As things can get a trifle (somewhat) complex for us all at times, I offer mental health/psychiatric services for people 18 years and over, from any background, on a one to one basis, using the English language.

I offer appointments on a mutually agreed, as required, basis, so as to maximise the effectiveness of our time together.

I work with those who have needs and concerns related to:


Nursing Care

With advanced education, clinical training, and legal authority to practise beyond the level of a Registered Nurse; Nurse Practitioners work autonomously and in collaboration with other health care providers. 

I promote health and manage care that enables independence, in areas that may be difficult for a person to address alone in their community. 

I am able to provide care for you as the lead healthcare provider in partnership with you and your family/whānau. Or, you can combine my private primary care based practice services with the care provided by other health care providers; however, written consent is required and you will need to be part of planning for this to happen. 

Talking Therapy

Talking therapy/counselling/psychotherapy provides an opportunity to explore who we are and how to make sense of our experiences and relationships in the world we live

This can be an effective way to examine the mental distress, emotional difficulty, pain related to stress, mood related disorders, and the lasting effects of trauma. 

Therapy is not usually a quick fix; it makes no promises of instant recovery, taking time, but the insight gained and outcomes can be very rewarding.

I am able to offer this, on a face-to-face basis, as part of a planned episode of care.

Professional Supervision 

Supervision can be seen as a forum for reflection and learning, in which an interactive dialogue takes place between at least two people. The dialogue "shapes a process of review, reflection, debriefing, critique and replenishment for professional practitioners" (Davys & Beddoe, 2010, p. 21).

While some nurses have the opportunity for reflection and debriefing through an employee assistance programme (EAP) when experiencing difficulty or after an incident, this is not the ongoing, proactive approach supervision is intended to be. 

It may be useful to consider Professional supervision as a process that does not necessarily involve reflection on clinical practice but on professional behaviour, interactions with others and outcomes; keeping up with developments in the profession; identifying professional training and continuing development needs; and ensuring the practitioner is working within professional codes of conduct and boundaries. Clinical supervision is primarily focused on learning to develop and improve practice and ensuring safe practice (Cassedy, 2010). Clinical supervision also provides an opportunity to discuss individual cases in depth. 

This can be arranged and provided for those in the nursing profession.


Cassedy. P. (2010). First steps in clinical supervision: A guide for healthcare professionals. Berkshire, England: Open University Press.

Davys, A., & Beddoe, L. (2010). Best practice in professional supervision: A guide for the helping professions. London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Mentoring

Mentorship or āwhinatanga relationships and processes are a means of supporting nurses to achieve their aspirations, contribute to workforce retention and stability, and ultimately improve health outcomes.

Mentoring involves a one-to-one or sometimes one-to-group relationship, in which a mentor invests time, knowledge and effort to assist the mentee/s to achieve their potential, both personally and professionally  (Donner & Wheeler, 2007). It is a voluntary, often informal, and usually long-term relationship; focused on socialisation of the mentee to the profession, and fostering their growth and development (Gopee, 2008; Donner & Wheeler, 2007). 

This can be negotiated and provided for those in the nursing profession.


Donner, G., & Wheeler, M. (2007). A guide to coaching and mentoring in nursing. Geneva: International Council of Nurses.

Gopee, N. (2008). Mentoring and supervision in healthcare. London: Sage Publications.

Prescription Medication(s)

Therapeutic interventions for mental health/psychiatric conditions can include the need for medication, often in combination with talking therapy. I can discuss this as an option with you on an in-person basis.

These medications are designed for specific conditions and it is important to take them as they are directed. 

There are six main types of medication that treat different mental health disorders:



Some medications work in a few hours, and some take weeks or months to become effective. If appropriate, any treatment used will vary for each person, depending on their individual presentation. 

Adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with medicines used in mental health do occur; most are minor and transient but some of these pose a more serious risk. ADEs for any of these types of medication can include: headaches, dizziness, nausea, weight gain, dry mouth, cramps (including muscle spasm), constipation, loss of sex drive, and sleep problems. Talk to me if you are experiencing any of these.

It is important to remember that medications do not cure mental health conditions. They can assist in management of symptoms of mental health disorder, but if you stop taking them your symptoms may return. Suddenly stopping medication can trigger complications or even be dangerous. Talk to me if you are considering this.