Our Crossway Counsellors
All our counsellors have current Working With Children (WWC) cards and police checks. Please take a look at their profiles to see if one looks like being an especially good fit for you. Alternatively, contact CCC reception, and we can help match you with a counsellor.
Sharon Hallam
Counsellor
Sharon is passionate about encouraging women and men who are dealing with grief, anxiety and stress. She enjoys giving people a practical personal sense of hope and peace in the promises of God. Her approach is collaborative, non judgmental and combines Christian theology with commonly used strategies from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. She applies God’s word to bring healing, peace and growth and with the client’s consent, prays at the close of sessions so they feel God’s presence and blessing as they leave and put into action what has been discussed. Sharon was on the founding committee for Crossway Counselling Centre, has a Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Health Science with a major in psychology and is part way through studying her Masters of Counselling. She is a member of the Australian Counselling Association and specialises in one to one counselling. She is married to Anton and has two primary school aged children.
Richard Suter
Counsellor
Richard Suter is trained in Biblical Counselling through CCEF (Christian Counselling and Education Foundation, USA). He has been Biblically Counselling for 7 years. For many years he was part of the mentoring team at Shalom House. Richard also has his own private Biblical Counselling practice. He commonly deals with addictions, anxiety and depression, guilt and shame, loss of hope, helplessness, abuse in marriage, sexual abuse, mental illness, and other relationship difficulties. He also enjoys helping people gain biblical clarity in problem-solving and decision making, and marriage preparation and enrichment. Richard believes it is a great honour to be invited to explore with people how they can experience God’s love and comfort in the most mundane of daily challenges or the most difficult sin and suffering. His greatest joy is seeing people set free from bondage and moving from darkness to light when God touches their lives. Richard has been a volunteer chaplain with Sports Chaplaincy Australia since 1995, serving at the Australian Superbike series and MotoGP racing events. He is married to Sue, and between them, they have 5 adult children.
Ali Dee
Counsellor
Ali brings to the counselling room many years of experience as a School Chaplain working with children, young people and their families. She communicates with warmth and sincerity and connects well with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Her passion is to see people flourish in the life that they are living and to support them on that journey. As a woman of faith, Ali has an integrative approach to therapy as she provides emotional support, encouragement and insight to help navigate life’s difficulties. Ali has an Associate Diploma in Social Science (Youth Work), a Diploma in Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Spiritual).
Bianca Davies
Counsellor
Bianca has long had a ministry of Biblical counselling, pastoral care and prayer, particularly with women. She has a certificate in Biblical Counselling through CCEF (Christian Counsellors and Educators Foundation, USA), a Bachelor of Ministry and a Diploma in Social Science (Counselling). Bianca is passionate about helping people hold onto faith in Christ through trials, finding comfort and strength in God. She is empathetic, gentle and prayerful in her approach, creating a safe space for individuals and couples to process difficult emotions. Bianca has experience working with grief, anxiety, depression, marital issues, parenting challenges (including single parenting), ongoing struggles with sin, doubt and shame. She is non-judgemental and understands growing in grace with Jesus is an ongoing journey. Bianca is married to Carl and has four young adult children.
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Shelley Bell
Counsellor
Shelley is a compassionate counsellor who invites individuals and couples to come as they are and find hope in the midst of their challenges. She offers a safe, non-judgemental space where clients can process struggles, rediscover strengths, and work toward healing and growth. As a Christian counsellor, Shelley draws on her faith to offer hope and encouragement while welcoming clients from all backgrounds.
She has experience working with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, life transitions, neurodivergence and relationship challenges. With 25 years of marriage and raising four children, Shelley brings a deep understanding of the joys and challenges of life and relationships. She holds a Master of Counselling and is trained in the Gottman Method for couples, combining evidence-based approaches with empathy and care to help clients find hope again, and to thrive.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint". - Isaiah 40:31
Ida Marais
Counsellor
Ida’s has a gentle and non-judgmental approach to understanding you and the challenges you face. Ida is trauma-informed and has worked with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, life changes like menopause or becoming parents, relationship difficulties, past abuse, stress, neurodiversity, as well as family and domestic violence. Ida is also involved in working with Police referrals for trauma, grief and loss counselling. She believes that it is during times of difficulty that we grow most as human beings and as Christians. She is especially mindful of the connection between mind and body and how we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Ps 139). Ida has worked in mental health research for most of her life and holds Masters degrees in Psychology and Counselling, as well as a PhD in Psychology. She is a member of the Australian Counselling Association.
Crossway Counselling Service
Executive Team
Stephen Poisat
Counsellor Supervisor
Steve has the responsibility to supervise and provide continuing education for the CCC counsellor team. Steve has a passion for designing and delivering thoughtful and empowering content in his professional field of practical theology, counselling and Christian leadership. Steve’s adaptive leadership style is relational and effective in bringing about understanding and empowerment to the teams that he leads, opting for a collaborative approach to achieving goals that are strategically aligned with the organisational core mission and values. Steve is a clinical counsellor (CCAA) and an associate lecturer in practical theology and counselling. Steve is committed to being a lifelong student and is working on a PhD exploring the importance of Kingdom of God theology in counselling and spiritual formation.
Leanne Sharp
Practice Coordinator
Leanne recently retired after 10 years as an Education Officer working for the State Government in child protection. This was preceded by over 25 years teaching in secondary education, predominantly in a Christian school. She is keenly committed to providing a safe, efficient and welcoming environment at the Crossway Counselling Centre, working as part of a team of competent and enthusiastic counsellors and reception volunteers. Leanne understands and appreciates the value of a faith-based counselling service and the real potential it has to assist both individuals and families. She is married with 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Grant Hendry
NBBC Senior Pastor
Grant has served as a full-time pastor for over 22 years, first of all in Busselton and then at North Beach Baptist Church. Grant is passionate about clear, Christ-focused Bible teaching and has consistently invested heavily in supportive but bold, pastoral counselling. Grant leads a team of 6 pastors at North Beach. Grant has long championed the establishment of a quality Biblical counselling service to bless the whole of Perth, not just the Christian community.