General Information

Dr. Sharon Varela (Program Lead)

Sharon is a Senior Clinical Lead / Senior Lecturer with the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health (MCCH). Sharon is a rural and remote senior psychologist with over 16 years clinical experience and over 11 years supervisory experience. Sharon completed her PhD research with the University of Queensland in the areas of resilience, sport and youth, developing a resilience program for young athletes. Through a collaboration with the University of Washington Sharon delivered this program both in Brisbane with the AFLQ and in Seattle, USA, with Rugby and Rowing teams.

Sharon has held senior clinical roles and leadership roles across government, not-for-profit, university and private sectors in the following areas of psychology: health, forensic mental health, mental health, disability, organisational, developmental, educational, research, survey design. Sharon has extensive experience in the areas of training and supervision of provisional and student psychologists, and of allied health workers through collaborative practice models.

Andrew Varela (Program Administrator)

Andrew Varela is the Program Administrator for the Supervisor Training Program, with experience in program administration, banking, finance, clinic management, website content design and management. Andrew is an author and is currently completing a fine arts degree in creative writing. Reach out to Andrew for any of your program needs.

Christine Foley (Board Approved Trainer)

Christine Foley is the Allied Health Clinical Lead, Psychology / Senior Lecturer with the MCRRH. Christine is a Psychology Board of Australia approved Supervisor and takes great care and consideration when supervising Provisional Psychologists to fulfil their supervised practice plans. Christine is a passionate advocate for service delivery in rural and remote regions and is always looking for ways to improve access to mental health services, for members of rural and remote areas. Christine has a Masters in forensic psychology and is currently enrolled in a PhD in the area of forensic psychology.

Sharyn Jones (Board Approved Trainer)

Sharyn Jones works with MCRRH as a Lecturer/Board Approved Trainer on the Supervisor Training Program. Sharyn is a psychologist with 17 years experience as a school psychologist in the WA Department of Education and in private practice roles. Sharyn is a Psychology Board of Australia approved Supervisor who works remotely from Geraldton, in regional Western Australia, providing expertise in supervision, online training delivery and rural and remote practice.

She has extensive experience in training staff and supervising provisional psychologists in regional and remote areas, finding it a very rewarding experience. Sharyn is a passionate mental health clinician and advocate for service in regional and remote areas. Sharyn has a Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours), a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy. Sharyn is a Psychology Board of Australia approved Supervisor who works remotely from Geraldton, in regional Western Australia, providing expertise in supervision, online training delivery and rural and remote practice.

Michelle Aniftos (Board Approved Trainer)

Michelle Aniftos works with MCRRH as an Adjunct Lecturer/Board Approved Trainer on the Supervisor Training Program. In her early career, Michelle held teaching and leadership roles within Education Queensland; and for the past 16 years has been providing mental health services and psychology supervision  as the Clinical Director of her private mental health practice in Toowoomba.

Michelle is a Board approved supervisor in 4+2, 5+1, Higher Education and Clinical Registrar programs and has additional experience as an educator and trainer, in areas such as neurodevelopmental assessment; HRV & EEG Biofeedback for mental health professionals (IQCB: International QEEG Certification Board); Mental Health Skills Training for GPs, GP Registrars; and Interprofessional Practice. Michelle works part-time as a Clinical Educator for Southern Queensland Rural Health (a university department of rural health) and is based in Toowoomba. 

Ann Lord (Board Approved Trainer)

Ann Lord works with MCRRH as an Adjunct Lecturer/Board Approved Trainer on the Supervisor Training Program. Ann is a senior school psychologist for the Department of education (DoE), Western Australia (WA), who has worked across metropolitan, rural and remote locations. Ann has more than 24 years experience as a school psychologist and in public service positions, providing training to school psychologists, teachers and school administrators.

Tracey Weatherilt (Board Approved Trainer)

Tracey Weatherilt works with MCRRH as an Adjunct Lecturer/Board Approved Trainer on the Supervisor Training Program. Tracey is a senior school psychologist for the DoE WA who has more than 27-years experience across metropolitan, rural and remote locations. Tracey has extensive experience writing and delivering training within the Department of Education (for students, staff, and psychologists); is an accredited trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid and Triple P programs; and has been delivering our supervisor trainer course for the past three years. Tracey is also very experienced as a supervisor and mentor of other psychologists.

Lynn McLaren (Board Approved Trainer)

Lynn McLaren works with MCRRH as an Adjunct Lecturer/Board Approved Trainer on the Supervisor Training Program. Lynn is a Lead School Psychologist for the Department of Western Australia who has worked across metropolitan, rural and remote locations. She has more than 20 years experience as a school psychologist, and has achieved Advanced Skills School Psychologist status, an achievement that recognises exemplary practice. Lynn is an experienced supervisor and mentor of other psychologists who commenced as a presenter of our program in January 2022.

Ann Thomason (Board Approved Trainer)

Ann Thomason works with MCRRH as an Adjunct Lecturer/Board Approved Trainer on the Supervisor Training Program. Ann is a lead school psychologist for the DoE, WA, who has more than 26 years of experience working as a psychologist across rural and remote locations. Ann is passionate about the delivery of psychological services within regional and remote settings and has extensive experience as a supervisor and mentor of psychologists. Ann has been delivering our supervisor trainer and masterclass courses for the past 12 months. Ann is also an accredited trainer for Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention and Triple P programs.