Ari has worked in the AOD sector since 2014. Ari works as a psychologist at Arrow Health and an addiction researcher at Monash University, where he explores addiction treatment, recovery, peer support, and several other fields. Ari's PhD thesis focused on the relationship between anxiety and self-control and the implications of this for addiction-related problems.

I have been an APS member since 2003 and a Clinical College member since 2006. I was the inaugural national convenor of the APS Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Interest Group. I am currently Program Director of the Master of Psychology (Clinical) program at the University of South Australia and Clinic Director of the UniSA Psychology Clinic. I was formerly the Team Manager of the Centre for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression. I have worked across a range of private and public settings in adult mental health and addiction, and have worked as a guest lecturer in the Clinical Master’s programs of all South Australian universities. I have research interests in improving the practice of psychological therapies in real world settings. I represent the University of South Australia on the college committee and look forward to serving the professional interests and development needs of the community of South Australian clinical psychologists.

Latha Nithyanandam has 30+ years of experience as a Psychologist working as a Consultant, Faculty, Therapist, Supervisor and Research Head at various Hospitals, De-addiction Centres, Teaching Institutes, and Facilities in Australia and India. She did an internship in West Germany. Her doctoral thesis was on ‘Yoga as a Mind Body Approach for Well Being’. Presently she is the General Manager of Alcohol & Drug Foundation NSW- Kathleen York House a long term rehabilitation centre for women wanting to overcome their substance dependence

Caroline Long started with the PSU in 2014. She is currently the Service Development Manager at Odyssey House Victoria, a specialist AOD treatment service.

Caroline has been working in the AOD/dual diagnosis sector across 28 years in research, clinical and management roles within academic, public and private services. Other areas of specialisation include anxiety, adult ADHD, domestic violence, trauma, psycho-oncology and post separation family functioning.

Nathan Akoka is a provisional psychologist, studying the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) program at Swinburne University. Nathan completed his Bachelor of Psychological Sciences from Deakin University and Graduate Diploma in Professional Psychology from the University of Melbourne. Clinically, he has worked across the private and public Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector as an AOD Clinician providing individual counselling, group work and assessments to forensic and voluntary clients. Nathan currently works as a Youth AOD Worker at YSAS, supporting young people aged 12-25 while completing their residential withdrawal stay. Nathan is also employed by YSAS as a Research Assistant, working on Randomised Control Trials related involving young people with substance use disorders, in collaboration with Orygen.

Senior Psychologist, Drug and Alcohol Services, Richmond / Clarence Network, Northern NSW Local Health District. A Psychologist since 2004, Darren has a long background in Mental Health Services, including holding leadership and legal roles, as well as having functions in various specialist portfolio positions. A long period in a portfolio involving dual diagnosis further developed this area of interest eventually resulting in a movement to the Drug and Alcohol sector. Darren has only recently joined the PSU as a committee member.

Ann is a clinical psychologist who has been working in private practice since 2008. She completed her clinical masters in 2015 and is currently enrolled in the Master of Addictive Behaviours through Monash University. Ann is passionate about advocating for a better understanding of addiction and reducing stigmatisation in the general population, health care workers, and the justice system. As addiction is a growing concern in Australia, it is vital that more services are available for those ready to seek help, along with their families, and that addiction is viewed as a health issue not a moral failing.