THE CENTRE

Our Counsellors

Karl Hood
Karl is lead counsellor for MECCC. He has a masters degree in counselling from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, is executive director of Biblical Counselling Australia and leads the National Centre for Biblical Counselling at PTC. He was a pastor for almost 10 years before taking up work at MECCC. He is also a registered GP.
For more about Karl click here.

Jacqui Spanos

Jacqui’s career and training has been underpinned by a deep compassion and care for people. Jacqui has trained in pastoral care from several places, including PTC Melbourne.

Following a career in nursing and allied health, she was invited to pioneer the role of a ‘Women’s Pastoral Worker’ within her denomination in Victoria, where for several years she provided biblical pastoral counselling to support women of all ages. She has also served as a certified Chaplain (Spiritual Care Practitioner) within the public health system.

For more about Jacqui click here

Graeme Lowe

Graeme is a pastoral counsellor at MECCC and also serves pastorally in his local Church. Graeme’s training and experience include completion of a theological degree through PTC Victoria, followed by more than 20 years in pastoral ministry and 9 years as Senior School Chaplain in an independent school. Graeme has experience supporting people from every generation and in responding with prayerful Biblical counsel.

Johnson Wang
Johnson has a passion for God's word, and seeing people transformed by it towards hope and closeness with God. He is the ministry coordinator at his church, and has studied and provided biblical counselling in multiple contexts. He has a background working in economics, and loves music and the psalms. Johnson is a counselling intern at MECCC.

Kirstyn Castle

Kirstyn has worked as a counseling coordinator in a church and has completed the Foundations of Biblical Counseling program at CCEF. This comprehensive study has included courses in a biblical view of personal change and developing effective helping relationships. She also has training in understanding counselling problems and procedures in both individual and marriage counselling. Her background is in Occupational Therapy - BOccTher (Hons).

For more about Kirstyn click here.

Sandy Bryant

Sandy has been involved in ministry to women for many years. She has a Grad Dip Div (ACT) from PTC Melbourne majoring in biblical counselling. Sandy is also a registered nurse with experience in medical clinics, aged care and mental health services. She has a passion for helping women affected by violence find hope and healing and move forward in life. She has two married daughters and two absolutely wonderful sons in law and all four bring her joy every day.

Rory Weightman

Rory has a passion for seeing God bring about gospel change in people's lives. After undertaking a two year ministry traineeship in his church he now serves there as an elder.

He has completed the 'Foundations of Biblical Counselling’ certificate through CCEF and is working towards BCA accreditation. His other roles include working as the BCA administration assistant and a podiatrist part time.

Rory lives in Bendigo with his wife and three young children and predominantly counsels online.

Adrian Martinez

Adrian is an experienced counsellor - CURRENTLY ON EXTENDED LEAVE. In addition to many years of counselling, Adrian has worked as a pastor and a chaplain He has an MABC and MDiv from The Master’s University. He serves on the board of Biblical Counselling Australia and is a council board member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition in the USA.

MECCC is a group of Christian counsellors with diverse personal and professional backgrounds who work together as a team. We have all had training in the counselling approach of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation that was established in Philadelphia in 1968 - also known as biblical counselling or pastoral counselling.

We strive to provide quality Christian counselling to people struggling with a wide range of problems. One of our goals is to support and extend the pastoral care and counselling that is provided in churches.

Melbourne East Christian Counselling Incorporated, an ACNC registered charity, manages the facilities and receives donations and distributes funds to support the provision of Christian counselling services.

Past Centre News:

April 2022 Rory Weightman has commenced counselling at MECCC. Rory is available in Bendigo and on Zoom. We are very pleased to welcome Rory to MECCC.

October 2021 Graeme Lowe has commenced at MECCC. Graeme has extensive experience in pastoral counselling in varied contexts. We are excited to have him join with us.

July 2019 From early next year we will be able to offer supervision for pastors and for biblical counsellors

All our counsellors agree to the BCA code of ethics, carry professional indemnity insurance, and have current WWWC cards and police checks.