Facilitators

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.

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. 

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.

Kore is a Tipuna-led and hauora-focused Māori Physiotherapist with 27 years of clinical experience. At a young age, Kore was adopted by his kuia, Peggy Tombs, QSM, JP, who then raised him to appreciate and understand the values and beliefs of both Te Ao Maori and Te Ao Pakeha, and how to walk with mana in both worlds. Inspired by his kuia, Kore became a health practitioner and develop numerous roles across the breadth of Aotearoa New Zealand's health system toward health equity for Māori and high-need populations involving clinical practice, cultural advisor, governance, policy, research, advocacy, teaching, and ACC advocacy.

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.

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 Maternal Mental Health Service, Kaiwhakahaere of 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. 

Lucy is a NZ Registered Dietitian and has a decade of experience in helping clients find food freedom. With a background in health professional education, Lucy’s true passion is teaching others how to coach their clients with compassion and effective support. She believes the more people there are dismantling the diet industry, the better. Lucy is a Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional (IBLM & ASLM), Fellow Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine Member, Approved Practitioner for the Australian Centre for Eating Disorders and Affiliated Dietitian for the Christchurch Ballet Society.

Mel has over 25 years’ experience working in multiple mental health and addiction settings in Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom.  He has held a number of diverse roles - in residential, community, custodial, detox and crisis services - within statutory, voluntary, culturally specific and the commercial sector.

In addition to clinical practice, he has experience in governance, leadership, tertiary education, project management and supervision.  His passion is to develop and deliver client-centred and recovery-focused services, built on a foundation of social justice values. 

He has facilitated a range of workshops for MHERC over several years.  Mel currently works in private practice and contracts to a number of local, national and multinational organisations, working with a broad and diverse client base.

Rebekah (Bex) Fraser is a registered Occupational Therapist and Education Kaimahi with over 15 years of experience in paediatric clinical work, personal injury service design and delivery, and sexual harm prevention education. Bex currently works for Stop in Christchurch as a clinician and educator. Bex is passionate about delivering innovative, culturally informed solutions in the health and social services sectors. Outside of work, Bex loves being with her whānau, wrangling her 3 kids and spoilt cats with her husband, Dean.

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.