Dr Louisa Walker

PhD, MS Clin Psych, MNZPS, MAPA
Registered Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Psychologist (Idaho, USA)

Louisa completed a Masters in clinical psychology in 1993 and a Doctorate in psychology in 1995 from the University of Idaho. She is a NZ registered and US licensed clinical psychologist with 15 years of clinical experience working primarily in collaboration with general practice physicians. She has worked with GPs and specialist in efforts to build innovative models of practice integrating psychological services into primary health care. She developed a Department of Behavioural Health for a regional US medical clinic and has worked with primary mental health care projects in New Zealand since 2002. Louisa has experience in private practice, has been a clinical manager and has developed mental health programs in both the private and the public sectors. She taught in psychology graduate programs and provided clinical training and supervision for clinical psychology internship programs both in the US and in NZ. She often provides continuing education training for physicians, psychologists and allied health professionals on a range of clinical treatment issues.

In addition, Louisa is committed to developing effective cross-cultural mental health services that respect and attempt to integrate traditional cultural practices into primary mental health care delivery. She has engaged in research and practice regarding the mental health status of, and treatment protocols for, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic patients, as well as gaining recent experience working with Maori, Pacific and NZ Refugee populations.

Louisa has extensive experience in clinical practice treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, trauma and sexual abuse. She worked for a crisis intervention and suicide prevention project in New England in the US. While based in primary care, she developed a program to assess and treat ADHD in adults, adolescents and children and developed a neuropsychological testing service, training and supervising clinical psychology graduate students to conduct psychometric tests and neuropsychological evaluations. Since moving to New Zealand Louisa has worked in private practice, was a consultant to the Hawke's Bay DHB acute mental health services, and has worked with several PHOs in their ongoing efforts to further develop strategies to improve mental health treatment in primary care.

Lousia is the Clinical Manager for the Specialist Counselling Service.  She is also a QPR Master Trainer.