Fill The Gap Counselling Team
EDFA’s Fill The Gap counselling program provides essential access to tailored, online, one-on-one counselling support for carers of those with eating disorders.
Our Fill The Gap team comprises highly skilled team members who bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to ensure carers are provided with the support and education they need to become more effective supports for their loved one.
Elise Wales
Fill The Gap Program Manager
Elise is a registered Psychologist with over eight years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, supporting individuals of all ages facing a variety of challenges. She holds a Master of Professional Psychology and practises using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach. Driven by personal lived experience of an eating disorder, Elise is deeply committed to supporting individuals and carers as they navigate the challenges of recovery. With a unique understanding of the profound impact an eating disorder can have on individuals and their supports, Elise believes strongly in the essential role carers play in the recovery journey.
Elise's utilises evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional family therapy.
Elise has been actively involved in advocacy work and played a pivotal role in expanding the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) Eating Disorder Credential to ensure that individuals with lived experience can access healthcare professionals who meet the necessary standards to provide safe and effective care.
Empowerment, compassion, and hope are at the core of Elise's work, guiding her interactions with clients, colleagues, and the broader community. Outside of work, Elise enjoys practising lyra, spending quality time with her husband, and doting on her beloved Cocker Spaniel fur-baby.
Rowena Brookes
Fill The Gap Counsellor
Rowena holds her Masters qualification in counselling and the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential. She has a range of experience working with couples, teenagers, children and families and has lived experience caring for a loved one with an eating disorder. Rowena loves getting to know her clients on a real level, seeing them learn about themselves, realise that change is possible, and that there is always hope. She believes it’s a real privilege to be let into her clients’ lives on this level for a season.
Rowena uses evidence-based approaches to counselling including Cognitive Behavioural therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Rowena also has training in TBT-S training (Temperament-Based Therapy with Supports) and has a personal understanding of FBT.
Angie Sloan
Fill The Gap Counsellor
Angie holds a Masters in Counselling and the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential. Angie is incredibly grateful to have been introduced to EDFA when her daughter was living with Anorexia Nervosa. The invaluable support and education that was provided helped guide her daughter into recovery. She feels very privileged to be involved in the Fill The Gap program and is looking forward to connecting with carers.
Angie has had a varied career including neurosciences, pharmaceuticals and counselling. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Physiology and a Masters in Counselling and the ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential. Angie is an experienced counsellor who has worked with children with anxiety, self-harm, autism, school refusal and depression. She is a qualified Peaceful Kids and Peaceful Parents facilitator and enjoys working with families to facilitate a harmonious household. She has also designed and delivered well-being programs in corporates.
Through her lived experience, Angie understands the devastating impact that an eating disorder can have on the entire family unit. Angie believes that carers are an integral part of their loved one’s recovery and wants to empower carers to be an active and informed
member of the treatment team. With a belief that eating disorders are treatable, she wants to instil hope in others that recovery is possible.
In her spare time, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband and three teenage daughters, walking along the beach with her three dogs and travelling.
Alisha Armstrong
Fill The Gap Counsellor
Alisha is a Registered Counsellor dedicated to supporting carers of individuals with an eating disorder. She focuses on fostering resilience and emotional well-being, helping carers navigate complex challenges with compassion and empathy. Her practice draws on her extensive experience working collaboratively with adults, children, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, her personal experience of caring for a loved one during their eating disorder recovery gives her unique insight into the challenges carers may face.
Alisha supports carers in addressing a range of issues, including:
- Managing feelings of guilt, helplessness, and anxiety.
- Improving communication and relationships within the family.
- Developing effective coping strategies for stress and burnout.
- Enhancing self-care practices to maintain their own mental and emotional health.
- Navigating the healthcare system and advocating for their loved ones.
- Understanding the dynamics of eating disorders and their impact on the family.
She utilises evidence-based therapies such as Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care. Alisha’s approach is culturally sensitive, incorporating knowledge and experience working with First Nations, CALD, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Her goal is to empower carers with the tools and insights necessary to foster a nurturing environment for their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being.
Alisha holds a Master's in Counselling from Notre Dame University and is a member of the Australian Counsellors Association (ACA).
Susan Donald
Fill The Gap Administration Assistant
Susan joined EDFA in 2023 to assist with the new Fill The Gap program. Susan's background is in medical administration and working closely with patients to encourage positive outcomes during treatment pathways.
Outside work, Susan and her family are heavily involved in the equestrian circles and she can be found most weekends at showgrounds around the place competing with her children's team of horses.
She is extremely excited to be able to assist in the Fill The Gap program to bring one-on-one assistance and support to caregivers of those with an eating disorder. Life is full of challenges, yet together I believe we can support each other to make each day a little easier.
Laura McCosker
Research and Evaluation Assistant
Laura is passionate about using research and evaluation to improve the experiences of, and outcomes for, Australian families affected by eating disorders.
Laura joined EDFA in the role of Research and Evaluation Assistant in 2023. Laura holds
undergraduate and masters’ degrees in health and social science, and is finishing a PhD in public health. She has worked on a variety of research and evaluation projects, including in the mental health space, in both academic and clinical settings.
Laura is passionate about using research and evaluation to improve the experiences of, and outcomes for, Australian families affected by eating disorders.
Laura is based in south-east Queensland. She spends her free time with her family and pets, outdoors, gardening, and reading.
Meet The Fill The Gap Team in this webinar
Get to know what brought them to their passion of working in eating disorders, their own lived experience stories of caring in eating disorders and why they feel supporting carers needs is vital.
