Book me to speak to your audience

Lived experience presentations & workshops

Is your organisation serious about taking care of the mental health of your staff?

Would you like someone with real experience of bipolar to come in and help raise awareness of what it’s like to live – and even thrive –  with a serious mental illness?

Are the ideas you have around bipolar and psychosis based only on what you see in the movies and media, but you have a sense it’s not a full and fair representation?

Would you like to discover ways you can better support your staff who have been recently diagnosed?

I’ve been living with bipolar for nearly 20 years. 

However, I wasn’t diagnosed until after my daughter was born, when I suffered a very serious postpartum episode and was hospitalised.

Why me?

Six reasons to book me for your next mental health presentation. 

1. Having experienced the full range of bipolar experiences on and off for most of my adult life, I know first-hand the long route to diagnosis and proper care.
2. Discover what’s possible with bipolar – creativity, productivity, new ways of thinking and problem-solving, empathy, compassion, leadership, and a sense of belonging – once the right scaffolding and support are in place.
3. Learn why having someone on your team with bipolar is an asset – it brings neurodiversity and fresh perspectives.
4. I’m on a mission to share my story to raise awareness, reduce stigma and support others living with bipolar or who have loved ones living with bipolar.
5. With a background in theatre and writing, I’m a lively and dynamic presenter with a knack for finding the right words to describe difficult experiences.
6. Presenting my story and insights to your organisation would be an absolute privilege.

My experiences inspired me to share my story of recovery, what bipolar looks like and the approaches that I find the most helpful and supportive. 

I will do everything in my power to raise awareness, advocate for people with bipolar and reduce stigma.

I’ve shared my story here:

• MUV Talks: Celebrating neurodiversity
• Community groups: Northcote Baptist Church
• Service User Academia Symposium 2017: University of Otago
• Masters in Music therapy class: Victoria University of Wellington (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023)
• Presbyterian Support Northern: I delivered a customised talk to a team of Health & Safety Coordinators.
• The Tough Mothers podcast.
• Episode 111 of The OneUp Project.
• Season 2, episode 18 of The Creative Mother Podcast
• Episode 4 of Poetry Snaps Podcast
• Interviewed by Emma Wright of Raising Body Confident Kids
• She Owns It Membership (available to members only)

Topics I can talk about:

• Diagnosis and labels and how they shape our identity.
• What it means to be a “service-user”: the responsibility and drawbacks of representation.
• Stigma: how do we manage and overcome this together?
• Mental illness and work: finding a happy balance and managing stress.
• Mental health and money.
• Finding our own words, language and expression to describe our unique experiences: I write poetry as my outlet.
• Living day-to-day: the strategies that help me.
• Mental wellness and parenting: Finding your village and seeking comfort in the little things.

Please get in touch for more info.

Please email for more info about format and pricing.

I can tailor my talk to suit your organisation’s needs and complement your existing mental health and wellbeing initiatives.