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 About UsAbout UsWe are an established and visionary group of professional educators, healers and change agents. Our training embraces traditional and progressive expertise in the care of the soul of individuals, groups and our world. Paul Perfrement - Director  Bachelor of Science (Ecology and Psychology); Graduate Diploma of Counselling; Graduate Diploma of Education; Diploma of Transpersonal Psychology; Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy; Diploma of Integral Coaching; Diploma of Transformational Life Coaching; Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training; Member of Australian Psychological Society; Clinical Member of Counsellors & Psychotherapists Association NSW Paul is a founding Director of Awareness Institute. His academic studies and work background as a consultant, educator, psychologist, ecologist, mentor and psychotherapist inform his vision for its current directions. Within the consultancy field he has mentored leading corporate change consultants, provided specialist support services to organisational change programs, and served as a Research Advisor. He is inspired by the beauty of nature, contemporary, indigenous and perennial wisdom, visionary and socially just elders and leadership. Paul has trained both in Australia and overseas in the application of classical and contemporary shamanic practices. Paul’s professional involvements have spanned consultancy, employment and career advisory services. Including, pre school, primary, secondary and tertiary education, indigenous and community health and hospital settings. He also has expertise in nature based rites of passage and retreat work, eco psychology and private practice. Paul has served on the academic faculty of the Australian Transpersonal Institute and as coordinator of the Australian Spiritual Emergence Network, an organisation supporting those challenged by transformational life crises. Paul has also founded and directed innovative diploma programs in holistic counselling, transpersonal life coaching and contemporary and classical perspectives and practices for the care of the soul. Paul lectures in studies at Awareness Institute as well as providing individual and corporate consultations. Jody Haywood - Director  Master of Education (Adult Education), Bachelor of Arts (Psychology); Graduate Certificate in Communication Development; Diploma of Naturopathy; Diploma of Botanical Medicine; Diploma of Nutrition; Diploma of Remedial Massage; Reiki Master Jody is a founding Director of Awareness Institute. Starting her career in corporate finance, her life long interests in human development and consciousness led her to complete a degree in Psychology. This pursuit deepened her passion for learning and exploring the mind-body connection. Her own pursuit for wellbeing led her to qualifications in a range of complementary medicine modalities. Her love of learning culminated in a Masters Degree in Adult Education. Her experiences and success in facilitating effective educational environments, consulting, mentoring leaders and driving change has inspired her to pursue a path contributing to a global journey of ecological and social transformation. Jody’s passionate interest in social change and healing combined with her extensive experience in educational design and management led her to co-create platforms of delivery for those seeking transition and change at every level; individually, communally and globally. Julia Adams
Julia has worked (and continues to work) extensively in the corporate arena in senior management positions facilitating organisational learning across the corporate spectrum primarily in the areas of organisational leadership. With tertiary qualifications in Drama, Business, Learning, Holistic Counselling and Ecopsychology, she is also a practising holistic psychotherapist and coach. Deeply concerned about our world, Julia is inspired by a sense of community and believes that we will have more success in building healthy communities (and organisations) through working on individual development, awareness and actualisation. Through her work with groups and individuals as a psychotherapist, coach, mentor and workshop facilitator, her intention is to foster and nurture healthy, passionate, spirited living and community relationships. Beata Alfoldi  Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Dance); Choreographer / Director; Dance and Movement Teacher; Certified Yoga Teacher; Accelerated Learning Worldwide Teacher; Certificate of Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Hatha Yoga; Member of the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia and Yoga Alliance Beata began practicing yoga at the age of eighteen whilst completing an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Dance).She spent eight years in various theatrical productions in London's West End before returning to Australia to pursue an international choreographic/ directing career. Through personal exploration she was called to deepen her understanding and awareness of the body-mind connection through movement, yoga and dance. Beata currently facilitates yoga, movement and dance classes/workshops in the education system, public, corporate and private sector. She held her first yoga retreat last year. Beata facilitates the women’s group ‘Integral Woman’ creating a space of safety and support so that the full complexities of our innate natures as women can be explored. In this exploration is the ability to transform and heal. Beata believes that when we live our lives consciously from the heart allowing Spirit to empower us, we are free to embody our own unique creative expression and potential. In this allowing is the capacity to bring an entirely new level of awareness and transformation into our world at large. Jacqui Bushell
Registered Nurse, Diploma Naturopathy, Diploma Botanical Medicine, Diploma Remedial Massage, Diploma Nutrition, Reiki Master Teacher, Certificate Humanifest Essences, Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training, Jacqui has been working in private practice in natural therapies and energetic healing for 18 years. As well as people of all ages, she also works with animals and environments. Over the last decade Jacqui has been teaching at Natural Therapies colleges in Sydney as well as facilitating retreats, courses and workshops in the areas of Vibrational Remedies, Herbal medicine, Reiki and spiritual healing. She is also actively involved in community health work. Jacqui is passionate about sharing knowledge and supporting people to become more aware of their true potential. Her hope is that this may sow the seeds of greater compassion, kindness and wisdom, to be of benefit for all beings. Jacqui’s intention and focus is always to co-create healing - only in this way can we truly empower ourselves and others. She is full of enthusiasm, respect and passion for her subjects and delights in teaching. Maite Butron
Maite facilitates the Aliveness Sessions at Awareness Institute. These sessions are designed to help tap into blicked energies and allow their release from our bodies. This results in getting in touch with what is primal and powerful within. Maite imigrated to Australia with her parents in 1973. Her experience of dislocation and displacement as a teenager gives her insight and empathy into cultural and isolation issues that lead to feelings of grief and loss. Since completing her studies, Maite has worked in the aged care system conducting research into codependence and aging, and has also studied indigenous women's ritual and ceremony under an Aboriginal community leader and lore/law woman. Maite continues to be interested in her own personal and professional development actively seeking ongoing learning.
Harley Conyer  Master of Arts (Education); Bachelor of Arts; Diploma of Holistic Counselling and Life Care; Certificate in Transformational Coaching; Certificate in Holistic Life Coaching; Reiki 3A; Certificate in Meditation Facilitation; Certificate IV in Remedial Massage; Harley grew up in South Africa where he developed skills and experience as an activist and leadership development trainer. He migrated to Australia in 1991, where he worked on campuses across NSW as a trainer, coach and mentor to student leaders. He worked in the travel industry, and spent 8 years working in middle and senior management roles in marketing and strategy within the business world. Harley has a keen interest in spiritual growth, shamanism and consciousness. Harley facilitates the men’s group ‘Integral Man’, Shamanic Journey, Vision Quests and Mind Body Counselling. Harley believes that every person has, within themselves, the power to heal and change their lives. He sees his role as facilitating the process that enables clients to engage with their authentic and conscious self to support this healing and change. His private and group programs are all experiential, offering a space of acceptance, non-judgement and compassion, allowing clients’ inner wisdom to emerge Harley has lived and worked for extended periods in 5 countries, across 5 continents. He currently facilitates healing in private practice working with a wide range of modalities including meditation training, bodywork (including massage), holistic counselling, shamanic counselling, life coaching, and energetic healing. Louise Gilmore  Certificate in Counselling; Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training; Member of the Energetic Healing Association; Reiki Master Louise Gilmore has been meditating for 30 years and has been teaching others to meditate in various settings for 20 years. Coming from a background as a journalist and researcher she trained in bereavement counselling, conflict resolution and group facilitation. She was employed as a Community Educator with NSCC Area Health Service teaching meditation to patients and carers, training new graduate and palliative nurses and co-ordinating and facilitating cancer support groups. She has also developed and taught many specially tailored courses in community, commercial and adult education settings. Over many years Louise has received teachings in various traditions including Satyananda, Vipassana and Transcendental Meditation. She has also studied at the International Buddhist Association in Australia (Nan Tien Temple), Rigpa Sydney and received training and initiations into esoteric meditation elements of Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan Bon (shamanic) tradition. She has also undertaken research projects into the healing and supportive aspects of meditation as reported in the medical literature.
Suzanne Lewarne  Diploma of Holistic Counselling & Life Care; Diploma of Soul Care & Shamanic Healing; Advanced Certificate in Energetic Healing; Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training; Certificate in Parapsychology; Certificate in Funeral & General Celebrancy; Certificate in Metaphysics; Reiki 1 & 2; Certificate in Cross Cultural Management; Certificate in Crystal & Gemstone Healing; Certificate in Colour Therapy; Clinical Member of Counsellors & Psychotherapists Association NSW Sue is a professional Counsellor, Energetic Healer, Life Coach and Sacred Space Facilitator. Her work as an energetic healer has led her to provide professional training and supervision in this area. She is an accredited healing therapist with the National Federation of Healers. Sue’s interest in coaching began in the 1980s while she lived in Lima where she worked with women and orphans displaced by the violence in Peru. After moving to Thailand in 1989, Sue began to explore alternative therapies and spiritual pathways to healing, along with a passion for different cultures and their connection to the land and their environment. Sue has a diverse background as a business woman, relocation consultant, holistic counsellor and teacher. She brings rich life experience from a number of different cultures, combined with a long-term study program to her work. One of her passions is how our spiritual and energetic connections with our environment help shape our lives. Kate Powe
Damian Rocks  Master of Arts (Cultural Astronomy and Astrology); Diploma Fine Arts; Diploma Applied Parapsychology; Certificate IV Small Business Management; FAA Diploma of Astrology (currently undertaking) Damian is a professional astrologer with many years experience in the healing arts. He is one of only a handful of people to be awarded a Masters of Arts degree from Bath Spa University, England, specializing in the study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. He combines a solid background in the visual arts with his astrological practice. As such, his approach is educated, informed and unique. He has trained with some of the world's foremost astrological experts, and brings a wealth of realistic experience to his practice. He believes in assisting each individual to make the most of their full potential, and can help you to explore what it is that really motivates you, where you are going to, and why. Damian maintains a busy full-time practice in Sydney, as well as running corporate functions, group experiences and special events. In 2008, he began teaching astrology to individuals and groups. He is a regular face atThe Victoria Room, Darlinghurst, where he is the resident in-house astrologer, and is available for mini-consultations during their famous High Tea. He is also resident astrologer for the amazing experience gifting site Red Balloon Days.
Kelly Surtees  Certificate in Astrology; Diploma of Holistic Counselling and Life Care; Certificate in Holistic Counselling; Certificate in Holistic Life Coaching; Certificate IV in Remedial Massage; Member of Australian Traditional Medicine Society; Member of Astrology Association NSW; Member of Federation of Australian Astrologers Kelly Surtees has been studying astrology since the age of 12 and brings years of experience to her astrological work. Kelly literally lives and breathes astrology through her work which includes client sessions, teaching and writing. Kelly is Well Being Magazine’s resident annual Astrologer and also writes for New Woman, the Sun Herald, Vodafone and Peaceful Willow. Readers and students often comment on how Kelly makes astrology so easy to understand. Kelly has taught astrology to numerous students since 2002, many of whom are now practicing astrologers. Kelly is the founder of the Young Astrologers Association and a committee member of the Astrology Association NSW (AA NSW). She is the recipient of the Federation of Australian Astrologers (FAA) Silver Medal for Chart Calculation and a trained counsellor.
Kira Sutherland  Bachelor of Health Science (Complimentary Medicine); Diploma of Naturopathy; Diploma of Homoeopathy; Diploma of Botanical Medicine; Diploma of Nutrition; Diploma of Remedial Massage; Certificate in Astrology; Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training; Member of Australian Traditional Medicine Society Sharon Turton  Bachelor of Arts; Diploma of Education; Diploma of Naturopathy; Diploma of Holistic Counselling and Life Care; Senior Accredited Journey Practitioner; Diploma of Botanical Medicine; Diploma of Homoeopathy; Diploma of Nutrition; Diploma of Remedial Massage; Certificate in Life Coaching. Member of ATMS; Member of CAPA of NSW. Sharon Turton has been working in the health field for 20 years, studying extensively both overseas and in Australia. She gained teaching qualifications through the University of Newcastle in 1981, and went on to studies in body mind healing, gaining a Diploma in Naturopathy in 1994 and Diploma of Holistic Counselling in 2006. Sharon is also a senior Journey therapist and facilitates both the children’s and parent’s journey workshops for Brandon Bays throughout Australasia. At the Awareness Institute, Sharon facilitates our Earth Kids and Conscious Parenting workshops, and later this year parent/child connection retreat weekends will be starting. Sharon is a member of ATMS and CAPA. Cassandra Tyndall  Certificate in Astrology; Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy and Massage; Certificate in Workplace Training and Assessment; Certificate III in Catering; President of the Young Astrologers Association (YAA); Committee Member of the National Council of Australian Astrologers and New South Wales Astrology Association. Cassandra is an avid astrologer who loves to witness and communicate the insights of the planets in an inspired and practical way. Like many Astrologers, Cassandra’s passion for the craft dates as far back as childhood. Drawing on the knowledge of history’s most renowned astrologers, she now has a thriving astrological practice that sees her consulting with clients, teaching students and writing. Her work can be seen in magazines such as the annual Wellbeing Astrology Guide and Women’s Health and Fitness. She is the author of Cosmic Catalogue- an online column read by hundreds of astro - enthusiasts over the globe. Cassandra is the President of the YAA, an association that promotes astrology to younger generations and is on the Australian National Council - a division of the Federation of Australian Astrologers and is a committee member for Astrology New South Wales.
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Graduate Certificate in Business Administration – Management, 
Diploma of Holistic Counselling and Life Care; Certificate in Transformational Life Coaching; Clinical Member of CAPA
Bachelor of Arts (English & Australian Literature); Diploma of Graphic Design; Diploma of Metaphysics; Certificate in Parapsychology; Reiki 1 & 2
