General Practitioner
Penny is a founding member and director of ITH. She has helped to create an environment that respects and integrates the best of evidence based conventional and complementary medicine, thus facilitating physical, emotional and spiritual healing. She is particularly focussed on the cause of disease and on aiding the body to find a healthy biochemical balance. This can free individuals to participate in their emotional and spiritual healing.
General Practitioner
Nicole joined ITH in 2005, reinforcing her mainstream practices, while also expanding her passion for treating disease processes at an emotional and spiritual level. Nicole enjoys sharing knowledge and skills with the complementary therapists. She has an interest in nutritional medicine and expanding her knowledge in this area, specifically for children on the autistic spectrum.
General Practitioner
Jane Shapiro joined the practice in 2009 after having worked on the central coast since 1997. She is enjoying integrating biochemical and nutritional medicine into her practice, especially in her areas of special interest: youth health, aboriginal and sexual health. She finds it very rewarding to work closely with the other health therapists
Dr Clifford Smith, MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, DipObst.RCOG.
Cliff is currently in a locum position at ITH, offering temporary support for the permanent doctors. He has had a long career in general practice, having worked in Papua New Guinea in clinical, community health and health administration and then in general practice in Sydney and on the Central Coast. He also works as a volunteer for a Christian overseas health aid organisation part-time.
ITH is committed to supervising and training the doctors of tomorrow.
GP Registrars are fully trained doctors who are preparing to sit their exams for Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. They are supported by the team at ITH and receiving high quality education from their regional training provider: Valley to Coast.
ITH is also involved in training Newcastle University medical students. From time to time you may be asked if you would give your consent to such students observing your consultations with the doctor or nurse.
Osteopath
Katia Twyford, registered Osteopath, trained in England and has been practising for 16 years internationally. Her treatment approach includes fascial and functional techniques, as well as the cranial techique. She also incorporates other modalities like sound healing and imagery to help the whole person to heal. Katia has a particular interest in treating fertility issues, pregancy issues and birth related issues. Children and adults benefit from this gentle approach that helps the body heal on a cellular level from any traumatic event: physical or emotional. She is accredited with most private health funds.
Registered Osteopath, Cert IV Personal Training
Lisa graduated from RMIT in 1993 and finds osteopathy a highly effective modality, not only for relieving musculoskeletal pain, but also for treating children with learning difficulties and behavioural problems. One of the modalities within her Osteopathic "tool box" is the craniosacral technique about which she is passionate. Lisa is Health-Fund accredited.
Osteopath
Pat holds a Master of Health Science in Osteopathy following thirteen years experience as a registered general nurse. Pat addresses imbalances within muscular and skeletal systems by incorporating massage, manipulation, stretching and gentle muscle release techniques. He also holds a certificate in acupuncture, a technique which he integrates into his treatments. Osteopathy is particularly beneficial in treating low back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, sporting injuries and muscular strains. Pat is a member of the Australian Ostepathic Association and is accredited by Workcover, Dept. Veterans Affairs and various private health funds.
Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist
Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses acupuncture in combination with Chinese herbal medicine to assist the body to rebalance itself to optimum health. She is experienced in the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints, cancer support, women's health (including menstrual, fertility and menopausal symptoms), child health, pain management and stress reduction. She is a member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA) and is health fund accredited.
Bush Flower Practitioner
Ann joined Invitation to Health in 2008. For 12 years she has been working with Australian Bush Flower essences; a vibrational medicine promoting emotional, mental and spiritual balance and wellbeing.
Her treatments work well in combination with treatments offered by other ITH health professionals, as well as on their own.
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist
Judith holds a BSc and has completed post-graduate studies in nutrition and dietetics. She has over twenty-three years experience in health promotion, clinical practice and research. Specialising in healthy eating, children's obesity and sports nutrition, she tailors dietary strategies to suit individual needs in areas which include weight management, wellness, diabetes and heart disease. She is health fund accredited.
Nutritionist
Michelle enjoys working with like-minded GPs and natural therapists across a range of modalities. She looks at the whole person, putting strategies, dietry changes and lifestyle aids in place to empower clients to lead a full and healthy life. Her particular interests lie in childrens' and womens' health, including pre-conception and fertility, weight management, food allergies and intolerances. She is able to provide nutritional support for a wide variety of health issues. Private Health-fund rebates are available from some funds.
Clinical & Educational Psychologist
Christine has trained and worked in the UK, South Africa and Sydney. She has a wide range of experience with all age groups, addressing a range of emotional and behavioural issues. These include treatments for anxiety, depression (including postnatal depression), pain & trauma management. She is experienced in hypnosis, EMDR and psychometric assessments.
Registered Psychologist.
Anne studied in Sydney and has worked as a psychologist in regional NSW and Queensland. She has treated people ranging in age from primary school to the elderly. Her areas of special interest are mid-life, menopause, moving on after major life changes, Aspergers Syndrome and Post-Traumatic Stress. Anne uses a range of therapies, depending on the concerns of her patients and their needs. She has completed Narrative Therapy training at the Dulwich Centre in Adelaide.
Accredited Exercise Physiologist
Lee specialises in lifestyle modification and exercise interventions for people with chronic and complex medical conditions. Lee has also undertaken postgraduate studies in Exercise Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Soft Tissue Injuries. He is accredited with Workcover and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a Medicare Provider and is also accredited with all the major private health funds.
Kinesiologist
David's passion is in researching and using traditional healing systems. He has been teaching and practicing kinesiology for more than a decade. His treatments focus on chronic illnesses, including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, depression, anxiety, chronic back pain, sleeping disorders; neurological problems including learning difficulties, delayed development, autism, Parkinsons Disease, MS, and stroke.
David's techniques include counselling, reflex therapy, movement therapy, acupressure, diet, neurophysiological assessment, muscle feedback, massage and myofascial release. His approach emphasises helping his clients to find their own way, through reconnecting and expressing what is in their core being.
Jennifer Younglove, RN and Johanna Henderix, EEN provide clinical support, working in collaboration with our doctors. Our nurse-led services include health assessments, clinics for immunisations, weight loss, asthma and diabetes, care plans for patients with chronic and complex needs, as well as assisting with home visits and home-based health assessments.
Daphne O'Neill, Dip.PM., FAAPM. JP.
Daphne joined the ITH team in March 2011. She has had long experience in managing both general and specialist medical practices on the central coast. For the past 12 years she has been an AGPAL accreditation surveyor. Daphne has continued to serve on the committee of the Australian Association of Practice Managers since 1989. During this time she has held the positions of Secretary of the National Board of the AAPM and President of the NSW chapter. She is also a qualified Audiometrist.
Reception StaffJacki O'Donnell (Office Manager), Denise Smith, Pauline Kennedy, Lyn Malligan, Pam Saisell and Sharon Huzarek will welcome you to our centre. They are available to make appointments and to offer help and information.