Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington branch NZAP takes great pleasure in nominating Geraldine Lakeland for a Distinguished Service Award for her contribution and service to NZAP over many years.
Geraldine has been a member of NZAP since the early 1990s, and has been involved in NZAP at a branch and national level ever since. She began assisting with the oral exams for NZAP soon after joining, a role which involved making sure the setting for candidates was comfortable, welcoming and well organised. This willingness to support and guide new members has been something which Geraldine has continued to be committed to over the past 20 years.
She was a member of the Admissions Committee for over 10 years, helping to organise the oral exams for the Advanced Clinical Pathway (ACP), and later participated in the case study marking process.
Geraldine accepted the request to join the Regional Supervisors’ Group in Wellington in 1995, and has since then been a supervisor for trainees both within the Transactional Analysis framework and for the ACP. She has also served on the National Supervisors’ Group. Her commitment to training led her to set up the position of Professional Development Coordinator.
Geraldine has also represented NZAP in outside arenas. She was NZAP’s representative on the SCAG group, liaising for the profession with ACC Sensitive Claims. Her experience running an addictions treatment centre early on in her career was put to good use when she wrote a submission for the review of the Alcohol and Drug Act in 2012.
It is notable that she currently works voluntarily with refugees who are based in the Wellington region. She has also been on television – a weekly slot about psychotherapy on the Good Morning show.
Geraldine is well known for her superb organisational skills, dedication, compassion and integrity. She is open and direct in her discussions with others and can be fearless in the face of conflict by being prepared to talk about the difficulties and staying respectful to all parties. She currently serves on the NZAP Council. She is well respected and appreciated and continues to participate actively in the Wellington branch.
Much of Geraldine’s work has been behind the scenes, supporting others, facilitating, and maintaining her strong commitment to supervisees and committee membership. It is particularly for this reason we would like to acknowledge and honour her in this way.