Our Directors

Amanda Marston (above) began her professional counselling career working in women’s crisis centres in the UK during the 1990s, before migrating to Western Australia in 2006 where she continued practising in Perth, including regular FIFO to remote Western Australia. In 2015, Amanda relocated to central Australia as Regional Manager for a Territory EAP Provider before establishing her own practice, Desert Minds Pty Ltd, in May 2020.

Amanda's Qualifications: Psychotherapist (HNDip UK, ACA reg.), Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) Trauma Therapist (EMDRAA reg.), AMDRAS Mediator (reg. Resolution Institute), Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (AGD reg.),and Trainer (Cert IV T&A).

Sivan Debeljakovic (left) has a long career in marketing, design, and communications in WA, Victoria, NSW and the NT, and today is Desert Minds' Business Manager.

Sivan has worked in private enterprise, not-for-profit, and government sectors, and today manages the practice’s administration, governance, and compliance requirements.

Our Practice Team

Desert Minds Pty Ltd is located in Central Australia, for Central Australians

Each member of our Practice Team is a resident of central Australia, and so truly understands the unique challenges faced by all that live and work here – our shared knowledge and local insights serve to set us apart in delivering the best possible client care. We are here to support those who support others.

MEGAN GARDNER, Counsellor

Megan Gardner has long experience in working with school-aged children and youth, and utilises a strengths-based approach that encourages self-empowerment through upskilling. Megan is moving on from Desert Minds at the end of February 2026 to focus on her child therapy-focused practice, Journey Therapies: megang@journeytherapies.org

Not accepting new clients at this time.

  • Australian Counselling Association Reg. #25816
  • Graduate Diploma of Counselling – Child, Youth and Family Therapy
  • Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
  • Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention
  • Certificate Solution-focused Therapy

HELLEN WEBSTER, Mental Health Social Worker

Hellen has a person-centred, solution-focused approach to client care. She specialises in complex & vicarious trauma, child-protection and the justice system, and relationship & couples counselling. Available for in-person appointments on Thursdays and Fridays via the EAP Portal.

  • Australian Association of Social Workers Reg. #476266
  • Bachelor of Social Work, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MBS-registered, can accept GP-MHCPs)
  • Grad. Diploma Counselling
  • Grad. Diploma in Somatic Dance Movement Therapy
  • Schema Therapy
  • EMDR Therapist (Adults & Children)

SIMRAN KAUR, Counsellor

Simran is an experienced Counsellor, specialising in complex trauma, NDIS, and addictions. Available for in-person appointments on Fridays via the EAP Portal. Not available for Telehealth sessions, or couples counselling.

  • Australian Counselling Association Reg. #13841
  • Master of Psychology (India)
  • EMDR Therapist

NIKKI McCOY, Counsellor

Nikki is a long-term central Australian who has for many years provided counselling support for clients experiencing trauma, FDSV and addiction, as well as providing group counselling programs for clients within the judicial system. As a qualified EMDR Trauma Therapist, Nikki is a member of our Critical Incident Services support team. Not available for online bookings. Available for in-person sessions on Tuesdays only – please call Admin: 0499 898 332.

  • Senior Clinician, Master of Counselling
  • Certified EMDR Trauma Practitioner (EMDRAA)
  • Accredited Psychodramatist (AANZPA)
  • BA (Linguistics), DipEd, Grad Cert AOD, Grad Dip Creative Arts Therapy
  • Accredited Supervisor (ACACS)