Founder/Director

Debbie has been working with children, adolescents and their families for the past 12 years. She specialises in working with trauma and sexual abuse survivors across various cultural groups and religious backgrounds with the aim of breaking the abuse cycle.

Previously Debbie worked in Western Sydney as a child sexual assault counsellor and also in her own private practice ‘Ladybug Counselling‘ in Bondi Junction. At Ladybug, Debbie works from a holistic approach and uses an indirect client centred process that follows the individuals lead. When needed, she will direct the session using a variety of directive play approaches, expressive therapy approaches and or talk therapy.

In the past 6 years, together with Brett Anderson of Energetic Arts, Debbie led the creation of ‘Camp Kiah‘, a therapeutic school holiday camp and respite program, which has seen great success in supporting numerous children and adolescents.

In 2014, Debbie went on to create Treehouse Innovative Families – a therapeutic, residential, out-of-home-care program for children and young people who have experienced trauma, neglect and abuse.

CEO

Will has been working with youth as a qualified high school teacher for over eight years in Sydney, Tanzania and London.

He sat on the Sydney University Alumni Council as the education representative after restarting the Education and Social Work Society and taking on the role of President.

Trained professionally as a ski instructor, Will ignited his passion for outdoor education in Switzerland and subsequently has been running outdoor therapeutic wilderness camps in New South Wales.

Previously working for Create Foundation, Will worked as a senior program coordinator, delivering training to Family and Community Services and non-government organisation employees on the upcoming National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) roll out. At the same time, Will ran multiple workshops with young people throughout New South Wales on the topic of youth empowerment and leadership.

Bachelor of Education (Hons) / Bachelor of Arts

OOHC Operations Manager

Natalie, our Operations Manager at Treehouse, with over a decade of dedicated service in the social and community sector. Natalie's professional journey spans government and non-government agencies, where she specialised in Out of Home Care, Child Protection, and case management. Now, at Treehouse, Natalie oversees our operational strategy, guiding our area managers to ensure seamless operations across all aspects of our organisation. Her profound industry knowledge and leadership drive our mission forward, making a lasting impact on our community.

Human Resources Manager

With extensive experience and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, Chelsea is a seasoned leader in HR. She excels in communication, recruitment, data analysis, and innovative HR marketing strategies. Chelsea's insights drive informed decision-making, enhancing our team's cohesion and performance. Beyond her role, Chelsea is actively involved in mental health awareness initiatives, reflecting her commitment to positive impact both professionally and personally. Chelsea brings invaluable expertise and passion to our workplace.

Financial Controller

Elan is our esteemed Financial Controller at Treehouse. Elan is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and extensive experience specialising in not for profit organisations. Originally from South Africa, Elan brings a unique blend of professional expertise and a commitment to making a positive impact to our team. He emphasises the importance of meticulous financial practices and adherence to protocols. Elan's focus on detail ensures accuracy and compliance, essential for our organisation's success.

Learning and Development Coordinator

Alice is our dedicated Learning and Development Coordinator at Treehouse. With over 10 years of experience in Community Services, Alice brings a wealth of expertise to our team. She leads our learning and development platform, overseeing ongoing training initiatives that empower our staff and enhance organisational effectiveness. Alice's deep understanding of community services and commitment to professional growth ensures that our team receives comprehensive support and development opportunities. Her leadership in learning and development plays a pivotal role in advancing our mission and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.