Kia ora,

I moved to Wellington in 2003 from the US Mountains, spending 14 years there before relocating to Rotorua in 2017. My husband is from Rotorua, and together we’re raising our three boys here. During my time in Wellington, I completed my PhD at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) at the same time as working in research, lecturing, and Māori & Pasifika equity roles—while starting a family. My doctoral research explored how people enhance and sustain positive experiences in everyday life and how this shapes well-being.

Before moving into private practice, I worked with a range of clinical settings, including Health Pasifika CAMHS, Child Development, Adult Acute, the Department of Corrections, and Forensic ID teams. These roles provided a strong foundation in understanding how trauma presents across different populations and life stages.

I founded mindbranch in 2015, which now includes a collective of mental health professionals providing ACC Sensitive Claims and Psychological Services across Rotorua and surrounding regions.

In private practice, I use EMDR, Schema Therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting, and other approaches to support people in working through the impact of single-event and long-term trauma. Whether feeling overwhelmed and/or disconnected, the focus is on regaining a sense of stability and engaging the mind’s innate ability to heal. Rather than fitting people into rigid diagnostic frameworks, I tailor therapy to individual experiences and strengths, supporting recovery in a way that feels meaningful and effective while helping the mind rebuild and adapt. One of my two Border Collies often joins me in sessions, offering a warm, reciprocal presence.

In addition to my clinical work, I recently joined the University of Otago’s postgraduate EMDR program as a guest lecturer. I’m looking forward to supporting colleagues in their psychotrauma and EMDR learning, sharing knowledge and fostering professional growth in trauma-informed care. I have also practiced yoga since 1989 and co-facilitated the Body Awareness Yoga (BAY) group in Rotorua since 2019, delivering over 140 hours of classes.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and yoga. I also find joy in playing with clay, particularly on the wheel.