(08) 9754 2052 [email protected]

SOUTH WEST COUNSELLING SERVICE

Our Team

MAKE A BOOKING

The South West
Counselling Team

We bring a wealth of experience as well as a desire to serve and a passion for what we do. Every member brings their own unique skill and knowledge set to provide the very best of care for our clients.

In Loving Memory: Karen Sommerville

Chief Executive Officer, 2012 – 2025 

Karen served as the CEO of South West Counselling from 2012 until her passing in 2025. A visionary leader and compassionate advocate, she was foundational in shaping the organisation into the vital community service it is today. 

Under her leadership, South West Counselling experienced significant growth—expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and ensuring that services remained affordable, inclusive, and driven by compassion. Her unwavering commitment to dignity, equity, and accessibility set the tone for everything the organisation stands for. 

Karen was more than a leader—she was an inspiration. She empowered everyone she worked with, fostering a workplace culture built on trust, collaboration, and care. Clients and colleagues alike found strength in her belief in people, her calm determination, and her genuine kindness. 

Her legacy lives on in every life touched by the work of South West Counselling, and in the hearts of those privileged to have known her. 

She is deeply missed.

 

Shantell McClenaughan

CEO

Shantell brings clinical expertise and a strong community focus to the CEO role.  With a Master of Counselling and Level 4 membership with the Australian Counselling Association, she has supported children, teens, individuals and couples as a counsellor, and previously led the team as Clinical Coordinator. 

Before joining the organisation, she worked in State Government in community education and policy, and in Local Government in community development – giving her a well-rounded understanding of the needs and strengths of local communities. 

Shantell is passionate about continuing the compassionate, inclusive work of her mentor and predecessor, Karen Sommerville.  She leads with heart, keeps the mission front and centre, and ensures the organisation stays grounded in the real-life needs of the people it serves. 

Bev Atkinson

Service Manager

Bev joined South West Counselling in 2009 and brings over 20 years of experience in the social services sector, beginning her career as a Graduate Research Assistant in 1989. With a background in economics and marketing, she previously ran small businesses, raised a busy household, and fully embraced the South West lifestyle. As Service Manager, Bev leads the day-to-day operations of the clinic, supports the team, and ensures clients experience a welcoming, well-run service. She’s passionate about community connection, cold water swimming, and is currently studying a Diploma of Counselling to deepen her understanding of the meaningful work happening in the counselling room.

Renae Deness

Client Services Coordinator

Renae brings a strong background in Administration and Management, combined with a genuine passion for supporting others’ well-being, making her a natural fit for the Client Services Team at South West Counselling. Based in Busselton, she enjoys life with her two teenagers, a cat, and a dog, embracing all that the region has to offer. As Client Services Co-ordinator, Renae is known for being efficient, compassionate, approachable and fun —qualities that help create a welcoming and supportive environment for clients and staff alike.

Kate Mitchell

Clinical Coordinator

Kate lives in the South West with her husband, staffy and now grown children. She has brought her background in health to the counselling space, where she combines her natural curiosity with an open-minded approach. Her person-centered style means clients are supported in a non-judgmental space where they can gently explore their way through the unique situations and challenges that have brought them to counselling. Kate uses a variety of therapeutic approaches in her counselling practice of which Emotion-Focused Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are just a few. She has completed her Masters in Counselling and currently sees families, couples and individuals. 

Renate Best

Clinical Psychologist

Renate’s qualifications include MPsy(Clin)  BPsySc(H1)  GradDipPsySc and AdvDipMidwifery(Germany).

Renate has experience working across the lifespan with a wide range of presentations. She works therapeutically with young people 16+, adults, and couples.

She uses a holistic approach in developing treatment to promote meaningful change. Renate draws upon a range of modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion-focused Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Compassion-focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and attachment-based interventions.  Additionally, Renate incorporates somatic approaches, such as mindfulness and EMDR.

Debbie George

Counsellor

Debbie has been working in the human services sector for over 25 years and is passionate about supporting people confronting challenges.

 Debbie is a Gestalt-trained therapist who has held various roles, resulting in her now possessing comprehensive knowledge and skills across this field. Debbie has worked in services including youth, drug and alcohol, homelessness, family and domestic violence, and support for women transitioning from prison. 

Annie West

Counsellor

Annie is a Gestalt Therapy Practitioner with a Master of Counselling a B. Ed and a Dip. Nursing.

A secure therapeutic alliance is central to her counselling practice. Her approach is holistic, client-centred and trauma informed. She enjoys supporting clients to manage and understand difficult trauma related issues. Annie is also able to help couples work through relationship problems.  

Ellen Lahti

Counsellor

Ellen is an ACA Level 2 Registered Counsellor who works with children, young people, and adults. She has experience working with people from various backgrounds, guiding them through a variety of challenges. She is particularly drawn to narrative therapy, valuing its focus on social context, cultural influences, and the transformative power of re-authoring personal stories to overcome challenges and lead more fulfilling lives. Ellen has a background in school settings and early intervention programs, where she has supported children from diverse backgrounds facing trauma behavioural challenges. In child counselling, Ellen integrates play and art therapy to create a safe, nurturing space for healing and growth.  

Sally George

Counsellor

Sally is a qualified Counsellor with a Master’s degree in Counselling from Edith Cowan University, and a Bachelor Degree in Writing and Theatre. Her approach emphasizes the powerful connection between mind and body and helping clients build awareness and resilience to improve their mental well-being. She works with children, adolescents and adults and is passionate about creating a supportive and empathetic space where individuals can explore their challenges and move toward meaningful growth.  Sally is registered with the Australian Counselling Association. 

Jess Schuller

Counsellor

Jess has always had an interest in the mental health and disability fields, and her background in support roles within these fields has provided her with a wealth of experience and driven her to further progress her studies in counselling and psychology. Working from a person-centered perspective, Jess uses a range of modalities such as ACT, CBT, and strengths-based counselling in an integrative manner to best fit the individual she is working with. She recently completed her Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and currently works with children, young people, and individuals.

Adrian Kemp

Counsellor

Adrian holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology and is a member of the AASW. He has also spent time as a Buddhist monk and as an English teacher overseas. Adrian draws on these experiences to support clients in a flexible and compassionate way, helping them cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and their world. His therapeutic approach integrates cognitive aspects of mindfulness, self-compassion, somatic awareness and relational ways of working.
Adrian works with a diverse range of clients, from children through to adults, and has a particular interest in supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, in men’s mental health, ADHD and trauma.
Outside of counselling, Adrian enjoys surfing, running, learning languages and working with the land where he lives.

Jane Wolf

Counsellor

Jane holds a Master of Counselling from Edith Cowan University and is a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). With a background in education, including a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Studies, she brings a genuine understanding of children, families, and learning environments to her work.
Jane has worked as a primary school teacher and supported families navigating the NDIS, giving her insight into the everyday challenges people face when seeking support.
Her counselling draws on family systems and emotionally focused therapy (EFT), as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for short-term, goal-oriented work.
At South West Counselling, Jane welcomes children, teenagers, and adults in a warm, client-centred space grounded in empathy, respect, and unconditional positive regard.

Sharn Thompson

Client Services

Sharn has worked as a member of our Client Services Team for over five years. With more than 40 years of teaching experience, she brings great communication and organisational skills to her role.  Sharn enjoys the meaningful connections she forms with clients at the front desk and takes pride in providing a warm welcome to everyone who walks through our doors.  She is very happy reading a good book or bingeing a Netflix series while eating chocolate.

Deb Jones

Client Services

Deborah has worked in a diverse range of businesses – large and small –  providing Administration Management & Bookkeeping Services. She has also worked as a Support Worker under the NDIA.  She has strong interpersonal skills and brings a proactive, compassionate and team-oriented approach to her work, and providing friendly, efficient client service is something she values deeply.  Deborah lives in Margaret River and enjoys reading, gardening and catching up with friends.