About Us
Discover the story behind AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting, where our founder, Adam Rice, envisioned a new approach to psychotherapy services—one that is easily accessible, flexible, and supportive. Adam's vision was to create something beyond the ordinary, offering a unique range of services to meet diverse client needs.
In 2019, when Adam's daughter, Sarah, joined AJR on reception, little did they know it would lead to something extraordinary. With Sarah's background in counseling and her passion for equine therapy, the idea of incorporating horses into therapy sessions emerged. Sarah pursued her Equine Assisted Psychotherapy qualification, giving rise to Better Life Ranch. Now, with Spin, Ash, and Tilly as part of the horsey family, Better Life Ranch provides a transformative space for clients seeking alternative therapeutic experiences. Although Sarah has taken over Better Life Ranch, we maintain a very close relationship so clients of AJR still have access to this amazing therapy.
Expanding beyond traditional therapy methods, Adam established The AJR International Academy of NLP, offering NLP Practitioner and Master Practitioner courses. This addition reflects AJR's commitment to providing innovative and comprehensive approaches to personal development. We deliver workshops for parents and young people and provide other interesting short courses on a range of topics, Dealing with Narcissism being an example.
Over the years, AJR has welcomed skilled professionals like Albert Morrison and Pip Blackley, who excel in specialties such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, offering individual and group sessions. Having these two very experienced clinicians at AJR is a privilege.
As our services continue to grow, Adam now extends his availability to Sydney, alongside the Central Coast, ensuring accessibility to our diverse clientele.
AJR will continue to grow and more people will be joining our team.
Explore our team's bios below and learn more about the individuals driving AJR's mission of empowering positive change and holistic well-being.
Mental Health can affect anyone so our services are available to anyone!
AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting is dedicated to providing inclusive mental health counseling services to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Led by Adam and his team, we serve clients from various communities, including Aboriginal, CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse), GLBTQIA, and children.
In addition to individual counseling, AJR offers tailored workshops focusing on self-care for managers, employers, and employees across organizations. These workshops aim to enhance morale and foster a more fulfilling work environment.
We are proud of our partnership with Yerin Aboriginal Health Service, facilitating seamless access to our services for First Nations people, both adults and children.
At AJR, we believe that no concern is too insignificant or overwhelming.
Our team is dedicated to reaching individuals who may feel hesitant to seek support from mainstream counseling services due to feelings of embarrassment, guilt, or unworthiness.
Our services encompass a wide range of assistance, ensuring that everyone can find the support they need to thrive.
The services we can provide:
- Grief
- Bullying and Harassment
- Feeling suicidal
- Gambling
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Sexual assault
- Terminal illness
- Depression and Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Anger
- Bipolar Affective disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Clinical Supervision
- Self confidence
- Guidance and coaching
- Deep relaxation
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender and queer people. Young people thinking of coming out.
- Victims Of Crime
AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting is a confidential, nonjudgmental and supportive service.
Get in Touch: Mental Health Services Available in Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Surrey Hills, Central Coast and Beyond
Reach out to AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting, serving clients in Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Surrey Hills, and other Central and Eastern suburbs, as well as all areas on the Central Coast.
Our mental health clinic welcomes individuals from across Australia, offering both in-person and online consultations for your convenience.
Begin your journey towards healing and growth with an initial consultation tailored to your schedule. Our team of professional, compassionate counselors is dedicated to providing personalized support to help you navigate life's challenges and find meaningful solutions.
Whether you reside locally or elsewhere in Australia, our commitment remains steadfast in delivering attentive mental health care services to those who need it most.
Contact us today to take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow.
Adam J Rice
Principal, Owner Director.
Meet Adam Rice, Principal and Owner of AJR Counselling, Coaching, and Consulting. With a diverse background as a Credentialed Mental Health Clinician, Master Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Psychotherapist, and Coach, Adam brings a unique blend of expertise to his practice.
Adam's professional journey began in nursing after a successful career as a chef. He holds a Bachelor of Nursing, a Graduate Certificate in Emergency, and a Masters in Health Science, specializing in Drug & Alcohol. Additionally, Adam serves as a Conjoint Lecturer for the School of Medicine at the University of Newcastle.
Committed to continuous growth, Adam coaches annually alongside leading professionals in Sydney and Singapore. He is certified in Training and Consultancy in NLP, actively teaching and certifying individuals in NLP Practitioner and Master Certification. By staying abreast of the latest research, Adam ensures that his clients receive evidence-based approaches tailored to their specific needs.
Adam specializes in working with children facing a variety of challenges, including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration with parents to facilitate positive change for their children. Additionally, Adam supports adults dealing with a range of mental health issues, utilizing a variety of therapies and techniques to enhance their well-being.
As a coach, Adam empowers both children and adults to achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential. His guiding principle, "if it doesn’t work, find something that does," underscores his commitment to finding effective solutions for his clients.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Adam is a proud member of Rotary and one of the original founders and Director of the Coastal Towns Business Chamber, reflecting his strong connection to the Indigenous, LGBTQIA, and local business communities.
Adam is available for appointments Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, with availability on one Saturday per month.
Albert Morrison
Credentialed Mental Health Clinician
Albert Morrison is a Trauma-Informed, Person-Centred psychotherapist and counsellor with 20 years of experience working with adults facing a broad range of issues. He holds a Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy from Jansen and Newman Institute Sydney and a Master of Nursing Advanced Practice (Mental Health) from the University of Newcastle. Albert is also a Credentialed Mental Health Clinician and an AHPRA registered Health Practitioner. He has worked in both acute inpatient settings and non-acute community settings within public mental health services and private practice.
As an approved Victims of Crime Counsellor, Albert is deeply committed to supporting his clients in their journey of recovery and healing. He helps them address what matters most, including anxiety, depression, and trauma—whether related to childhood developmental trauma or acute trauma.
"My aim is to help create a nurturing, calm, and open-minded therapeutic space. A place where you feel heard, understood, and safe to share your personal experiences. I strive to work collaboratively with you to support your healing and personal growth."
Albert believes in tailoring therapy to meet each client's individual needs, ensuring the best outcomes. His clinical practice is grounded in extensive training across a range of evidence-based modalities, including:
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Schema Therapy
- Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- The Conversational Model
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
He strives to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel supported and empowered to navigate their challenges in a way that is meaningful and effective.
Albert is available for appointments at AJR Counselling, Coaching, and Consulting from Monday to Thursday face to face and online and Friday's online only 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Philippa Blackley (PIP)
Credentialed Mental Health Clinician
Pip brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role at AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting. Originally from the UK, Pip began her career as a Registered Nurse for people with disabilities, specializing in mental health care.
Upon immigrating to Australia in 1994, Pip pursued further education, completing a Transition to Mental Health certificate in Sydney in 2000.
Her professional journey led her to James Fletcher Hospital in Newcastle, where she worked in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) before transitioning to the Centre for Psychotherapy. There, Pip delved into Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), honing her skills in facilitating groups and providing individual DBT therapy.
Pip's commitment to excellence is evident in her academic achievements, including a Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice) in Mental Health from Newcastle University. She subsequently became a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, adhering to strict regulations to uphold high standards of practice through regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development.
For the past 12 years, Pip has been an integral part of the team at Lakeside Clinic at Warners Bay Private Hospital. Initially serving as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the inpatient unit, she transitioned to a senior group therapist role in the outpatient day program. With over 17 years of experience in DBT, Pip is passionate about its effectiveness and strives to make it accessible to a wider audience, particularly women facing challenges such as shame, low self-esteem, trauma, or addiction.
In addition to her expertise in DBT, Pip is also a Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner. She recognizes the complementary nature of these modalities, as they both explore emotions, language, thought patterns, mindfulness, and behavior.
AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting is privileged to have Pip as part of our team, bringing her dedication and expertise to our clients.
Pip is available for appointments on Wednesdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Bronwyn Batt
Massage & Sound Therapist, NLP Coach
With a passion for holistic healing, Bronwyn combines the art of massage therapy, the healing power of sound, the transformative practice of meditation and NLP coaching to create a comprehensive wellness experience. With 10+ Years of experience in the field, she is dedicated to helping clients achieve balance and harmony in both body and mind.
Bronwyn holds a diploma in beauty therapy including various massage techniques, including Relaxation, deep tissue, and aromatherapy massage. She believes in tailoring each session to meet individual needs, using intuitive touch to release tension and promote relaxation.
As a certified sound therapist, Bronwyn harnesses the vibrational energy of instruments such as singing bowls to facilitate deep relaxation and emotional release. This unique approach enhances the healing process, allowing clients to reconnect with their inner selves.
In addition, Bronwyn also incorporates guided meditation and NLP Techniques into all of her sessions designed to cultivate mindfulness and foster a sense of peace. With a focus on breathwork and visualization, these sessions empower clients to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and calm.
Whether you’re seeking relief from physical discomfort, emotional healing, or a deeper spiritual connection, Bronwyn is here to support you on your journey toward wellness.
Bronwyn facilitates individual and group sessions, and also contributes significantly to the administrative support team at AJR, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to the organisation.
Jess Connell
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Jess is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with 12 years of experience working with adults and teens across Mental Health Services, Disability, Refugee and Migrant Support, Family Violence, Palliative Care and Women's Health.
For the last 4 years her focus has been on providing therapy and upskilling in a range of modalities that support people to address the underlying cause of the symptoms that cause them distress. Jess is committed to working alongside people, focusing on their unique needs, and supporting them to heal and grow.
Her approach is authentic, holistic, empowering and compassionate.
She spent 8 years traveling and working in hospitality prior to obtaining an honours degree in Social Work. She has spent significant periods of time in Asia and Africa exploring the culture, volunteering, living with locals and travelling independently. Her life experience has enriched her therapy practice and ability to connect with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, she is respectful, open minded and committed to ongoing learning.
Jess is an approved counsellor for Victim Services NSW and can offer a Medicare rebate with a Mental Health Care Plan.
Therapeutic approaches include:
-Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
-EMDR
-Psychodynamic therapy
-Schema Therapy
-Mindfulness and meditation-based therapies
-Polyvagal exercises
-Somatic techniques
-Interpersonal psychotherapy
Jess is available for appointments at AJR Counselling, Coaching and Consulting Monday and Tuesday in person or online and Friday’s, online only 8.30am to 3pm.
Sarah J Rice
Counsellor & Equine Therapist
Sarah brings a wealth of expertise to her role at AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting. She completed her Diploma of Counselling in 2014 and is also certified as an NLP Practitioner.
Sarah is a highly skilled equine assisted psychotherapist, having graduated from The Equine Psychotherapy Institute in Victoria. Her dedication to equine therapy has earned her recognition for her work with both adults and children.
Passionate about facilitating healing through equine therapy, Sarah oversees a program at Better Life Ranch, where she works with her three horses—Spinner, Ash, and Tilly. She specializes in designing equine therapy groups tailored for children with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
In addition to her expertise in equine therapy, Sarah is a Reiki Master and holds qualifications in criminal justice and criminology report writing.
While Sarah now independently operates Better Life Ranch now, she maintains a close relationship with AJR Counselling, Coaching & Consulting, ensuring seamless collaboration and continued support for clients.
To reach Sarah directly, please contact her at 0452 355 550.