De-escalation: Effective Communication to Manage Distress

Chris Taua is an educational specialist deeply committed to mental health, cultural safety, and disability advocacy. Drawing from her extensive experience as an experienced mental health nurse, she brings a wealth of practical and research informed insight to her teaching and research pursuits. Her doctoral studies were centred on enhancing nursing care for individuals contending with intellectual and developmental disabilities alongside mental health challenges, a journey that earned her recognition with a prestigious Fulbright award, where she presented her work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

As the Director of her own organisation [Pumahara Consultants] specialising in professional development, workplace consultancy and professional supervision, Chris is unwavering in her dedication to supporting staff, teams and services as they endeavour to assist individuals with multifaceted health and social needs. Her teaching portfolio spans vital topics including mental health, disability, de-escalation techniques, safe practice, effective communication, and the significance of maintaining safe boundaries and culturally sensitive approaches. Chris supports a team of Associates who offer a varied range of topics as well.

Through her holistic approach to teaching and learning, Chris aims to empower professionals and support staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of caregiving in an inclusive manner. Beyond her organisational commitments, Chris remains actively engaged in academia, contributing as a sessional lecturer at various universities in Aotearoa NZ and Australia. Additionally, she serves as an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa Instructor, furthering her impact in mental health education and support initiatives.