Holding space

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood and trivialised, yet it can have a profound impact on children, young people, and their whānau | family.
In this episode of the Holding space podcast, clinical psychologist Marthinus Bekker unpacks what OCD really is, and how obsessions and compulsions become a powerful cycle that’s difficult to break. We also explore common misconceptions of OCD, and the evidence-based approaches used to treat it, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), and the pioneering Bergen 4-day OCD treatment.
Marthinus Bekker is a clinical psychologist with experience across public, university, and private settings. He has worked in child adolescent & family services and inpatient and forensic services. He conducts clinical and neuropsychological assessments and provides cognitive, behavioural, and acceptance-based therapies, with a focus on dialectical behavioural therapy.

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In this episode, Chloé Guinaudie shares her experiences working in youth mental health, including embedding lived experience into services and supporting the development of youth hubs. She explores early intervention, building trust with young people and families, and what meaningful youth engagement can look like in practice.
Chloé Guinaudie is a mental health consultant with over eight years’ experience in youth mental health systems across Canada, Tanzania and Europe. She has helped design, implement and scale integrated services including ACCESS Open Minds, Aire ouverte and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario. Her work spans prevention, early intervention, service transformation and embedding lived experience in research, policy and care. She specialises in participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement and translating evidence into youth-centred practice. Chloé currently consults for WHO Europe’s mental health team and advises a global prevention project with Orygen and Wellcome.

In this episode, we speak with Romy Lee from Asian Family Services, who introduces Kia Ora Ake, a school-based mental health programme in Counties Manukau.
Romy is a Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) all-rounder, with experience spanning lived experience leadership, clinical practice, sector leadership and service design. She heads the lived experience portfolio at Asian Family Services, leading Kia Ora Ake – a first-of-its-kind, peer-led and clinically informed primary mental health service.
Learn more about Asian Family Services at: www.asianfamilyservices.org.nz

In this episode, we speak with Dr Kelly Feng from Asian Family Services (AFS). Kelly shares her clinical and leadership journey, her passion for service development, and insights into the wide range of support AFS provides, including mental health, gambling harm, and school-based initiatives. We discuss the challenges Asian communities in Aotearoa face, the importance of culturally safe care, and Kelly’s vision for a future where all communities can thrive with equitable support.
Dr Kelly Feng (MNZM) is Chief Executive of Asian Family Services (AFS). Since 2016, her transformative leadership has driven innovation in mental health and addiction support. Trained as a medical doctor in China and later registered as a social worker in New Zealand, she combines clinical expertise with cultural insight and frontline empathy. She helped establish Asian mental health in secondary mental health, and pioneered initiatives amplifying Asian community voices. Her leadership has seen AFS secure multiple Ministry of Health grants and lead nationally significant research, advancing culturally responsive, equitable, and evidence-based services for Asian New Zealanders.
Learn more about Asian Family Services at: www.asianfamilyservices.org.nz

In this episode, we talk to our very own Lisa Maughan to explore the parenting programmes Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme and Incredible Years (IY). Lisa shares how these programmes support parents, caregivers, teachers, and whānau, along with the role Whāraurau plays in supporting workforce training and programme delivery across Aotearoa.
Lisa Maughan is a Principal Advisor at Whāraurau, leading the Parent and Teacher team. Her work includes supporting and providing workforce training to the Ministry of Health regional roll out of Triple P, and the Ministry of Education national Incredible Years | Teacher Classroom Management programmes.
In the episode, Lisa references the following research:
Population-based prevention of child maltreatment: the U.S. Triple P system population trial (2009). Ronald J Prinz, Matthew R Sanders, Cheri J Shapiro, Daniel J Whitaker, John R Lutzker.
Working with parents to treat anxiety-disordered children: A proof of concept RCT evaluating Fear-less Triple P (2017). Vanessa E Cobham, Ania Filus, Matthew R Sanders.
Info for parents and caregivers:
Interested in Triple P? Visit their website to learn more.
Interested in Incredible Years? Contact your local Ministry of Education office for programme information.
Info for practitioners:
Explore our Triple P resources for practitioners
Explore our Incredible Years resources for practitioners