Chris is a registered nurse by profession with a background in mental health. She has over 25 years' experience in health, education, and community service sectors. Her education portfolio is vast and diverse and includes but is not limited to mental health and illness, disability, ethics and boundaries, communication and de-escalation, collaborative note writing, and culturally safe practice. Her PhD explored the mental health inpatient experiences of people with intellectual disability and she continues to publish on this and other topics including cultural diversity/cultural safety. She is currently Director and primary Consultant for ‘Pumahara Consultants’ and holds an Honorary Senior Lecturer role with the University of Queensland as well as other teaching roles with various Universities around New Zealand and Australia. Chris is a nurse member of the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, a Ministry of Health appointed position. She has sat on various Boards and her current voluntary role is as Editor of the NZ College of Mental health nurses Newsletter. Chris is Based in Canterbury but has flexibility to travel to all areas of New Zealand.