Our Training Facilitators

Cath has worked in the mental health sector for 22 years and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Health, which is the social model of health. Since 2015 she has been a licenced Principal Master Instructor for the Standard, Youth and Workplace suite of Mental Health First Aid courses. She is also a Life Coach and Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner specialising in women’s health and holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and has lectured at North Metro TAFE in Community Pathways program.
Cath’s commitment to community and workplace mental health has been through her extensive experience in Suicide Prevention, Health Promotion and Education, Adolescent Health, Eating Disorders and Resource Industry in Mental Health and NDIS.
In her spare time Cath likes to practice mediation and spending time in nature to create the balance of wellbeing in her work life commitments.

Elaine brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and skills to the role of facilitator at WAAMH, having over 20 years’ experience working with clients with histories of complex trauma, mental health challenges, and various co-occurring issues such as homelessness, child protection and alcohol and other drugs.
Elaine holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Youth Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Trauma Aware Education, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Elaine has been lecturing at TAFE, as well as training teachers and staff to deliver Protective Behaviours in schools across Perth Metro and regional WA since 2018.
Elaine is also currently a Group Practice Supervisor and working towards her certification in Trauma Sensitive Yoga, an evidence-based clinical treatment for complex trauma and PTSD.

Emma Boyne holds a Bachelor of Science and Post Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion and has extensive experience working in health promotion and community development programs.
Emma is a highly skilled facilitator and accredited as a Master Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor who delivers training to a wide variety of workplaces, the tertiary setting and community groups. Emma also holds Certificate IV in Training and Development and Mental Health.
More recently Emma coordinated the development of a university wide framework for mental health and wellbeing. Emma enjoys working with workplaces to build strategies that create an environment and culture that is conducive to wellbeing.

Hayley is an experienced registered Psychologist and holds a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety and is a qualified Mental Health First Aid Trainer.
Hayley draws on many years delivering psychological services, counselling and training in the public and private mental health sectors. Working directly in the community mental health sector, she has extensive skills and knowledge related to the assessment, treatment, support and advocacy of people with a mental illness.

Jo has an extensive background in mental health as a mental health nurse, educator, consultant and board member and holds a degree in Social Science and a Masters in Business Administration. She is qualified Trainer and Assessor with a Diploma in Mental Health and has 30 years of clinical practice in the mental health field, both locally and abroad.
Jo has worked and provided supervision in both the acute hospital and community setting here in Australia and overseas and she is passionate about the health of her community and loves the challenge of promoting health through innovative and evidence-based education. She has taught at Universities in Australia, Africa and Asia. Her experience of Ubuntu “I am what I am because of who we all are” underpins her commitment to positive change today particularly in the area of trauma.

Kathleen has extensive experience in mental health and community services, and has provided accredited and non accredited training at various industries, such as Lecturer at North Metro TAFE, Women’s Health Family Services (WHFS) and WAAMH. She holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and in Peer Support and Mental Health and has also delivered workshops and events to a number of different diverse groups, including peer support workers, consumers, parents and families, students, clinical psychologists.
Kathleen has over 11 years training and facilitation experience. In addition, Kathleen is extremely passionate about supporting consumers, and recognises the importance’s of reaching the heart of the community, raising diversity awareness; breaking down misconceptions, and that recovery is possible no matter your background.

Leonie specialises in wellbeing and mental health training and development for the workplace. She is focussed on improving the mental and physical health of employees, raising awareness of individual performance and providing strategies to improve focus and attention and minimise burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
Leonie delivers evidence based training and has been involved in Peer workforce development at CoMHWA for several years. Her formal qualifications include a University degree in Psychology, Cert IV TAE, Diploma of Fitness, Mental Health First Aid Instructor (MHFA) and Intentional Peer Support (IPS). She is suicide intervention trained and practiced, having volunteered at Lifeline for several years. Leonie has also been a lived experience speaker and featured in the media.

Mark has extensive experience in both the mental health and disability sectors and has provided accredited and non accredited training in both community and corporate settings. Prior to focusing on training and facilitation he oversaw the development of face to face and online peer led mental health community based support groups both in the metropolitan and regional areas of WA. Mark also has significant experience in the disability employment services sector here in Australia and as a coordinator in the UK for local government supporting individuals with disabilities to live independently within the community.
He is an accredited instructor of Standard Mental Health First Aid, Blended Online MHFA Community and also MHFA Conversations about Suicide. Mark regularly delivers these training sessions to regional communities as well as government organisations and corporate businesses. Mark is passionate about education and raising awareness around mental health issues by providing accurate evidence-based information with practical solutions. Mark has been very committed to reducing the stigma around mental health in our communities, enabling individuals to access the appropriate support they require whilst having the skills and confidence to support others in need.

Max has qualifications in Social Work (Bachelor), Teaching (Graduate Diploma) and has undertaken further formal studies in mental health (Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice). He has over 15 years experience as Senior Social Worker in child and adolescent mental health services, supporting young people experiencing severe and complex mental health problems such as eating disorders, self-harm and issues stemming from complex trauma.

Max has provided individual, group and family-based therapeutic approaches in hospital, clinic and community settings. In working with young people and their families, he is particularly interested in therapeutic approaches that emphasise the importance and power of relationships, such as narrative and systemic therapies.

Wilma has 30 years of experience in counselling and family therapy. She is a specialist torture and trauma counsellor and has worked nationally and internationally in humanitarian work in the area of human trafficking.

She holds qualifications in Counselling and Family Therapy, and Diplomas in Training Development and Design and Vocational Education and Training.

Wilma has also been involved in the design and delivery of training for multi-national learners in all aspects of mental health.

Hayley Harris is a passionate advocate and community leader with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, driven by her own lived experiences with mental health challenges.

Hayley's professional journey includes frontline support work, along with roles as a peer facilitator, trainer, and Lived Experience Lead. Beyond mental health, Hayley has experience working in disability services, aged care, and the youth sector, and was even employed as an Auslan Interpreter.

She is a Certified Personal Medicine Coach, a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Peer Supervisor. Hayley holds a Diploma on Auslan, and Certificate IV in Mental Healh. Currently, she runs her own business consulting, delivering mental health training and providing Peer Supervision to staff in Lived Experience roles. To learn more about Hayley visit her website.