ABACUS combines over 80 years of experience in specialist addictions counselling. In addition the team offers extensive experience in supervision, management and lecturing in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Alison Penfold
Director
M.HSc (Auckland), BSW, PG Dip HSc, PGPC, MANZASW
Alison is a social worker who has worked in counselling and management positions in the addictions field in New Zealand and the UK, over the past 23 years. She has also trained in supervision, individual and group psychotherapy, and has a particular interest in the development of Professional Supervision in organisations. Alison’s role in Abacus is HR and contract management, as well as supervision, and training throughout New Zealand. |
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Mary Anne Cooke
Director
MSW, BA, Dip. Addiction Studies, MANZASW
Mary Anne has academic training in clinical social work at a Masters level and specialises in treatment, management, clinical/professional supervision, training and research for addiction based issues. Her work expertise originates from Canada and she regularly presents nationally and internationally on project work |
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Mike Goulding
Director
M.HSc (Otago), RPN, PG Dip HSc, CCPC, Cert Addictions
Originally a trained psychiatric nurse, Mike has counselled, managed and trained in addictions since 1985. With interests in clinical supervision, violence and de-escalation issues, he has applied these to his work with practitioners and in training situations. As training manager for Abacus, Mike is responsible for development of training programmes, and assists in training throughout Aotearoa. |
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Dr. Sean Sullivan
Director
PhD (University of Auckland), MA (Hons), LLB, DipSocSci, Registered Psychologist
Sean is a registered psychologist who has specialised in the field of problem gambling. His doctorate from General Practice at the School of Medicine, University of Auckland, included the development of the EIGHT gambling screen. His interests include research, although he maintains a counselling caseload addressing anxiety, depression, and a range of addictions. |
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Lee Revell
Operations Manager
Lee has a sound background in administration and management. She has led the administration team since 2006 and as ABACUS has evolved so has the scope of her position. Lee heads our administration team and assists the Directors with the overall operation of the office. |
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Gail Sayegh
Administration Assistant & Training Support
Gail has a strong customer services background and has worked in both the retail and hospitality industries. She provides training support for the many and varied training workshops that ABACUS provide. Gail is responsible for the production and collation of ABACUS resources. |
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Paul Luker
Communications & Contract Support
Paul has a background in Print, Web Design, IT, and the Arts. He is responsible for the design of ABACUS resources including the development and maintenance of our web site. He is the first point of contact at ABACUS, and is also responsible for overseeing our nationwide ACC Professional Supervision Contract. |
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Sharlene Wong
Projects Co-ordinator
PGCertHSc, GDipPsythpy, MNZAC
Sharlene is Chinese and was born in New Zealand. Her interest in counselling began at Lifeline; this was followed by training in psychotherapy at Auckland’s AUT. Sharlene‘s interests lie in parenting challenges, couples relationship issues, cultural issues and the addictions field. Her involvement in the addictions area includes face-to-face counselling, telephone counselling, quality assurance, health promotion, clinical supervision, team leader and trainer/educator roles. Sharlene also has experience as a professional supervisor. |
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Peter Thorburn
Consumer Representative & Educator
Peter has been in the AOD field as a consumer for more than 20 years. In 2006 Peter completed a Certificate in Social Services, he has since gone on to become a counsellor. Peter has a passion for educating youth with AOD issues and empowering consumers of AOD to make a change. |
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Pam Armstrong
Projects Consultant
NgatiWai, Ngati Whatua, Ngapuhi
Pam has been involved in the Addictions and Mental Health sectors for over 15 years and during this time has worked for Iwi services, NGO’s, DHB’s and tertiary institutions in a variety of roles including practitioner, educator, manager and project leader. She has a passion for workforce development including Maori leadership in the sector. |
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Pesio Ah-Honi Siitia
Projects Consultant
Pesio is Samoan born with a background in community development and community training. She has had 18 years experience in working with Pacific communities in particular in the areas of training, community education and health promotion. For the past 6 years, she has worked extensively with Pacific communities to address the impacts of problem gambling. As a trainer for Abacus, Pesio is responsible for developing and delivering training programs to Pacific organisations and community groups. |
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