Our Team

Debbie Graham
Founder

Meet Debbie, our Founder

With over 25 years of experience in community services and a specialization in mental health for more than 16 years, Debbie is passionate about advocating for those affected by hoarding disorder and complex trauma. Her journey led her to undertake a year-long project focused on mapping available services for individuals living in hoarded or squalid environments. Through this work, it became evident that significant gaps in support existed, with many participants feeling misunderstood, judged, and traumatized by their experiences.

Having a lived experience of hoarding, Debbie recognized the urgent need for a more informed, participant-led, and research-based model of intervention. In July 2016, she founded Inside Out Recovery to fill this gap in specialized support. Over the past seven years, the organization has been dedicated to breaking down the stigma and shame surrounding excessive clutter while fostering a compassionate understanding of those affected.

Debbie's qualifications include an Associate Degree of Counselling, a Diploma of Community Management, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and numerous specialized certifications accrued throughout her career. In 2022, she was honored to receive the Most Outstanding Addiction Behaviour Counsellor award in Australia, followed by global recognition in London.

Our team supports people to build skills around choice and control in their lives. We provide education and trauma-informed support to develop an understanding of behaviors and the social and environmental factors that contribute to their current situation. As a team, we build a plan focusing on whole-person recovery, not just the clutter.

The in-home intervention will intensely focus on trauma-informed care with other therapies to help a person achieve their recovery goals.

It will be vital to learn strategies to unpack their beliefs. In doing so, we hope that a person knows to challenge their thoughts and behaviours, aiding them in making better decisions about their life and possessions.

Our team is experienced in the following counselling modalities:

  • Anxiety

  • Trauma

  • Hoarding Disorder/Behaviours

  • Marriage & Relationships

  • Addictions

  • Pregnancy Loss or Miscarriage

  • Domestic Violence

  • Complex childhood trauma

  • Grief & Loss

  • Living with Dementia

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Neurodivergence (including ADHD and ASD)

  • Depression

  • Gender and Sexuality

  • Family Systems

  • Life Coaching

  • PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

  • Complex PTSD

  • Chronic Pain

  • Stress

  • Eating Disorders

  • Parenting Challenges

  • CBT

  • DBT

  • Ageing

  • Migrant & Refugee Challenges

  • LGBTQI+

  • Youth Counselling

  • Interpersonal Therapy

  • Family Functioning

  • Psychoeducation

Inside Out Recovery is committed to restoring functionality, health, and safety to clients’ internal environments. Research emphasizes that meaningful change must begin from within. The organization's holistic approach includes skill development, clinical intervention, and psychological assessments tailored to individual needs.

Understanding that hoarding disorder is a complex mental health issue, the first response is not to immediately clean up but to provide the psychological support necessary to understand the underlying causes of hoarding. This process equips individuals with the skills to sort and discard clutter sustainably.

The services offered are not a one-size-fits-all solution; instead, they are tailored to individual needs, including counseling, psychosocial decluttering coaching, recovery coaching, and collaborative engagement with existing support networks. As a registered NDIS provider, Inside Out Recovery is committed to providing comprehensive assistance to those in need.

Additionally, Debbie offers professional development training for workers in the sector to enhance their understanding and effectiveness in providing targeted interventions. The organization also facilitates peer-led support groups, including the 15-week Buried in Treasures Support Group and the 6 week Eating the Elephant Therapy Group, creating a safe, accepting, and non-judgmental environment for change.

At Inside Out Recovery, the belief in the power of community and support drives the mission to help individuals overcome the challenges of hoarding and reclaim a life less cluttered.

Meet Hayley, our Psychotherapist.

We are very blessed to have Hayley a part of our team.

Hayley is a dedicated psychotherapist specialising in hoarding disorder, with a compassionate approach.

Fostering a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their values and emotions.

Using a therapeutic practice and integrating mindfulness techniques with motivational interviewing together with empowering individuals to make meaningful changes.

Committed to promoting mental wellness, restoring balance and harmony in their clients' lives, guiding them toward a healthier future

Meet our amazing Jo!

Joanne is the Support Coordinator with Inside Out Recovery, linking participants with our experienced and passionate staff.

Before starting with Inside Out Recovery, Joanne worked for St Vincent de Paul at Matthew Talbot Hostel & Vincentian House providing support for men, women and families experiencing homelessness.

Joanne gained her Diploma of Community Services in 2022 after working in the events industry bringing her skills of organisation to Inside Out.

Joanne has a lived experience of hoarding with a close family member and brings this knowledge to help others achieve a safe and functional home environment.

In her spare time, she runs around at the beck and call of three boys and an energetic Jack Russell called Benny.

With a career spanning over three decades, Kersten has been dedicated to helping clients achieve well-being and personal growth since 1986. Initially trained as a physiotherapist, Kersten began by addressing physical health but, over time, developed a broader, more holistic approach to understanding and treating dysfunction. This evolution led her to expand her expertise into counselling and decluttering coaching, blending physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Today, Kersten brings a wealth of experience and a unique, integrative perspective to support clients in overcoming challenges and creating lasting positive change.

Sharon is a dedicated Assistant Declutter Coach and passionate advocate for individuals struggling with hoarding. With a personal understanding of clutter – from a vast craft collection to countless photos, albums, memorabilia, and paperwork – Sharon is deeply committed to supporting others facing similar challenges. Her journey began as a participant in the Buried in Treasures (BiT) workshop, which she completed twice, before becoming a volunteer in both the BiT workshops and support groups.

Over the past seven years, Sharon has worked alongside Debbie Graham, first volunteering and later co-facilitating BiT workshops. Recognizing Sharon’s dedication and passion for helping others, Debbie invited her to join the Inside Out Recovery team, where she now serves as an Assistant Declutter Coach. Sharon also co-facilitates the Life Less Cluttered face-to-face support group and the KAOS online Peer Support Group, providing a safe and compassionate space for individuals to find support and make progress in their decluttering journeys.

With her lived experience and commitment to helping others, Sharon plays an essential role in empowering individuals to overcome hoarding behaviors and create a more organized, peaceful life.

Bel has a unique and valuable perspective on supporting individuals affected by hoarding, drawing from her own lived experience. With a strong academic foundation, she holds a Diploma of Mental Health, a Diploma of Community Services, and is an accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainer. Currently, Bel is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work, further expanding her knowledge and skills.

Bel is committed to applying learned theories to her practical work, with a focus on minimizing social injustice and fostering a supportive environment. Her approach is grounded in being friendly, holistic, and professional, ensuring that individuals receive compassionate, well-rounded care and support.

Pip has a diverse background in both Occupational Therapy and Counselling, with a particular focus on helping individuals navigate the challenges of daily living. Initially trained in Occupational Therapy, Pip specialized in supporting clients to overcome barriers to performing everyday tasks, helping them regain independence and enhance their overall quality of life.

More recently, Pip has expanded her expertise through training in Counselling, integrating various therapeutic approaches into her practice. One of her unique methods is "Play of Life," a form of psychodrama using Mobilo figures to explore life scenarios, alongside traditional talking therapy and interpersonal strategies.

Currently, Pip works part-time with Inside Out Recovery, where she enjoys collaborating with clients to develop practical strategies that empower them to achieve their goals and lead more fulfilling lives. She finds great satisfaction in meeting people, understanding their challenges, and helping them create meaningful solutions for personal growth.

James Lightfoot

(Bachelor of Social Work (Hons), Certificate IV Training and Assessment, Diploma of Counselling)

James is an experienced caseworker/investigator, counsellor, consultant and psychosocial declutter coach.

James has over 30 years experience providing child protection and family support as well as other adult related services across child and family services, health systems, government watchdogs and other review agencies, including young people in residential care and disability supported accommodation.

James has also led and supervised Social Work Departments, Child Protection Units and specialist teams in hospitals and government agencies.

He is a qualified presenter and trainer and has delivered training and education to thousands of attendees through workshops, conferences and specialist induction. James also has extensive experience auditing agency practices and developing policies and practices for organisations. 

Dona has been a valued member of Inside Out Recovery since January 2023, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in counselling and psychotherapy.

Dona has been supporting individuals facing addiction, trauma, and neurodivergence since 2018, with a deep understanding of the unique challenges these struggles present.

Her career journey spans over a decade, with prior experience in a variety of settings, including prisons, addiction clinics, halfway houses, and youth programs, starting in 2012.

Originally pursuing a teaching degree, Dona made a bold career shift and graduated with a Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Australian College of Applied Psychology in 2017. Her passion for helping others and her diverse background make her a compassionate and skilled professional in the field.