Facilitators

Olivia Norton

BOT

Olivia is a Registered Occupational Therapist trained in New Zealand, working at Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust. She is an integral part of the concussion service and key member of the interdisciplinary team. Olivia’s role focuses on developing independence with everyday tasks, preparing for return to work and study.

Cert.ComPsC, NZDipBus

Employed by the Mental Health Education and Resource Centre since 1998, Paula also has over 20 years’ experience working as a community support worker in the field of intellectual disability. She has lived experience of an anxiety disorder and has had 12 years’ experience in a voluntary coordination role for an anxiety-related peer support organisation. Paula has been involved in facilitating Anxiety Disorder workshops for MHERC, community organisations and tertiary institutes for a number of years. With a love for learning, Paula enjoys attending relevant conferences and workshops on anxiety disorders when the opportunities arise.

Peta Murphy

BSLT (Hons)

Peta is a Senior Neuro Speech Language Therapist and Clinical Researcher at Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust (Canterbury) and Otago University, Christchurch, with over 11 years of experience in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, including concussion. Her work focuses on helping individuals in the community recover and adapt after a brain injury. In addition to her clinical expertise, Peta has been a guest lecturer at the University of Canterbury, contributing to the complex communication disorders paper. She is also passionate about sharing her knowledge through training sessions with community groups and teams from various agencies, ensuring that more people understand how to effectively support those with a concussion.

NZRP, Dip Phyty (Otago), BA (Mus) (UC), Certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner (ASLM)

Ruth is an experienced Physiotherapist, Leader, Innovator, Supervisor and Educator. She has worked as a Physiotherapist in a range of different clinical areas (such as Older Persons Health, disability, musculoskeletal), with more than half her experience based in Mental Health. In her role as the Clinical Leader Physiotherapy, Specialist Mental Health Services, CDHB (2014-2020) she provided leadership in promoting awareness of neurobiological perspectives, including the integral role of physical health, trauma informed care, wellbeing, and lifestyle practices for mental health.

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Professional and Policy Studies, Dip HE (RN) Mental Health

The early part of Samantha’s career was spent in the South of England working in mental health acute inpatients, ICU and community teams after graduating from the University of Portsmouth in 1994 with BSc (Hons) Psychology and then in 1997 with MSc Professional and Policy Studies and Dip HE (RN) Mental Health. Moving to Christchurch in 2003, Samantha initially worked in acute inpatients then joined CADS setting up the AOD Central Co-ordination Service. As well as working as a private contractor in Primary Care and Canterbury Prisons, she continues to work on various AOD projects.

B.Couns. MNZCCA

Sandy is a counsellor who has worked extensively with children, young people and their parents. She currently works in primary schools and in private practice. Sandy offers workshops, seminars and training to professionals and parents.

RN, RM, BHSc, DipBus(HRM), BSc(Hons), PGDipHealSc

Sharon has a background in health (nursing and midwifery), with over 20 years' experience in education and training on a variety of subjects, topics and issues. Her particular passion lies in supporting personal and professional development of others. She believes that effective communication is at the heart of both personal and professional success; looking at and addressing internal and external dialogue is essential for creating positive outcomes.

Susie has worked in the field of grief, loss and trauma for fourteen years, providing suicide postvention support and also creating and delivering training packages around post suicide support and psychological first aid.

Susie has been co-facilitating the WAVES bereaved by suicide psycho educational programme for eight years and also delivers grief workshops. Susie is keenly interested in supporting people in their endeavours to make meaningful connections.

BA, PGDip Community Education

Vicky (she/they) has 20 years experience in social services in both Scotland and New Zealand. Vicky has a long history of working with marginalised communities including homeless, sex workers and addiction. They are a proud member of the rainbow community. They have had wide involvement in facilitating community education including diversity training in disability, rainbow wellbeing and health advocacy.