Lissa Carlino (she/her)

I started with Te Pou in May of 2024 and am a project lead within the addiction team.

I have worked in front-facing roles both in the USA and in Aotearoa. I started out my career 20+ years ago working in sexual assault services, then supporting people who have developmental disabilities, then shifting into mental health and addiction services where I have supported various people from teens to elders. My passion is in addiction counselling. I have also been a MH and AoD policy advisor to Aotearoa politicians, have volunteered counselling services to those who can’t afford to go private, and in 2018 I published my first novel about a young woman struggling with her addiction. As someone who works hard to support others in their wellbeing journey, I walk the talk. I could not do this mahi had I not received support for my own wellbeing more than 20 years ago. I am deeply passionate about all things AoD including drug harm reduction.

Some relevant qualifications of mine include an Associate in Arts degree in Liberal arts studies, BA in psychology, trained in American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) biopsychosocial comprehensive assessments.

I am from Vermont, the Green Mountain state, in the USA but have lived here for over a decade and became a citizen in 2020.