Our team

We’re proud of our diverse team of experienced professionals at Whakamātūtū. They will work together, bringing their individual skills and experiences to support your recovery

Meet the team

  • Our GP has 18 years experience in medicine. When you first visit us she will take the time to listen to all your health concerns: physical, mental, spiritual and relational. She will explore all the treatment options with you and support you to make the right decisions for your recovery.

  • Our psychiatrist has over 20 years experience in mental health. She is passionate about making sure we look after all your health needs in a holistic way. She will work closely with our GP and wider clinical team to ensure we offer you the best possible treatment and support.

  • Our mental health nurse will be one of the first people you meet at Whakamātūtū. She will learn about the physical and mental health challenges you are experiencing. She will also explain to you and your whānau how our programme works and how you can get the best out of it. Together, you will find solutions that work for you and get you started on your recovery journey.

  • We have a team of eight experienced therapists who will be working with you in group and individual therapy sessions. My role is to walk with you as you build your recovery. They will help you explore the issues that are holding you back, build your strengths and bring you closer to your goals. As you progress, they will work with you and adjust your schedule to meet your changing needs.

  • We have two experienced arts therapists who will work with you in our dedicated arts studio. Our studio is set up so that you can work in a variety of ways, using paint, pastels, clays, textiles, mosaic and wood. You don’t need to see yourself as an artist or have any artistic ability. Our arts therapists will support you to express yourself in ways that are comfortable and fun for you.

  • We have a number of music therapists who are looking forward to working with you. In our dedicated music studio we will help you explore music in numerous ways. You will be able to choose from various instruments, explore songs and lyrics, and work in fun and intuitive ways to enhance your recovery.

  • We have a number of experienced massage therapists who are passionate about massage as a way of calming, restoring, and revitalising the body and mind. They are versatile in their massage styles and together with you they will find one that works for you.

  • Our pou ārahi is excited to bring te Ao Māori to your journey. She offers rongoā Māori, traditional Māori medicine, which includes working with native plant remedies, body work, karakia, and kōrero to support your holistic wellbeing. Your whānau and your whakapapa are important to your journey and to us, and we welcome them into your programme.

  • Connecting to our bodies is an important part of healing, but can sometimes feel scary or unfamiliar. Our Trauma Treatment Specialist offers safe, trauma-informed opportunities to explore mind-body practices in support of your recovery.

  • Our Social Workers are here to welcome you and listen to your story when you first come to Whakamātūtū. Once they know more about you, they will work with you on the issues that are holding you back, connect you to supportive services, and advocate on your behalf.

  • Our cook will be making you delicious and wholesome kai in our kitchen that sits in the heart of our space. He’d welcome some help, so feel free to grab an apron, roll up your sleeves and we can have fun learning new skills and serving our community.

  • Our practice manager will be guiding the therapy team and ensuring they are serving you in the best way possible. She was originally trained as a paramedic and more recently has managed community-based mental health respite services. She will be making sure our programme is running smoothly and the therapists are looking after you and your needs.

  • Our director guides the Centre’s vision and values. His own journey and experiences make him passionate about assisting you in your recovery. He will work hard to provide you with the best possible care and he wants to hear your feedback and make changes to improve the programme based on your experiences.

Meet the team

  • When you first visit us our GP will take the time to listen to all your health concerns: physical, mental, spiritual and relational. She will explore all the treatment options with you and support you to make the right decisions for your recovery.

  • Our psychiatrist is passionate about making sure we look after all your health needs in a holistic way. She will work closely with our GP and wider clinical team to ensure we offer you the best possible treatment and support.

  • Our mental health nurse will be one of the first people you meet at Whakamātūtū.

    She will learn about the physical and mental health challenges you are experiencing. She will also explain to you and your whānau how our programme works and how you can get the best out of it. Together, you will find solutions that work for you and get you started on your recovery journey.

  • Our social workers are here to welcome you and listen to your story when you first come to Whakamātūtū.

    Once they know more about you, they will work with you on the issues that are holding you back, connect you to supportive services, and advocate on your behalf.

  • Our occupational therapist will work with you to overcome any physical, psychological or emotional barriers you may be experiencing.

    They will help you in ways that stimulate your mind and assist you to put in place healthy practices and strategies to navigate the challenges of everyday life.

  • Our Pou Ārahi is excited to bring te Ao Māori to your journey.

    She offers cultural support and guidance for the centre our Pou Tikanga and Pou Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine) to help support your holistic wellbeing journey. Your whānau and your whakapapa are important to your journey and to us, and we Manaaki you

  • We have a team of eight experienced therapists, bringing a range of therapeutic approaches to group and individual sessions.

    Their role is to walk with you as you build your recovery. They will help you explore the issues that are holding you back, build your strengths and bring you closer to your goals. As you progress, they will work with you and adjust your schedule to meet your changing needs.

  • We have two experienced art therapists who will work with you in our dedicated arts studio.

    Our studio is set up so that you can work in a variety of ways, using paint, pastels, clays, textiles, mosaic and wood. You don’t need to see yourself as an artist or have any artistic ability. Our art therapists will support you to express yourself in ways that are comfortable and fun for you.

  • We have a number of music therapists who are looking forward to working with you.

    In our dedicated music studio we will help you explore music in numerous ways. You will be able to choose from various instruments, explore songs and lyrics, and work in fun and intuitive ways to enhance your recovery.

  • Connecting to our bodies is an important part of healing but can sometimes feel scary or unfamiliar.

    Our Mind-body Trauma Treatment Specialist offers safe, trauma-informed opportunities to explore mind-body practices in support of your recovery.

  • Our director guides the Centre’s vision and values.

    His own journey and experiences make him passionate about assisting you in your recovery. He will work hard to provide you with the best possible care, and he wants to hear your feedback and make changes to improve the programme based on your experiences.

  • Our practice manager will be guiding the therapy team and ensuring they are serving you in the best way possible.

    She has managed community-based mental health respite services. She will be making sure our programme is running smoothly and the therapists are looking after you and your needs.

  • Our chef will be making you delicious and wholesome kai in our kitchen that sits in the heart of our space.

    He’d welcome some help, so feel free to grab an apron, roll up your sleeves and we can have fun learning new skills and serving our community.

  • We have a number of experienced massage therapists who are passionate about massage as a way of calming, restoring, and revitalising the body and mind.

    They are versatile in their massage styles and together with you they will find one that works for you.