I began working in the area of mental health over 20 years ago. My interest began when I was a nursing student, working in the acute admissions psychiatric ward in Palmerston North. I trained in a variety of medical and surgical areas but I especially enjoyed mental health. My first paid job as an RN was in Wellington working with long-term mental health inpatients and helping them to integrate into the community. This role was very rewarding and provided me with a useful foundation for my future work.
After travelling to the UK and working for both private and public healthcare systems in mental health and oncology, I returned to New Zealand and spent the following six years working in medical recruitment, specialising in placing nursing staff into mental health employment. I also ran courses for mental health nurses at the agency. In order to keep my nursing registration, I continued to work regular shifts caring for people requiring mental health respite. During that time I began studying for my Masters in Psychotherapy.
As part of my Masters internship I worked at a well-established counselling and psychotherapy centre in Epsom. Alongside my study I also worked at AUT as a group clinical supervisor for mental health diploma students, as well as tutoring students studying first level psychology papers. After graduating I worked as a case manager whilst also running my own small private psychotherapy practice. I eventually joined the NZ AIDS Foundation providing psychotherapy services for people with terminal illness. This was a valuable experience and I loved working with the team there but after 2 years I went on maternity leave and had my first child. When I went back to work I decided to return to private practice and cofounded Auckland City Therapy. I now work in general practice providing psychotherapy services for individuals and couples.
Outside of work my young family keeps me busy. I am a keen gardener – although in reality, I plant a few veggies with my kids in the spring and we see what’s left to harvest in the summer after the slugs and snails have had their fill. I think New Zealand is a beautiful country and I love roadtrips with my husband and kids – I am no stranger to a tent but these days I appreciate my creature comforts more than I used to. I would also like to spend more time on the beach with my surf caster trying to catch a snapper. I enjoy baking and have a household who usually enjoy the final product. Last (but certainly not least) I love spending time with my close friends.
How to contact me
Therapists can be difficult to get hold of because we can’t answer phone calls or emails when we are in client sessions. The easiest way to contact me is to fill in the form on this page. Your details will be sent directly to my inbox and I will get back to you shortly. If you prefer you can also phone or email me directly. I look forward to hearing from you.