Our Team

KAREN SOMMERVILLE

KAREN SOMMERVILLE

Chief Executive Officer
BEV ATKINSON

BEV ATKINSON

Service Coordinator
LIZ THOMSON

LIZ THOMSON

Counsellor
SHANTELL MCCLENAUGHAN

SHANTELL MCCLENAUGHAN

Counsellor
RENATE BEST

RENATE BEST

Counsellor
JILL BRIGHTON

JILL BRIGHTON

Counsellor
Annie West

Annie West

Counsellor
GRACE BRENNAN

GRACE BRENNAN

Social Worker & Client Liaison
SHARN THOMPSON

SHARN THOMPSON

Administration Support
HARRY THE DOG

HARRY THE DOG

Dr Harry!

KAREN SOMMERVILLE

Chief Executive Officer

Karen Sommerville is the CEO of South West Counselling having moved into this role in January 2012. Having worked in the human services sector for well over 20 years, and for a variety of not-for-profit organisations, Karen has developed a reputation for her expertise in transforming organisational processes to maximise performance. Karen believes that this is an essential component in ensuring optimal services are provided to people accessing the organisation. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women’s Studies and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling. She is a registered counsellor and has considerable experience in the provision of counselling and clinical supervision and in the development and facilitation of groups and workshops. Karen has worked with both women and men impacted by domestic violence and is passionate about affecting societal change in this area. On a personal note Karen has made Busselton home for the past 12 years, has two adult children and one grand daughter as well as a dog (Harry) and two cats!

BEV ATKINSON

Service Coordinator

Bev joined South West Counselling in 2009,  and has been in the social services field for around 20 years, starting as a Graduate Research Assistant in 1989. Before joining SWCI she ran a couple of businesses, had a handful of kids, and had fully immersed herself in the South West way of life. She specialises in her meet and greet skills, enjoys community connection, cold water immersion and is also a whizz at tea and coffee making.  Bev has a background in economics and marketing and is currently studying for a Diploma of Counselling so she can better understand the magic that happens in a counselling room at SWCI.

LIZ THOMSON

Counsellor

Liz is an experienced Social Worker and Counsellor, registered with the Australian Association of Social Workers. Liz holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Masters in Social Science (Counselling) and a Graduate Diploma in Grief, Loss and Trauma. Liz’s experience includes many years working with Military veterans and their families affected by the experiences associated with national and overseas service. Liz enjoys assisting couples to develop and enhance their relationship. She utilises skills from a range of modalities including but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Family Systems Theory and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. Liz practices from a person centered and strengths-based perspective. She enjoys being ooutdoors, walking, beaching and gardening and travels as much as possible.

SHANTELL MCCLENAUGHAN

Counsellor

Shantell is a passionate counsellor with a BA (Psych), a Master of Counselling and is a level 4 member of the Australian Counselling Association.  Shantell’s therapeutic approach is built on authentic connection, drawing from a range of therapeutic approaches, tailored to each client's needs, goals and values.  She has experience working with individuals and couples across the lifespan. Shantell has a particular interest in attachment theory and supporting new parents, regularly co-facilitating ‘Mother Baby Nurture’ groups with the Radiance Network. Shantell has 3 boys, a FIFO partner and loves yoga and the beach.

RENATE BEST

Counsellor

Renate is a counsellor with a passion for integrating the best of Western Psychology with holistic and integrative practices. Renate’s qualifications include an AdvDipMidwifery (Germany), GradDipPsychSc, BPsychSc (Hons 1st class), and a MClinPsych (candidate). Renate has experience working across the developmental spectrum with a wide range of presentations. She has worked in non-profits, private practice, and community mental health. Some things that make her heart sing include meditating, yoga, nature, spending time with loved ones, and expressing herself creatively.

JILL BRIGHTON

Counsellor

Jill is a counsellor with a B/A (Psych), and Certificates in Counselling and Group work. Her recent experience is in the disability field. She is currently training in a mindfulness body-centred psychotherapy called Hakomi.

Annie West

Counsellor

Annie is committed to her counselling practice and enjoys her work. Her qualifications include Gestalt Therapy Practitioner, Master of Counselling, B. Ed, Dip. Nursing. She has valuable experience working in health and education.  Annie applies an integrative humanistic strength-based counselling approach, working with all presentations across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in supporting clients with complex trauma. She prioritises deep listening, emotional safety and authentic connection within the counselling relationship. She empowers her clients by helping them enhance self-awareness and understand their process in relation to others and their world. She appreciates that coming to counselling takes courage. Annie enjoys her leadlight projects, swims in the ocean all year round and prioritises her family and friends. 

GRACE BRENNAN

Social Worker & Client Liaison

Grace completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Edith Cowan University in 2021 and is a current member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Gaining a Diploma of Remedial Massage in 2008, she also has years of experience in holistic health and wellness, working for a number of multi-modality clinics and running her own business from home before coming to South West Counselling. Grace grew up in the South West and is passionate about mental health and local issues, whilst working from a practice framework that considers wider systemic factors. Through advocacy and her strengths-based approach, Grace works with all clients to provide support and aims to create positive and meaningful change in our community. Grace lives in Dunsborough with her husband and they both love to enjoy the down south backyard that they call home.

SHARN THOMPSON

Administration Support

Sharn is part of our administration team and has a strong background in education and special needs students. Originally from the Hunter Valley, NSW she and her husband have grown two children, partnered a construction business and have lived in this beautiful corner of the world for many years. Sharn is committed to supporting people with all their differences to live well in our community, and believes in finding joy in the simple things, like shoes and ice cream.

HARRY THE DOG

Dr Harry!

Harry has been at SWCI since April 2016 when he was 10 weeks old. Harry’s role is to greet clients at the Busselton office and provide support. It really is a win for Harry as this support invariably means he receives cuddles and scratches, so he is always enthusiastic about his job. He sleeps a lot, loves his morning Milk Arrowroot biscuit and is a great distraction if anyone, including staff members, is having a challenging day.