Dealing with Trauma as a Legal Professional
WEB213NZA10: As a legal professional, you will frequently work with people and families who have past or present issues regarding mental health, cognitive functioning and adverse trauma reactions. Over time working within the legal profession can also affect our own mental health and functioning. This highly practical programme will be delivered by a consultant clinical psychologist to provide insight into how to recognise and address this mental health issue when it arises.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour
Recognising Trauma and Mental Health Issues Within in the Legal Profession, Colleagues and Clients
With the assistance of a consultant clinical psychologist, examine, analyse and discuss:
- Knowing when psychological distress crosses over into mental health issues
- How to address your concerns with clients and colleagues
- What are the options available
- Journey through real practice examples
- Apply this for better outcomes for your clients and reduced risk of burnout for you and your colleagues
Presented by Kirsty Dempster-Rivett, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Panel Discussion
Shelley Eden, Director, Gaze Burt
Anoushka Bloem, Principal, Bloem & Associates
Learning Objective:
- A critical look at mental health and the vicarious trauma often (silently) suffered by legal practitioners
Presenters
Kirsty Dempster-Rivett, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Since graduating from the University of Waikato, Kirsty has accumulated a diverse range of experience as a Clinical Psychologist. This has involved multiple roles within government agencies such as The Department of Corrections, Waikato District Health Board, as well as community-based practice, especially in collaboration with Waikato schools and Non-Government Organisations. Specifically, her career has focused on working with young people who have experienced significant childhood trauma that go on to offend. Kirsty has been a Teaching Fellow at the University Of Waikato for the last three years convening undergraduate and graduate papers on mental health and wellbeing. She is currently undertaking doctoral research entitled: Exploring the mechanisms linking child maltreatment and the perpetration of family harm.
Caroline Hannan, Barrister and Senior Lawyer for the Child, Wellington Family Law
Caroline has practised family law for just over 29 years, and has practised exclusively in that field since 2002. She was first appointed as lawyer for child in 1995. Caroline has represented countless children in Family Court proceedings over the last 25 years, including in adoption, Family Protection Act, and Hague Convention proceedings, as well as on appeals in the High Court. Her work as lawyer for child is just one aspect of her practice. She also represents parents in parenting matters, has a busy relationship property practice, and acts in all other areas of family law. Before specializing in family law, Caroline was a general practitioner, with a particular focus on criminal defence work, as well as civil and commercial litigation, conveyancing and employment law. Starting practice in Gisborne enabled Caroline to gain significant litigation experience in a relatively short time. She moved to Wellington in 1999, and has no intention of leaving.
Anoushka Bloem, Principal, Bloem & Associates
Anoushka Bloem founded Bloem and Associates as one of the only specialist criminal defence practices in Auckland. Anoushka specialises in jury trials for serious crime. She conducts jury trials in the Auckland region District Courts and the High Court. She also conducts appeals in the Court of Appeal. Anoushka represents people charged with the full spectrum of criminal charges. She regularly defends clients charged with sexual, violence drug and dishonesty offending. Anoushka has 15 years’ experience in the area of criminal law. Anoushka was admitted to the bar in 2004. She is a member of the Criminal bar association, is the Vice President of the Auckland Women Lawyer’s Association and is a committee member of the Auckland District Court sexual violence pilot.