Our Team
At The Sanctuary Tree, our team brings together experience in education, psychology and counselling, with a shared focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families.
We value compassion, respect, service, justice, and hospitality.
As a team, we work best with clients who are open to a collaborative and respectful process. Each practitioner has their own way of working, while holding a common commitment to listening carefully, respecting each person’s story, and providing thoughtful, practical support.
You are welcome to take your time gaining a sense of who may feel like the right fit for you.
Amanda Sturrock
Registered Psychologist
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Founder, The Sanctuary Tree
Amanda works with teens aged 16+, adults, and families, supporting clients to understand their experiences better and find practical ways forward that align with how they think and live. She has a strong interest in neurodivergent-affirming care and takes an individualised approach to each person she works with. Her work often involves helping clients make sense of long-standing patterns, particularly where previous approaches have not quite fit. Amanda also provides ADHD and autism screening for people aged 18-30, with a focus on understanding each person's story alongside formal screening tools. Amanda's background includes teaching philosophy, equity, and comparative religion, which informs her respect for diverse perspectives, values, and belief systems. Clients are welcome to bring all aspects of their identity into the space. Her approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in helping people move from overwhelm toward greater clarity and stability.
Rhiannon Lewis
Registered Counsellor
Rhiannon is a warm and creative counsellor with a background in the arts, health, and human services. She combines art therapy with evidence-based modalities like ACT, CBT, Family Systems Theory, and somatic and polyvagal-informed practices. Her work supports people to express themselves in ways that feel natural and developmentally appropriate, particularly when words are difficult to access. Rhiannon also works closely with parents, helping them understand what may be happening for their child or teen, and how to support them at home in ways that feel more connected and manageable. She brings a calm, patient presence to her work, creating a space where people can feel safe to explore, process, and build confidence over time.
Braden Short, JP
Registered Counsellor
Wellbeing Practitioner & Mentor
Braden is a versatile professional with a diverse background, offering mentoring, counselling, and support to medical personnel, first responders, and industrial chaplains seeking guidance in their personal and professional lives. He also supports adults, parents, and particularly fathers, offering a space to talk through challenges, responsibilities, and life transitions. His work is grounded, practical, and relational, supporting clients to reflect on what is happening in their lives and consider workable next steps. As an industrial chaplain, Braden also brings experience in supporting people across different environments and belief systems. He works in a way that respects each person’s values and background, without assumption. He offers pastoral supervision to chaplains and provides support to individuals navigating work, family, and personal pressures.
Finding the right fit
You are welcome to let us know if you have a preference for a particular practitioner.
If you're unsure, we can help guide you based on:
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What is bringing you in
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The type of support you are seeking
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Availability and session preferences
Finding the right fit can make a meaningful difference, and we are here to support that process.