The Team
The Arrow Health team are qualified and have a depth and breadth of experience in addiction treatment. Our team consists of people who are passionate about working with addicts and their families to achieve long-term, positive change and transformation.
All staff have had some sort of lived experience of addiction – either first-hand or within their families. We believe that people who have experienced these challenges are most effective in providing treatment to people still experiencing the impact of addiction.
Penny is the driving force behind the development of Arrow Health. She is a medical practitioner with over 30 years’ experience in general practice.
Despite her qualifications, she and her family were unable to avoid personal exposure to addiction and its consequences. Her son Sam was an addict.
Arrow Health gives her the opportunity to combine her medical background with the personal experience and knowledge gained over the 12 years trying to help Sam, and provide an alternative, better service for individuals and families affected by drug addiction.
With more than 10 years’ experience in addiction and treatment services, Sonny has worked in all aspects of the recovery process. He has a thorough understanding of the harms associated with alcohol, drugs and gambling and the impact of these on brain function and co-occurring mental health issues. Sonny has conducted hundreds of psychotherapy based educational groups and psychosocial assessments and is skilled in facilitating change in the life of others.
Sonny leads Arrow Health’s staff in the treatment of addiction and co-occurring mental health issues and frequents the Melbourne legal Courts to represent patients and prospective clients.
“People caught in addiction do not have many choices. I strive to provide a basis that once again creates options in their lives.”
Delivering structured educational workshops and de-escalating serious issues are especially strong assets of Sonny’s.
Sonny is a husband, a proud father of twin boys and enjoys good coffee and time on his bike.
Belinda has been registered as a practicing psychoanalyst with the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis (ACP) for twenty years and has worked in both private and public mental health settings for over thirty years.
Belinda is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a credentialed member of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN). She frequently presents lectures, papers and seminars on clinical and theoretical issues at the ACP and elsewhere. She has published various articles on psychoanalytic themes and her book on psychoanalysis applied in institutional settings, based on her PhD thesis, was published by Karnac, London in 2016.
Julie is an accredited and experienced mental health and alcohol and drug therapist trained in dual diagnosis and family therapy. Julie works primarily with families who are suffering the effects of substance abuse. She is warm, compassionate and approachable.
Julie has extensive experience working with high-risk youth, indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the public mental health system and in Nauru. Julie utilises a variety of psychological techniques and a strength-based approach and her current areas of interest include alcohol and drug addiction, family systems therapy and mental health.
Julie’s personal family experiences fuel her commitment to her work and an individualised approach to therapy.
As well as coordinating the Aftercare and Outpatient programs, Bruce works one-on-one with clients as a Counsellor and Recovery Coach. Drawing on his lived experience of addiction, he plays a key role in Arrow Health’s assisted intervention team.
Bruce’s own journey of recovery has allowed him to bring a strong commitment to helping others along the path of healing. This knowledge and experience allows him to form strong therapeutic relationships with people seeking support with addiction treatment. When not at work Bruce enjoys painting and taking his dog to the park.
Whilst undertaking her degree in social work Lindi’s interest in helping people overcome obstacles associated with addiction was piqued. Since completing her studies, she has continued to develop her understanding of addiction and the needs of individuals pre and post recovery. Lindi values and appreciates her role helping families navigate the often complicated road associated with treatment and seeking treatment. In her spare time, Lindi enjoys playing high-grade AFL football and travel.
