Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
Health Improvement Practitioners are qualified health professionals, with experience in physical and mental health, who have completed specialist training in the Te Tumu Waiora (to head towards wellness, access and choice) primary mental health model. They provide advice and support to patients based on individualised goals, connecting them to other services as needed, and promoting self management.
Consultations with the HIP are typically 30 mins in duration and are funded.
About Laura
Laura is here to support patients 16 years+, at all stages of life to improve their health and wellbeing in ways that are meaningful to them. Working alongside you, she can help you identify what matters most, set achievable goals, and develop a personalised plan to support positive behavioural change.
Laura is passionate about empowering people to build the skills and confidence to manage their own wellbeing. She provides practical advice, support, and strategies tailored to your individual circumstances, while also helping connect you with other services and community resources when additional support may be beneficial.
Laura is a registered social worker with a diverse professional background that includes midwifery, journalism, neonatal care at Christchurch Women’s Hospital, and working in maternal mental health at Purapura Whetū, a kaupapa Māori social services agency. She values the opportunity to work with people experiencing a wide range of challenges and enjoys supporting patients to navigate the pressures of modern life.
Laura can help with
- ✓ Connecting with community/social services
- ✓ Drug, alcohol and gambling support
- ✓ Family violence
- ✓ Family/whānau support
- ✓ Finding meaning and purpose
- ✓ Healthy lifestyles
- ✓ Healthy relationships
- ✓ Living with chronic health conditions
- ✓ Managing a new and long-term diagnoses
- ✓ Managing life with a new baby
- ✓ Sleep problems
- ✓ Stress, anxiety and depression