About Us

At Live Well Counselling, our mission is to provide a compassionate, professional, and evidence-based approach to mental health and emotional well-being. We are a team of dedicated and highly trained therapists, committed to guiding individuals, couples, and families through life’s challenges with empathy and expertise.

Our counsellors utilise a range of therapeutic modalities and focused psychological strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. We specialise in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is particularly effective in helping individuals to process traumatic experiences, reduce emotional distress, and regain control over their lives.

We believe that healing is a collaborative process, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team strives to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their feelings, build resilience, and work towards personal growth. At Live Well Counselling, we are dedicated to empowering our clients to live their best lives – emotionally, mentally, and relationally.

A Team of Professionals

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Angela Powell

Director

BA, BSW, MSc, MAASW (Acc), AMHSW
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker,
Counsellor & ICF Accredited Coach

Angela Powell is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 30 years of experience specialising in trauma counselling, university teaching and cClinical and Professional Supervision in Australia and the USA.

She is a co-author of the RREAL Supervision Model (2025), a framework designed for human service workers, social workers and allied health professionals to enhance reflective practice, resilience, and ethical leadership in professional supervision.

Angela’s expertise spans trauma-focused therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), alongside tailored psychological strategies for individuals and groups in high-stress environments.

Angela has provided counselling and Clinical and Professional Supervision in a range of health care, trauma response and helping settings and is genuine and passionate about the empowerment of others to reach their full potential in life.

Areas of expertise include working in the areas of trauma, sexual violence, grief and loss, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue management, work/life balance, resilience, workplace resilience, psychological safety in the workplace, anxiety and depression.

As the Master Trainer in Trauma for the Working with Resilience Consortium and Director of Live Well Counselling & Consulting, Angela guides organisations in fostering resilience and psychological safety through individual and group supervision and training workshops.

Committed to professional development, Her evidence-based, client-centred approach empowers individuals and organisations to build resilience, promote ethical practice, and sustain well-being. Angela is also an internationally certified Compassion Fatigue Therapist and Educator and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, USA.

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Sophie Diamandi

Social Worker and Counsellor

PhD candidate, M Soc Sc, B Soc Admin, BA, MAASW

Sophie Diamandi is a qualified social worker with more than 30 years’ experience as a counsellor, consultant, mentor and social work academic at a variety of universities. She has practiced in a variety of settings including mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, working with children, youth and families, older persons, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, relationship challenges, and those who live with a disability.

Sophie is highly skilled in providing ongoing support and counselling for those ready to explore challenges and to take charge of their life again and with those ready to work towards strategically planning goals. Sophie also provides professional clinical supervision and specialises in the area of cultural supervision.

Email: sophie@livewellcounselling.com.au

Hoa Nguyen

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Counsellor

BA (Psychology), BSW, MAASW (Acc), AMHSW

Hoa has worked in the field of social work for over 20 years. She is a bilingual woman who possesses exceptional clinical experience where she has provided counselling and clinical supervision in a range of health care and trauma response settings. Hoa’s areas of expertise include working with people who have experienced trauma, sexual violence and abuse, loss and grief, anxiety, depression, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue management. Hoa is genuine, respectful, and committed in empowering others to achieve healing and reach their fullest potential.

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Lauren Gesti

Social Worker, EAP Counsellor, and RREAL Accredited Supervisor

BSW

Lauren Gesti has over 18 years of experience as a social worker with a strong background in corrections, child and family services, and employment services. She specialises in supporting individuals through life and work transitional phases, addressing mental health challenges, and navigating personal and professional difficulties. Lauren offers Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling and coaching where she draws on her extensive human services expertise and counselling experience to provide evidence-based, client-centred support to foster resilience and well-being.

As a dedicated advocate for professional development in the sector and a RREAL Accredited Supervisor, Lauren offers professional supervision for social workers and human service professionals, ensuring a structured and reflective approach that enhances professional growth, clear reflective practice and work wellbeing.

In addition to her work in direct practice, Lauren contributes to the academic community as a sessional tutor at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Her passion for education and mentorship underscores her commitment to shaping the next generation of social workers.

Lauren’s diverse experience, compassionate approach, and dedication to ethical and effective practice make her a highly regarded and a valuable contributor to the Live Well team.

Lisa Coulthard

EAP Aboriginal Counselling Services

Lisa Coulthard is a kind and strong Adnyamathanha woman originating from the Northern Flinders Ranges, SA who has been professionally employed in Australia, Cuba and the U.S.A. in the public government and private sectors. Lisa has achieved or exceeded performance expectations in roles where functional responsibility has included human resource management, family violence, sexual assault & crisis support and intervention, case management, cultural consultations, teaching and service provider roles.

Lisa has worked full time across both non-government and SA Govt agencies spending over 17 years in SA Health and the Department of Child Protection providing counselling support to Aboriginal clients and giving an Aboriginal voice in practice at several organisational levels.

Culturally specific services offered by Lisa are as follows:

Individual support:

EAP Counselling for Aboriginal people
Support for Aboriginal people who might be struggling with identity for various personal reasons – includes help to connect to culture and self-determination.
Support for Aboriginal people wishing to build resilience and protection against racism in the workplace and/or community.

Organisational/agency support:

For agencies to learn how to nurture Aboriginal workforce to learn how to be an ‘Employer of Choice’ for Aboriginal people Lisa works in partnership with the Live Well team to provide culturally specific workshop services on request.

Lenni O-Dea

Practice Manager

Lenni is our dedicated Practice Manager at Live Well. Lenni leads with empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence. With a deep passion for fostering a supportive and efficient environment, Lenni ensures that both our staff and clients receive the highest level of care and service. Her ability to balance operational excellence with compassionate support makes her an invaluable part of the team. Whether streamlining processes, addressing client needs, or supporting the team, Lenni’s focus is always on maintaining the integrity and warmth that define Live Well.

Beyond her professional role, Lenni is a devoted wife and mother of two sons and expertly manages the demands of balancing family life and a thriving career, bringing that same understanding and adaptability into her work.

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