Counselling – Our counselling team work from a philosophy to collaborate with clients and their world experience to enhance character. Our counselling position is that clients are the expert in their world.

How and what they care for:

• Character enhancement
• Behaviour activation
• Social and emotional learning
• Affirmations
• Story telling – co-constructing desired narratives
• Identity crisis and formation
• Depression, anxiety, bullying, stress, academic pressure
• Family issues and crisis
• Grief and loss
• Hospitable unique experience
• Goal setting and strategy building, where therapists are experts in facilitating safe communicative environments.
• Encourage service to others and to participate in our interactive group experiences.

Additionally, our therapists will encourage the people we care for to engage in our interactive group experiences as a means of stimulus therapy. Inspired by field and evidence based experiences, the power of working in groups participating in our carefully designed activities, enables social and emotional learning. As an extension to individual therapy, these settings empower the people we care for to develop further strategies to overcome their issues.

Our Therapists

Matthew Bates M.A.C.A., & College of Supervisors

Resident Counsellor and Practice Manager

Matthew Bates is our lead counsellor and practice manager at Character Care. Matthew has worked closely with the Character Group over the past few years and shares the unique philosophies and values of the organisation, which permeates in his practice. With a client driven focus, Matt uses client world view and language via Narrative and Existential techniques, having studied a Bachelor of Psychology and Masters of Counselling, gaining qualification as a counsellor and psychotherapist with Australian Counselling Association membership.

Over his life, Matthew has been an athlete and coach within the baseball community having represented his state, country and played collegiately (USA) and professionally. Coaching a variety of age levels has provided a genuine approach to understanding how individuals learn about themselves uniquely which has shown benefits in his practice. In the Counselling profession, Matt has worked within the disability sector, working with families and systemic organisations to facilitate growth and NDIS transitioning. With Character Builders, Matt has been a lead facilitator producing skills and values aligned with Character Care practices. Also during his professional life, he has supervised aspiring mental and allied health professionals, providing further leadership and educational attributes.

Matthew is passionate about mental health, understanding how 21st century ideals of healthy living are sometimes overshadowed by the demands of everyday life. The importance of the client’s own life understandings, skills and resources are paramount to collaborating preferred futures.

Margarida Sousa Ramos M.A.C.A

Counsellor and Social Worker

Margarida is a Social Worker and a Counsellor with both national and international experience. In Portugal, she mostly worked as a Case Manager in Child Protection, dealing with children who were exposed to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. Not only did she have to understand these children’s unique experiences, she also had to work closely with their families, schools and community in order to provide them with a safe environment as well as the necessary opportunities and tools to strive in the face of adversity.

In Germany, she worked with immigrants and refugees, trying to understand their stories and communicating them to the general population with the intent of raising awareness to the conflicting feelings experienced by these individuals. In Australia, Margarida has been focusing on her development as a Counsellor and is still working with school-aged children and adults in this context. She strongly believes that we can overcome even from the most difficult situations, learn from them, and evolve as individuals.

Tarini Mathrani M.A.C.A

Counsellor

Tarini is a qualified counsellor with experience working in the areas of individual and family therapy, foster and adoption related issues, sexual assault counselling, crisis intervention and corrections. Working primarily through a client centred approach, Tarini tailors her therapeutic approach to the unique needs and demands of the client. She also enjoys working through Narrative, Acceptance & Commitment and Interpersonal Therapy approaches. Upon completing a Masters in Psychology overseas, she was driven to work with individuals on an interpersonal level thus pursuing a Masters in Counselling, gaining qualification as a registered counsellor and psychotherapist with the Australian Counselling Association.

Tarini is driven by her passion to work closely in the area of Trauma Counselling. Previously, she has worked overseas collaborating with leading Cancer Specialists in the delivery of Art Therapy and support for Breast Cancer Survivors. She is a trained Helpline volunteer for Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence Helplines. Tarini has worked in Schools as a Lead Counsellor delivering support and development programs for young adults. And for three years she has been a listener on the Mental Health service 7 Cups of Tea providing support to victims of Sexual Assault.

Therapy is a two way street where both therapist and client engage in powerful and meaningful ways. Tarini is passionate about working collaboratively with her clients providing a safe space to explore and facilitate growth and development.

Menaka Thomas M.A.C.A., & College of Supervisors

Counsellor

Menaka is a qualified Counsellor, Physiotherapist, Yoga Therapist, and Registered College of Supervisors with ACA. She has extensive experience working in the human services sector with children and adults living with the effects of mental health issues, disability, grief and loss and chronic illness.

Menaka is passionate about the interrelationship and interdependence of mental and emotional health with physical well-being. She herself has experienced the effect of chronic disease on the mind and body and has come to value the importance of working to integrate all aspects of health, both physical and emotional.

Menaka’s knowledge and skills in the diverse fields of Counselling, Yoga and Physiotherapy help her to provide an integrated, whole approach to the individual and their quest to improve their health and well-being. She incorporates the approaches of Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy into Counselling conversations. She values collaboration and the work of “journeying with” clients to help them move closer to their preferred ways of being in the world. Menaka is also known to throw out the old Yoga mat, if and when the client indicates that Yoga Therapy could be a useful tool to help them move forward!

Menaka is also passionate about practice and skill development and loves teaching, sharing and interacting with peers  through workshops and seminars. She has developed and facilitated many workshops for various community organisations all over Queensland.

Krystle Brady M.A.C.A., & College of Supervisors

Counsellor

Krystle is a qualified counselor and supervisor who has experience working both in New Zealand and Australia. Having completed a Bachelor of Social Practice and Master of Counselling, Krystle works from an integrated model that is primarily influenced by a strengths-based, narrative, solution-focused approach to change. She values the therapeutic relationship and the creation of a safe space in which people feel their stories and experiences are heard, validated and understood. Krystle understands that each person’s experience of the world is unique, and as such adapts her approach to best suit the individual, group, couple or family.

In New Zealand, Krystle worked as a homelessness social worker, working with people who were experiencing homelessness due to a variety of reasons. Since moving to Australia, Krystle has worked as a case manager and team leader in the youth sector, and a health and well-being worker in the education sector.  She has supervised students and team members providing support as they continue to grow and develop their practice. Alongside this, she has gained experience in working with adults, young people, families and couples in a counselling setting. These roles have provided her with experience working with a variety of issues in a broad range of areas.

Krystle is interested in developing her practice to include animal-assisted therapy, with plans for her Labradoodle puppy Bowie to complete therapy dog training later this year.