About Me
I'm Emma, registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist.
I've worked across mental health and wellbeing for more than a decade, supporting young people, adults and families experiencing a range of challenges.
As an occupational therapist, I'm interested not only in how someone feels, but in how their mental health affects the way they live — their routines, relationships, work, responsibilities, environment and ability to do the things that matter to them.
My approach
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, evidence-based and client-centred. Specifically, I have formal training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, however, draw from a range of modalities including Sensory Modulation, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and other approaches.
Ultimately, sessions are tailored to what is right for you.
My aim is to work in partnership with you to help make
sense of what's getting in the way, identify what might
help, and work alongside you to make meaningful change
possible.
I am based out of Ĺtautahi Christchurch, however, am able to offer support remotely, via Teams.
Why Occupational Therapy for mental health?
“Occupational Therapy is where science, creativity, and compassion collide.” Jessica Kensky
Occupational Therapists have a broad and holistic toolkit for approaching mental health.
We start with the questions
'What do you want to do?' and
'What matters to you?'
Our approach is practical, skills-based, and wherever possible, experiential.
What others have said
"We couldn’t have hoped for more with your counselling style, and approach with the questions. You were immediately getting a better response than say our GP or us"
- Parent
"I'm definitely in a better place now and feel equipped to know how to deal with challenges as they come. I found myself looking forward to our sessions each week- just having a space to talk and be heard was so valuable to me."
-Past client
I took small amounts away from what you offered and found bits of gold in everything you did. Even if this wasn’t obvious to anyone from the outside, the help all went into slowly filling up my reserve. I think more than anything, your presence- “being with”- was the most valuable of anything and what I needed at that point.
-Past client