02/12/2025
🧡 Meet Patricia (or Patty, as she’s known by many in Geraldton), who provides child trauma counselling and adult family violence support at Desert Blue Connect.
We feel very lucky to have Patricia as part of our team and wanted to share a bit about her and the important work she does in our community.
Patricia is a proud Yamaji Naaguja woman, a mother of three and grandmother to six. And being one of eleven siblings, she draws her strength from family and community - a strength that has guided her through decades of service, leadership, and advocacy.
Through our counselling service, Patricia’s role is based around providing counselling for children who have experienced sexual assault or been exposed to family violence, as well as adults affected by family violence.
A qualified mental health practitioner and counsellor, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Mental Health), completed in 2013.
Her passion for mental health is deeply personal, inspired by her youngest child’s complex mental health journey. Navigating years of systemic barriers and red tape, Patricia became her daughter’s legal guardian. She also established a multi-disciplinary care team that continues to collaborate regularly to support her daughter’s wellbeing.
With over 30 years of experience working with and for community, Patricia has contributed through counselling, cultural consultancy, mentoring, committee leadership, and grassroots support.
Her leadership roles include serving as a Director for Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), Deputy Chairperson for the WA Mental Health Commission’s Advisory Group, and Advisory Group Member for the Royal Australasian College of Practitioners, along with participation on numerous local committees across Geraldton and the Midwest.
We also want to acknowledge Patricia’s recent graduation from the IAHA Leadership Program on the Sunshine Coast last week, completing 9 months of dedicated time and projects. Congratulations Patty! We are all so proud of you and love to celebrate this alongside you.
Beyond her professional commitments, Patricia also volunteers in community, mentors young people, supports her grandchildren in sport and education, and offers guidance wherever it’s needed.
Grounded by her lived experience, cultural knowledge, and commitment to justice and inclusion, Patricia is a strong advocate and trusted voice for her mob. She continues to walk with community, guided by Elders and led by her love for her family and her people.
Patricia’s counselling is a free service, and families can access her support through self-referral, referral from another agency, the Department of Child Protection and Family Support, or directly from Police.
To book an appointment with Patricia, call Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742.
Photo 1: Patricia with her family at the 2025 Justice & Community Network NAIDOC event: far left daughter-in-law Alicia Horseman and far right granddaughter.
Photo 2: Patricia celebrating her recent graduation from the IAHA Leadership Program on the Sunshine Coast.
