Meet Our Team

Kia ora, I'm Elise, a PhD student and I've completed my first year of training in the Clinical Psychology programme. My doctoral research focuses on cognitive recovery after concussion and examines psychological mechanisms that may perpetuate persistent cognitive difficulties. I've completed her Honours research within the NRCS lab, evaluating a concussion psychoeducation tool – CLARITY. My other research interests include psychological flexibility and wellbeing in organisational contexts.

I have worked extensively as a care worker in both community and residential settings. This work sparked my passion for neuropsychology and for supporting the wellbeing of individuals living with cognitive challenges and other disabilities. When not studying, I can usually be found in an op-shop or with a book and a well-made cup of coffee.

Kia ora e te whānau - my name is Ana (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangiwewehi) and I am a PhD candidate and student in the postgraduate clinical psychology programme. My PhD research is looking at the cultural congruency and responsiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including the Psychological Flexibility Hexaflex Model, with Māori clinicians and communities. My other research interests include mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), intercultural relations, intersectional health, Indigenous Psychology, and Kaupapa Māori research.

Hello! I’m Jarrod. After completing a music degree and working as a window cleaner abseiling sky-rise buildings for several years, I decided to return to Victoria to pursue clinical psychology. I am very grateful to now be in my second year training as a clinical psychologist!

Along side my clinical training, I am working to complete a masters thesis. On the journey of studying clinical psychology, I discovered I am passionate about understanding the processes of change in psychotherapy; what works for who and why? As such, my masters research is focused on exploring the relationship between psychological flexibility (a therapeutic process of change) and wellbeing and distress. I will be using a promising new measure of psychological flexibility (The Personalised Psychological Flexibility Index) and network analysis, an emerging method for exploring complex relationships within and between constructs such as psychological flexibility and well-being and distress.

Kia ora koutou katoa! My name is Josh Viljoen and I am a postgraduate student in the Clinical Psychology programme and a member of Dr Faulkner’s NRCS lab. My Master’s research will incorporate a network analysis methodology to investigate whether experiential avoidance, psychological flexibility, or psychological inflexibility mediate the relationship between post-concussion symptoms and psychological distress. In my spare time, you can probably catch me reading a novel or shooting some hoops! 

Kia Ora, I am an honours psychology student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. My research is investigating the relationship between cognitive symptoms, psychological inflexibility and recovery following mTBI.  

Kia ora, I’m Callum, an Honours student here at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. I’m passionate about various branches of psychology, with a particular interest in how we can apply psychological insights to improve everyday wellbeing. Outside of my studies, you’ll often find me out for a run, playing football, or enjoying a good coffee.

For my Honours project, I’m focusing on the Cognitive Complaint After Mild Closed Head Injury (CCAMCHI) questionnaire, a self-report measure designed to assess cognitive symptoms following concussion. While the CCAMCHI shows great potential for concussion populations, it hasn’t yet been validated in an Aotearoa New Zealand context. My research aims to fill this gap and contribute to improving how we understand and manage concussion-related symptoms in our local communities.

Kia ora and Iorana, 

My name is Noellette Aetua Cookson, I was born in Melbourne Australia and was raised in Hamilton New Zealand. I am of Māori and Tahitian descent, and I enjoy doing Pasifika dancing as well as va’a (canoe paddling). I feel that these two aspects allow me to stay connected to my culture and keep me grounded in my roots and identity as a Māori Tahitian living in Aotearoa. 

Moreover, I am doing my Honors program in Psychology with the hopes of becoming a Clinical Neuropsychologist one day. I have recently joined Josh Faulkner’s lab that looks at Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Psychological Flexibility and Inflexibility.

In 2023, I made a significant change in direction, enrolling in psychology studies and beginning work at a homeless refuge in Sydney. These experiences provided deep immersion in matters of the mind and came together when I participated in a course on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My honours research explores how this third-wave therapy benefits people who have experienced severe traumatic brain injury, with a particular focus on how experiential avoidance lessens throughout the therapeutic process and when these benefits are realised. This project has been made possible through the support and supervision of Dr Joshua Faulkner and Dr Diane Whiting. I hope to continue my studies beyond this year as I work toward my goal of becoming a clinical psychologist.