Elle is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa. She is leader in the field of Māori wellbeing and psychologies, with her doctoral research exploring wairua (spirituality) as it relates to distress, healing, and recovery for Māori.

Elle holds the following academic qualifications:

• Doctor of Clinical Psychology – Massey University (2023)
• Master of Arts in Psychology (Distinction) – Massey University (2016)
• Bachelor of Arts in Māori Studies & Psychology – Victoria University of Wellington (2010)

Elle is Acting Co-director for the Centre for Indigenous Psychologies at Massey University, at the forefront of Kaupapa Māori psychological research and practice. Her work aims to privilege Māori understandings and knowledges, grounding clinical psychology within the cultural frameworks of Māori knowledge and values.

In 2024 she was a recipient of the Emerging Researcher Grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, and her current rangahau (research) focuses on developing a Kaupapa Māori behavioural health intervention to address harmful substance use. The HRC funding provides a huge opportunity to work alongside Māori communities and services and elevate a Māori model of care. Elle brings an intimate understanding of the issues affecting Māori communities, and her research is committed to creating meaningful, lasting change in addictions and mental health.

Elle is driven by a passion to work with and be of service to whānau and Māori communities, ensuring whānau-centred approaches, wairua, and culturally centred practices are integrated into practice. She is part of a project, Rima rau ki tua, alongside Māori psychologists advocating for transformational change within the discipline, beginning with addressing the underrepresentation of Māori within the psychology workforce.

Through her leadership in academic and clinical spaces, and a belief that we are Māori first and scholars second, Elle is paving the way for future Māori researchers and mental health practitioners, helping to build a stronger and more culturally competent workforce in psychology, additions, and mental health.

Links:

Centre for Indigenous Psychologies, Massey University

Dr Eleanor Brittain, Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Massey University Expertise Profile)

Centre of Indigenous Psychologies: Māramatanga Indigenous Psychologies Seminar with Dr Elle Brittain

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