Deaf Health Staff & Volunteers

Karli is the Director of Karli Health Centre Pty Ltd. She works as a clinical counsellor and a yoga therapist in individual and group sessions. As well as this, she is a supervisor for her staff and work placement students.

She has a MA degree in Mental Health Counselling from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., USA attained in 1998 as well as a BA in psychology and developmental drama in 1996. She also completed a foundation certificate in family therapy (London, UK) in 2000. Karli is a member (Level 4) of the Australian Counselling Association and is a Senior Yoga teacher/member with Yoga Australia.

Karli has extensive experience working with Deaf children and adults with various additional needs since 1998, both overseas and in Australia. Karli is also a volunteer in advocating in the areas of Deaf Mental Health, by networking and partnering with other organisations. In 2019, she researched the term Deaf Trauma via Google (Anderson 2016) and raised it with her Deaf Mental Health volunteer team. She had noted the six unique Deaf traumas in her work with both past and current clients. For more information about Deaf Trauma, please visit https://deafmentalhealth.com.au

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, relaxing, meditating, walking, swimming and, of course, yoga and spending time with her family and friends.

Irene is a Deaf registered Counsellor and Yoga Therapist/Art Therapist. She believes everyone has the desire and the capacity to grow towards fulfilling their full potential and that they are the experts of their own lives. Irene works with the client through empowerment, positive change and strength based/person centered approach. She offers confidential, non-judgemental, culturally appropriate, and holistic support through counselling, wellbeing programs including art and yoga therapies.

Irene is also a multidisciplinary artist where her works have been shown at galleries, festivals, and performances. She has had extensive experience working in Deaf education, early intervention, advocacy, and Deaf arts. She is passionate about teaching the art of creativity, mindfulness, and simplicity and exploring ways to enhance our quality of life, wellness, self-development, and relationships.

Leesa provides compassionate recovery and well-being support to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing clients at KHC. Her holistic approach combines talk therapy, rehabilitation, mindfulness, meditation, and other therapeutic services tailored to your needs.

With Leesa, you’ll develop practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety, improving daily living and self-care, and fostering a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Clients often describe feeling uplifted and empowered after their sessions with Leesa, experiencing both immediate relief and lasting positive change. She is dedicated to helping you build confidence and take meaningful steps toward your personal goals.

Appointments are available online for clients across Australia, in both Auslan and English, whether you are NDIS-funded or self-funded.

Passionate about her work in Deaf mental health, Leesa is deeply grateful to be living her purpose, sharing her vast experience, knowledge and expertise in supporting the Deaf community with care and respect.

Natalie is passionate about working with young children and adolescents as she believes that starting with a good foundation of mental and emotional health at a young age will lead to a good and stable lifestyle. Natalie has volunteered her time yearly as a deaf mentor at her local primary school and camp, working with deaf and hard of hearing students from grades 4 to 6.

Natalie completed her Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Psychology and Psychophysiology at Swinburne University of Technology in 2023. She volunteers for Deaf Mental Health Fund – link: https://deafmentalhealth.com.au

In her free time, she enjoys reading fictional books of various genres along with listening to music.

Gabby previously worked in hospitality, retail, customer service, and office admin, before starting her Auslan journey. She originally joined Karli Health Centre as an Admin Support in 2020 and completed her Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work in 2023, allowing her now to combine her two favourite passions: Auslan and mental health. She is now a Therapy Assistant at Karli Health Centre.

She also has certificates in Business Administration and Finance and is currently enjoying studying for her Diploma of Auslan at Melbourne Polytechnic.

In her spare time she enjoys going out to cafes, bullet journaling, and pet time.

Pam has brought a wealth of finance experience to KHC since commencing with us in late 2022. She has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Accountancy. She obtained her Chartered Accountancy qualification through one of the Big Four accounting firms and is a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). She had worked extensively for public accounting firms – small, medium and large – in a variety of roles in Melbourne and Sydney.

She is a life member of Deaf Victoria, is keenly involved in Deaf groups, and volunteers with the Deaf Mental Health Fund.

She enjoys keeping fit, swimming and travelling, having toured extensively in Europe, UK, USA, South America, Asia, and Africa.