Background:
Psychological counselling is an opportunity for you to learn about, and deal with your heart condition and to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Iris S. Fontanilla - Health Psychologist
MSc (Hons), PG Dip Health Psych, MNZPsS
Iris is a registered health psychologist who has been practising in the public and private health care sectors for a decade. She conducted her health psychology internship at Liaison Psychiatry, North Shore Hospital, having gained her tertiary qualifications from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland. Her master's thesis, detailing a randomised controlled trial in patients with HIV/AIDS was published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Iris provides clinical supervision for registered psychologists (at Auckland City Hospital), and is an honorary lecturer for the Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland where she teaches interns in health psychology, nursing and medical students. Iris has media experience (television, writing, and radio) and has provided expert opinions on: emotional resilience, stress management, dealing with anxiety, preventing burnout, work/life balance, and wellness.
Iris currently works part-time for Cardiac Services and the NZ Heart/Lung Transplant Service, Auckland District Health Board. She is an Executive member of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Association of New Zealand (CRANZ).
Liz Painter - Health Psychologist
Liz Painter, is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who provides confidential counselling and therapy at the Auckland Heart Group premises at 98 Mountain Road (in Mercy Hospital). Liz can help you with:
- Learning to manage- heart fears, stress, anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, depression
- Learning psychological techniques to help with chronic chest pain, angina, palpitations, high blood pressure, dealing with medical procedures
- Planning for a healthy lifestyle change - diet and exercise maintenance, relationships, sexual activity
- Other non heart related psychological problems.
Liz works alongside the Auckland Heart Group cardiology team, the Mercy Hospital nurses and other staff to provide patients with the best possible care.
Liz has worked for more than 25 years as a Clinical Psychologist and has over 15 years experience in Heart services.
Psychological Counselling
Seeing a psychologist can help with both understanding and relieving the stresses of having a heart condition but also help with making a positive lifestyle change.
Living with a heart condition can sometimes be worrying and distressing.
Everyones experience is a very personal one, and we all cope in different ways. However, sometimes individuals can feel overwhelmed and can benefit from professional help to cope and develop strategies to deal with these stresses.
Psychologists have training in how people behave, think and feel and how this interacts with their body's functioning.
Making an appointment:
- Before you make use of this service you may wish to discuss it with your doctor and/or nurse.
- You may make an appointment by ringing Auckland Heart Group on Ph: (09) 623 1020 or emailing ahg@heartgroup.co.nz
- You may wish to discuss your concerns directly with Liz. Liz can be contacted on (09) 630 6170 or by email lpainter@xtra.co.nz
Iris and Liz are both registered with the Psychologists Board of New Zealand and is under the Code of Ethics & Requirements of the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act. This requires them to provide a safe and confidential service that is regularly supervised and meets continuing education standards.
Explanation Pamphlet:
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