Dr. Dougal Sutherland is a highly esteemed Clinical Psychologist with a doctorate in psychology and over 25 years of experience in the mental health, wellbeing, and psychology fields. His extensive career spans both clinical practice and academia, reflecting his deep commitment to improving mental health and fostering resilience in individuals and communities.
In the early stages of his career, Dr. Dougal dedicated himself to working within District Health Board (DHB) mental health services. His work in these public health settings provided him with invaluable insights and practical experience in addressing a wide range of psychological issues. Dougal then set his sights on academia, where he taught in the clinical Psychology program at the Victoria University of Wellington. Dougal continues to hold a teaching fellowship at the university.
Currently, Dr. Dougal serves as the CEO of Umbrella Wellbeing, an organisation dedicated to providing comprehensive psychology and wellbeing services to workplaces. Under his leadership, Umbrella Wellbeing has expanded its reach, offering support to a diverse range of clients, from public servants dealing with workplace stress to individuals who have experienced severe trauma such as car-jackings and missile attacks. His work with Umbrella Wellbeing has taken him across New Zealand and around the globe, highlighting his ability to adapt and provide effective psychological support in varied contexts.
Dr. Dougal is also a seasoned public speaker, regularly presenting to groups ranging from small teams of 10 to large audiences of over 400 people. His engagements vary from brief, impactful talks to extensive training sessions and even MCing events. His ability to connect with audiences and deliver meaningful messages on mental health and wellbeing has made him a sought-after speaker in the field.
In addition to his clinical and educational roles, Dr. Dougal is a frequent media commentator on issues related to mental health and psychology. His media presence surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained strong ever since. On average, he participates in 2-3 media engagements per week, sharing his expertise through various platforms. He is a regular contributor to NewstalkZB's "Saturdays with Jack Tame" and has made numerous appearances on popular television programs such as Seven Sharp, The Project, TVNZ Breakfast, and The AM Show.
Dr. Dougal's career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to enhancing mental health and wellbeing. His diverse experiences in clinical practice, academia, public speaking, and media engagements underscore his comprehensive approach to psychology and his commitment to making a positive impact on society.
Talking Points
Shifting the Frantic - Psychological Skills to Cope with a Busy and Changing World
In our modern, hyper-connected, “always on” world, many people describe feeling constantly frantic,Shifting the Frantic - Psychological Skills to Cope with a Busy and Changing World
overwhelmed and as if they are constantly playing catch-up. I regularly hear comments like: I’m always in meetings… The pace here is full on…….it’s hard to slow it down…. If we can just get through this next busy patch…
This mental overdrive often means it can be hard to utilise well known time management strategies, manage
stress, or work productively, and it can feel impossible to ever fully wind down. In this session, we’ll look at
the common factors behind the frantic and review practical strategies proven to increase your experience of calm and control.
Flourishing: The Power of Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is the scientific study of what helps individuals and groups to thrive and flourish.Flourishing: The Power of Positive Psychology
Not only does flourishing help improve people’s life satisfaction, but it also helps them to be at their best
at work with higher engagement, collaboration, and productivity. Research from positive psychology has
found that there are particular interventions that work to increase flourishing, and act as foundations for
new habits, actions and relationships.
In this session, we will look at some of the tools and skills that have been found to improve positive emotion,
engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment. You will leave with some practical tips to implement
in your own life.
Leading High Performing Teams
In our fast-paced working world, we need teams and team members who are able to innovate and collaborate, flexing in the face of changing circumstances and demands. Research demonstrates that a particular attributeLeading High Performing Teams
of team culture is most important for enabling this type of high performance – a quality called “psychological safety”. It is only when there is this type of safety within a team that team members will bring their most
innovative and courageous ideas, ask insightful questions, offer valuable feedback, and speak up rather than stay quiet. Research from a range of organisations—from hospitals to Google—demonstrate the unique
value of psychological safety to improve team performance.
This session will help you understand what psychological safety is and why it is so important for a high performing team, recognise what happens in your brain when you are (or are not) feeling psychologically safe, and give you insights and tools from psychological research to review the best ways you can boost psychological safety in your team.
