I am a registered Occupational Therapist, Clinical Team Leader and Research Associate. I have worked in youth mental health in Ireland and Aotearoa for 8 years.
I am a Research Associate at the Faculty of Health, Te Herenga Waka. I received a Career Development Award from the Health Research Council to complete a research project titled; "To what extent is trauma-informed care implemented in practice, policies and models of care in Oranga Tamariki Care and Protection residences?"
My research focuses on how the mental health needs of young people in Oranga Tamariki care and protection system are understood and supported from a trauma-informed systemic perspective. My clinical, leadership and research work is driven by my passion for supporting youth and communities who have experienced psychological trauma and advocating for a shift towards culturally safe, trauma-informed care in healthcare and State Care systems.