Phoenix Institute psycho-spiritual education courses in transpersonal and alternative healing modalities, Melbourne, Australia

HOME LINKS CONTACT SITE MAP

home > about us > staff

Welcome

History

Vision and Philosphy

Why study at Phoenix?

Staff

Code of Ethics

Policies & Procedures

Contact

Disclaimer

Phoenix staff are selected for their passion, maturity, professionalism and their years of experience. They bring commitment and a sense of creativity to their work.
	Director Phoenix Institute of Victoria Martin Peake BA, Dip Education, M.Ed, Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Dip Shamanic Studies, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training, ACA, AAHTC Martin established Phoenix ten years ago. His vision is to establish a learning community that focuses on psycho-spiritual healing and art based therapies. This also includes developing new and creative healing paradigms that embrace and engage the whole person. Prior to this, Martin lectured and worked as a Senior Consultant at RMIT University and was a researcher for the Australian Drug Foundation. He has an interest in adolescent rites of passage, ethics, shamanism, cross-cultural work and psycho-spiritual approaches to mental health. He was co-founder of the Australian Centre for Archetypal Studies at La Trobe University where he is currently completing his PhD in Transpersonal Counselling Theory and Practice. Click to Send Email

	Director, Strategic Operations and Chief Financial Officer Lloyd Volkwyn B Comm, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Dip Hyp CMAHA Transpersonal Counsellor, Dip TPC SNTR For the past twelve years Lloyd has consulted to the Phoenix Institute on financial and organisational matters, and now joins the staff as Director, Strategic Operations and Chief Financial Officer. Lloyd has worked in the field of accounting and business management for the past thirty years in Australia and overseas (USA and Canada), as financial controller, company secretary, general manager, and in systems and organisational development. He has a diverse range of accounting, business, interpersonal and management skills, which informs his business management and organisational excellence. Lloyd holds a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in accounting and business economics, and trained in best practice and total quality management. Lloyd's interests include the field of human potential, motivation, behaviour and coaching, which provide a unique perspective to integrating the complexities of diverse growth needs with strategic business leadership to achieve desired outcomes. Lloyd also developed Ripple Networks as a business planning, management, and financial reporting system - http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2006116805 Click to Send Email

	Dr Rafael Locke Course Developer PhD, BD, BMS, BSS, Grad Dip Comp Medicine, Dip Nat and Health Sci, SNTR, CNMP Dr Locke is the founder of the Ikon Institute and developed the Ikon Diplomas. He has spent over 30 years in education, training and research. He trained in Australia and the US in anthropology, psychology, medical science and natural medicine. After Doctoral studies in Australia, he received a CSIRO post-doctoral fellowship at MIT and Harvard. Dr Locke is currently a Professor in the Department of Perceptual Studies, School of Psychiatry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia USA. To find out more about Dr Rafael Locke and the IKON International Institute please visit their web site: www.ikoninstitute.com

	Finance Manager Hilary Cohen Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Hilary began her career in auditing and accounting whilst studying for her Bachelor degree. She brings to Phoenix 11 years experience working in finance, bookkeeping and accounting for various private and public companies. She enjoys karate, playing cards and entertaining. Click to Send Email

	Projects & Communications Manager Samantha Leongtave BA Hons Graphic Design, Cert Intensive Coach Training, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy Prior to joining Phoenix, Samantha has 12 years experience as a graphic designer and consultant, particularly within advertising, marketing, PR and information communication. With a quest for knowledge, she brings to Phoenix her interests in working smarter not harder, community building, social enterprise, and a passion for people and creative expression. She is the founder of Noodlecrayon Coaching which focuses on career coaching. Sam keeps relatively sane with yoga, being in nature, singing, and dances like nobody's watching. Click to Send Email

	Student Welfare Counsellor Zohar Berchik M Counselling & HS, Grad Dip Counselling & HS, Advanced Cert. in Psychotherapy, Cert IV Training & Assessment. MACA CAPAV(Clinical) Zohar is an experienced counsellor, psychotherapist and educator, skilled in a variety of approaches including psychodynamic and interpersonal psychotherapy, CBT and person-centred counselling, with a special interest in Process Experiential Emotion Focused Therapy and Voice Dialogue facilitation. Zohar has recently completed advanced training with Hal Stone, PhD and Sidra Stone PhD, the founders of Voice Dialogue. She is passionate about student welfare and offers assistance to students in managing their study related issues. Click to Send Email

	Student Services & International Student Liaison Manager Anjali Sengupta BSc (Life Sciences), Post Grad Dip Sports & Fitness Science, Grad Dip Dance/Movement Therapy, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy Anjali completed a Graduate Diploma in Dance/Movement Therapy at RMIT and a Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy at Phoenix Institute. She has previously worked in communications and administration within the telecommunications industry and managed her own business. Click to Send Email

	Administration & Student Support Officer Equa Foot Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training, Dip Film & TV Production & Direction Equa has a business background in management and office co-ordination and administration. She brings to Phoenix her experience as a trainer in quality customer service, including interpersonal and communication skills. Completing the Art Therapy Diploma at Phoenix places Equa in a prime position to support students with great understanding. She also works part time as an art therapist and drama coach. Click to Send Email

	Administration Support Benjamin Turale BArts, Dip Transpersonal Counselling, (currently undertaking Cert IV in Training and Assessment and Dip Art Therapy) Benjamin's started work as an English Teacher, which enabled him to travel through Asia learning Buddhist Meditation from various masters. Before joining the Admin team part-time at Phoenix he was a caseworker in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and a counsellor in private practice. He brings his skills from these roles to support admin staff and students. His passions are Buddhist Meditation, composing music, Taoist Qi Gong and Russian Martial Arts. Click to Send Email

ACADEMIC STAFF
	Dr Adam Rock, Associate Professor, Head Research & Development (Higher Education) BA (Hons), PhD, GCHE Dr. Adam Rock is a Founding International Board Member of the International Transpersonal Association, a Special Topics Editor and Editorial Board Member of the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, an Associate Editor of Anthropology of Consciousness, and an Editorial Board member of the Australian Journal of Parapsychology. Dr. Rock has published dozens of articles in prestigious academic journals such as the Journal of Scientific Exploration, Transpersonal Psychology Review, and the Journal of Parapsychology. In addition, he has presented or co-presented 30 papers or posters at national and international conferences. His research interests include shamanism, altered states, and psi.

	Head of Holistic Counselling & Senior Lecturer Dr Bernie Neville MA Classics (Adel), PhD Education (La Trobe), Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training Dr Bernie Neville is Adjunct Professor of Education at La Trobe University where he has been involved for many years in the professional education of both teachers and counsellors. He is the author of Educating Psyche: Emotion, Imagination and the Unconscious in Learning and Olympus Inc: Intervening for Cultural Change in Organizations and numerous papers on Education and Counselling. He is president of the Australian Association for Holistic and Transpersonal Counselling.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy & Transpersonal Counselling Judith Ayre BA, Grad Dip Counselling, Grad Dip Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Dip Clinical Hypnotherapy, Dip Ed, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training. Clinical Member ACA (CPC Status), Individual Register Member PACFA, Member CAPAV(Clinical), Member IAPCC, VAHTC Full Member Judith is a counsellor and psychotherapist who works holistically within a Transpersonal and soul-centred framework. She uses experiential and arts-based practical processes with couple and families, as well as individuals. Judith is on the Individual Register of the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia and she also teaches at La Trobe University.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy & Transpersonal Counselling Tra-ill Dowie B.A (history ideas/ Socio), B.A (Philosophy), Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Grad Dip Psychology, Grad Dip Jungian Studies, Masters of Counselling, Master of Mind and Society. Currently Preparing Ph.D in Psychological Medicine. Cert IV Assessment and workplace Training. Tra-ill has worked of a number of years in various settings as a psychotherapist. Tra-ill’s Major practical interests have centered around and group psychotherapy and Existential approaches to therapy. Intellectually Tra-ill interests are broad covering topics such as the politics of therapy, the body in therapy, existential philosophy and phenomenology, Psychoanalysis, Consciousness and applied Anthropology. Tra-ill’s Masters thesis was conducted on Nietzsche and Therapy and his Ph.D is exploring Merleau- Ponty’s phenomenology and its relationship to Immanence and psychotherapy.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy & Transpersonal Counselling Jane Holmes Adv Dip Gestalt Therap, Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training Jane is a psychotherapist in private practice with a gestalt therapy and transpersonal background. She is passionate about group work and has facilitated self exploration groups and workshops. Jane spent many years in her youth studying an eastern perspective on spirituality and has explored many alternative paradigms since that time. She is passionate about self development and self awareness . Jane is committed to integrating therapeutic and spiritual modalities, into a relational, client centred, experiential practice. Jane is a lecturer on Transpersonal Counselling at Phoenix Institute.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy & Transpersonal Counselling Roman Ilgauskas Grad Diploma Guided Imagery and Music, Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Dip Shamanic Studies, Clinical Member ACA, FAMI, FMIAA, MAAHTC, VAHTC, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training Roman is a registered Guided Imagery and Music Therapist (RGMIT) with post graduate qualifications from Melbourne University as well as qualifications in art therapy, transpersonal counselling and shamanic studies. He has worked alongside Robert A. Johnson in the Canadian Wilderness and has supported dream groups for the last twenty years. In his private practice he works with guided imagery and music, ritual, and dreams using sandplay and other expressive art based processes. He continues his Jungian studies in sandplay therapy with the International Institute for Sandplay Therapy (ISST). He is a clinical member of the Australian Counselling Association and a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (USA) and the Music and Imagery Association of Australia.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy & Transpersonal Counselling Linda Murrow BA Anthropology, MA Counselling Psychology/Expressive Arts Therapy, Cert. Family Therapy, Specialist Training Couple Therapy, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training. Member: DTAA, VAFT, AARC, PACFA Reg. 20758 Linda completed her Masters in Expressive Arts Therapy in Boston and became a registered dance/movement therapist. She has taught Dance Therapy at Melbourne University and helped to develop the Master of Creative Arts Therapy and Graduate Diploma of Dance Therapy at RMIT, where she worked as a lecturer and supervisor for 12 years. Having further specialised in relationship counselling, she works for Relationships Australia and is part of their training faculty. She has a longstanding interest in depth-psychology, and has a private practice providing individual and couple psychotherapy, group work, and supervision. For many years she has been practicing and facilitating 'authentic movement', a Jungian-oriented approach to dance/movement therapy.

	Lecturer Transpersonal Counselling & Transpersonal Art Therapy Bridget Pannell BA, Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Dip Health Sc, Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training, ATMS, VAHTC Bridget has a background in people management and development, teaches at Phoenix and La Trobe University and works as a counsellor in private practice, inspiring people to lead authentic lives. She is currently completing her Phd at La Trobe University.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy & Transpersonal Counselling Michael Shaw BEd, Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Certificate IV Assessment and Workplace Training Michael commenced his professional life as a teacher and then ran his own business. He is a qualified teacher in mindfulness meditation, teaches theatre improvisation classes and is currently studying transpersonal art therapy. Michael has a particular interest in men’s groups which saw him host a radio show about men’s issues called “Mankind” for two years.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling Biliana Dearly Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Grad Dip Counselling, Registered Clinical Member PACFA, Clinical Member CAPAV, Prof.MACA Biliana is a counsellor and psychotherapist who works within humanistic, experiential and transpersonal approaches. Initially from an engineering and corporate background, as a therapist, Biliana has been trained in Transpersonal Counselling, Process-Experiential Emotion-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Jungian Sandplay Therapy. She works with children, adolescents and adults in her private practice, and also at Reconnexion in The Programme of psychotropic medication addiction and complex mental health problems. Biliana has long-standing interests and explorations in the field of psycho/spiritual empowerment. She is currently completing Masters in Counselling at LaTrobe University.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling Nigel Denning BA (Hons) MA English, Post grad Dip Psych, MPsych (Counselling) MAPS, ASH Nigel began full time counselling 10 years ago. In that time he has established or run therapy programs at Swinburne University, Relationships Australia and in private practice. Prior to psychology Nigel worked first as a teacher and later as a manager. He became interested in Transpersonal Psychology over 20 years ago and went on to study under Stanislav Grof, and is now an accredited Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. In his private practice Nigel employs a variety of techniques including meditation, mindfulness, hypnosis and psychodrama as well as the more traditional cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches. Nigel is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and is a state registered psychologist.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling & Transpersonal Art Therapy Jane Hall BAppSci (Adv Nurs), Cert Midwifery, MEd, Grad Dip Counselling & HS, M Counselling & HS, Cert IV Assessment & Workplace Training, Cert TT & HT. Member: FRCNA (ret), AAHTC, CAPAV, TTAA Jane is a counsellor, psychotherapist and bioenergetic therapist who works from a holistic and transpersonal perspective to support movement towards balance and growth. She uses a combination of person centered, experiental, art and process based approaches in her life, practice and teaching.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy Vivian Golan Bachelor of Social Work, Grad Dip in Tertiary Education, Dip in Childbirth Education, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training Viviane has twenty years professional experience in counselling and the development and implementation of many group programs in areas such as university counselling training programs, terminal and chronic illness, meditation, relationship issues as well as women’s and men’s groups. She is also currently completing a Masters in Holistic Education at La Trobe University.

	Lecturer Transpersonal Art Therapy Katrina Grant Dip Transpersonal Art Therapy, Dip Rem and Chinese Massage, Cert Lomi Lomi, Cert IV Assessment and Workplace Training, Dip Yoga Teaching KHYF Katrina works with individuals and groups using art therapy and music. She was involved in establishing an art therapy program in Sri Lanka for orphans of the tsunami. She also teaches music and has a background in performance, body work and yoga. She has been teaching at Phoenix for the last 4 years.

	Lecturer Transpersonal Art Therapy Saskia Post Dip Trans Art Therapy, Cert lV Assessment and Workplace Training, Cert IV Professional Writing and Editing As a professional transpersonal art therapist, Saskia currently works in the community with a special interest in facilitating Mental Health and Palliative Care programs. She also runs Creative Expression and Drama workshops for children, adults and women’s groups.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Art Therapy Carla Temple Dip Trans Art Therapy, NLP, Dip Prim Teaching, Grad Dip Spec Ed, Cert Assessment IV Workplace Training Carla has been in education for 25 years. In conjunction with her business partner she has run an educational consultancy practice for the last 10 years, designing and presenting workshops for students, parents and educators nationally and internationally. She is coauthor of two books on education.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling Michelle Morris MA Transpersonal Psychology, Grad. Dip.Family Therapy. Certified Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner. Teacher training in Stillness Meditation Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Clinical member VAFT, PACFA Michelle completed her Masters in Transpersonal Psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP) in California, and was previously on the faculty of the Australian Transpersonal Institute and Association. She works as a counsellor/psychotherapist in private practice and at The Grove, with children, adolescents and adults. In addition she enjoys facilitating groups and leading retreats. Michelle has a particular interest in imagination and healing. In her work she uses Embodied Imagination, Sandplay, Shamanic and creative expression practices. Meditation and Tibetan yoga has been an integral part of her life for the last 30 years and she has been teaching meditation to individuals and groups for 15 years.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling Andrew Mournehis Dip Transpersonal Counselling, Cert IV Assessment and Workplace Training Andrew Mournehis graduated from the Phoenix Institute of Victoria in 2001 with a very clear vision that his gifts and passions were best directed in the power of group, story, archetype and the potent healing energy that is exchanged in each others stories, both personal and Universal. Being an already established yoga teacher, he spent the past 8 years facilitating many Healing groups, workshops, intensives and retreats both nationally and intertnationally working with the healing potential of Yoga and Transpersonal work.

	Lecturer, Transpersonal Counselling John Watkins BEd, RPN For many years John worked as a registered psychiatric nurse before moving into private practice as a counsellor, independent researcher, and mental health educator. The fact that “psychiatry” literally means “healing of the soul” has served as a personal beacon for John for over three decades, during which time he has written several books applying holistic principles to treatment, healing, and recovery, including Living With Schizophrenia (1996); Healing Schizophrenia: Using Medication Wisely (2006); Hearing Voices: A Common Human Experience (2008); and his current book Psychosis: Understanding and Healing the Wounded Soul soon to be published.

IICT logo