Tasmanian Branch
The Tasmanian Branch officially commenced operating on 1 July 2016.
Individual members of PACFA in Tasmania receive automatic membership of the Tasmanian Branch with their PACFA membership.
Activities will include:
- Providing continuing professional development
- Providing opportunities for networking and peer support
- Undertaking local outreach
- Promoting PACFA to local education providers and students
- Building a vibrant community of practitioners in a particular geographic area
- Providing opportunities for practitioners in regional and rural areas to participate
Contact the Tasmanian branch at [email protected]
Leadership Group
Tasmanian Leadership Group
Meet the Leadership Group
Dr Andrea Breen
Andrea is a creative arts therapist, counsellor and educator. In recent years, she has specialised in working with former refugees recovering from trauma and working with children using non-directive play therapy. She is also a musician and composer and believes that listening is fundamental to therapeutic relationships.
Kaye de Ville
Kaye is a psychotherapist who works in private practice in North Hobart, Tasmania. She has returned to Tasmania after 35 years living in Central London in the UK, where she trained as a counsellor and psychotherapist with Psychosynthesis and Education Trust, facilitated with East London University (UEL)She is dedicated to community engagement and professional development as essential to working in private practice.
Gary Oliver
Gary began counselling in 2001, initially working with tertiary students, adding drug and addiction, while also working with the homeless. Subsequently, added to learning were the areas of grief, loss, anxiety, depression, trauma and relationships. He works with individuals, couples, and families, offering sessions in-person, outdoors, or via Zoom, depending on client preference. Gary regularly collaborates with psychiatrists and allied health professionals to support integrated client care. Before moving into full-time private practice, Gary built a corporate career within a top-100 company and taught MBA programs, systems, and accounting. This experience gives him a practical understanding of the pressures clients face across work, relationships, and life transitions. His approach focuses on helping clients build safety, identify strengths, and experience meaningful progress. Gary completed a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy through ACAP in 2025. In 2026, he joined the leadership team and became an online facilitator supporting continuing professional development (CPD) for counsellors and psychotherapists. Gary strongly believes that the profession is strengthened when therapists are supported in sharing their perspectives, experiences, and knowledge.
Sara Phillips
Sara Phillips is a Clinical Counsellor and IFS-Informed Therapist. She holds a Master of Counselling and has worked in the mental health field for 8 years and is now in private practice. Before that Sara has held roles as a Parent Coach, Family Support Worker, Speech Therapist and Teacher.
Contact the Tasmania Leadership Group: [email protected]