Instructors

Anne-Marije Bussink

Melbourne, VIC

Groupwork Facilitator, Community Weaver & Organiser With a background in community development, groupwork facilitation, and evidence-based communication training, Anne-Marije brings a warm and grounded approach to personal development. Most recently she was involved with the Women's Spirit Project, in the role of mentor during their "Spirit of Transformation" program (Frankston, VIC) supporting local women doing it tough. Currently Anne-Marije is working for a busy psychology clinic in the role of NDIS account manager. Through her own journey of navigating perfectionism, over-giving, and the weight of always holding it together, she came to understand that in order to experience a sense of inner harmony it begins with the courage to connect to and speak from the heart. Now, through The Inner Harmony Project, she helps women find their voice, reconnect to their values, and experience real, lasting change from the inside out. To book in for a complimentary 20 minute chat: call 0405 014 908 or email [email protected] Or visit: https://www.innerharmonyproject.com.au/contact Current courses are listed on Humanitix: http://tinyurl.com/humanitixhostpage

Geraldine Crisp

TAS

I am a well-being practitioner and relationship educator, an Effectiveness Training instructor, qualified in Social Science and Management with over 30 years’ experience. I believe that heart and home is the base line from which we conduct our communication and other activities. When our key relationships are safe, caring and based on integrity and respect we have more capacity to give the best version of ourselves to our work and community life. Dr. Thomas Gordon's communication model offers skills and strategies to create a lifestyle of open communication, respect and emotional well-being with honesty. I would love to share with you some of the strategies and skills to create more peace in your life and relationships. Please contact me for further information, to attend a workshop, or to participate in my online discussion groups. Email: [email protected]

Heather Miller

QLD

Judith Richardson

VIC

Judith Richardson – Master Trainer & Parent Educator: Over my 30 years with ETIA, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of parents, carers, leaders, and professionals build stronger, more connected relationships. I also train new instructors to bring these practical, evidence-based tools into their own communities and workplaces. These programs focus on real-world communication skills that reduce conflict, improve understanding, and create lasting change at home and beyond. Training is flexible and available online or in person. Ready to feel more confident and connected? I’d love to hear from you. Based in VIC M: 0416 036 961 e: [email protected] W: parenttraining.com.au

Kate Horne

VIC

Learning this way of communicating has been invaluable for me in parenting with compassion and connection, and has transformed how I see and experience all relationships. Hence I have a deep passion for sharing these ways of relating, with as many people as possible. photo credits: Michael Schoell (background) Christine Scanlon (portrait)

Kathryn Tonges

Online Australia & NZ, QLD

I have been deeply rewarded seeing positive transformations in families by teaching P.E.T. effective communication skills since 1978. My two sons are now parents, and I am witness to their natural use of P.E.T. skills in all their interactions with children and people. My passion is to share these skills with others through these options: 1. Parent Effectiveness Training - for parents, grandparents, carers. 2. Be Your Best – personal empowerment skills for self, relationships, and the workplace. 3. Teacher Effectiveness Training – increases the quality of interactions between student and teacher with more teaching-learning time. 4. Instructor Training - I am a Master Trainer of P.E.T., B.Y.B., T.E.T. and Y.E.T. for ETIA Ltd. In my teaching career I taught from early childhood to tertiary level focusing on Child Development and Communication Skills. I lived in Beijing for seven years and conducted P.E.T. and B.Y.B. courses for expatriates as well as training expatriates to become P.E.T. instructors. I have written for parenting magazines in Beijing and Australia and blog for my website The Parent Within (theparentwithin.com). Whilst in Beijing I co-authored a book with P.E.T. Instructors I had trained, to help expatriate children cope with the changes in their life. In the last couple of years I have taken on the position of President of ETIA Ltd. Children, parenting, and effective communications continues to be my passion as I share these courses both online (Australia and NZ) or face to face in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as well as coaching parents individually.

Larissa Dann

ACT

I am an experienced P.E.T. instructor, having taught P.E.T. since 1996 to over 1000 parents. Importantly, I use the P.E.T. skills while raising my children - I endeavour to 'practice what I preach'. I have an Honours degree in Science, a Diploma in Counselling, and am an accredited mediator. In 2007 I was awarded the ACT Adult Learning Outstanding Teacher/Tutor award. Professionally, I worked as a counsellor, then manager, in a community organisation that specialised in counselling parents, children and young people. As manager and worker, I found the P.E.T. skills to be transferable across the workplace. I am a passionate advocate of P.E.T., and have presented posters on the topic at several international parenting conferences, as well as writing several articles on various aspects of P.E.T. I am a past member of the board of ETIA, and was the voluntary CEO in 2009/10. I am a blogger and writer, writing for my own website, and as both a paid and unpaid blogger on local and international websites.

Louise Dunne

VIC

With over 20 years’ experience in education and holistic wellbeing, Louise brings together practical tools and a trauma-informed, compassionate approach to help people shift patterns, deepen connection, and create meaningful, lasting change in their relationships. Founder of her business called Tune In, Louise is passionate about sharing P.E.T., empowering parents to communicate clearly, listen deeply, and build relationships based on mutual trust. Her facilitation style is grounded, supportive, helping parents develop greater self-awareness while learning to meet their child’s needs without sacrificing their own. As a mother and member of a blended family herself, she brings both professional wisdom and lived experience to the journey.

Marilyne McPaul

WA

Marilyne McPaul is the Founder/ Director of Bliss Beyond Counselling established in 2004. Having raised 3 children as a single mother using many PET principles she studied and became accredited to help other parents in 2011. The journey also included Be Your Best in 2015 and Leader Effectiveness Training 2024. Background: Her childhood was spent enjoying life on a small island in Papua New Guinea called Kavieng and in 1975, her family moved back to Australia and settled in Brisbane. Her heart called to Vanuatu in 1992 and she became the owner of the Beachcomber Resort. Here amongst the beautiful surrounds, Marilyne found her passion for natural therapies and discovered how they enhanced the healing process when used in a holistic approach. Returning to Australia in 1999, initiated the journey into an area of healing which had always fascinated her... Psychotherapy. She soon established herself as a conscious and compassionate counsellor with a deep understanding of the human spirit. Her extensive experience in various industries such as Hospitality, Manufacturing, Legal, Media and Education, enables her to connect with people on many levels. Using her life experience and formal qualifications, she has established herself as a specialist in holistic and family counselling. Her business, Bliss Beyond Counselling provides an excellent alternative to traditional counselling methods and constantly strives to meet the ever so changing needs of society. Her passion to help others extends to volunteer work for the Smith Family as a Mentor to disadvantaged teens since 2008. Marilyne is known for her unique ability to help people reclaim their life beyond the pain and to rediscover their bliss beyond challenging life experiences. The result she delivers is so well reputed that she attracts clients from interstate to see her on a frequent basis. They believe the time and travel to be of great value and personal benefit. As a testament to this, in 2005 she was recognised by her peers and clients with a nomination for the Telstra Business Woman of the Year. Outside of work, Marilyne enjoys other passions such as hiking and immersing herself in a good book. She also loves playtime with her Siberian Husky and spending time with her adult children, grandchildren and friends. Living by the simple yet profound philosophy of “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Marilyne is a shining example of a woman walking her talk. Her infectious optimism has a positive life changing effect on people which ultimately sees them living the life they dream of.

Melissa Strader

Redlands, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD

Melissa is passionate about children and parenting! In fact, it was from her personal desire to parent well that her business, Enjoy Parenting was born. Her ongoing vision is to help parents, and teachers build stronger relationships with children based on connection and empathy. For it is only with happier parents that we will have happier children. Melissa supports families to achieve greater calmness and connection. Melissa has over 25 years of experience working with children, teachers and parents and is continuing to learn every day how to become a better parent to her own two children. She is proud to be an authorised Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) Instructor with Gordon Training International. Melissa is Reality Therapy Certified (RTC) with the William Glasser Institute of Australia and a registered teacher and Art Therapist.

Purnima Gurung

ACT

Purnima is a widely experienced Personal and Wellbeing development coach, and group facilitator. She is an authorised instructor for Parent Effectiveness, and Be Your Best (Personal) Effectiveness training. Purnima is also a certified Neuro Linguistic Programming coach, Alternative Dispute and Conflict Resolution Mediator, and Workplace Trainer. Clients most frequently describe Purnima as warm, supportive, experienced, engaging, practical, down to earth, and someone with a passion for growth and learning. Through her activities Purnima strives to embody her vision of a loving, peaceful and connected world. In 2005 she completed her training in PET as a means to enhance her family relationships. She believes that all parents want to give their children the best. Purnima sees PET as a powerful method for parents to build strong and sustainable connections in their relationships with their children and families.

Ros Lockley

Canberra, ACT

As a mediator and mother of four including 17yo twins, I know how tough it can be as a parent but I also know how amazing it can be. Learning the joy of Parent Effectiveness Training changed my life. Now I want to pass these skills on to as many parents as possible. My classes are held on Sunday mornings during school terms. website: www.communikeys.com.au email: [email protected] phone: 0448 242 101

Shirley Dalton

NSW

Hi and welcome to the site. My passion in life is personal development (mine and everybody else's). I love Thomas Gordon's Effectiveness Training philosophy and tools. I have been an accredited instructor since 2000 and am privileged to assist business owners, managers and employees to improve their relationships at work and at home by becoming more self aware and learning how to communicate better. You can learn how to say no, how to fight clean and how to have fabulous relationships. We offer public programs as well as tailored programs for you and your organisation. Please call Shirley for more information or check out her website www.shirleydalton.com and register to receive our Weekly Thoughts - your weekly dose of inspiration, education and support.

Sophie Nie

Doncaster, Melbourne, VIC

I have been dedicated to supporting the emotional growth, communication skills, and self-awareness of Chinese families and communities in Australia and New Zealand for many years. With a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science from the University of Melbourne, my work is deeply rooted in humanistic psychology and experiential learning. I offer the following programs to individuals, parents, and young people in the Chinese community across Australia and New Zealand through group workshops, one-on-one coaching, and instructor training: Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) Evidence-based parenting and relationship skills for parents, grandparents, and carers. Be Your Best (B.Y.B.) Personal empowerment and self-development skills for adults. Youth Effectiveness Training (Y.E.T.) Personal empowerment, communication, and relationship skills tailored for young people. Instructor Training As the only Chinese Instructor Trainer in Australia and New Zealand, I train instructors to deliver these programs within the Chinese community. Having personally experienced migration, parenting, and cross-cultural adaptation, I bring warmth, authenticity, and compassion into my teaching. My passion is to support individuals and families in developing greater emotional resilience, inner confidence, and more authentic and fulfilling relationships.

Tracy Driscoll

Port Macquarie Hastings, NSW

Tracy Driscoll is a Leadership Coach and Facilitator who has been coaching leaders across APAC for over 15 years. She is also a certified PET instructor since 2010 and over the years has drawn on her PET skills in her coaching as well as running PET trainings for parents. Tracy is from Australia but was based in Beijing, China for 23 years. When her two daughters were tiny she attended PET and it helped her greatly. She decided to become an instructor to deepen her learning and effectiveness with her own children and ran courses for expatriates in Beijing. Over time she found the communication skills extremely valuable in all she did – certainly with her family and also when running companies and managing relationships with large teams, or in coaching leaders and helping them in their relationships. She returned to Australia in 2019 and lives in Bonny Hills near Port Macquarie NSW. She is happy to now bring her years of parenting and coaching experience to the local community there, to help parents develop strong, connected relationships with their children and in turn see them blossom into well-rounded, independent adults who know how to foster harmonious and rewarding relationships for themselves.