Ilana Lawrence – Founder, The Sick Sense

Ilana Lawrence is a Paediatric Nurse Consultant and mum of two with over 14 years’ experience caring for children in some of NSW’s busiest hospitals and emergency departments. Having been both a clinician and a parent in the waiting room, she truly understands what it’s like on each side of the emergency triage desk.

She founded The Sick Sense to close the gap in community health literacy — giving parents, carers, and educators the skills and confidence to recognise when a child is unwell, act quickly, and know when to seek urgent help.

Unlike generic first aid courses, The Sick Sense is paediatric-specific and goes beyond the basics. Workshops blend expert medical knowledge with real-world scenarios, covering sickness recognition, red flag signs, and practical responses to emergencies like choking, burns, and poisoning. Participants leave feeling prepared, empowered, and supported — not overwhelmed.

Delivering sessions across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter, and the Central Coast — and now through an online, bite-sized version — Ilana’s mission is simple: to create informed, confident advocates for children’s health, so more families can make the right call at the right time — and potentially save a life.

I’m Joanna, a mother of two and the founder of Sage Nest—a boutique wellness practice based in Newcastle, NSW. My work focuses on supporting women through the transformative stages of pregnancy, birth preparation, and postpartum recovery with care that is both holistic and deeply nurturing.

I’ve been in clinical practice since 2004 and bring together a unique blend of therapies to support the health and wellbeing of mothers and their families. My approach is integrative and evidence-informed, combining Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Massage Therapy, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, and the Body Ready Method® to offer well-rounded care tailored to each individual.

At the Sage Nest, I provide support that spans the entire motherhood journey—from managing early pregnancy symptoms and preparing for an empowered birth, to gentle, restorative care in the fourth trimester and beyond. Each session is personalised to address not just the physical, but also the emotional and energetic shifts that come with matrescence.

Birth preparation is a particular focus of my work. I help women feel physically aligned, emotionally grounded, and mentally ready for labour and birth. My sessions may include acupuncture, bodywork, breath techniques, acupressure, body alignment and partner-inclusive education to build confidence and reduce fear. Whether you’re planning your first birth or looking for support after a previous experience, I create a space where you feel informed, prepared, and supported.

For new mothers needing extra support, I also offer postpartum home visits across the Newcastle region. These sessions bring hands-on care, comfort, and therapeutic treatments to your doorstep during a time when leaving the house can feel overwhelming. It’s a beautiful way to receive nurturing support in your own familiar space while you rest and recover.

I love helping women feel more confident in themselves and their mothering. It’s a privilege to witness mothers reach their goals, feel more at ease, and reconnect with themselves during this powerful life transition. It’s an honour to support that process.

Hello, I’m Katrina, the founder of Olive Counselling. I’m an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and a mum of two.

At Olive Counselling, I specialise in perinatal mental health and couples counselling. I work with parents experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety, birth trauma, fertility challenges, grief and loss, identity shifts, and the everyday stresses of parenting. I also support couples to strengthen their relationship during the perinatal period, navigate changes in intimacy, improve communication, and work through conflict with compassion and respect.

My approach blends evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Circle of Security, mindfulness, and somatic practices. This allows me to tailor sessions to your unique needs whether you’re looking for gentle emotional support, practical coping strategies, or deeper trauma processing.

I understand that becoming a mother can be overwhelming. You may be navigating sleepless nights, big emotions, changes in your relationship, and a sense of losing the “old you.” Whether you’re seeking a safe place to process your feelings, practical parenting tools, or ways to reconnect with your partner, you’ll find understanding and guidance here.

At Olive Counselling, my hope is that you feel truly seen, supported, and understood, not just as a mum but as your unique self! Together, we can gently work through the challenges, strengthen your relationships, and help you find a sense of calm, connection, and confidence in this chapter of life.

• Online sessions
• In person (Warners Bay NSW)