Find a practitioner that best suits your needs.
Our team
Maria Sleight, BPsySc, GDipRes, MCouns&PsychTh
Maria is a highly accomplished practitioner with deep expertise in family dispute resolution, psychotherapy, and counselling. She holds registration as a Clinical Counsellor & Psychotherapist with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, is a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner through the Attorney General's Department, a Nationally Accredited Mediator under Australian standards, and an Accredited Parenting Coordinator with Parenting Coordination Australia.
As the owner of Best Life Therapy & Mediation—a respected practice based in Perth, Western Australia—Maria offers an extensive range of mental health services and practical resolution strategies for individuals, couples, and families. Her approach encompasses both clinical and therapeutic interventions, focusing on resolving family conflicts and supporting clients through challenging times.
Maria's academic background spans psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, and social sciences, guiding her specialisation in Family Law. She possesses comprehensive knowledge of the Family Law Act (1975), the Family Court Act WA (1997), and the Children and Communities Services Act (2004), as well as recent legislative updates and court procedures related to family disputes and child protection. Her practice is grounded in a commitment to evidence-based support and ethical care, helping clients navigate complex situations with confidence and clarity.
As the lead practitioner at Best Life Therapy & Mediation, Maria provides expert family dispute resolution, individual and couples counselling, court-ordered therapy, and parenting coordination. She is also dedicated to professional development within her field through facilitating workshops, supervising students and emerging practitioners in dispute resolution and mediation, and offering coaching and assessment. Maria’s work is anchored in evidence-based methods and compassionate care, with a strong commitment to fostering mental well-being and nurturing healthy relationships.
Maria is passionate about empowering individuals to discover their own solutions, creating a safe space for reflection and growth, and working within a strengths-based, person-centred framework that recognises people as the experts in their own lives. Her extensive training includes Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Practice, Solution-Focused Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Play Therapy and EMDR for Play, and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), among other approaches.
Services Offered
Maria works with adults, children & adolescents experiencing issues such as (but not limited to):
Family Law Support: Child-focused sessions for family dispute resolution, including both parent and child interviews, as well as guidance for post-separation parenting plans.
Family Court Ordered Therapy: for families to support parents and children in building/enhancing relationships, improve co-parenting communication and overall wellbeing.
Mental Health Concerns: treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, complex PTSD, trauma, personality disorders, and phobias.
Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention: Conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, risk assessments, and providing crisis intervention for clients in distress.
Crisis and Emotional Distress Counselling: Providing empathetic support for clients experiencing crisis situations and emotional distress.
Psychoeducation and Mental Health Advocacy: Providing psychoeducation and advocating for clients' mental health needs.
Group Therapy and Facilitation: Facilitating group therapy sessions on topics such as addiction, relapse prevention, healthy relationships, and boundaries.
Trauma-Sensitive Counselling: Providing support with a trauma-informed approach to help clients navigate and heal from traumatic experiences.
Relationship Issues and Couples Therapy: Conflict, communication, intimacy, LGBTIQ, infidelity & trust, anger management.
Neurodiversity: Challenges related to behaviour, emotional regulation, communication and social skills training.
Academic & Social Challenges: Assistance with school refusal, transitions from primary school to high school, peer bullying, issues with friendships, anxiety, depression, self-harm, body image, and self-esteem issues.
Behavioural & Emotional Regulation: Strategies for managing behavioural concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, and coping with sensory overload.
Charity Chola, BA(PsychCouns), PGradCertMentalHlth, MMMentalHlthNurs
Charity is a Clinical Nurse Specialist that provides therapeutic interventions in the mental health sector. She is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and a Credentialed Children & Young People’s Nurse with the Australian College of Children & Young People’s Nursing.
Charity has completed various qualifications in the mental health field including psychology, counselling and family dispute resolution. She is also trained in Child Inclusive Mediation and Counselling as a Child Consultant, specialising in post-separation Family Dispute Resolution. Her extensive experience spans numerous clinical and leadership roles, including Child Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital and Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). She has also worked in emergency departments and acute psychiatric settings, delivering advanced care for both adults and young people. Charity is currently a Director representing Western Australia on the Board of the Australian College of Children & Young People's Nursing (ACCYPN), reflecting her dedication to advancing the field of children's health.
With a distinguished career supporting children, adolescents, and their families, Charity is deeply committed to promoting family wellbeing and positive mental health outcomes. She is passionate about helping families navigate challenging circumstances and achieve constructive resolutions.
Through a strength’s-based approach, Charity draws on a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), mindfulness strategies, and sleep hygiene techniques—Charity’s compassionate and skilled approach ensures that she continues to make a meaningful difference for children, adolescents, and families throughout the community.
Services Offered
Charity works with adults, children & adolescents experiencing issues such as (but not limited to):
Family Law Support: Child-focused sessions for family dispute resolution, including both parent and child interviews, as well as guidance for post-separation parenting plans.
Therapeutic Interventions: Individual and group therapy for children and adolescents, provided under Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP – Medicare).
Neurodiversity: challenges related to behaviour, communication and social skills.
Academic & Social Challenges: Assistance with school refusal, transitions from primary school to high school, bullying, anxiety, depression, self-harm, body image, and self-esteem issues.
Behavioural & Emotional Regulation: Strategies for managing behavioural concerns, emotional regulation difficulties, and coping with sensory overload.
Mental Health Concerns: Treatment for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, complex PTSD, trauma, personality disorders, phobias and eating disorders.
Addiction Support: Guidance and intervention for various forms of addiction (e.g., binge eating, gaming, vaping etc).
Grief and bereavement: grief & loss
Interpersonal Relations: gender identity / diversity
Nick Packer, BAComm, DipAFS, GradDipCouns, CertPsyAddiction&Rec
Nick holds tertiary qualifications in counselling and is a PACFA Certified Practising Counsellor currently pursuing a Master of Counselling. As a dedicated and compassionate therapist, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in areas such as addiction and substance use, mental health assessment, and crisis intervention. Nick offers tailored recovery plans, addressing each client's needs with empathy and professionalism. He has a robust foundation in men’s mental health and wellbeing, trauma-informed care, developmental psychology, and systemic advocacy.
Nick is passionate about men's mental health and has witnessed how societal expectations and stereotypes can prevent men from expressing their emotions and seeking help. This has motivated him to advocate for change and support initiatives that promote mental well-being for men. His goal is to create a culture where men can support one another and feel empowered to take charge of their mental health and lead happier, healthier lives.
Nick is dedicated to providing trauma-informed, person-centred care. His practice is shaped by extensive training in Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, and responding to substance use concerns. His approach is informed by polyvagal theory, somatic experiencing, and Internal Family Systems, tailored to unique needs and contexts. Nick integrates play-based and expressive modalities into his work with children, supporting emotional regulation, attachment repair, and developmental resilience.
In addition to his therapeutic delivery, Nick has experience in case management and psychosocial coordination. His interpersonal skills, honed over 14 years of leadership in the Australian Defence Force, enable him to build trust, navigate complex conversations, and support individuals experiencing stress, burnout, grief, and complex trauma. He is adept at working with self-harm/suicidal ideation, domestic violence, and child protection concerns, formulating safe plans while navigating systemic supports.
Services Offered
Nick works with adults, couples, families, children & adolescents and offers a comprehensive range of services, including:
Trauma-Sensitive Counselling: Providing support with a trauma-informed approach to help clients navigate and heal from traumatic experiences.
Addiction and Substance Use Counselling: Specializing in supporting clients with addiction and substance use concerns, including relapse prevention.
Client-Led Recovery Pathways: Facilitating recovery pathways that are led by the clients, ensuring their unique needs and goals are prioritized
Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention: Conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, risk assessments, and providing crisis intervention for clients in distress.
Crisis and Emotional Distress Counselling: Providing empathetic support for clients experiencing crisis situations and emotional distress.
·Psychoeducation and Mental Health Advocacy: Providing psychoeducation and advocating for clients' mental health needs.
Group Therapy and Facilitation: Facilitating group therapy sessions on topics such as addiction, relapse prevention, healthy relationships, and boundaries
Internal Family Systems Therapy: Utilizing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help clients understand and heal their internal family dynamics.
Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing: Applying polyvagal theory and somatic experiencing techniques to support clients in regulating their nervous systems and processing trauma.
Relational Attunement: Fostering strong therapeutic relationships through relational attunement to enhance clients' emotional well-being.
Anza Sunny, BACoun
Anza is a dedicated practitioner committed to creating safe and supportive spaces where individuals can confidently navigate life's challenges and triumphs. She is a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and has a passion for fostering healing and growth. With a bachelor’s degree in counselling and extensive experience in both customer service and healthcare, Anza brings a unique blend of skills that focuses on a trauma-informed, person-centred, and holistic approach to every client relationship, honouring each person's unique story and needs.
With over a decade of experience supporting children and families, Anza has worked with diverse communities across schools, hospitals, and the Department of Communities. Her compassionate and grounded presence helps build meaningful connections and inspires lasting, positive change in those she works with.
Services Offered
Anza works with adults, children & adolescents experiencing issues such as (but not limited to):
Academic challenges & peer bullying
Anxiety, depression & emotional distress.
Grief & loss and recovery
Trauma recovery
Self-esteem, body image concerns and eating disorders
Cultural identity and adjustment difficulties