Our Team
Our Practitioners
A collective of experienced practitioners working together under one roof in Manly, supporting the health and wellbeing of our Northern Beaches community.
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Registered Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. Their registration numbers are listed below and can be checked on the AHPRA public register.
Dr Amrit Dean(Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine)
Registered Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Practitioner
AHPRA CMR0002021306 · ATMS #29761
Acupuncture and hands-on bodywork within one integrative session.
Amrit trained at UTS in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Her sessions combine acupuncture with remedial massage, acupressure and guided breathing — unhurried and thorough.
Qualifications & credentials
- B. Health Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)
- Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine & remedial massage
- Special interest in women’s health, fertility & pregnancy
Dr Charles Jwa(Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine)
Registered Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Registered as Hyun Soo Jwa · AHPRA CMR0001715070 · ATMS #28929
Medical science, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, practised side by side.
Charles brings an academic and clinical background to his practice, with an emphasis on prevention. His consultations are thorough and collaborative, drawing on acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle education.
Qualifications & credentials
- M. Health Science, TCM Herbal Medicine (UTS)
- B. Health Science, Acupuncture & B. Medical Science
- Former President, KAOMA
Herbal Medicine
Our herbal medicine practitioners
Evidence-informed Western herbal medicine, prepared individually for each person.
Jo Morgan
Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner
Full member, NHAA
Bespoke herbal care with a focus on digestive, hormonal and immune health.
After a career in corporate accounting, Jo moved into natural medicine. Inspired by the herbal apothecary Napier’s in Edinburgh, she founded Herbadashery in 2013, formulating her own bitters, teas, elixirs and syrups.
Qualifications & credentials
- Diploma of Botanical Medicine, Nature Care College (2004)
- 22 years in clinical practice
- Special interest in perimenopause & menopause support
Please note: Jo formulates for Herbadashery and may recommend these preparations where clinically appropriate. Individualised herbal preparations are compounded only after a personal consultation.
Marianne Edwards
Clinical Naturopath · Co-Owner
Accredited Practitioner, ATMS #56241
Western herbal medicine as a consultation in its own right, or within naturopathic care.
Western herbal medicine was a substantial component of Marianne’s Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy). It forms part of a naturopathic consultation with her and can also be booked on its own. Liquid formulas are compounded to order after the consultation.
Qualifications & credentials
- Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)
- Special interest in neurodiversity, stress & gut–brain health
Consultation fees cover your clinical time with the practitioner. Herbal preparations and custom formulas are billed separately.
Remedial Massage
Our massage therapists
Hands-on therapy grounded in anatomy, movement and traditional bodywork.
Ash Baghenai
Remedial Massage Therapist
Medibank provider A315343K
Movement-based massage therapy grounded in anatomy and biomechanics.
Ash has developed his own approach over two decades of practice, combining manual therapy with movement and exercise guidance — so the work continues between sessions.
Qualifications & credentials
- BSc Physical Education & Athletic Science
- Certificate III & IV in Fitness (Personal Training)
- 20+ years across Sydney, Dubai & Denmark
Lobsang Jampa
Remedial Massage Therapist
MAA MA 8506R · Medibank provider A343183A
Traditional Tibetan bodywork alongside modern remedial technique.
Lobsang’s training began in Tibet and continued through India before formal practice in Australia. His sessions may include Tibetan oil massage, herbal compress and steam therapy.
Qualifications & credentials
- Diploma of Remedial Massage
- Certified Traditional Tibetan Therapist
- Remedial, prenatal, sports & hot stone
Naturopathy
Our naturopath
Longer consultations that consider diet, digestion, sleep, stress and everyday factors together.
Marianne Edwards
Clinical Naturopath · Co-Owner
Accredited Practitioner, ATMS #56241
Naturopathic care that takes time to understand the full picture of your health.
With more than two decades across education and naturopathy, Marianne combines evidence-informed natural medicine with a deep understanding of human development. Nutrition and Western herbal medicine form part of a naturopathic consultation with her, and can also be booked as services in their own right. She also offers Christian Wellness Ministry sessions — a non-clinical, pastoral service, separate from her naturopathic consultations, which does not provide psychological counselling or diagnosis.
Qualifications & credentials
- Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Primary)
- Special interest in neurodiversity, stress & gut–brain health
Consultation fees cover your clinical time with the practitioner. Herbal medicine, flower essences, nutritional supplements, custom formulas and functional pathology testing are billed separately.
Psychology
Our psychologist
A confidential space to talk things through with a psychologist registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Alana Dulgaro
Registered Psychologist
AHPRA PSY0002044918 · Member, AAPi
Evidence-based therapy, tailored thoughtfully — never one-size-fits-all.
Alana’s sessions are relaxed and collaborative — therapy isn’t about getting it “right”. Her trauma-informed work centres on nervous system regulation and rebuilding self-trust, grounded in warmth, curiosity and gentle humour.
Qualifications & credentials
- Bachelor of Psychology, Western Sydney University
- EMDR, Schema, ACT, CBT & DBT
- Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (ANZAED)
- Neurodiversity-affirming practice
Alana bills under the Medicare Better Access initiative. A rebate requires a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral from your usual GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician, and the rebate covers part of the fee rather than all of it. You are welcome to book privately without a referral.
Transparency
Registrations and accreditations
In Australia, some health professions are registered with AHPRA under the National Law. Others are accredited through professional associations. Both are listed on every profile above so you can verify them yourself.
AHPRA registered
Acupuncture, Chinese medicine and psychology are registered health professions. Registration numbers for Dr Amrit Dean, Dr Charles Jwa and Alana Dulgaro are shown on their profiles and can be checked on the AHPRA public register at ahpra.gov.au. Dr Charles Jwa is registered under his legal name, Hyun Soo Jwa — search that name or his registration number.
Association accredited
Remedial massage, naturopathy and Western herbal medicine are not AHPRA-registered professions in Australia. Our practitioners in these fields hold accreditation with ATMS, MAA or the NHAA, with their association details shown on their profiles.
Where the title “Dr” is used at Akasha, it refers to a registered Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine practitioner and not to a registered medical practitioner. Health fund rebates depend on your individual policy and level of cover — please check with your fund before your appointment.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic — coming soon
Chiropractic care is coming to Akasha. Leave your details with reception and we’ll let you know as soon as bookings open.
Not sure who to book with?
Our reception team is happy to guide you to the right practitioner for your needs — or call us and we’ll help you take the first step.
Our team is growing — more practitioners are joining soon.
Book an appointmentThe information on this website is for educational and general informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a registered medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider about any medical or mental health condition.