Meet the Team
Rachel Acres – Founder & CEO | Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor | Psychotherapist | Recovery Coach
With over 14 years of continuous sobriety and more than 12 years of professional experience in the addiction and recovery sector, she brings together lived experience, professional expertise, and genuine compassion to support individuals and families affected by alcohol and other drug use.
Rachel’s approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, and a strong belief that recovery is about far more than simply stopping drinking or using substances. She works with people to understand the underlying causes of addiction, develop healthier coping strategies, build emotional resilience, and create meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Known for her honest, down-to-earth approach, Rachel combines education, community, accountability, and practical tools to help people achieve lasting change. She is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding addiction and helping people discover that recovery is not just possible, but sustainable.
Rachel combines extensive professional training with real-world experience across addiction counselling, psychotherapy, mental health, mindfulness, behaviour change, and personal development. Her qualifications include:
Addiction Counselling & Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
- Fully Accredited Diploma of Professional Addiction Counselling
- Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Certificate of Addiction Support (Alcohol and Other Drugs)
- Psychology Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Addictions
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness, Coaching & Emotional Wellbeing
- Diploma of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Practitioner
- Certified Master Mindfulness Practitioner
- Certified Life Coach
Mental Health & Brain-Based Training
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Training
- Neuroplasticity Training and Applied Practice
Charly Dale – Resource and Administration Manager
Charly is the Resource and Admin Manager at The Freedom Room and an integral part of keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Originally from the UK, Australia has been home for the past 11 years. Charly brings a calm, grounded presence to the team, along with a natural ability to connect with people and make them feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction.
She is also in recovery herself, which gives her a level of understanding, empathy, and authenticity that can’t be taught. She knows what it takes to make change, and that comes through in the way she shows up for our members every single day.
Whether it’s helping someone take that first step into recovery, organising the day-to-day operations, or supporting the team, Charly does it with care, reliability, and genuine compassion.
Outside of work, Charly is a wife and a proud mum who values family time above everything. She loves being outdoors, whether that’s sailing, hiking, chasing waterfalls, or spending time at the beach. She’s someone who embraces life, balance, and connection, and that energy flows into everything she does at The Freedom Room.
Charly understands the importance of community, routine, and feeling safe in your environment, especially when you’re navigating change. She plays a major role in creating that space for our members, ensuring everyone feels welcome, respected, and supported.
Sydnee Peters – Social Media Manager
Sydnee is the social media manager at The Freedom Room, bringing both lived experience and a genuine passion for supporting others in recovery. She is also currently studying a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs, further developing her understanding of addiction and recovery.
With a Diploma of Business, Sydnee understands the importance of consistency, care, and creating safe, supportive environments. She applies these strengths behind the scenes to share The Freedom Room’s message in a way that feels clear, relatable, and grounded.
Sydnee is also in recovery herself, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges, growth, and courage it takes to make meaningful change. She shows up with honesty and empathy, and is committed to helping create a space where people feel safe, supported, and understood.
She values connection, personal growth, and real, honest communication, and brings these into everything she does, both within The Freedom Room and in her own recovery journey.
Anna Kotlarova – Psychosocial Recovery Coach
Hi, I’m Anna. I’m a trauma-informed recovery coach and facilitator, and I’m nearly two years sober thanks to The Freedom Room, and I now get to give back by facilitating sessions and supporting people in early recovery.
My work helps people feel safe in their own bodies again. I guide people to understand how stress, trauma and addiction show up in the nervous system, and to build gentle, practical ways to settle ground and respond rather than react. We work at your pace, with plenty of choice, no judgement, and no pressure to share more than you want. Along the way, we use breathwork, meditation, sound healing and inner child journeys to bring more calm, self-compassion, and
steadiness into everyday life.
I bring both lived experience and professional training to this work.
My qualifications include:
– Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology, Open Universities Australia (2025)
– 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Sri Ma Yoga School, Brisbane, Yoga
Alliance RYS-200 (2017), covering asana, pranayama, physiology and anatomy
– Years of experience teaching yoga and yoga nidra around Brisbane
– Experience facilitating sober community groups and acting as a sober buddy since 2024
– Queensland Blue Card and NDIS worker screening
Before this work, I spent many years in senior operations and
management roles, leading large teams, which taught me to stay calm under pressure and treat everyone with dignity. I speak English, Russian, Hebrew and Arabic.
My hope is that when you walk into the room, you feel welcome exactly as you are.
Our Volunteers and crew
At The Freedom Room, our mission is your freedom. We are a dedicated team of individuals who understand the struggle of alcohol addiction because we’ve walked that path ourselves.
Our compassionate and experienced team is here to guide you on your own journey to recovery, offering unwavering support and the firm belief that a life free from alcohol is not only possible but within your reach.
From the moment you reach out, you’ll be met with the shared experiences of those in recovery a powerful testament to the transformative power of this process. We’ll guide you with expertise honed by our own journeys, always reminding you that recovery is within your grasp.
Everyone you’ll interact with, from the person who answers your call to the counsellors leading the sessions, has lived experience in recovery, creating a unique environment of understanding and shared purpose.