Dwayne Andrew Wannamarra Wyndier Kennedy, PhD

Dwayne (he, him) is a Senior Specialist Counsellor Psychotherapist including in Behaviour Support and Company Secretary with ATS. He is also an accomplished painter and ceramic artist.

Dwayne is a seasoned counsellor psychotherapist with a heart for compassionate listening and co-creating collaborative solutions. He’s worked with people of all ages and is known for his deeply insightful approach and creative perspectives that help people find their path and next steps. Dwayne is well regarded in his work with mothers and families of children (and adult children) as well as individuals of all ages alongside profound disabilities, special needs, and mental health recovery.

He works closely with parents and many single mums of children with Autism and special needs. He works from a strength-based and personal approach to build up people in skills. He sees mums as the expert in their experience. Dwayne empowers parents and mums to be strong in their wisdom and to move forward with confidence. He has over 30 years experience in disability and mental health. He has taught in early childhood education, as well as consulted and mentored clients, staff, and management.

Dwayne identifies with Kamilori and Waradjuri heritage as well as French and Irish. Given his seeking out traditional cultural wisdom, Dwayne’s Aboriginal paintings include the Dreaming of two nations and regions in eastern Australia. His work incorporates dots and lines in traditional motifs while embracing contemporary graphic design. Alongside, his advanced professional study and specialist practice includes culturally grounded person centred methods while focusing on complex disabilities and mental health support.

Dr Kennedy holds a PhD in Counselling with Art Therapy and Trauma Recovery, MEd Honours in Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Teaching, Certificate III Disabilities, Certificate III Childcare, Certificate III Welfare, Certified Practitioner in Ayurveda with the Satya School of Yoga and Ayurveda.

He is a Senior Clinician with the Australian Counselling Association, a Member of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, Member of Animal Therapies LTD, and Registered Behaviour Specialist NDIS Commission.

Joseph (Jorandi) Randolph Kisiku Sa’qawei Paq’tism Bowers, PhD

Jorandi (they, them) is a Senior Specialist Counsellor Psychotherapist including in Behaviour Support and Director with ATS. They are also accomplished with music as a singer songwriter and guitarist, with painting on canvas, and in ceramic arts.

Jorandi or Jo is sought out for their intuitive insight and practical solutions with a balance between deep empathy and problem solving when necessary. They are highly regarded in helping with personal growth, honouring cultural wisdom, and applying spirituality within professional evidenced based methods. Jo is known for their work with individuals on their life-path and growth-journey as well as working with highly complex cases that include profound disabilities and/or mental health recovery.

Jorandi works collaboratively with parents, families and providers with holistic, practical and person-centred methods while helping people with assessments and all-of-life behaviour support and planning. Dr Jorandi career in the helping professions spans almost 40 years, with 14 years in specialist behaviour support.

Jorandi identifies with Mi’kmaq First Nations heritage as well as honouring French Acadian, Germanic, Irish, and Welsh. Given their advanced cultural study and practice in Mi’kmaq and Celtic Druidic traditions, and their extensive publications and academic history, readers may have suspected but Jo rarely if ever disclosed personal identity in these contexts. That said, Jo is Two Spirit, non-binary, Fae and an Elder in Traditional Medicine. His work integrates holistic methods in evidenced based frameworks, balancing ancient cultural wisdom with contemporary psychotherapy.

Dr Bowers was awarded Honorary status with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Their qualifications include a PhD Health Counselling Psychotherapy., DD Clay Art Therapy., Hon DD Franciscan and Earth-based Spirituality., MEd Counselling Psychotherapy., Diploma Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and Counselling, Graduate Certificate Higher Education., Certified Practitioner Neuro Linguistic Psychotherapy, BA Distinction Spirituality & Philosophy.

They are an Honorary of the Australian Counselling Association (Hon ACA), Fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (Fellow ASLM), and Member of several bodies including: World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health AusPATH), The Australian Ceramics Association (TACA), Animal Assist Therapy Association (AAT), and Registered Clinician Behaviour Specialist NDIS Commission.