Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)

Our HIP is Julia Jay, DC LRCC

What’s a HIP? 

Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) are experienced HPCA-registered mental health professionals with specialist training in using evidence-based brief interventions to support mental wellbeing.

Who can come see me?

Anyone who is registered with this practice.  HIPs can see people of all ages and at all stages of their lives, and can help with a range of issues related to mental wellbeing and behaviour change.

What can you expect?

We will spend about half an hour together, put our heads together and make a plan around something that’s giving you difficulty.

What does it cost?

It’s free! HIPs are fully funded through Te Tumu Waiora and Pegasus Health.

How long do I have to wait?

HIPs always have same day appointments, so you can often come straight from your GP to see the HIP.

Why am I a HIP? 

I love being a HIP because I think that everyone should have access to tools and skills that can make life easier and more fulfilling.

More about me:

I grew up in the US and then lived in the UK for a long time before moving to Te Waipounamu. I studied Behavioural Neuroscience in the US and did research into how our brains change before retraining as a Chiropractor in the UK. As a Chiropractor I loved empowering patients to make small changes that could make a big difference. I also know how much a single injury or diagnosis can affect not just that diagnosis but the whole patient, including their physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. So, when injury made me rethink my career this year, the HIP role was a perfect fit!

Outside of work, you will probably find me gardening, building things out of pallets and hanging out with Oscar, our Eclectus Parrot. I’m also working on my fitness and mobility so I can get back to climbing mountains and kayaking after injury.