Facilitators

PhD

Valerie is a Clinical Neuropsychologist specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of FASD. She works in a multidisciplinary team in private practice in Auckland, as well as developing services and support for people with FASD and their families. A provider of FASD evidence to NZ Courts so that the effects of the neurodisability can be understood and taken into consideration, she also advises on the care and management of children and young people with FASD in Oranga Tamariki care and in the Criminal Justice system. Dr McGinn is a founding and current board member of FASD-CAN (Care Action Network).

RegSW, BSW, Post Grad Dip Mgmt, MBA

Jacqueline (Jackie) Moore has been an active member of the mental health and addiction sector since 2001 and held the co-chair role at Navigate Waitaha (Canterbury Mental Health and Addiction NGO Leadership Group) for four years. Her experience across a range of roles and organisations provides insight into mental health service delivery, strategic health direction and organisational development.

MSc(Hons), BSc(Psych), PGDip. Child&Family Psych

Jess is an experienced child and family psychologist working with children, young people, and their families in community mental health settings. Currently working for Child, Adolescent and Family Community Services at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha (formerly CDHB), she is skilled in supporting children and adolescents across a range of difficulties including helping adolescents with chronic suicidal and self-harm behaviour.

BSc, MSc, PhD

Julia is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Canterbury and the Director of the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she completed her PhD at the University of Calgary in clinical psychology followed by a two year post-doctoral Fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. In 2000, she immigrated to New Zealand. Her interests in nutrition and mental illness grew out of research showing poor outcomes for individuals with significant psychiatric illness despite receiving conventional treatments for their conditions. In the last decade, she and her lab have been running clinical trials investigating the role of broad-spectrum micronutrients in the treatment of mental illness, specifically ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety and stress. Julia has over 100 peer-reviewed publications, including the Lancet Psychiatry, British Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, PLoS One, and Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. She has given invited talks all over the world on her work on nutrition and mental health and is frequently featured in the media on her work. She is currently on the Executive Committee for the International Society of Nutritional Psychiatry Research. She has been the recipient of many awards, including the Ballin Award from the NZ Psychologist Society, an award that recognises notably significant contributions to the development or enhancement of clinical psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand, a Braveheart award for her contribution to making Christchurch a better place to live, and was named in the top 100 Most Influential Women in New Zealand in 2018. Her 2014 TEDx talk has almost been viewed 1.5 million times. Having witnessed current conventional treatments failing so many people, Julia is passionate about helping people find alternative treatments for their psychiatric symptoms and being a voice for those who have been let down by the current public healthcare system.

Facilitated by Julie Thompson 

BSW

Julie has worked in health for 20 years, firstly, in the intellectual disability sector and older persons health, then most recently youth mental health. In this work, Julie recognised the ways that different privileges or lack of, affected her clients care and service they received. Julie is deeply passionate about social justice and has spent decades in social justice activism. This workshop is the culmination of both aspects of her life.

MA (Psychology), PgDip (Child and Family Psychology)

Katie is a Child and Family Psychologist with over 8 years experience in working with children, young people, and their families in the areas of mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, learning needs, and childhood trauma. Katie's particular area of passion and interest focuses around providing trauma informed care for children and young people who have experienced chronic relational and developmental trauma.

Leah Teschner

BSc (Hons), MSc, PGDip ClinPsyc

Leah has worked for the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust (LFBIT) for five years and is a Senior Clinical Psychologist. Her work with LFBIT involves assessing the rehabilitation needs of clients following injury and collaboratively, alongside the client and interdisciplinary team, developing a client focussed treatment plan. Prior to working at LFBIT, Leah worked predominantly in forensic environments in the UK with adult males and youth who engaged in offending behaviour. Since moving to New Zealand, she has worked in forensics, addictions, adolescent mental health, adult mental health and physical rehabilitation. Her variety in work experience has afforded her the opportunity to work with clients on an individual basis, with their family and/or partners and in group settings. She is passionate about her role and believes it is a great privilege to assist people to find ways to alleviate their challenges and achieve their full potential.

PGDipPH, PGCertPS, DipSBM

Lee descends from Tainui waka, Ngāti Maru, Raukawa and Maniapoto iwi. She has over 25 years’ experience in health/Māori sectors. Her work experiences include Cultural Advisor, Professional / Cultural Supervisor, Business Management Services, Mental Health 101 facilitator, Operations Service Lead for Perinatal Mother and Infant Mental Health Distress Service, Kaiwhakahaere of the Te Tai o Poutini COVID Hub, Kaimātai Mahi Māori, Workforce Development Partner – Mana Taurite (Equity, Inclusion and Diversity), Recruitment and People Partnering, Staff Wellbeing Coordinator, Team Leader, Inaugural member of the Health in All Policies, He Oranga Poutama Kaiwhakahaere for Ngāi Tahu and President of the Public Health Association of New Zealand.  Her education portfolio includes lecturing and CAPL assessor for the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree at ARA.  Named New Zealand Fitness Leader of the Year and Awarded the National Award for contribution to the Fitness industry. 

MASW, B.A. (Hons), Cert. Supervision, Cert. AOD Counselling, RSW

Mel has over 20 years’ experience working in the mental health and addictions sector in Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK. Throughout his career, he has held a number of diverse roles, working alongside a broad client base within both statutory and NGO services. He possesses clinical practice, leadership, teaching, management, supervision and governance experience. Mel has a comprehensive knowledge of assessment processes, therapeutic interventions and risk-management approaches. He demonstrates a relentless commitment to the principles of social justice, along with a strong passion for developing services that are truly recovery focused. Mel has been a workshop facilitator with MHERC for several years, whilst maintaining his clinical, supervisory and project management roles.

MHSc, BSW, PgDip(CBT)

Nikki is a registered social worker and cognitive behaviour therapist with 18 years’ experience in the area of youth mental health, and has worked at Youth Specialty Services in Auckland and Christchurch. She currently has a private practice helping children, youth, their families and adults develop skills to reduce anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating, anger and many other problem areas in their life with a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy model of intervention. Additionally Nikki is a clinical advisor with Clinical Advisory Services Aotearoa providing consultation to Child, Youth and Family and communities in the area of suicide prevention and postvention.