For this week's Tāngata Tuesday profile, we speak to Chris McKissack - one of our Multisystemic Therapy practitioners based in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Nau mai, haere mai, Chris. You are relatively new at Kia Puāwai - what drew you to this role at our organisation?
I met the Kia Puāwai MST team at several previous booster trainings when I was working for my former organisation, and always got really good vibes. The team always seemed to be enjoying their mahi and were very focused on 'why' they were doing it. So when a place came up within the team, I really wanted to join.
What does your job entail?
The MST team support whānau when a rangatahi or tamariki within the home is displaying some kind of worrying behaviour. We focus in on the drivers for this behaviour, be they family dynamics, parenting style, or within the young person's wider ecology. We then work with parents and caregivers on intervention steps that target these drivers.
What do you love about what you do?
I love visiting whānau at their homes because I think it helps bridge the power differential that can exist in therapy. Being in the home can also provide us with lots of clues around family dynamics that might be amplifying tough situations or behaviours. I also like the variety this role offers and the way we all support each other within our team.
What gives you hope?
I believe that the natural trajectory of humans throughout history is towards making things better. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something, and I see lots of awesome people around me doing something, so I still hold hope!
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