This week is National Psychology Week. ABI celebrates and thanks to our team of Psychologist for all their mahi. Kapai to all our kaimātai hinengaro (Psychologists). ABI has a team of about 25 Psychologists working across the Intensive inpatient TBI service, Residential Disability Services, and out in the community. The ABI Psychologists have varied specialist skill sets and roles and are a valued member of the rehabilitation team, supporting clients of all ages and their whānau adjust and understand changes following an injury.
ABI is fortunate to have Psychologists on the team with a wide scope of practice including Neuropsychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Rehabilitation Psychologists and Behavioural Psychologists. Some of our psychologists work with adults, some with children and young people.
Viv one of our Clinical Psychologists says the best thing about working with clients with a brain injury “Clients quite often have no previous experiences with this kind of injury, and do not know what to expect in terms of their recovery. One of the best things about working with our clients is being able to guide and support them through their individual journey. It can be a scary process for many clients, however, the outcomes we can achieve when working together is hugely rewarding.”
Victoria a Behavioural Psychologist says “Meeting clients and their whanau at different stages in their rehabilitation journey. Families invite me into their homes, share their stories, and explain their goals for the future. They want the absolute best for their young people and are willing to bring me along in support of their vision. Connections with whānau make me tick!”
Dr Angela Behavioural Psychologist says the best thing about working with clients is the “privilege of being a part of someone’s life and seeing the changes that contribute to a person being able to live/participate in their life to the fullest extent possible, for example, the 18-year-old who completely closed off to the world outside their home going to a cafe for coffee, the 32-year-old who used to have a behavioural outburst whenever they were invited to participate in rehabilitation activities now looking forward to and asking for therapy”.