I am a NZ trained, qualified and registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist. My early and mid career were spent assessing and treating people presenting with mild-moderate mental health symptoms, primarily of depression and anxiety, before then specialising in the field of Psychiatric Consultation- Liaison at the Canterbury District Health Board. Evidence based treatment models were used to develop individualised management plans for people adjusting to both acute and chronic physical health diagnoses , across many medical specialities . I have also been a Research Fellow for the University of Otago, on clinical trials investigating non- cardiac chest pain, broken heart syndrome, and more recently , the psychological ramifications of the March 15 Christchurch terror attack on our local Muslim community. Several journal publications have resulted from this adjunct academic career.

Ironically, my professional life took a change in direction in 2017 when I suffered significant loss in my own life, the deaths of my husband and then eldest son, aged 27, 2 weeks apart. Part of my personal recovery has included completing my fourth qualification, this time a Post Graduate Diploma in Positive Psychology. My clinical interest is now also in the areas of loss, grief, resilience and adaptation to adversity, through education, inspiration and exploring with clients the numerous strategies within the field of Positive Psychology. I walked the ‘Camino de Santiago’ across Spain early in 2018 as one of my own coping with loss strategies, whilst featuring in a documentary ‘Camino Skies.’ I also cycled Sri Lanka, and ran the New York marathon that same year – fundraising for Variety. Org NZ, and the NZ Mental Health Foundation, respectively. My final BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) has been to author a book, ‘Grief on the Run,’ published March 2021- exploring and illustrating the application of the NZ Mental Health Foundation’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing Model to significant adversity.

My current routine is working in private practise as a psychologist three days per week, and also providing services to National EAP services. I am a passionate traveller, and adventurer. I have presented at a number of events including WORD Christchurch 2021, Realwomen Rawstories Christchurch 2021, Taranaki Speakeasy (TAFNZ) 2022, following a number of radio interviews post the book-release, plus magazine articles, and featuring on SevenSharp. I have also done author’s events at various book-stores and supper clubs.

In my downtime I am a passionate tramper and cold water ‘dipper,’ proud new (young) grandmother, and dog + beach walker/lover. I am soon to partake, for the sixth year in a row, in Sumner’s WET JULY challenge, dipping in the winter sea every day of July whilst fundraising for the local community wish-list.

www.thepsychologyhub.co.nz
www.caminoskies.com
www.allenandunwin.co.nz
www.celebrityspeakers.co.nz