About Us
Our Mission
Birchtree Foundation exists to create pathways from healing to empowerment.
We support initiatives that help people heal from trauma, violence and adversity, build confidence and agency, and create safer, more connected communities. Through empowerment, education, research, advocacy and community partnership, we work to prevent violence, address its underlying drivers, and create lasting social change.
Key Objectives
- Promote Healing and Wellbeing:
The Foundation focuses on improving trauma care across Australia by providing inclusive, evidence-based programs and workshops for both trauma survivors and clinicians.
- Build Confidence, Agency and Empowerment:
Equip people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to enhance their safety, strengthen boundaries, make informed choices and participate fully in their communities.
- Create Safer Communities:
Advance initiatives that prevent violence, promote respectful relationships and contribute to communities where people can feel safe, connected and empowered.
- Address the Drivers of Violence and Inequality:
Support evidence-informed approaches that address the social, cultural and structural factors that contribute to gender-based violence, discrimination and social disadvantage.
- Advance Research, Education and Advocacy:
Invest in research, evaluation, education and advocacy that strengthens understanding, informs practice and contributes to lasting social change.
- Foster Collaboration and Community Impact:
Work in partnership with individuals, communities, researchers, educators, service providers and policymakers to create sustainable and meaningful impact.
What We Offer
Where We Work
Rural and Regional Challenges
These challenges are further magnified in regional Australia, where limited availability of services, geographic isolation, and financial barriers contribute to a profound health equity divide. For many, especially in low-income or welfare-dependent households, accessing 1:1 therapy remains simply out of reach.
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this crisis, triggering a sharp rise in anxiety and mental health issues while further straining an already overwhelmed support system. Government initiatives such as the Medicare Mental Health Plan offer some relief—but too often, they fall short of meeting the actual need on the ground. Over the past 8 years Birchtree Foundation has offered programs in Orange, Dubbo, Tamworth Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Canberra.
Working with people and places that are under-serviced and in need:
A key defining feature of complex trauma is the experience of feeling ‘unseen and unheard’. At Birchtree Foundation, we endeavour to support people and places that have traditionally been ‘unseen and unheard’ by public and private healthcare. Our programs are offered as a fee for service to workplaces, schools and universities. This enables us to provide free or low cost programs to survivors throughout Australia.