MB BCH BAO LRCP and SI (NUI) FRACGP

Dr Sunita Chelva is a Menopause and Women’s Health GP and a founder and principal of Hera Menopause & Women’s Health. She has over 16 years general practice experience and is passionate about menopause medicine as well as all aspects of women’s health. She is particularly interested in the impact of hormones on mental health throughout all life stages.

Sunita comes from ‘a long line of strong determined women’ and is a great believer in the importance of caring for women in the wider community. 

Knowing that the menopausal transition can be a time of great distress, her knowledge, expertise and lived experience mean that her patients receive high quality, tailored care throughout. Sunita believes that all women should be educated and empowered to live their best lives well beyond their reproductive years.

Sunita completed her medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2002. Initially commencing surgical training in Perth before redirecting her path to general practice, Sunita is proficient at both IUD & Implanon insertion and removal.

She holds FPA certification in Reproductive and Sexual Health and is a member of the RACGP, Australasian Menopause Society and International Menopause Society. She attends regular educational meetings and conferences keeping herself up to date with current scientific information.

Sunita enjoys giving educational talks to clinicians, workplaces, and women in the community about menopause and dispelling the myths surrounding it. She has also recorded a few podcasts on her favourite subject and loves to advocate for all things related to hormones and menopause on social medial platforms regularly.

When she’s not busy consulting, Sunita enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs in the great outdoors surrounded by nature.

Qualifications and Education

2002 MB MBCh BAO LRCP and SI (NUI) Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Arts of Obstetrics Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

2009 FRACGP Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

2018 Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health FPWA

Memberships and Courses

Member of Australasian Menopause Society
Member of the International Menopause Society'
Member of the RACGP
Member of IAPMD Professional Community

MBBS and FRACGP

Dr Michelle Cotellessa is a Menopause and Women’s Health GP and founder and Principal of Hera Menopause and Women’s Health. A highly experienced doctor, she has been a general practitioner for over 25 years. 

Her interest in Women’s Health was sparked whilst doing a rotation as a medical student at King Edward Memorial Hospital. She knew this was a field she enjoyed and loved. There was little to no education on menopause during her medical training, but this exposure sparked a special interest in women’s health, perimenopause, and menopause and in the prevention of chronic disease. 

Once she became a general practitioner, she realised that there was a great number of women needing supportive and caring menopause management. This inspired her to continue to learn and update her skills and knowledge in this important area of medicine. Michelle is passionate about women being able to talk openly about their personal experiences and gain access to good quality evidence-based information. She always aims to provide this with care and compassion so women can take ownership of their own health and well-being. She wants women for be empowered and educated and essentially, to help women feel like themselves again. “The more women I help the more I love doing this job.“

Michelle ensures she keeps up to date with scientific information by regularly attending conferences, courses, and education both within Australia and Internationally. She is competent in Implanon insertion/removal and Mirena management and removal also.

As a wife and mum of two teenage children Michelle knows too well the challenges that women of today face. Outside of medicine, she enjoys walking, yoga, travel, and a great book when she gets the opportunity. 

Qualifications and Education

1994 MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery University of Western Australia 

2000 FRACGP Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

2003 Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 

2003, 2018 Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health FPWA

Memberships and Courses

Member of Australasian Menopause Society
Member of International Menopause Society
Member of RACGP
Member of IAPMD Professional Community

MBChB FRACGP

Dr Hannah Taufiq is an experienced women’s health specialist GP. She has been working for some time in general practice with a focus on menopause as well as in specialist sexual health services. 

Hannah trained in England and worked there as a junior doctor before moving to Melbourne and later Perth. During this time she has experienced many different hospital specialties in addition to both rural and metropolitan general practice. 

Seeing women of all ages and the struggles they can face, particularly around menopause, has continued to strengthen Hannah’s passion in advocating for and supporting her patients. She firmly believes in the power of listening as well as providing holistic patient centred care. Hannah diligently continues to upskill and stay on top of new developments in order to provide the best level of care possible.

Hannah is competent in Implanon insertion/removal as well as Mirena IUD insertion/removal and management.

When not at work Hannah enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 young children. She tries to keep her mind and body healthy by running, spending time outdoors and when time allows delving into a new sewing project.

Qualifications and Education 

2011 MBChB (Hons) Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Liverpool, England, UK

2019 FRACGP Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 

2018 FPAA Advanced Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health

2019 Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine

Memberships and Courses

Member of the Australasian Menopause Society
Member of the RACGP

MBChB, FRACGP, DFFP (UK), DRCOG (UK)

Dr. Victoria is a highly experienced GP with nearly 30 years in clinical practice, and a keen interest in Women's Health and Menopause. Originally trained in the UK, she moved to Australia in 2006, working initially in rural Victoria before relocating to Perth in 2018. Dr. Victoria is passionate about advocating for her patients by actively listening to and validating their health concerns. She is dedicated to helping women of all ages navigate their health journeys through education, shared decision-making, and preventative care. Her goal is to enhance quality of life by managing symptoms and promoting ongoing health. Dr. Victoria is skilled in Implanon and Mirena insertions and is a member of the Australian Menopause Society, regularly updating her knowledge on the latest advancements in menopause management. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, as well as walking, hiking, cooking, and travelling when possible

Qualifications

1998 MBChB University of Liverpool, UK 

2005 MRCGP 

2005 DFFP (UK)

2005 DRCOG (UK)

2006 FRACGP (ad endum gradum)

Memberships and Courses

Member of the Australasian Menopause Society
Member of the RACGP
Newson Health Confidence in the Menopause Course

MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, PGDipMEd (Dundee)

Dr Emilie Pitter is an experienced specialist GP and has had a keen interest in women's health throughout her medical career. Emilie trained locally in Perth and worked at King Edward Memorial Hospital and the Sexual Assault Resource Centre before entering general practice. She has a particular interest in endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, perimenopause and menopause, and the impact these can have on a woman's physical, emotional and social health. She believes partnering with patients to educate and empower them achieves the best health outcomes.

Emilie is skilled in Implanon and Kyleena/Mirena IUD insertions and removals. She is actively involved in medical education and examines the next generation of GPs for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 

Outside of work, Emilie is mum to two teenagers and spends most of her free time taking them to and from activities. She enjoys baking, pilates and reading a good book.

Qualifications

2005 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (with Honours), University of Western Australia

 2009 Vocational Graduate Diploma of Women's Health, King Edward Memorial Hospital

 2012 FRACGP Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

 2022 Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education, University of Dundee

Memberships and Courses

2008 & 2016 National Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health

 Member of Australasian Menopause Society

 Member of the RACGP

 Member of The International Association for Health Professions Education

Social Worker, Psychotherapist & Sexologist – Radical Embrace at Hera Clinic (BSW, Grad Cert Gestalt, MSexol)


Bronwyn Gorringe is a Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Sexologist with over a decade of experience in mental health, sexual wellbeing and women’s services. At Hera, she supports women, and the people in their lives, to explore the emotional, relational and sexual dimensions of life, including the transitions of peri-menopause and menopause. Her work is sex-positive, trauma-informed and inclusive of gender, sexuality and relationship-diverse (GSRD) communities, as well as neurodivergent clients whose experiences of connection, intimacy and regulation may differ from neurotypical frameworks.

Bronwyn’s career began in mental health, where she witnessed how people’s responses to trauma were often misunderstood as illness rather than normal responses to what had happened to them. This shaped her belief that understanding and change begin with curiosity, compassion and context. Guided by a strong feminist framework, she went on to specialise in gender-based, family and sexual violence, advocating for, and working therapeutically with, women and children.

Throughout this work, Bronwyn recognised a clear gap in guidance around how trauma affects sexuality, pleasure and relationships. Conversations about sex often stopped where harm began, yet she saw that reconnection with pleasure, power and erotic identity is central to returning to oneself. Pursuing a Master of Sexology enabled her to bring trauma-informed awareness into conversations about sex, and sex-positive practice into trauma work, creating a cohesive and accessible bridge between the two.

Her approach is women-centred and grounded in relational processes. She believes that we grow, repair and come alive through relationship, with ourselves, with others and with our bodies. These connections are where meaning and vitality return. Bronwyn blends her clinical background with an ever-deepening, boundless understanding of how we connect, heal and relate.

Through her practice, Radical Embrace, Bronwyn offers inclusive, evidence-informed and relational therapy. She supports clients to rediscover pleasure, agency and authenticity, integrating awareness of body, mind and context to cultivate meaningful and sustaining relationships.

Bronwyn holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Graduate Certificate in Gestalt Therapy and Master of Sexology, and is an accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Qualifications and Education

2014 Bachelor of Social Work, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia

2018 Graduate Certificate Gestalt Therapy Gestalt Therapy, Brisbane Australia

2024 Master of Sexology, Curtin University, Perth Western Australia

Memberships and Training

Member | Australian Association of Social Workers

Equine Assisted Psychotherapist | Equine Psychotherapy Institute Australia (2017)

Blue Knot Foundation | Complex Trauma Training

Pending membership with Society of Australian Sexologists

Clinical Psychologist (BSc Hons, MPsych Clin)

In her role at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Lynsey worked extensively with children, adolescents and their families, for just under 15 years. CAMHS sees young people with complex mental health disorders and supports the wider system around the young person including their family and school. Through this work she developed a deep appreciation for the ways women often carry significant emotional and practical responsibility within their families and communities. These experiences shaped her growing passion for supporting women to prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing. Women find themselves in many roles and are often carrying the practical load of running a household, holding the emotional needs of their family and caring for aging parents whilst also in employment or other roles within their communities.

Lynsey is particularly interested in the ways hormonal changes during the menopausal transition can interact with mood, thinking and overall psychological wellbeing, and how this life stage can bring shifts in identity, roles and coping strategies. For some women, this developmental stage can be the first time they become aware of their own mental health difficulties and needs. Lynsey is also skilled in late diagnosis of neurodivergence including ADHD and Autism with an understanding of how the menopause transition may impact symptoms that were previously well managed.

Lynsey takes a warm, collaborative and trauma-informed approach to therapy and is committed to evidence-based practice. She is trained in EMDR and draws on a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT). She has experience supporting women with complex presentations including trauma, neurodivergence and chronic health conditions, and is passionate about creating a space where women have the space to tell their story and be met with curiosity and understanding.

Receptionist and Administrator

Born and raised in Perth, Fiona spent close to 20 years working in home loan lending helping first homebuyers fulfil their dream of owning their own home.  After taking some time off to be a
stay-at-home mum, Fiona started working with an After-Hours GP Service and has now been working with GPs for 10 years.

Fiona lives locally with her husband and teenage daughter and is dreaming of a return trip to Europe!  

In her spare time, Fiona loves to cook, catch up with friends and her big Italian family.

Receptionist & Administrator

Elisa followed the sun to Perth from Melbourne in 2013 and has worked in women’s health ever since.

She lives with her furry boys Lennon and Zeppelin and in her spare time loves doing crafts, puzzles, and treasure hunting for vintage things. 

She has been teaching herself Spanish and most recently completed a Certificate in Herpetology, with hopes of working with reptiles someday. 

Receptionist & Administrator

After many years in real estate, Amy felt that a change was due and is very grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the Hera Menopause Team.

Always having had an interest in Women’s Health and with two teenage daughters at home, Amy is very proud to be a part of such an important area.

In her spare time Amy loves to go on walks, reading whenever she gets the chance, cooking at home and spending time with her family and friends.