Katherine's expertise

Katherine is a registered clinical family therapist with Australia's peak family therapy body AAFT. The requirements for this credentialling include 250 hours of training, 500 hours of family therapy practice post training, 50 hours of supervision with an AAFT accredited supervisor following the training period and 5 hours of direct/live supervision working clinically. Membership is then assessed by AAFT and includes supervisory reports. The training and requirements for this credential are thorough and rigorous upholding the highest standards of certification for a family therapist in Australia. 

Katherine has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to learning and study. Qualifying in her undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours (University of Newcastle) in 2007. Katherine then completed a Grad Diploma in International Development (Flinders University) pursuing in interest in addressing poverty. Katherine then went on to study a double Master's Degree in Public Health and Health Management through UNSW graduating in 2018 pursuing an interest in the quality of service provision and service design for vulnerable populations. In 2019 Katherine pursued an interest in the health impacts of relationships studying with the AAFT accredited training institute, the Family Systems Insitute in Sydney completing the Advanced Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy. 

In 2023 and 2024 Katherine worked as a casual academic in the Social Work Department at the University of Newcastle. In 2024 Katherine was appointed to Associate Faculty with the Family Systems Insitute (FSI) in Sydney. In 2025 Katherine stepped into lead Faculty with the FSI in the Post Graduate training program taking on responsibility for curriculum development and delivery of the post graduate training program at the FSI. In 2024 Katherine co-authored an article in the peer reviewed ANZJFT titled “Intimate partner violence and Bowen family systems theory: promoting safety and expanding capacity of families” with Amie Post, Executive Director of the Center for Family Systems Theory, Western New York and Bowen Centre Faculty member (USA). This paper explored the opportunities and risks in working with the family as a unit where there are patterns of family violence perpetration and harm.  

In 2025 Katherine was one of the keynote speakers at the annual Family Systems Insitute Conference co presenting with Barbara Fraser on Conflict in relationships and the emotional processes at play in families when family law is involved: how BFST thinking and clinical practice is a good fit. Katherine is involved in teaching roles within the Family Systems Insitute and delivers training and supervision on a needs basis to an range of professionals within the social services sector. 

Katherine has over 17 years' experience working directly with people in a range of therapeutic roles. Katherine worked for 14 years within NSW Health based therapeutic services focused on perinatal and infant mental health, child protection and family violence. In the private practice sector, Katherine has worked with people in relation to the impacts and use of interpersonal violence (family violence), and in relation to generational relationship patterns that continue to operate for people in ways that reduce capacity and functioning. The focus of Katherine's therapeutic work is on the development of self and agency within complex relationship systems providing the opportunity for individuals to function towards their goals and potential.