Facilitators

Alan is a Master Trainer specialising in the Neuro-Semantic Self-Actualisation Trainings, based on self-actualisation psychology. He trained under the tutelage of psychologist Dr L. Michael Hall PhD, the developer of Neuro-Semantics. He has a Doctorate in Clinical Hypnotherapy (Distinction) and runs a private therapy and coaching practice in Christchurch. In 2015 Alan published his first book; "How To Chill Out", a book on stress management and communication techniques based on coaching and training he developed after the Christchurch earthquakes.

Ash (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki) recently graduated with a PhD from the University of Canterbury in psychology. His research focuses on sexual victimisation among both children and adults, with special attention to disentangling the complex process of victims’ disclosure of their abuse/assault. He has published papers on shame, victim blame, emotional invalidation, and the importance of gender inclusivity when researching sexual assault.

Bernie McCarthy has worked with people living with dementia for twenty years and is a passionate advocate for improving the lives of older people and those living with dementia. With a strong focus on education, understanding of the dementia experience, community connection, and person-centred care. Bernie works to support organisations, families, and professionals to better understand the dementia experience and create environments where people can thrive.

Bernie holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia Care and is currently undertaking a master’s program in Dementia Care. Bernie has been involved in developing education programmes aimed at anyone that has contact with those living with dementia including clinical staff, non-clinical staff, caregivers whanau, diversional therapists.

Bernie also supports people living with dementia through therapeutic massage and movement to promote relaxation and wellbeing. By combining research-based knowledge with daily hands-on experience, Bernie has developed a practical and compassionate skill set to support people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Catherine has worked in both public and private work settings, primarily focused on child and family issues. Currently she has a small private practice and is also the clinical practice manager at START.

Christina is a registered NZ psychologist specalising in maternal mental health and matrescence. Christina works in private practice and co-founded Matrescence NZ, a social enterprise, striving to reduce perinatal distress and enhance mothers and infant health outcomes.

Dr Annette Beautrais has worked in New Zealand and overseas in suicide research, prevention and education for more than 30 years. She is currently Senior Advisor, Suicide Prevention with the Mentally Well Team, Te Waipounamu, Health NZ, and Suicide Prevention and Postvention Co-ordinator in South Canterbury. Her PhD thesis was in youth suicide, and her current interests include translating suicide research into effective suicide prevention programmes, suicide prevention in men, developing local suicide prevention networks, and developing regional consistency in suicide risk assessment and management programmes. She has worked with the World Health Organisation, served on the board of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and is a member of the International Academy for Suicide Research. 

Dr Annie Southern was educated at Oxford University and has a PhD in Health Science from the University of Canterbury. She is a researcher and writer and is well published, with her work spanning both journalism/publishing and mental health fields. Annie uses her lived experience of both neurodiversity and alternative states of reality as part of her work and is an Intentional Peer Support international trainer, Hearing Voices that are Distressing trainer and a professional member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

Brian is a Consultant Psychiatrist of Old Age with Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha (formerly CDHB). He is currently a consultant psychiatrist in the Older Person Mental Health Service, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha working part-time in the Community Team based at The Princess Margaret Hospital and part-time in ward BG Burwood Hospital. He has a long history of service provision, leadership and involvement with training in the mental health sector in Christchurch.

Dr Chris Taua is a registered nurse specialising in mental health and health education, with over 35 years’ experience across the health, education, disability, justice, and corporate sectors. Her work is grounded in clinical practice, academic scholarship, and a strong commitment to trauma-informed practice, equity, and cultural safety.

Chris has worked across specialist inpatient and community mental health settings. Her PhD examined the mental health inpatient experiences of people with intellectual disability, and she continues to publish on mental health, cultural diversity, and cultural safety. She holds a qualification in Adult Education.

Chris is Director of Pumahara Consultants, contributes to tertiary teaching in mental health and cultural safety, and serves on the Ministry of Health–appointed Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. She is an Accredited Instructor for Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa, a Fellow of Te Ao Māramatanga – the New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, a Fulbright Travel Award recipient (2013), and a former Chair of the Mental Health Education and Resource Centre

Olive has over 40 years’ experience working as a clinical psychologist in the area of Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and related areas. She has published widely in these specialist fields, focusing on sexual education, challenging and offending behaviour by people who have intellectual disabilities, adults and children with high and complex needs, and various aspects of the healthcare of people who have intellectual disabilities. Olive was made an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit in 2008 for Services to Intellectual Disability.