Meet our Team
Pure Empowerment strives to provide experienced and professional staff with a diverse range of experience and from a range of backgrounds
Upon making initial contact with our practice, we take the time and effort to gather information about your needs and expecations, as this enables us to either match clients with suitable clinicians (to ensure therapeutic rapport is enhanced and in turn, treatment effectiveness is enhanced) or provide you with an outward referral recommendation. All of our staff members are bound by client confidentiality and privacy legislation and are required to participate in ongoing professional development and clinical supervision.
To get to know more about each of our psychologists, take a look at their profiles below or if you’d like to chat about which team member might be the best match for you give us a call on 0413 819 558.
Rachael Willis
DIRECTOR & CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST/SUPERVISOR/ MENTOR/ GUEST SPEAKER/EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPIST (as at 6.12.23, in office full, limited capacity for Equine and also supervision clients)
Rachael Willis is a dynamic private practice owner and is a passionate member of the ‘come teach me tribe’ whereby she ascribes to teaching others and sharing resources (far and wide) enabling each person to grow. Empowering others to be the ‘best version of themselves’ is Rachael’s legacy whether they be clients, clinicians, supervisees, students, employees or external staff in both public and corporate arenas. In fact, Rachael is not only passionate to empower people indoors (office based/chair based therapy) but also has extended this to the great outdoors (with 4 legged co-therapists (horses) experientially in the paddock and transferring learnings to the ‘larger paddock called life’ via Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) using the EAGALA model.
Founding Pure Empowerment (PE) Psychology over 18 years ago (and working in the field for over 23 years’ as a psychologist working in both Metropolitan, Rural and Regional areas of Victoria and Southern New South Wales), Rachael is widely respected in the fields of private practice, vocational rehabilitation, mental health and community health, clinical/health centre team management, supervision and consulting to a range of Government and Non-Government organisations and equine assisted psychotherapy.
Rachael also has a special interest in work/life harmony and self-care for health professionals (particularly in rural areas). In fact, her Masters of Clinical Psychology (CSU) research dissertation investigated the effectiveness of a Stress Management and Relaxation Program (SMART-RP) on Rural Professionals in terms of reductions in stress and depression and improvements in coping styles.
As a clinical psychologist and a business owner of three separate businesses, Rachael has experienced first-hand the stressors associated with juggling work/life commitments AND what is required to perform at your best (whether this be in your role as a parent, an employee, clinician or a business owner). She has the gift of being able to connect with people across the lifespan in a genuine and authentic way (and this forms the basis of her book (pending publication) titled “The therapist effect: What clients really want from therapy”.
Rachael acknowledges the real struggle for people (both clients and professionals) in rural areas to access the help/support they need and thus has extended her service offerings to provide online training: PE-PET (Parent Education training), internship opportunities, group programs/retreats and workshops.
Dr Deborah Goff
Clinical Psychologist/Neuropsychologist (Telehealth only) Wednesday. Limited capacity for new clients as at 6.12.23.
Deborah is an endorsed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist. In the past, she has lived in both the UK and New Zealand. She currently lives in Melbourne, Victoria but spent twelve very enjoyable years living in regional NSW.
Deborah has an extensive and wide range of experience in the field of Psychology. She completed a Master of Clinical Psychology at Charles Sturt University, NSW in 2018. Prior to this, she qualified as a neuropsychologist in 2004 after completing a Bachelor of Behavioural Science at La Trobe University with honours and later a Master of Clinical Neuropsychology combined with a PhD.
She has worked in private practice for the last three and a half years treating a broad range of psychological problems. Her other areas of expertise include the management of chronic pain, traumatic brain injury and stroke and mild cognitive impairment and dementia. As a neuropsychologist, she is well placed to assist clients with the application of therapies which are based on the principle of neuroplasticity.
Deborah is passionate about assisting people in achieving more harmony and fulfilment in their lives. She takes a non-judgement approach and the therapy is based on the person’s own individual goals. She is delighted to be working with PEP where she feels that her values are strongly aligned to other members of the practice. Deborah will see clients via Telehealth who are 18+ year olds.
In her spare time Deborah enjoys catching up with friends and family, getting out in the bush, photography and bee keeping
“No judgement, just empowerment”
Rachael is an experienced clinician and sought after speaker on the following topics:
Stress Management & Relaxation Practice Techniques and work/life harmony (for Rural health professionals and women).
Parenting strategies for parents of school aged children and teenagers.
OUR VALUES: Acceptance, growth, vitality, trust and empowerment as we strive to “empower you to be your best”.
Reach Us
187 Corio Street Shepparton Vic 3630
0413 819 558
We are not a crisis or after hours service so please call one of the below numbers. Christmas closure hours: 22nd December 2023 and re-open 4th January 2024 (office/admin only).
