Doctor

Andrew Pennington

BSc(Hons), BMed, DRANZCOG Adv, FRACGP, FARGP

Dr Andrew Pennington is an integrative GP committed to wholistic lifestyle medicine that wherever possible seeks to use lifestyle as medicine to heal. He desires to use both traditional and natural remedies, with sensible lifestyle measures to heal, and promote wellness. Andrew is the founder and Practice Principal of Sanctuary Lifestyle Clinic. Andrew believes that people thrive in wellness when they are healthy in mind, body and spirit, and as such seeks to address each of these areas as they relate to a person’s health. . Andrew has a strong interest in chronic disease (eg diabetes and cardiovascular disease) prevention and reversal where possible, using evidence based lifestyle interventions as first line therapy. Andrew also has a special interest in mental illness using lifestyle, nutritional supplemental and other evidence based complementary approaches to treatment.

Andrew has closed his books to General Practice patients, but still provides consultations for lifestyle medicine and integrative medicine. Patients who have these consultations will need to keep their own GP for standard general practice matters

Training and experience:

• Fellowship in General Practice through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
• Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP)
• Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics (DRANZCOG Advanced). Andrew was previously a rural GP Obstetrician and continues to enjoy helping pregnant women through their journey towards and after birth. He is registered to provide shared care through the Northern and Inner West Sydney hospital networks
• International Board Certification in Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM/ASLM)
• Having extensive paediatric (child health) experience, Andrew enjoys looking after babies, children and assisting their parents.
• Academic experience in research and teaching at Melbourne University and has been involved in teaching medical students from Sydney and Macquarie Universities.
• Additional training in Advanced Nutrient Therapy for Mental Illness using Pfeiffer/Walsh methodology to use targeted nutrient therapy to correct biochemical imbalances associated with mental illness and behavioural disorders.
• Andrew is a trained facilitator for CHIP, the Complete Health Improvement Program, an evidence-based lifestyle medicine program with proven results and priceless benefits.
• Please note Dr Pennington does not provide integrative management of tick-borne illnesses or lyme-like illnesses

Andrew is a committed Christian who believes that all people are created of equal value. Regardless of one’s race, culture, gender, sexuality, religion or socioeconomic status, Andrew desires to try and assist and provide people equal opportunities to thrive in health and wellness as God intends them to.

Doctor

Andrea Matthews

MBBS, FRACGP, BAppSc (Biomed)

Dr Andrea Matthews is a wholistic lifestyle medicine qualified GP. She has over 20 years experience in family general practice, providing care throughout the generations. Andrea strongly believes in advocating for wholistic health care, working towards empowering the patient to be an active partner in their health care. She has an interest in healthy living and using lifestyle based therapies wherever possible to prevent and improve disease and wellbeing. Andrea is an excellent communicator with a strong care and empathy for her patients.

Andrea has contracted her services to Sanctuary Lifestyle clinic from October 2022 and fits in very well with the values and ideology of the clinic.

Training and Experience

• Fellowship in General Practice through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners  (FRACGP)
• International Board Certification in Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM/ASLM)
• Certificate in Sexual & Reproductive Health
• Bachelor in Applied Science (Biomedical )
• Partial Cert III in Outdoor Recreation

Psychologist

Claire Marsh

BPsych (hons), Assoc MAPS

Claire Marsh is a warm and friendly psychologist who is the manager of Adventist Counselling Services (ACS).
She is an experienced psychologist who also works in schools doing school counselling and psychometric assessments. She is able to accept medicare and non-medicare referrals.

Claire is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT); and is able to combine her approach with some creative methods involving art and sand-play for adults, children and adolescents.

Claire is able to assist with:
• Depression, Anxiety and other mental health conditions
• Grief and loss
• Couple counselling
• Trauma and abuse
• Substance abuse issues
• Family and Parenting
• Clarification of values, identity and goals
• Building resilience

Training and Experience

Claire is a trained ‘Prepare-Enrich’ Facilitator, ‘CAP Money’ Facilitator and ‘Cool Kids’ Anxiety Program Facilitator. She is also able to provide some specialised services in the following areas:
• Pre-marital preparation counselling
• Marriage seminars and workshops
• Mental Health workshops
• Forgiveness seminars and workshops
• Managing Technology Use and Screen Time in Kids
• Intelligence testing for children and adolescents
• ‘Cool Kids’ Anxiety group program for children and adolescents (ages 7-17)
• Budgeting seminars and coaching

Claire is currently completing her Worker’s Compensation Accreditation and will soon be able to assist with cases where a worker’s compensation claim has been made for a mental health work injury.
Claire is available for counselling sessions in the clinic, or she can be booked to come out to your local community group, workplace or school for presentations or workshops.

Psychologist

Lidija Balaz

Registered Psychologist, Assoc MAPS
Medicare Provider, Workcover Approved, Nationally Accredited Mediator

Lidija was born in Croatia and lived in Germany for several years before migrating to Australia. The experiences she gained during these years developed her interest in interpersonal connections and understanding human behaviour.

She completed her first degree and postgraduate studies in Sydney before embarking on a Doctorate of Psychology (Clinical) through the University of Wollongong. As part of her research Lidija, along with a team of professionals and Autism Australia, developed a destigmatization program for early education. She is excited about the potential of the program to increase positive interactions between children with autism and their peers, as well as decreasing bullying and ostracism.

Lidija has experience working with Community centres, Schools, Youth Services, Hospitals, EAP providers and Private practice, in NSW and ACT. Her areas of specialty include:
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Addiction counselling
• Anger and adjustment
• Relationship counselling
• Work place difficulties
• Conflict and communication

Lidija specialises in the following therapies:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Solution focused
• Chronic illness management
• Mindfulness
• Mediation and dispute resolution