Psychology Scopes Advisory Group (PSAG) Members

Aroha Waipara-Panapa

Clinical Scope

Barbara Pike

Counselling Scope

Barbara is a Counselling Psychologist who completed her training at AUT University in 2014. She has spent the majority of her career working in Specialist Mental Health and Addiction Services at Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora and is currently the Clinical Advisor/Program Lead at CADS (Community Alcohol and Drug Services) in Auckland. She also works in private practice and has several years experience as an assessor and treatment provider for ACC’s Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims. In 2023 she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the University of Otago, where she was the recipient of the Prize for Excellence in CBT.

Barbara is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society, the Institute of Counselling Psychology and the Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (ANZACBT). She sits on the AUT Counselling Psychology Advisory Board and is also an accredited clinical supervisor with dapaanz (Addiction Practitioners’ Association Aotearoa New Zealand).

Brian Emery

NZPB Cultural Advisor

No Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Matakore, Ngati Haua, Ngati Kauwhata. Ko Brian Te Rauroha Emery. He is an independent consultant, auditor and surveyor of health services for Nga Paerewa Health and Disability standards. Previously he was General Manager Support Services for Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau January 2012 to May 2013. Brian was Quality and Risk Manager from 2004 to 2012 for Te Roopu Taurima and Eastern Access Community Health, Melbourne. From 1997 to 2003 he was Manager Maori Mental Health, and Group Manager Maori Health at Counties Manukau DHB. From 1999 to 2005 he was auditor/surveyor/team leader for Quality Health NZ. He has served on several boards for schools, education and training, health services, disabilities, and Maori health.

James McKie

Intern Scope

As an intern psychologist, James is enthusiastic about the future of the psychology workforce. His interest in the interface of the law and the practice of psychology has been piqued through his internship at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections). He considers the ongoing scopes kōrero within the profession as reflective of a passionate, involved workforce and looks forward to fulfilling his duties as a PSAG member. Outside of work, he can most likely be found on an Ōtautahi hiking track or attending a musical

Joanne Henare

Consumer Representative

Ngati Wehi Wehi, Ngati Tukorehe, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Mutunga o Whare Kauri, Ngati Urban Māori o Tamaki Makaurau o Mangere

I am honoured and privileged to represent the service user, whānau and hapori/community for the Psychology Scopes Advisory Group (PSAG).

I hold a double degree in Psychology and Education from Auckland University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Whānau Development from Massey University.

I have over thirty years hands on insights working in hapori/community in kaupapa Māori dual diagnosis rehabilitation (Te Puna Oranga), kaupapa Māori youth offending (Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust), kaupapa Māori psychological (Te Aho Tapu Trust), kaupapa Māori specialist mental health and addiction services (Oranga Hinengaro/current), acute mental health inpatient settings and formally held the Whānau/Family Advisor (Mental Health & Addiction Services) at MidCentral of Te Whatu Ora for 14 years.

I bring a strong whānau, collective and hapori/community perspective to this important kaupapa. As the health and wellbeing of any individual member will always be core business to whānau/family alongside hapū, iwi and hapori/community.

Kris Fernando

Neuropsychological & Clinical Scope

Dr Kris Fernando is a clinical psychologist who has specialised in neuropsychology. She worked at the Auckland District Health Board for approximately 10 years with both adults and children in Neuroservices, Consult liaison and Oncology. Prior to Joining Active Plus in 2020 as one of the Chief Clinical Advisors, Kris had been working in ACC for 12 years in various roles such as managing mental health services, the Psychology Advisor Team, and the Clinical Partners team. She is also employed as a Senior Lecturer at Auckland University teaching in neuropsychology and works as a contractor for Active Plus on the Neuropsychological Services, Concussion and Psychological Services contracts. Kris has been a previous member of the New Zealand Psychological Society executive and is currently on the Board of Kenzie’s Gift, the New Zealand Special Interest Group in Neuropsychology Committee, the National Rehabilitation Providers Group Executive and is about to take over Chairing the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

Lisa Reynolds

General Scope

Dr Lisa Reynolds is a Health Psychologist who has worked clinically for almost twenty years in various health settings. Her clinical practice has primarily focussed on providing psychological support to cancer patients and their whānau. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, where she has been Director of the Health Psychology Practitioner Programme (2017- 2023) and continues to teach students developing their skills toward registration as psychologists. Her research portfolio focusses on interventions that support cancer patients and whānau in managing treatment, prognosis, and end-of-life distress.

Melinda Brownsword – Chair

Educational Scope

I am currently registered as a psychologist under the educational scope of practice and am undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Neuropsychology through the University of Otago. I have been registered as a psychologist for nearly 20 years and have worked in a variety of settings across the North and South Island. Working across the Family and Youth Court as well as ACC and within a private practice has offered amazing opportunities to grow as a psychologist. My key areas of continued development involve the practice of neuropsychology related to paediatrics, brain injury, as well as the study of intersubjective self psychology. As a psychologist in Aotearoa I have also valued my time engaging within a variety of communities and across cultures. It has been my focus to grow and develop an understanding of whanaungatanga and to practice cultural humility throughout my work. I hope to add value to the Psychology Scopes Advisory Group (PSAG) through my experience, as well as my desire to collaborate and grow relationships not only at an individual level but also more broadly at a systems level.

Nick Wilson – Deputy Chair

Clinical Scope

Nick Wilson PhD., PG Dip. Psych. (Clinical) has been working as a Clinical Psychologist for the Department of Corrections in New Zealand for the last twenty-seven years. His current role is as a Principal Advisor working for the Office of the Chief Psychologist Corrections with responsibility for the development of intensive youth interventions, as well as the provision of specialist training in the area of risk assessment and offender management and treatment. Nick has expertise in the assessment and treatment of criminal psychopathy and has a number of peer reviewed publications on his work. He regularly lectures at New Zealand universities on forensic risk assessment and treatment issues. Nick has carried out research into the area of risk assessment with youth and adult offenders, with violent and sex offences, as well as the evaluation of treatment programmes. His expertise in personality assessment saw him develop specialist treatment programmes High Risk Personality Programme and the Adult Sex Offender Treatment Programme. Nick in recent years has been involved in developing a mental health model of care for prisoners and creating dynamic risk and protective asset assessment measures used by probation officers and prison based case managers. Finally, Nick still continues to have an involvement in clinical work supervising a number of individual psychologists and multidisciplinary mental health prison teams and continues to carry out high level risk assessments for Corrections and in his private practice.

Stafford Kimber

General Scope

Lieutenant Commander (LTCDR) Stafford (Staf) Kimber, currently serving as the Deputy Director of Psychology for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and works in the field of military and organisational psychology. His academic foundation is in a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Victoria University of Wellington, and a Master’s degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Science and Technology from Massey University. In 2017 he had completed the Supervision to Registration Programme with the NZDF.

In his recent role with Navy, LTCDR Kimber has successfully implemented strategies aimed at enhancing the well-being and resilience of personnel. His responsibilities have included the development and oversight of health and well-being strategies, and the integration of a virtual selection and assessment processes.

LTCDR Kimber’s professional ethos is marked by a commitment to inclusivity and the application of mindfulness training, contributing to a tailored and effective support system within the RNZN. His approach to leadership and strategic decision-making prioritises the well-being and success of his team, embodying the principles of empowerment and capacity building.

His career pathway has seen him in various capacities, notably as the Head of Navy Psychology, where his efforts have been directed towards creating a resilient and high-performing team ready to meet contemporary challenges. Prior to ascending to his current position, LTCDR Kimber’s career encompassed roles that leveraged his skills in occupational psychology, including recruitment consultancy and talent management, further diversifying his professional expertise.

Beyond his professional commitments, LTCDR Kimber is dedicated to his family, residing in Auckland with his wife Sarah and their three children, Mason (6), Theo (4), and Amelia (0). This personal dimension of his life complements his professional identity, offering a grounded perspective on leadership and resilience.

LTCDR Kimber’s contributions to military psychology are characterised by strategic leadership, specialised knowledge, and a commitment to the health and operational readiness of NZDF personnel. His blend of professional achievements and personal commitments underscores his integral role within the NZDF.