Staff

Nicole Neave is the Principal and brain child of The AUTHENTIC CHILD

The GIRL EMPOWERMENT COLLECTIVES the PRESCHOOL DRAMA PROGRAM, HOMESCHOOL and principal COUNSELLOR at Counselling for your peace of mind.

She has developed GIRL EMPOWERMENT groups and will be launching our MAKING GOOD MEN series of groups in 2027

She has worked with children in many capacities for over 30 years. From working at Lake-side special school as a volunteer while at high school, being part of the implementation of Rainbow readers with the Family Action centre UON, being co-ordinator of her children’s playgroup while her children attended and running a Before and After school care for Hamilton public school for over 17 years.

On completing her training in Professional Counselling with AIPC she became a member of ACA and PCA. She opened her private practice in Hamilton in 2010.

At her counselling practice she specialises in anything Child related; families, parenting after family break downs, anxiety and bullying. Having lived through them all she has a unique gift of being able to guide her counselling clients to lead a better life.

She has a unique understanding of NEURODIVERGENCE with wonderful insight and results

As a keen high school drama student and university drama tragic she became aware of the wonderful vehicle that the dramatic arts are in teaching children to master some of their fears and dealing with life’s ups and downs.

She would much prefer to teach children how to deal with their anxieties or cope with bullying, or simply learn some life skills in dealing with confusing emotions through her Authentic Child workshops rather than as a counselling client if its not necessary.

We encourage them to shine and celebrate exactly who they were intended to be through the medium of drama type exercises.

Nicole is a mother of 3 adult daughters, a passionate supporter of Primary Ethics, being one of the first of two original co-ordinators in Newcastle, and now teaches weekly classes.

Nicole is the developer and/or facilitator of “counsellors in private practice”, “Newcastle zone of playgroups”, and “soul traders”.

Nicole is a reiki 2 practitioner.

Lucinda is one of our senior tutors. She has worked with the Authentic Child from our first class! She teaches the drama side of our business and is instrumental in writing our programs. She is a valued team member to bounce ideas off and has a special love and interest in children on the spectrum – being a preschool teacher for special needs children. She started drama when she was 4, being a member of The Roxy, DAPA and Hunter Drama, and is an accomplished pianist – having been taught the piano since she was 8 years old.

Lucinda has got a Cert 2 in Community services as well as a Diploma in Early Childhood, education and care. Plus she completed a Diploma in Holistic integrated creative arts therapy.

Lucinda is a level 1 reiki practitioner and volunteers – being instrumental in the planning of Food not Bombs homeless project.

She loves animals, children and family!

Bridget is studying her Masters degree in Gender Studies. She is researching dance as a form of therapeutic intervention for women who are survivors of trauma. Bridget is also completing her yoga teacher training as well as her Diploma in Professional counselling.

Bridget is passionate about dance, theatre, singing and yoga. She dances multiple styles, training at Catapult (Newcastle) and a number of free form movement groups (Just dance Newcastle, Contact Improvisation Sydney). She is a dedicated yogi and a freelance yoga teacher. She believes these practices help children develop a way to express their internal world and thereby process their experiences.

Bridget has a gift for working with children who are especially sensitive or anxious, as she too was as a child, helping them to realise their special power in being different.

Bridget teaches yoga, mindfulness and theatre with The Authentic Child. She is our resident school tutor, who received an amazing ATAR of 99.05% and provides us with expressive movement classes.

She is enthusiastic, full of energy, caring and kind.

Ellie is the technical assistant here at The Authentic Child, and has recently stepped into this role as she approaches her 5th year with us. 

She started at The Authentic Child during 2021, and since then has learnt that every child truly is their own individual, and to learn that about them is one of the most crucial steps in understanding them and their needs. 

Upon graduating in September of 2025, Ellie plans to be stepping into a higher educational setting, beginning in 2026. Here is where she will begin studying a Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences before commencing her 3 year journey through a Double Degree of Psychological Science and Criminology. 

As she enters the next chapter of her life as an adult, her understanding of the importance of expression and advocacy in varying areas of an individual’s life has grown in copious amounts, leading her to continuously speak up for those in need of a support system whether experiencing difficult times or just needing someone to listen to any worries, thoughts, or stories waiting to be told. 

Caleb is a member of the authentic child staff team who has grown from
attending the program to eventually helping run the school holiday
workshops, Caleb has various interests and a warm and vibrant energy
towards his work, he enjoys:

-music of many varieties, however older music he enjoys the most.

-skateboarding with friends and adventuring towards new places

-loves helping people discover who they are and strive to be.

-playing sports such as basketball, rugby union and touch football