START Staff

Meet the START Team

The entire START team is committed to quality service provision for victims of sexual violence under the following guiding principles:

We believe that people have the right to be safe.
We believe that victims have the ability to heal from sexual violence.
We believe that the abuser is responsible for the abuse.
We recognize that family members not directly abused can also suffer as a result of sexual violence and often benefit from support.
We believe that the clinician’s task is to facilitate the healing process by showing clients unconditional positive regard, respect and empathy.
We believe that well-developed professional clinical skills are important.

Social Workers at START can provide information and support to individuals, families and whānau. They are able to have consultation sessions with people who find that they have concerns about their children and/or young people, and can offer referral information and support. This service is free of charge.

Betty Gallagher

Registered Social Worker

Staff Member

Betty Gallagher

Registered Social Worker

Master of Social Work (Uni Denver)
Registered Social Worker, NZ
Member ANZASW

Betty joined the social work team at START in February 2024. Betty has over 30 years’ experience as a social worker, working in care & protection social work as well as clinical and team leader roles. Betty graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, USA. In her second year she tailored her learning and field work to family therapy, which is her passion.

Betty has lived in New Zealand for 16 years and is a citizen of New Zealand. Betty recently came to START from working for Stop Children’s Service, and has 8 years of experience working in the field of harmful sexual behaviour.

Betty works with two other social workers supporting adults, children, young people and their families while they are waiting for counselling, and will be providing family therapy alongside the individual counsellors. Betty also provides external supervision for social workers in her private practice.

Caroline Fulton

Clinical Psychologist

Contractor

Caroline Fulton

Clinical Psychologist

Clin Psych
ACC Accredited

Caroline studied for 9 years at the University of Canterbury and graduated as a Clinical Psychologist in 2010. She has worked in a variety of settings since her graduation and begun contracting to ACC through START in 2019. She works with people of any age and gender identity and balances working as a Clinical Psychologist part-time with running her small sheep and beef farm.

Caroline primarily utilises Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as her treatment framework and enjoys being able to creatively adapt this approach to the individual. Caroline is passionate about supporting people to reclaim themselves after sexual harm and believes that it is a privilege to walk alongside her clients on this journey.

Catherine Gallagher

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Practice Manager

Catherine Gallagher

Clinical Psychologist

NZCCP
ACC accredited

Catherine is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked extensively with adults and in the child and family area in both the public and private sectors.

Catherine’s role at START is primarily to support staff in their work with clients, and to work alongside the team to ensure that the children, adults and families we see, receive interventions that are effective, safe, and respectful.

Alongside other staff, she is also involved in providing community education around issues relating to sexual violence and trauma, as well as building and consolidating key relationships both locally and nationally. This includes representation on an ACC advisory.

Catherine joined START in February 2009.

Charmaine Norton

Senior Social Worker

Staff Member

Charmaine Norton

Senior Social Worker

Registered social worker
BSW(hons)

Charmaine graduated from the University of Canterbury in 2014. She spent the best part of the next 7 years working in Christchurch Women’s Hospital with a diverse range of clients where there was a large focus on care and protection, AOD, mental health, and grief and loss. For the 2 years following this Charmaine moved into a specialist role with the Child and Family Safety Service at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha where she was the social worker for the paediatric sexual abuse service, working with clients and family of 0-18 year olds who had experienced sexual harm. Charmaine then came to START as the Senior Social Worker in June 2023.

Charmaine works alongside her social work colleagues as the first point of contact with the START service. The social work team provide initial and ongoing therapeutic support as required for those who have experienced or have concerns regarding sexual harm occurring. Charmaine also oversees the social work service as a whole, working alongside the other members of the management team to try and ensure those accessing support through START are receiving the most appropriate response and care.

Charmaine intends to work from an open, non-judgemental and holistic approach. She is passionate about walking alongside the clients/whānau in their journey and being a strong advocate where required.

Emily Cathro

Therapist

Staff Member

Emily Cathro

Therapist

BA (Hons)
Student Member ANZAP and NZAP

With a background in Human Geography, Emily has an interest in the many factors that shape our lives and our wellbeing. Following two years’ counselling training and a brief stint working with mothers and babies in health care, Emily now works as a therapist while doing further training in Psychotherapy (the Conversational Model), specialising in working with developmental trauma.

Emily loves working with people in all their diversity and feels honoured to accompany others as they grow and heal. In her free time she loves to bike, rummage through op-shops, take cold dips in the ocean, do at-home yoga and an array of crafts.

Emily Pipe

Registered Social Worker

Staff Member

Emily Pipe

Registered Social Worker

My name is Emily and I joined the START team in 2025. I am a Registered Social Worker with extensive experience in child protection, mental health, and whānau support. I am skilled in trauma-informed, strengths-based interventions, risk assessment, and behaviour management. I have worked extensively with individuals and whānau affected by family violence and sexual violence, ensuring their safety and access to appropriate support services.

I enjoy working at START because I get to support people and whānau during difficult times. My role involves helping those affected by sexual violence feel safe and connected to the right services. I believe in working alongside people with respect and kindness, supporting them on their journey toward healing and recovery.

Fea Salkeld

Counsellor

Staff Member

Fea Salkeld

Counsellor

BCou
NZAC

Fea’s approach in therapy is based on a foundation of person-centred therapy developed through her Bachelor of Counselling. She works through a trauma-informed lens, incorporating creative, somatic and play therapies into her work with the understanding that sometimes finding words for our feelings isn’t easy.

She enjoys working with adults, adolescents, children and their families or caregivers. Fea finds fulfilment through creating a warm, non-judgemental environment where clients can develop deeper self-understanding toward healing the negative effects of trauma in their lives.

Fea has worked as a therapist within the primary school environment, for NGOs, and also currently works as a contract counsellor at the Canterbury Men’s Centre.

She has a personal interest in meditation and movement based wellbeing including qi gong and yoga..

Glorianne Koh

Registered Psychologist

Staff Member

Glorianne Koh

Registered Psychologist

MSc & PGDip ChFamPsy
NZPB, NZPS

Glorianne has been working with a neurodiverse range of children and families for the last 6 years as a Child and Family Psychologist. She embraces a self-compassionate, strengths and values-based approach to help clients make sense of their world. She is interested in supporting others holistically in their journey of understanding, processing and growing from their lived experience.

Jean Hur

Registered Social Worker

Staff Member

Jean Hur

Registered Social Worker

Registered Social Worker
BSW (First Class Hons)
SWRB / ANZASW
ACC Accredited

Kia Ora! My name is Jean, and I joined the START team in November 2024. I enjoy working alongside people from all ages and backgrounds and strive to work in a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally safe way. My role as a social worker at START, is to ensure that our clients’ needs are met as they engage with our support, and/or connect them to the best support possible as they navigate their healing journey.

Prior to this role, I worked in various school community settings to support children, young people, and their whānau in their mental health and wellbeing. This experience involved working with children and parents both individually and in group settings and delivering trainings for the workforce locally and nationally. Outside of my current role, I am a committed advocate for the wellbeing of culturally diverse communities across Aotearoa, through ongoing involvement in collaborative research projects, and further study on family and sexual violence.

Kathryn MacKenzie

Psychotherapist

Staff Member

Kathryn MacKenzie

Psychotherapist

MNZAP
BACP DAPAANZ
ACC Accredited

Kathryn worked from 1992 as a counsellor then psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice in Christchurch, including providing psychotherapy to inmates at Christchurch Women’s Prison as an ACC Sensitive Claims Treatment provider. In 2007 she closed her practice and went walkabout, spending time in many places including her native UK, before returning to Aotearoa in 2014 to work in North Canterbury as a Family Counsellor. She especially values creativity and the unique nature of every individual and healing path.

Kathryn joined the START team in 2016 and also has a part-time practice in Christchurch.

Kaye Wolland

Registered Psychologist

Contractor

Kaye Wolland

Registered Psychologist

PGDipPP
MSc
MSW-app
B Soc Sci.
ACC Accredited

Kaye is a Registered Psychologist with a background in child and adolescent mental health, child development and child protection having worked in both the public and private sectors.

Kaye initially commenced her career as a Social Worker and then Clinical Social Worker prior to training as a Psychologist. She has worked with children, adolescents and families for over 25 years.

Laurie Williams

Social Worker

Staff Member

Laurie Williams

Social Worker

Bachelor of Social Work (1st Class Hons)
Registered Social Worker
ANZASW,
ACC Accredited

Laurie joined the START team as a Registered Social Worker halfway through 2021 and has since been part of many positive changes taken on board within the continued development of the growing social work team and its capacity to offer an increasing social work consultation service and support that START can offer through it’s social work team.

Laurie graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Social Work with 1st Class Honors from the University of Canterbury. She has worked previously in Mental Health and in Statutory Social work for Oranga Tamariki. Since working for START Laurie has also become an ACC accredited Social Worker and has developed an ongoing commitment to Trauma Informed Practice and leans towards a strong Strength Based approach.

Having had two children whilst studying in her 4 year degree, Laurie understands the complexities of juggling family life and the dedication and determination required to successfully achieve a positive balance of working, studying and parenting.

Laurie works in the START social work team with two other social workers, working with individual clients, children and adults as well as alongside families and supporting professionals.

Lucy Matthews

Psychotherapist

Staff Member

Lucy Matthews

Psychotherapist

AANZPA
PBANZ
ACC Accredited
BSc, BFA

Lucy is a highly experienced psychotherapist, specializing in Somatic Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. With a strong academic background in Psychology and Fine Arts, she brings an unique blend of creativity and evidence-based understanding to her practice. Lucy has been dedicated to supporting children and adolescents and adults both internationally and within New Zealand. Her expertise in Somatic Psychotherapy provides a deep understanding of trauma's impact and effective healing pathways, while her Psychodrama and Art training offers a dynamic, action-oriented approach. This unique approach allows her to address the complexities of healing with both insight and innovation. Her practice is deeply rooted in Mindfulness and Embodiment, providing a foundational framework for well-being. Lucy is passionate about creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where children, adolescents, and adults of all identities can feel supported and empowered to thrive.

Lydia Muschamp

Counsellor

Staff Member

Lydia Muschamp

Counsellor

Masters of Counselling
NZAC
ACC provisionally registered
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
First Aid Certificate

Pronouns: She/her

Lydia is a counsellor who works with young adults and children. She has worked in the education system supporting young people for the past ten years as a teacher, youth worker and counsellor.

Lydia’s therapeutic methodology is underpinned by Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy and Play Therapy. She aims to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for her clients to explore ways of expressing themselves so they can shift towards their preferred future. Lydia is an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lydia Joined START in May 2022.

Lyndy Broughton

Creative Arts Therapist

Staff Member

Lyndy Broughton

Creative Arts Therapist

Registered Clinical Creative Arts Therapist – The Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA)
MA AT 1st Class Hons.
BFA
Post Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy
ACC Accredited

Lyndy has a Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She began working at START in mid-2021. Lyndy has worked with children, youth and adults for the past 16 years in a variety of roles including, youth leader, carer, school boarding house assistant, teacher and as a creative arts therapist, both overseas and in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Lyndy works with a variety of arts modalities and materials, where, together you can explore and reflect on the challenges you are experiencing, to help make sense of these situations, to help nurture self-awareness and understanding, encouraging life to flourish in a way that is meaningful for you.

Maggy Tai Rākena

Registered Social Worker

Manager

Maggy Tai Rākena

Registered Social Worker

Registered Social Worker
MANZASW
Grad. Dip. Not For Profit Mgmt.
Certificates in Early Childhood Care, Cmty Psych Care, Counselling, Social Work
MNZM

Maggy’s early work background & training was in early childhood education including day care, crèche & kohanga reo for over 20 years. She completed a Certificate in Social Work, a Certificate of Proficiency in NGO Leadership along with other MBA Management papers at Canterbury University, a Certificate in Community Psychiatric Care through the University of Otago, & a Graduate Diploma in Not For Profit Management through Unitec.

Maggy has been the Manager at START since 1994 and it is her role to oversee the effective day to day operations of the agency. Maggy is involved in a number of local and national collaboratives and networks including the Tauiwi Caucus of TOAH NNEST and Social Service Providers Aotearoa. She previously served as the chair of her local community centre and on two school’s Board of Trustees from 1989 until 2004.

Myriam Bejjani

Psychologist

Contractor

Myriam Bejjani

Psychologist

B.A., M.Ed., PGDip ChFamPsych
MNZPS
ACC Accredited

Myriam’s training background is in Child and Family Psychology. Her recent work experience includes supporting families/whānau and tamariki who have been impacted by trauma. Myriam can provide support relating to children’s behaviours, emotions (anxiety, depression, anger etc) and their relationships with others. Myriam believes that parents/caregivers are the experts on their children. She works collaboratively with parents/caregivers, tamariki and teachers combining her knowledge with theirs to work through problems.

Myriam enjoys supporting parents/caregivers along their parenting journey. She also enjoys supporting children and young people to find their way around problems that are interfering with living life more fully.

Samantha MacGibbon

Child/Family Psychologist

Contractor

Samantha MacGibbon

Child/Family Psychologist

Postgraduate Diploma Child and Family Psychology
MSc (Hons) Child and Family Psychology
Grad Dip Sc (Dist) Psychology
BA Japanese and Psychology
MNZPsS
MEMDRNZ
ACC Registered Assessor and Treatment Provider

Samantha specialises in working with children, adolescents, and their families and has a special interest in complex trauma and children in care. She takes a holistic, ecological and systemic approach to working with young people and is passionate about building greater understanding around the effects of trauma.

Samantha has worked in a variety of settings including specialist mental health services, the NGO sector, and schools, and also works in private practice. Her practice is informed by Trauma-Focused CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Synergetic Play Therapy. She also offers Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Samantha joined START in 2018.

Sharron Henderson

Counsellor

Staff Member

Sharron Henderson

Counsellor

Dip Counselling
Cert BWRT
Tchg Cert
Member of NZAC
ACC Accredited

Sharron has worked as a counsellor at START for nearly 3 years. She works with adults of all genders. Previous work has included working with single parents, literacy and numeracy teaching, drug and alcohol work, working with those involved with the justice system, both inside prison and in the community.

Sharron uses an eclectic mix of theories and models, to suit the client and the situation at the time. She believes you are the expert of you.

Sharron finds herself constantly amazed at the strength and resilience of the humans with whom she comes in contact – even when they don’t feel or recognise it within themselves. It takes strength and courage to come to START, and to be looking for, and be willing to work towards change. Towards a better future than is currently envisaged. A better present than what is being experienced and lived through. Sharron feels privileged to walk alongside people as they reach out for a happier version of themselves.

Tania Daly

Social Worker & Therapist

Therapy Team Lead

Tania Daly

Social Worker & Therapist

Post Graduate Diploma Family Therapy
Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work
BA Psychology & Sociology
Registered Social Worker
MANZASW
ACC Accredited

Tania is a Clinical Social Worker and Therapist who joined the START team in October 2023. She has worked in Social Services for over 25 years and has for the past thirteen years, worked clinically across different sexual violence contexts in both the NGO and Private sector.

Tania’s primary role at START is to support the Therapy Team in their work with the Clients and Whānau who access START’s service. She provides internal Supervision, support and guidance for the START Therapists and works alongside others in the Leadership Team to ensure START is well positioned to meet the needs of their clients.

Wendy Anderson

Administrator

Staff Member

Wendy Anderson

Administrator

First Aid Certificate
Certificate in Not-for-Profit Administration and Management

Wendy joined START in September 2010. Her role includes the administration duties for START including payroll, financial administration, annual fundraising, some policy development and administrative support for management and clinical staff. Additionally Wendy undertakes the administration tasks necessary to assist with referral to START’s services.

Wendy previously worked as a residential social worker and foster parent and worked for a number of years in administration. She also worked for five years in the area of providing equipment for rehabilitation, hospital and rest homes. Wendy has been actively working on several Trusts in the area of finance.