Our Team

Founder – Ms Christina Self BSc, MM (HRM), Cert IV TAE, Resus. Reiki I

Founding Red Ginger Wellness is a dream come true. I have always had a passion for health and helping others. I have worked in community and corporate health service delivery for more than 20 years as an Exercise Physiologist, Personal Trainer, Corporate Health Consultant, Youth Health Program Manager, Sexuality Educator and CPR Trainer. I am currently studying a Graduate Diploma in Sexology at Curtin University and am a member of the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS), the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA), the Australian Association for Adolescent Health (AAAH), and Business Women Australia (BWA). I am also a contributing author on www.drjoetoday.com.

My ongoing commitment is to develop creative, engaging and educational programs to share key health messages with others. I believe that with true understanding and motivation comes positive behaviour change, leading to overall happiness and well-being.

To find out more about Christina, email her at Christina.Self@redginger.net.au.

Advisor – Dr Joe Kosterich M.B.S.S

Author, speaker, doctor and health industry consultant, I want you to be healthy and get the most out of life. I am the author of three books, the most recent being 60 Minutes to Better Health, and can be seen on Channel 9, heard regularly on radio and am a health ambassador for locally grown fresh potatoes. I write for Medical Observer magazine, sit on the advisory panel of Prevention Magazine, and am assistant clinical editor of Medical Forum.

I have written for numerous medical and mainstream publications and websites, and I am regularly sought for comment by the media. I give motivational and practical health talks for the general public and corporations on how to look and feel better. I publish a newsletter and maintain a website and blog with information and commentary.

Previously I have held senior positions in the Australian Medical Association and have sat on numerous industry and government boards. I have extensive corporate experience in the setting up and management of medical centres and in helping businesses maintain a healthy workforce. I also continue to see patients each week in general practice.

To find out more about Dr Joe, visit www.drjoe.net.au

Advisor – Mrs Natalie McCormack GrCertBus, MBA, GAICD, Reiki I

I am passionate about the corporate governance of health and have been working in the field for over 20 years, holding senior management positions across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors for 15 of these.

As a mother of three, and having worked across both youth and mental health, I have seen the value of a holistic approach, the importance of help seeking, and the favourable outcomes that can ensue in the right environment.

To find out more about Natalie, email her at we3mccormack@hotmail.com.

Clinical Psychologist – Ms Maddalena Torre MPsych (Clinical), MAPS

I am a clinical psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience. I have worked with all age groups, in public and private inpatient, outpatient and community settings. I have an interest in women's health and in working with young people. My key drive in the work I do is to help people to have the happiest and most fulfilled lives possible - by promoting self-development, esteem and empowerment, and moving away from unnecessary and unhelpful negative thoughts, behaviours and contexts.

To find out more about Maddalena, email her at mtorrepsych@gmail.com.

Educational and Developmental Psychologist – Carla Crossman MPsych (Educational and Developmental), MAPS, DipEd

I am an Endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Teacher. I am passionate about raising the awareness of youth mental health, and helping young people increase their own wellbeing and resilience. I have over 15 years experience working with young people through teaching, sports coaching, individual and group therapy and delivering workshops. I am a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Association of Contextual and Behavioural Science (ACBS) and the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists (CEDP).

I believe in using a strengths based approach to help people find their Spark through identifying what is important and meaningful to them and use this to inspire and motivate positive change in their life, while also teaching skills and strategies to help tackle the challenges of life.

To find out more about Carla, email her at SparkforLifePscyhology@gmail.com.

Art Therapist and Wellness Coach– Ms Claire Guild BA (Comm), Dip. Nurs., MA (MH), AThR

I am a trained Art Therapist, Wellness Coach and Clinical Nurse Specialist with a Masters in Mental Health. I am passionate about the use of art and creativity to express our experiences and increase our self-understanding, health and sense of wellbeing. I support people to find connection to themselves and to create a life that reflects their truest and highest expression. I have extensive experience developing and running individual and group art therapy programs for children, adolescents and adults within government and non-government services. I am also founder of The Well-Being Creative, a holistic wellness based service for women, and co-founder of Perth Equine & Art Therapy, a psychotherapeutic learning program for children and adolescents with social and emotional issues.

To find out more about Claire, visit The Well-Being Creative and Perth Equine Art & Therapy.

Art Therapist – Ms Jennifer Jamieson BA Hons (First Class), MA (ATh), AThR

I am a registered Art Therapist and Counsellor who has worked extensively with young people, and children in care who have been removed from their families. I have also worked with adults in mental health settings and recently began a private practice - Dance of Life. I graduated from ECU with a Masters in Art Therapy and am a professional member of ANZATA. I have worked in non-government organisations as well as locum positions in hospitals, and have experience lecturing in digital video at university. I am a practicing performance artist, as well as a professional member of Perth Playback Theatre.

I value the power of relationship and believe that respectful relationships have a profound and positive effect on all of us.

To find out more about Jennifer, visit her ANZATA Professional Profile.

Art Therapist – Ms Mary Anne Taylor BA(VA) Dip.ED MA(ATh) AThR

I am a woman, a mother, an artist, collector of stories, images and experiences and also an art therapist with almost 15 years’ experience working with children and their parents. I also work in our family business, the Ging Mo Academy, teaching martial arts with a leadership focus. I believe in the power of art as healing conversation. Allowing individuals to create in response to events and experience supports their own self-knowledge to grow and change. I am also passionate about the attachment between parent and child. As a licensed facilitator of Circle of Security Parenting^©, I am able to use this incredible tool to support parents to discover a map of their child’s needs and support their discovery of understanding those needs.

To find out more about Mary Anne, visit her at www.gingmo.com.au.

Art Therapist – Ms Ruth Weaver BA Nurs., MA (MH), AThR

I have the good fortune to work both as an Arts Therapist and as a Registered Nurse. I am passionate about health and well-being, my career spanning more than 30 years in the private and government sector. The real creative work for me is through the arts, where my passion can be unleashed in facilitating clients through personal change and self-discovery in a safe, nurturing and professional environment.

I have run various art therapy groups and individual settings involving adults with cancer, adolescents, aged care, mental health and those affected by brain injuries. I have also worked in the community with children and their parents involving drug and alcohol issues.

I am the author of a children’s book “The Magical Labyrinth”. I have a keen interest in the tool of the Labyrinth and Mandala as a profound, transformative exercise used in art therapy to promote a deeper awareness in the individual.

To find out more about Ruth, visit her ANZATA Professional Profile.

Creative Writer, Youth Program Facilitator and Mentor – Ms Lucy Margaret BA (Creative Writing & Professional Writing and Publishing)

I am a creative and experimental writer with a degree in Professional Writing & Publishing and Creative Writing. Throughout my life I have used writing as a tool for self-exploration and an emotional and mental outlet. As a young adult I was personally involved with therapy programs, and I have a first-hand understanding of the challenges facing our youth in modern society. A strong relationship with language and writing is imperative to our emotional and mental wellbeing, and I am passionate about teaching young people to use the written word to self-explore, manage mental health, and negotiate life’s obstacles as they grow.

To find out more about Lucy, email her at lpallettjones@gmail.com.

Videographer, Youth Program Facilitator and Mentor – Ms Hannah Matthes

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Film and English and Creative Writing. I enjoy drawing, writing, going to the theatre, playing guitar and piano and making movies. Art has always been a huge part in my life.

I have engaged with the art therapy process personally and enjoy it immensely. It was a wonderful way to meet people in a happy environment, and with each session I attended I felt better and better. For this reason I want to help young people express their feelings through creative expression as it is something that everybody can do and enjoy.

To find out more about Hannah, email her at hannahmatthes3@yahoo.com.au.

Youth Program Facilitator and Mentor – Ms Chloe Grimes BEd (Pri)

I have completed a Bachelor of Education in Primary School Teaching with an Arts specialist. I have always had a passion for the arts and have been a dance and music teacher for the past 8 years.

I love working with children as I believe we, as teachers, care givers, and significant adult figures in their lives, have a great responsibility in shaping what sort of person they will become. This is why I think it is so important to give them the opportunity to discover themselves, be it artistically or otherwise, and I believe a therapeutic setting is perfect for that.

I found art therapy when I was a late teen and absolutely loved it. It was such a great way to express myself, and even though I never really thought of myself as an “artsy” person, I still benefitted from it tremendously. I want to be able to give children that same experience I had, and to be able to watch them grow throughout the journey.

To find out more about Chloe, email her at chloe.grimes26@yahoo.com.

Youth Program Facilitator – Ms Jordina Quain BA (Performance Studies), GrDipSx

I am a Bachelor of Arts (Performance Studies) graduate who has also completed a Graduate Diploma of Sexology at Curtin University. I am currently studying a Masters in Public Health. I have experience as a peer sexuality educator through the WA Aids Council, training from the Society of Australian Sexologists, Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships, the Department of Health WA, Sexual and Reproductive Health WA, the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia, Safe Schools Coalition WA and John Curtin Leadership Academy.

Human behaviour is the connecting factor between these degrees, something that has always fascinated me. I am extremely passionate about positive social change and the power of community. I hope to work as a Sexuality and Relationships educator for all ages, with a rural/remote focus.

To find out more about Jordina, email her at Jordina.Quain@redginger.net.au.

Chef & Youth Program Facilitator – Yvonne Silvi Cert lll Comm Cook, Cert IV Prop Serv, Cert IV TAE

I have been a fully qualified chef for over ten years, working both here in Perth and internationally. I am a qualified trainer and assessor, currently studying a degree in Nutritional Medicine & Dietetics at Endeavour Health and also managing a team at a healthy living chain of restaurants.

I have a passion for healthy cooking and encouraging our young people to make smarter food choices, as well as spreading the message that good nutrition is the basis for all health and happiness.

To find out more about Vonni, email her at y.silvi@hotmail.com.

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