Directors of training
MARIA DOLENC
(CMGANZ PACFA reg)
Maria Dolenc
(Grad Dip Gestalt Psych. accredited addictions counsellor NAADAC) She has also trained in Family Therapy, Family Constellations work and other modalities including the work of Byron Katie.
Maria began her professional career working with youth at risk and families in crisis in the Sydney inner-city area. In 1998, she became a Primary Therapist at South Pacific Private, a treatment centre specialising in addictions, depression and other compulsive behaviours. She later went on to become Family Therapist at the centre, working with the families of clients in treatment. Maria has also been a visiting lecturer at Nature Care in holisic counselling.
Until recently Maria was the Clinical Supervisor at South Pacific Private. Maria also maintains her private practice and conducts workshops and extended retreats with a focus on Gestalt work, Family Constellations and the work of Byron Katie. Specialising in addictions, relationship issues and family therapy, Maria works with passion and integrity in supporting clients to heal, grow and recognise their true potential. She is also facilitating and training trainess in a Systemic/Family constellation training course.
Some of the aspects that motivate and excite Maria in her chosen field of work include engaging in an authentic way with all beings and seeing people change their perception and how they interact with the environment and each other. She has a passion for ongoing learning and creativity.
Maria continues to enjoy nature and living close to the beach and lake where she swims and walks regularly. Maria believes in living in harmony and balance, which often incorporates playing with her 6 grandchildren. And oh yes, she very much enjoys a good coffee with her friends.
ASHLEIGH WOOLRIDGE
(CMGANZ PACFA reg)
Ashleigh Woolridge (Grad Dip Gestalt Psych. Cert Holistic Counselling, Adv Cert Community Welfare) is a Psychotherapist and Trainer with over 17 years experience working with individuals, couples and families, groups and organizations.
Ashleigh has substantial experience working with people affected by addictions and mental health presentations. Her previous appointments include a variety of positions in the public and private psychiatric sector and various community based projects including Clinical Manger of South Pacific Private , Coordinator of Therapy programs at Evesham Psychiatric Clinic and Project Manager Lifeline Sydney Personal Counseling Program.
Ashleigh also has training in working with Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Assault and Women affected by Domestic Violence and more recently was contracted as the Consultant Psychotherapist to Fremantle Media /Australian Idol; series 6 and 7.
Previous training appointments include Faculty member of The Hammond Institute and University of Western Sydney Social and Health Sciences Faculty and she is currently on faculty at The Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) Ashleigh has a particular interest in working with Eating Disorders and has recently compled further training in Somatic Psychotherapy.
Ashleigh is increasingly interested and inspired by embodiment and the wisdom available in our bodies.
Ashleigh has a private practice in Manly and is a member of the GANZ council. She was CoConvenor of the 6th International GANZ conference; To Be is to Be With, Ballina 2008.
Core training faculty
SUSANNA GOODRICH (CMGANZ)
Susanna Goodrich graduated from Sydney Gestalt Institute in 2002 following a brief and underwhelming career as a lawyer. Susanna has been in private practice in the Eastern Suburbs for nine years and is co-founder of the Gloo Project- a community project offering free and affordable therapy to people in recovery from addiction. She has been a trainer at Sydney Gestalt Institute for four years.
Susanna has wide and varied interests in psychotherapeutic practice- attachment theory, neuroscience, self-object relations, bodywork, creativity, metaphor and dreamwork. She is a busy mother, passionate cook, avid reader and enjoys nearly everything about her very honest marriage.
TANYA DAWSON (CMGANZ, PACFA reg)
Tanya Dawson is a Gestalt therapist with 21 years experience in the field. She has experience in welfare, youth work in crisis and medium term refuges and youth centres. Tanya also has extensive experience working with addictions and those with severe and multiple barriers, including trauma and character disorders.
Tanya took six years off to parent children to school age and practice art making. In this time she also studied Gestalt with Sydney Gestalt Institute. Tanya then continued her career as senior therapist at a private psychiatric hospital and was promoted to Clinical Coordinator. She now works in private practice and is a founder and coordinator of the GLOO project; Gestalt in Woolloomooloo, a community based couselling project for people recovering from addictions.
I am community minded and am grateful for what the world has given me and want to be a part of giving it back, making more to go around. I am passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge as I believe this is supporting the love in the greater field. I derive great satisfaction from experiencing myself as useful.
Tanya has previously been a trainer at Sydney Gestalt Institute.
Other training faculty
MICHAEL REED BSW, MSW, PhD, FMGANZ
is a registered psychologist, accredited social worker and a Fellow Member of GANZ with over 30 years experience in the field of psychotherapy and training across a variety of health care, educational and organisational settings, both in Australia and overseas.
In addition to his training in Gestalt Therapy, Michael's background includes training in family therapy, relationship therapy, reality therapy, logotherapy, EMDR, adolescent and family health. Michael has been a Gestalt therapy trainer and supervisor for over 20 years and is a visiting trainer with a number of Therapy/Counselling Training Institutes across Australia.
For many years Michael worked as a senior clinician and researcher with the Department of Adolescent Medicine at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney. In 1995 Michael was awarded a PhD by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney and in 1998 the ‘Award for Excellence’ by the Professional Centre of Australia for his efforts in promoting adolescent and family health in the Pacific Rim region. Michael has published numerous professional articles in medical, health care, psychological and gestalt journals.
Michael was the foundation President of GANZ (Gestalt Australia and New Zealand: An Association of Gestalt Therapy Practitioners) and chaired the GANZ Ethics Committee from 1998-2006.
Mike is a keen gardener, an avid follower of sport, who enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing and outdoor cooking.
Michael runs a private psychology and psychotherapy practice in Crows Nest, Sydney. He is the Director of ‘Gestalt Practitioners Training Sydney’ which offers professional development workshops in contemporary Gestalt Therapy, from a relational perspective.
IRENE DUNGEY (CMGANZ)
Irene Dungey is a qualified counsellor/therapist with an extensive welfare background of working with families, children and adolescents at risk. In 1987 she completed training in marital therapy with the Marriage Guidance Council of N. S.W. Since then she has continued her professional development in order to expand her experience and skills with other client groups and different models of therapy. She became interested in Gestalt Therapy, trained and then gained accreditation as a Gestalt therapist in 1995.
Her passion for Gestalt has never ceased and is an on-going process. She continues to attend workshops here and overseas and has participated in Gestalt training with Joseph Zinker, Erv Polster, Bob Rita Resnick, and trained at the Gatla’s European residential. In 2008 she returned to Gatla’s European residential and trained with Todd Burley, Zish Claudia Zimbenski and with the Resnicks in their couple training programme.
She has two particular areas of interest, the first is applying the Gestalt model to working with children and the second is working with couples She is currently working as a family and child consultant/therapist with Unifam/Uniting Care, has a private practice and is a Clincal Member of the professional body of GANZ.