Meet Our Practitioners

Meet Chris Van Der Pluym

Chris is an experienced practitioner with over six years of hands-on work in mental health recovery and drug and alcohol addiction support. He provides person-centred care for individuals facing complex challenges, including substance dependence, co-occurring mental health conditions, and social disadvantage. His approach is grounded in harm reduction and recovery-focused practice, supporting clients to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

Chris has delivered one-on-one counselling, facilitated group programs, and worked alongside multidisciplinary teams, families, and community networks to support long-term recovery. He is skilled in trauma-informed care, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based approaches.  

With eight years of experience as a teacher and a strong academic background—including a Master of Social Work (RMIT University), Master of Teaching (La Trobe University), and Bachelor of Social Science (Swinburne University)—Chris brings both empathy and structure to his work. He is especially passionate about supporting young people and those at early stages of change.  

Outside of work, Chris enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, good food, and being with his dogs.

Meet Laura Luca

 Laura Luca Founder  Laura is the proud founder of Growth Space Co, a social worker, clinical supervisor, and devoted dog lover. Over her 18 years in practice, she’s found her career sweet spot where her love for social work meets her passion for education and community.

 Her experience spans leading large community development projects, managing neighbourhood houses in Melbourne’s West, offering counselling and case management grounded in strengths-based, client-centred practice, and overseeing a large placement department in collaboration with universities across Australia.    

Today, Laura feels lucky to mentor and support hundreds of counselling and social work students as they discover their purpose and begin their professional journeys. Building community and connecting with nature have always been central to who she is, she finds joy outdoors, loves to read, write, create, and laugh as often as she can.  

Guided throughout her life by inspiring mentors, counsellors, and supportive groups, Laura deeply believes in the power of community. She knows that with the right environment, wellness and thriving can truly take root.  

With social isolation and loneliness on the rise, she founded Growth Space Co from the heart, a warm, welcoming community where trainee counsellors can connect meaningfully with their clients and with each other, and rediscover how simple, empowering, and joyful personal growth can be.  

Meet Northside Therapy Collective Practitioners

Dana Kabaila – Lived-experience neurodivergent counsellor and narrative therapist.
Gillian Fernandes – Relationship Counsellor
Ange Cook – Integrative Psychotherapist
Fiona Bell – Somatic therapist and registered Independent Social Work Therapist Eva Deligiannis – Registered Psychotherapist
Linda Ruff – Counsellor and Death
Doula Alexandra Heynatz- Social Worker
Ché Stevenson - Registered Integrative Psychotherapist
Giorgia Deslandes – Counsellor and EMDR Therapist
Julian Piccinin – Gestalt Therapist
Lee Beaton – Individual and couples Therapist