Western Australian Branch
The PACFA West Branch officially commenced operating on 1 July 2016. Individual members of PACFA in Western Australia receive automatic membership with PACFA West 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 Western Australian branch at [email protected]
Leadership Group
Western Australia Leadership Group
Meet the Leadership Group
Convenor - Jacob Burger
Jacob is a qualified counsellor and a human factors and performance expert. He completed Master's degrees in Aviation Management (Human Factors and Safety) and Counselling (Clinical). He has over 27 years of experience in human performance in high-risk environments. He is a qualified air traffic controller, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer, and aircraft accident and incident investigator. He specialises in the human psyche leading up to an incident. He also supports and counsels aviation personnel during the recovery process following performance-related issues. Jacob gained valuable counselling experience as a school counsellor, identified a significant need for family therapists, and opened a family counselling practice with his wife. He is a qualified Interplay play therapy facilitator who loves its humanistic approach. He uses a combination of humanistic and psychodynamic modalities. Jacob is still active in the RAAF reserves and strongly advocates for counsellors to be included in all WA schools and be recognised by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Sheela Paul
Sheela holds a Masters of Counselling from the University of Notre Dame and is passionate to see individuals thrive and flourish in their everyday lives. Sheela has a background in nursing and pastoral care. She also has a Graduate certificate in Health Management, Quality & Leadership from Murdoch University. Sheela runs a private practise in Canning Vale and works closely with individuals newly diagnosed with ADHD. She works with an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrist, general practitioners, counsellors, and psychologists to provide the best possible care for clients. Her strength lies in empowering women both in the professional and personal realm. She is also a busy mum to 3 boys and is an advocate in supporting mental health in young men in particular who are navigating this modern era. She is also trilingual (speaking Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and English) with a passion to help new migrants assimilate into everyday life in Australia while helping them transform their challenges to opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Jennifer Anderson
Jennifer is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and Psychotherapist with a passion for supporting people to grow and thrive not just survive. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and counselling, and a graduate diploma and master’s degree in counselling and psychotherapy. In her Subiaco-based private practice, Jennifer works with a variety of clients using an attachment-based psychodynamic approach. She has a special interest in supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing, working with men individually as well as with couples. Beyond her clinical work, Jennifer is committed to strengthening professional and community connections. She has served on the APS Perth Branch Committee, co-founded the ECU Psychological Society, and participated in both the ECU Vice-Chancellor’s Student Advisory Forum and the Executive Dean Student Advisory Group. She also volunteers with Lifeline Australia, previously as a Crisis Support Worker and currently through the Community Volunteers Visitors Scheme supporting older adults in the community. It was through her community services work over the past 35 years, where she found her passion and life’s work, helping people achieve meaningful change in their lives, discover their strengths, and live with a sense of meaning and purpose.
Jennifer Loola
Jennifer is an experienced Registered Counsellor, Supervisor and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. With over two decades of experience across Australia and internationally, she has worked with individuals, children, youths, couples and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Master's in Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution. Her work within vulnerable populations, including child protection and disability services, has strengthened her commitment to safeguarding standards, promote ethical practice, and provide trauma-informed care. As a registered Supervisor, Jennifer supervises students and registered counsellors, supporting them in their counselling career through their wins and challenges. Jennifer is passionate about helping people heal and improve their relationships – be it with themselves, their partners, their families or with anyone else in their life in a trauma-informed way and she is committed to helping families navigate conflict while prioritizing the best interest of their children. Her love for this work is reflected in her personality and the way she engages with every client she supports and professionals she engages with.
Contact the Western Australian Leadership Group: [email protected]