interest in the Perinatal and Early Parenting Field, additionally training through the Mental Health Professional Network to expand knowledge and skills in this area of psychology. She is deeply passionate about mindfulness meditation and self-compassion.
ANISSA - PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
ADHD FAMILY FOCUS PROGRAM
Anissa is a provisionally registered Psychologist with AHPRA, currently completing the 4+2 internship pathway. She has over 18 years’ experience, both personally and professionally, working with individuals and their families affected by ADHD and Executive Function challenges. Due to this experience, Anissa is acutely aware of the additional supports required to assist both the individual and their family to live happy, harmonious and flourishing lives. Anissa has completed her Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychology from Griffith University. She has completed international certification in ADHD Coaching from the ADD Academy in New York, and is a Certified facilitator of Triple P and Circle of Security Parenting programs. Anissa’s expertise and specialist training equips her to offer services in consulting on ADHD, Parent Behaviour Management Training and ADHD Coaching.