Founder & Psychologist

Jay has full registration with the Australian Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Registered Psychologist. They hold a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Adelaide University, and a Graduate Diploma Psychology: Advanced from Monash University. Jay has a strong background in working across a diverse range of human experiences, ages and presentations. With extensive knowledge in the area of neurological differences, substance use, and psychological trauma. As a Psychologist, Jay uses a range of therapies such as Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Additional to therapeutic supports, Jay has extensive training in assessment and diagnosis, offering cognitive, educational, and autism assessments, as well as functional capacity and housing reports.

In therapy, the environment Jay creates is compassionate, animated and genuine. They consider themselves to be an active and lively practitioner with a dedicated therapeutic presence. During sessions, you can anticipate receiving unwavering acceptance and support, regardless of your circumstances.

Adjacent to working at The Topsoil Garden, Jay is completing their Masters of Clinical Psychology and undergoing a PhD, investigating the potential therapeutic use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with young autistic adults and related anxiety disorders. This research occurs at Orygen Youth Mental Health in collaboration with The University of Melbourne.

Qualifications:

BPsychSci

GDipPsych(Adv)

MPsychClin

PhD Candidate

MAPS, AAPI

Founder, Impact Strategy & Business Development

Rose works with young people at Youth Inc. Enterprise Academy a fully registered independent senior secondary school in the heart of the Adelaide CBD. Driven by a deep awareness of social justice and equity Rose has led programs to develop the South Australian Purpose Economy and Social Sector. Rose holds a Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and serves as a volunteer on the Social Impact Investment Network South Australia Board.

Founder & Head Gardener

Lilly has been working in the restaurant and food industry for over ten years. Specialising as a chef and regenerative agriculture, Lilly has a deep passion for building and nurturing sustainable biological farming systems. Lilly creates garden spaces that enhance people's physical and mental health and aids in fostering connection. Within her work, Lilly advocates for the healing aspects of gardening, food autonomy and food justice.

Speech Pathologist & Therapeutic Horticulturalist

Margot is a Certified Practicing Member of Speech Pathology Australia and a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner with Therapeutic Horticulture Australia. She has over six years experience working in community-based disability settings with children and adults of diverse backgrounds. Margot integrates the natural environment into therapy sessions to foster functional and meaningful outcomes for her clients. Margot’s practice harnesses an individual’s strengths in conjunction with evidence-based approaches to support them to develop their speech and language skills, build confidence with their authentic interaction preferences, assess and use augmentative and alternate communication (AAC) methods, and learn functional literacy skills. Margot collaborates with individuals to support them to thrive within their community through teaching of self-advocacy skills, and communication partner training.

Member, Treasurer and Finance Administration

Conor completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Southern Queensland where he grew up, and is also a Certified Practicing Accounting (CPA). He has a wealth of experience in tax and management accounting roles, working with not-for-profits and start-ups, assisting with the cashflow management and financial forecasts, charity registrations, and entity setups. His passion for the environment led him to pivot towards environmental accounting, becoming an Accounting for Nature Certified Expert and undertaking a Diploma of Sustainable Living with the University of Tasmania. His transition into the environmental industry lead to roles as a carbon and natural capital accountant and ESG reporting adviser. These additional skills and love for gardening makes Topsoil Garden an ideal organisation for Conor.

Counsellor & Provisional Psychologist

Maddy approaches therapy with deep acceptance and empathy, working collaboratively with individuals to explore their experiences with curiosity and compassion. They consider the influence of broader social contexts and draw from various therapeutic modalities to find the path best suited to each person.

Informed by existential, emotion-focused, and humanistic frameworks, Maddy is dedicated to being fully present in sessions and warmly welcomes and respects feedback. Additionally, they are experienced in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Their experience includes supporting people with substance use, family violence, impaired functional capacity, palliative care, and play therapy with children. She has worked with people of all ages and with diverse backgrounds and identities. Maddy is passionate about working with queer people, spiritual/existential issues, grief processing, sex workers, and AOD. Maddy welcomes inquiries and encourages those interested to reach out with any questions or to schedule a time to chat over phone.

Qualifications:

BA (Psychology and Spanish)

BPsychScience (Hons)

MCounse&PsychTh