The PEER Program: Peer Engage, Explore and Reflect
Build Connection. Reflection. Confidence.
Join a structured, psychologically safe space to reflect, connect, learn, and grow alongside peers facing similar clinical and professional challenges. Facilitated by one of our coach-trained clinicians, our virtual group coaching cohorts empower healthcare professionals to think clearly under pressure, navigate complexity, and sustain compassionate practice.
Find Your CohortCore Methodology
What is PEER?
The PEER program moves beyond traditional training by using a facilitated virtual group coaching format. Our aim is to enable professional connection, improved self-insight, emotional and cognitive flexibility, and shared learning through reflective, structured peer dialogue.
Step 01
Present Real Challenges
Bring your actual workplace or professional challenges to the group with curiosity.
Step 02
Reflective Questioning
Explore issues deeply, build self-insight and perspectives rather than simply receiving directive advice.
Step 03
Actionable Next Steps
Develop practical, sustainable actions for yourself and your team.
Tailored Group Coaching for Your Stage of Practice
Select your pathway below to see how PEER can support your specific professional journey.
For Clinical Leaders
Burnout, Team Leadership & Complex Decision-Making
What you'll explore
- Developing strategies to manage stress and burnout.
- Improving interpersonal communication to manage difficult relationships and manage upwards.
- Getting unstuck from career conundrums and setting new goals.
- Inspiring others and delegating effectively to reduce personal workload.
For GPs - Regional/Remote Clinics
Overcoming Isolation and Building Resilience in Rural Practice
What you'll explore
- Building meaningful professional connection and peer support to counter the isolation that often comes with regional and remote practice.
- Managing a broad scope of practice and high-stakes clinical decisions with limited specialist backup, referral options, or resources.
- Setting and maintaining sustainable boundaries when you live, work, and are known within the same close-knit community.
- Sustaining your own wellbeing and guarding against burnout while meeting the relentless demands of under-resourced settings.
For Supervisors of Training
Leading Medical Education in Complex Systems
What you'll explore
- Managing challenging supervisory conversations, delivering feedback, and navigating conflict.
- Supporting trainees to thrive through clinical and personal challenges.
- Balancing clinical service demands with educational leadership and self-care.
For Trainees
Performing Well and Feeling Well
What you'll explore
- Building confidence to communicate effectively by challenging unhelpful self-beliefs.
- Preparing for high-pressure situations, such as exams and interviews.
- Developing emotional regulation to become a stronger, more effective clinician every day.
For Nurses
Reflective Peer Support for Sustainable Clinical Practice
What you'll explore
- Leading and supporting dispersed teams in resource-constrained environments.
- Navigating complex professional relationships with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
- Growing as a nurse leader and managing competing demands while sustaining personal wellbeing.
Program Structure & Investment
Program Details
Cohort Size
Intimate groups of up to 9 participants.
Schedule
Attend four from five 60-minute virtual monthly sessions.
Format
Delivered virtually via Zoom or Google Meet.
Accreditation
CPD certificates are available for structured reflective learning.
Investment
Clinical Leaders & Supervisors of Training
$594.00
AUD inc GST · per participant
Nurses & Trainees
$539.00
AUD inc GST · per participant
Find a Cohort That Fits your Needs
Choose your cohort, with up to 9 peers, attending four from five 60-minute virtual sessions. Browse the schedule below and book your place.
| Schedule (AEST) | Facilitator | Session dates |
|---|---|---|
| For Clinical Leaders | ||
| Fridays, 10:30 AM | Dr Eugene Wong | 9 Oct · 6 Nov · 4 Dec |
| Mondays, 5:30 PM | Dr Sarah Dalton | 28 Sep · 26 Oct · 16 Nov · 7 Dec |
| For GPs & Regional/Remote Clinicians | ||
| Thursdays, 7:00 PM | Dr Eugene Wong | 8 Oct · 29 Oct · 19 Nov |
| Thursdays, 12:00 PM | Dr Ira van der Steenstraten | 15 Oct · 12 Nov · 3 Dec |
| For Supervisors of Training | ||
| Tuesdays, 3:00 PM | Dr Anne Whiteside | 13 Oct · 3 Nov · 24 Nov |
| Thursdays, 8:00 AM | Dr Tania Morris | 24 Sep · 15 Oct · 5 Nov |
| For Trainees | ||
| Saturdays, 1:00 PM | Dr Anne Whiteside | 17 Oct · 7 Nov |
| Mondays, 5:30 PM | Dr Ira van der Steenstraten | 12 Oct · 9 Nov · 7 Dec |
| For Nurses (Regional & remote, Nurse/Emerging NUMs) | ||
| Thursdays, 12:00 PM | Karen Smith | 8 Oct · 29 Oct · 19 Nov |
| Fridays, 8:00 AM | Karen Smith | 9 Oct · 30 Oct · 20 Nov |
Register Now
Limited to 9 participants per cohort.
Ready to Build Connection and Confidence?
The PEER Program is proudly supported by Capstan Partners, Australia and New Zealand's leading coaching and coaching education provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the PEER Program. If you have a question that isn't answered here and you'd like it answered, please let us know.
What is the PEER Program?
The PEER Program (Peer Engage, Explore and Reflect) is Capstan Partners' virtual group coaching program for healthcare professionals. In cohorts of up to nine peers, participants attend four of five 60-minute monthly virtual sessions facilitated by a coach-trained clinician, bringing real workplace challenges to a structured, psychologically safe reflective format.
How does the PEER method work?
Each session follows three steps: participants present a real workplace or professional challenge with curiosity; the group explores it through reflective questioning to build self-insight and perspective rather than giving directive advice; and each participant leaves with practical, sustainable next steps for themselves and their team.
The format moves beyond traditional training by using facilitated group coaching rather than instruction.
Who are the PEER cohorts for?
PEER runs five dedicated cohort types, each matched by career stage so discussion stays directly relevant:
- Clinical leaders — burnout, team leadership and complex decision-making
- GPs and regional or remote clinicians — isolation, complexity and sustainable practice
- Supervisors of training — supporting trainees while managing your own load
- Trainees — navigating training, confidence for exams, interviews and career decisions
- Nurses — including regional and remote nurses and emerging Nurse Unit Managers
What do clinical leaders work on in PEER sessions?
Typical scenarios clinical leader cohorts focus on include mitigating burnout, team and leadership challenges, and complex decision-making.
Participants might develop strategies to manage stress and burnout, improve interpersonal communication for difficult conversations, relationships and managing upwards, get unstuck from career conundrums, set goals, and learn to inspire others and delegate effectively to reduce personal workload.
Is there a PEER cohort for nurses?
Yes. PEER runs dedicated nurse cohorts, including for regional and remote nurses and emerging Nurse Unit Managers, facilitated by Karen Smith — an ACC ICF-credentialed coach and Intensive Care Clinical Nurse Consultant with over 25 years in healthcare.
PEER places for nurses are priced at $AU539.00 including GST per participant. Because the program is fully virtual, participants can join from any location in Australia or New Zealand.
Is there a PEER cohort for GPs and rural clinicians?
Yes. PEER runs cohorts specifically for GPs and regional or remote clinicians, facilitated by Drs Eugene Wong and Ira van der Steenstraten, with evening and midday session times to accommodate practice schedules. Because the program is fully virtual, participants can join from any location in Australia or New Zealand.
How much does the PEER Program cost?
| Clinical leaders, GPs and supervisors of training | $AU594.00 including GST per participant |
|---|---|
| Nurses and trainees | $AU539.00 including GST per participant |
The fee covers the full program of five scheduled sessions, of which participants attend four. RACP members receive a 10% discount through the RACP Member Benefits platform.
What is the time commitment to participate in a PEER Program?
The commitment to be a PEER Program participant means attending four 60-minute virtual sessions across roughly five months. Five sessions are scheduled per cohort and you attend any four, which builds roster flexibility into the design.
Each cohort meets on a fixed day and time, with morning, midday, evening and Saturday options across the available cohorts.
What if I miss a PEER Program session?
PEER programs are deliberately structured so you can miss one session. Each cohort runs five scheduled sessions and participants are only required to attend four, which allows for one absence due to roster changes, leave, or personal or clinical demands without falling behind or losing value.
We are unfortunately unable to offer compensation if more than one session is missed.
How big are the PEER cohorts?
PEER cohorts are limited to nine participants. The small size is intentional — it keeps sessions psychologically safe, gives every participant airtime, and allows the group to build enough familiarity to discuss real challenges.
How is PEER different from a Balint group or peer supervision?
PEER is a coaching-based format rather than case-based clinical reflection or clinical supervision. Instead of discussing patient cases, participants bring their own professional challenges — leadership, workload, relationships, career — and the group uses reflective questioning rather than directive advice to build insight and next steps.
It is professional development, not clinical supervision or therapy.
How is PEER group coaching different from individual coaching?
PEER gives you facilitated group coaching at a lower cost per participant, with the added benefit of hearing how colleagues in similar roles and career stages handle similar challenges. Individual coaching gives you a number of personalised coaching sessions focused on your goals, with complete privacy and flexible scheduling.
Participants who want depth on a specific personal goal usually choose individual coaching; those who want perspective and connection choose PEER.
Is what I share in the group confidential?
Yes. Participants and facilitators agree to group confidentiality as a condition of joining, which is what makes the psychologically safe format work.
Who facilitates the PEER cohorts?
Every PEER cohort is facilitated by a coach-trained clinician. Current facilitators include Dr Eugene Wong (rural generalist and healthcare leader), Dr Sarah Dalton (paediatrician and healthcare executive), Dr Ira van der Steenstraten (former psychiatrist), Dr Anne Whiteside (general medicine and intensive care specialist and clinical director), Dr Tania Morris (anaesthetist and pain medicine physician) and Karen Smith (organisation development specialist and Intensive Care Clinical Nurse Consultant).
What technology do I need to join a PEER cohort?
Sessions are delivered virtually via Zoom or Google Meet. You need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a private space where you can speak freely — which is worth planning for if you intend to join from work.
Is the PEER Program CPD-eligible?
Yes, for most attendees, when the program is relevant to a clinician's scope of practice and completed within the requirements of their CPD home, medical college or recertification provider.
Attendees usually earn four hours of reflective practice with various Colleges in Australia and New Zealand. A certificate of completion is provided for your records.
Participants should confirm eligibility before enrolling and retain appropriate evidence of participation, learning, reflection and outcomes.
How do I register for a PEER cohort?
Choose a cohort from the schedule on this page and register through the linked form. Cohorts are limited to nine participants and fill in order of registration, so early registration is advisable for popular times.
What if the cohort I want is full or the times don't suit me?
If your preferred cohort is full or the session times don't suit, we may be able to help you find another suitable option. Contact us at info@capstan.com.au to discuss upcoming cohorts or alternative program dates.
Can our organisation run an in-house PEER cohort for our staff?
Yes. Organisations can commission an in-house PEER group coaching program for their various staff cohorts. We offer tailored pricing and, where appropriate, discounted rates for organisations engaging multiple participants or commissioning larger coaching or professional development programs.
Pricing depends on the scope, duration and number of participants. Contact info@capstan.com.au or call 0413 599 009 to discuss your requirements.
Capstan Partners
Tracy Tresidder
Coaching Supervisor, MCC
Tracy Tresidder is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Master Certified Coach, mentor, and esteemed teacher of coaching skills.
Tracy Tresidder is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Master Certified Coach, mentor, and esteemed teacher of coaching skills.
With over 7000 coaching hours and 1000 mentoring hours, Tracy has honed her craft to guide and empower professionals in unlocking their full coaching potential exemplified by her over 15 years’ experience as Coaching Excellence, Credentialing Expert for ICF Australasia.
Her dedication to excellence and deep understanding of effective coaching techniques makes her a sought-after mentor. Tracy’s passion lies in supporting individuals to become impactful coaches, fostering growth, and achieving transformative results.
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Capstan Partners
Sara Thorn
Program Administrator
Sara Thorn is a former medical doctor and specialist medical administrator
Sara Thorn is a former medical doctor and specialist medical administrator with an interest in coaching, communication, conflict resolution, iterative improvement and effective implementation. Sara’s credentials include holding a clinical leadership role in Queensland Health and a Diploma of Leadership Coaching. She is the Program Lead for The Coaching Exchange, Admin Support for Capstan Partners, and the Head of Operations for the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches.
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Capstan Partners
Karen Smith
Associate Coach
Karen is a career, leadership and performance coach who is enthusiastic about facilitation and team development opportunities.
Karen is a career, leadership and performance coach who is enthusiastic about facilitation and team development opportunities. With over 25 years in the healthcare sector, her background in Intensive Care Nursing and Organisational Development, brings evidence-based expertise spanning her clinical career, leadership development programs, and coaching practice.
Her coaching approach draws on cognitive behavioural coaching, strengths-based practices, and person-centred principles to support wellbeing, balance, and communication in professional relationships. Karen’s shared experience of working in healthcare creates the foundation for an authentic coaching partnership, built on a genuine understanding of the complexities and challenges facing today’s healthcare professionals.
Karen has held senior leadership positions, including Intensive Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, and holds a Master of Clinical Nursing (Intensive Care), a Graduate Certificate in Health Science Education, and is a Master of Science: Coaching Psychology candidate (2026). She is an ACC credentialed coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
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Capstan Partners
Marina Reid Wilson
Associate Coach
Marina Reid Wilson is a Registered Psychologist and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and leaders through meaningful, lasting change.
Marina Reid Wilson is a Registered Psychologist and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and leaders through meaningful, lasting change. Drawing on her Masters in Coaching Psychology from the University of Sydney, Marina integrates evidence-based approaches from positive psychology, neuroscience, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness to help clients thrive, not just cope.
Marina has worked extensively with professionals in high-pressure environments, supporting them to build sustainable habits, strengthen resilience, and align their work with their values. She understands the particular demands placed on healthcare professionals; the complexity, the pace, the personal cost, and brings both rigour and warmth to every coaching relationship.
Certified in Hogan Assessments and the Leadership Circle, Marina is dedicated to helping her clients find clarity, build confidence and lead with purpose in work and in life.
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Capstan Partners
Dr Eugene Wong
Facilitator, FRACMA
Eugene is a compelling voice as an educator and facilitator dedicated to developing the leadership and coaching capabilities of clinicians.
Eugene is a compelling voice as an educator and facilitator dedicated to developing the leadership and coaching capabilities of clinicians. With over 20 years’ experience as a medical doctor, his career spans remote clinics to major hospitals, offering a broad, system-wide perspective on healthcare. Eugene brings deep insight to his roles in clinical education, leadership, and wellbeing—mentoring many colleagues towards healthier, more fulfilling careers.
His wide interests include Simulation Debriefing and Complexity Leadership. They enrich his facilitation style whilst championing a human-centred, restorative approach to leadership. Eugene various qualifications and Professional Memberships include a Master of Health Services Management and as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA). He is known for his curiosity, empathy, and belief in the potential of others.
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Capstan Partners
Sharon Gillan
Program Administrator
Sharon is a detail-oriented administrator who loves to bring structure and organisation wherever she goes.
Sharon is a detail-oriented administrator who loves to bring structure and organisation wherever she goes.
With over 15 years of experience, Sharon excels at implementing systems and processes to streamline workflows and is a project administration superstar – always making sure everything runs smoothly while organising and monitoring timelines and resources, and providing clear communication to all parties to ensure project success.
Sharon has a Bachelor of Computing (Information Management) from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication) from Swinburne University of Technology.
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Capstan Partners
Dr Ira van der Steenstraten
Executive Coach & Psychiatrist
Ira is an executive coach and leadership facilitator with a background as a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and systems therapist.
Ira is an executive coach and leadership facilitator with a background as a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and systems therapist. With over 35 years of experience, she supports doctors and other professionals in high-stakes roles to lead with clarity and purpose. She is valued for her warm, insightful, and direct style—grounded in clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the challenges professionals face.
Her coaching is person-centred and draws on a wide range of evidence-based approaches. Ira developed and facilitated the award-winning Wellbeing at Work programme for the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) which to date has supported over 4,500 doctors to take better care of themselves and their colleagues. Ira delivers coaching and workshops across Australia and internationally.
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Capstan Partners
Ben Brearley
Associate Coach, MBA
Ben is a leadership coach, consultant and trainer with over 15 years of leadership and coaching experience.
Ben is a leadership coach, consultant and trainer with over 15 years of leadership and coaching experience in various sectors including healthcare, aged care, IT, construction and utilities.
Ben has hands-on experience working alongside clinicians in major programs and projects in challenging work environments, including major new hospital development projects and healthcare technology implementations.
Ben’s qualifications include a Diploma of Professional Coaching, Masters of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry), a Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Science as well as various training and public speaking certifications.
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Capstan Partners
Dr Anne Whiteside
Associate Coach, EMCC SP
Anne is a Career, Performance and Leadership Coach with over 10 years of experience coaching doctors.
Anne is a Career, Performance and Leadership Coach with over 10 years of experience coaching doctors. Anne has a passion for improving the wellbeing of doctors through focussing on strengths, values and supporting healthcare professionals to thrive.
Anne is Clinical Director of a large General Medicine department, a Specialist in General Medicine and Intensive Care and a business owner. She has held senior leadership roles in Quality Improvement and as Training Programme Director.
Anne is an EMCC Senior Practitioner certified coach, and has undertaken additional accreditation in career coaching. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians and Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (UK), and holds Diplomas in Medical Leadership and Medical Education.
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Capstan Partners
Meaveen Sullivan
Associate Coach, PCC
Meaveen is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 15 years’ experience working across a broad range of sectors.
Meaveen is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 15 years’ experience working across a broad range of sectors including tertiary and vocational education in multicultural contexts with results-focused, high-performing international and domestic professionals.
With a passion for evidence-based best practice, her work focuses on leveraging strengths, values-aligned work/life integration, supporting wellbeing and building quality relationships. Her coaching approach fosters curiosity and innovation, enabling clients to develop the mindset, resilience and leadership skills to help them and their people thrive.
Meaveen is accredited as an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and holds a M of App Sc (Coaching Psych). She is a member of the University of Sydney Coaching and Mentoring Association and has MBA-level credentials in Leadership and Leading People and Change.
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Capstan Partners
Dr Dave Wood
Associate Coach, ICF ACC
Dave is a leadership, professional and executive coach, paediatric emergency physician, and Associate Professor with over 20 years’ experience in healthcare.
Dave is a leadership, professional and executive coach, paediatric emergency physician, and Associate Professor with over 20 years’ experience in healthcare. He works across leadership, performance, coaching and mentoring, supporting individuals and teams to perform at their best.
Dave, as Associate Professor at a Queensland medical school, leads a clinical placement coaching program supporting medical students. Previous executive appointments include Clinical Director, Children’s Emergency Department and Director, Emergency Medicine Training.
He is Co-Founder and Co-Medical Director of a private paediatric healthcare service, having developed a strong interest in digital health, innovation and new models of care.
Dave holds Diplomas in Professional, Leadership and Executive Coaching and is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC). He holds an MBChB (Hons) and is a fellow of the RACP (Paediatric Emergency Medicine), ACEM, and an Associate fellow of RACMA.
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Capstan Partners
Sue Sims
Associate Coach, MSc Coaching
Sue is an executive coach with over 10 years experience coaching health professionals including doctors, nurses and allied health leaders.
Sue is an executive coach with over 10 years experience coaching health professionals including doctors, nurses and allied health leaders.
Sue has also designed and delivered coaching skill development programs to promote a coaching style of clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes, supervision of medical trainees and leadership of health organisations; co-founder of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Centre for Coaching and facilitator of the Mindful Doctors series for JMOs at Prince of Wales Hospital.
Sue has a Masters in Applied Science – Coaching Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership and Management and is a registered physiotherapist.
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Capstan Partners
Dr. Tania Morris
Medical Advisor & Coach
Tania is a leadership, performance and communication coach, an Anaesthetist and Pain Medicine Physician and a business owner.
Tania is a leadership, performance and communication coach, an Anaesthetist and Pain Medicine Physician and a business owner. She has almost 30 years of experience working in healthcare.
Tania is accredited as an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), holds a Diploma of Leadership Coaching and Mentoring (FireUp) and a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis (ASH) and has trainer certification in both Process Communication Model and Leading out of Drama. She is a Supervisor of Training, Royal Hobart Hospital; a Staff Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Co-Director of the Persistent Pain Medicine Service, Nambour Hospital; and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Faculty of Pain Medicine.
Recent relevant projects:
Avant Micro-grant Recipient Coaching Program 2023/24
Westmead Hospital – Performing Better Together Trainee Education Program 2024
HNECCPHN – Leadership Coaching Program 2024
SWITCH: Learning to Ask not Tell (Public Program) 2023 & 2024
SWITCH: Learning to Ask not Tell (WSLHD ICU Program) 2022 & 2023
Individual Professional Coaching 2023 & 2024.
Qualifications:
Diploma of Leadership and Mentoring, Coaching, FireUp Coaching
International Coaching Federation: Associate Certified Coach
Hogan 360 Certification
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, The University of Queensland
Diploma Clinical Hypnosis
Professional Memberships:
Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Faculty of Pain Medicine
American Board of Independent Medical Examiners
International Coaching Federation
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Capstan Partners
Rita Holland
Director & Founder | PCC
Over the past twenty years Rita has successfully designed, led and delivered a range of behavioural science-based programs
Rita is a program lead, facilitator and professional leadership coach. Over the past twenty years Rita has successfully designed, led and delivered a range of behavioural science-based programs. These services include group and individual coaching for leadership, professional development, performance improvement and career transition coaching programs, wellbeing & resilience training and coaching programs, and organisation and cultural alignment consulting programs.
Her coaching experience includes over 2,000 hours with senior leaders, including clinical and non-clinical doctors and healthcare professionals. Rita graduated in 2007 with a Masters Applied Science (Coaching Psychology) Uni of Sydney and was awarded Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accreditation from the International Coach Federation (ICF) in 2020. Her ICF PCC Assessor accreditation in 2024 involves evaluating coaching competencies and ensuring adherence to ICF guidelines for quality and effectiveness for coaches who have completed at least 500 hours of coaching experience.