Qualifications, Education and Courses
Qualifications, Education and Courses
- Ruth is passionate about learning, understanding and sharing knowledge with others.
- Since graduating with a Diploma in Physiotherapy Ruth has continued to regularly upskill and expand her clinical knowledge and practice. She has a particular interest in understanding the impacts of trauma.
- Iin 2022 Ruth was conferred with a Fellowship of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
- In 2024 Ruth completed a PGDipHealSc (Mental Health) through the University of Otago.
- During 2023-2024 Ruth has been trained in Deep Brain Reorienting (Level 1 and 2) for processing of shock resulting from trauma (see https://deepbrainreorienting.com/).
- Areas of interest and post-graduate education includes a broad range of domains such as:
- physical activity and movement – including Zumba Instructor training (Level 1)
- specific physiotherapy techniques – including manual therapy, breathing pattern retraining, concussion/head injuries and vestibular rehabilitation
- sensorimotor and primitive reflex interventions
- persistent pain
- working with trauma from a somatic perspective
- child and adolescent mental health, including neurodevelopment and play therapy approaches
- neurobiology and neuroscience of mental health conditions,
- physical health in mental health
- wellbeing and lifestyle interventions (particularly physical activity, stress, sleep, behaviour change)
- psychological approaches
- interpersonal neurobiology and attachment
- falls and safe handling in Mental health
- psychopharmacology
- leadership and management
Memberships and Affiliations:
Physiotherapy NZ
Special Interest Groups – Physiotherapy in Mental Health, Paediatrics, Pain
Mental Health Education and Resource Centre (NZ)
Regular presenter; member of Special Interest Group for Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM)
Invited member of ASLM NZ Working Group (2021-)
Australasian Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS);
Clinical Representative on Allied Health SIG; Member of Management team (2024- );
NZ Trauma Conference 2023 - Planning Committee
International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership
Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH).
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Mental Health Physiotherapy takes the whole person into account, understanding hauora and oranga the interconnections of brain and body – including movement, physiology, emotions, memories and thoughts – working with you to support optimal function for living life.