Facilitator in Training

Phone: +64275870700

Email: bernie@waioracollective.co.nz

Qualifications:

• RESTORE Scar Therapy Practitioner
• RESTORE Oncology Scar Specialist
• Post grad (micro unit) – Lymphoedema Practice for Head and Neck Region, Macquarie University
• Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Certificate (University of Tasmania)
• Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Certificate (University of Tasmania)
• Bachelor of Health Studies (Neuromuscular Therapy), NZ College of Massage, Wellington
• Microfascial Unwinding
• Casley-Smith Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (Modules A & B), Australia
• Preventing Dementia Certificate (University of Tasmania)
• Understanding Dementia Certificate (University of Tasmania)
• McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release®
• OM1 and 2 - Foundation Program in Oncology Massage (OMT Ltd)
• Advanced Program Oncology Massage Training (OMT Ltd)
• Advanced Upper and Lower Body Myofascial Release Therapy
• Diploma in Clinic Massage Therapy, NZ College of Massage
• Diploma in Therapeutic Massage, NZ College of Massage
• Certificate in Relaxation Massage, NZ College of Massage

Ko Tarawera te maunga

Ko Waitoharuru te awa

Ko Te Arawa te iwi

Ko Ngati Hinemihi te hapu

Ko Hinemihi te whare tupuna

Ko Bernie tōku ingoa

Māori introduce themselves by telling you where they are from. As with the aboriginal people of Australia, there is an intrinsic connection and relationship with land, water and ancestry (whakapapa). It is customary to share this as part of an introduction and building relationships (whakawhanaungatanga).

Bernie's journey began as a preschooler massaging her mum and later led her to complete professional massage training. After completing her OM1 and OM2 training at Dove Hospice and Wellness Centre in Auckland in 2018, she embraced a new path.

Today, Bernie runs a small business in Porirua, Aotearoa NZ, collaborating with five other health professionals and is grateful for well established professional networking relationships with medical and health professionals across the Wellington region.

Bernie believes that Oncology Massage offers so much more than people realise; providing clients who have complex health conditions the opportunity to receive safe massage due to the transferable nature of the adaptive gentle and effective techniques taught by OMT Ltd.

Having the privilege of working with private clients in their homes, hospital and hospice Bernie would love to see Oncology Massage Therapists utilised and recommended more frequently by medical teams across Aotearoa NZ.

Bernie and her husband live on a small lifestyle property, their sanctuary, in semi-rural Wellington. They share it with their two ageing dogs, a cat, and thousands of bees. Surrounded by trees, nourished by spray-free vegetables and fruit, all thanks to her husband.

Ehara taku toa, i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini

My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.

This whakatauki (proverb) resonates deeply with Bernie and influences her professional practice.