Pettina
Co- Founder & Program Director
Pettina co-founded Noosa Confidential with a vision to deliver truly integrated care, combining psychological support, nutritional therapy, and lived experience. With a background in psychology and a previous career in the organic food industry, she’s spent over a decade leading therapeutic case management for every guest who walks through our doors.
Her own journey with addiction, chronic health conditions, and generational trauma gives her a deeply personal understanding of what it takes to create real, lasting change. Passionate, pragmatic, and wholeheartedly committed, Pettina supports guests and families to stay focused on the bigger picture: long-term recovery and a life well lived.
Get to know Pettina
What does wellbeing look like for you — day to day?
Well-being means living in alignment with MY values and priorities, and that looks different for every BODY.
Some people need more sleep. Others need more rest or more movement. Some may need to practice humility, while others need to practice assertiveness.
The first step is getting very clear on your own values, then living and moving in alignment with them.
What’s one small ritual or practice that keeps you centred?
I move my body every single day, in some small or large way.
What that looks like depends on my energy and circumstances. Sometimes it's heavy lifting and dynamic movement; other times it's gentle stretching or a walk in nature. But the movement itself is non-negotiable.
Why did you choose to work in this space?
I didn’t exactly choose this path — it chose me.
During my studies, I was placed at a rehab for practical training. Soon after, I was offered a job there and ended up staying for a few years. Over time, I began to believe there was a different (maybe better) way to approach the work. So I started my own small, boutique program. That was 16 years ago, and it’s been growing ever since.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about recovery?
That it’s not linear. No matter how long your program is, recovery is a process, not a destination.It’s a daily choice, a daily practice. It does get easier over time, but it never completely disappears. For recovery to last, it has to become part of your value system and a lifelong priority.
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