The whole health picture: focusing on holistic psychological care
Sohail Kashkari is looking forward to a career providing holistic and culturally appropriate psychology services after graduating this week with one of the University’s first Health Psychology Practice qualifications.
Becoming a registered psychologist wasn’t always the goal for Sohail, who first completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Commerce.
“After finishing my undergraduate degrees, I worked in business and then mental healthcare and management. As I gained more work and life experience, I became passionate about going into the psychologist workforce, so I set myself a big goal to achieve that. I think coming back to study with more maturity made a difference.”
Sohail completed his Master of Health Psychology and then joined the University’s first cohort of Whakahāngai Mātai Hinengaro Hauora—Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology Practice students.
As part of the postgraduate diploma, Sohail worked as an Intern Psychologist at the Wellington Regional Hospital. Being primarily based in the cancer support team provided an opportunity to apply the skills he was developing in a practical setting.
Sohail is now a registered psychologist working for Proactive Rehab, a national healthcare organisation that provides an end to end spectrum of innovative health solutions and services. He works within a multidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, doctors, occupational therapists, nurses, and psychologists.
This holistic approach to rehabilitation aligns with Sohail’s approach to health recovery, which he says was formed during his training.
“Health psychologists specialise in dealing with people who are going through health experiences and we are encouraged to be flexible and responsive in our approach to supporting people and their needs.
“In a health context you might need to visit someone at their bedside in hospital, work with whānau, or engage people while they are struggling with the impacts or side effects of physical issues and treatments. I think health psychologists can provide a lot of value and I’m really grateful to be able to offer that support.”
Sohail also has a strong passion for providing culturally appropriate care. He is one of the first male Muslim psychologists trained in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Culturally appropriate healthcare is important to me because a ‘one size fits all’ approach to healthcare doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. Cultural context matters, especially when you’re dealing with chronic diseases where illness experiences and interventions are intertwined with people’s lives.”
Sohail crosses the stage this week alongside five other students from the first cohort. Reflecting on his studies, he says he is grateful for the teaching staff in the programme.
"I was taught by a team of psychologist practitioners, and I really appreciated their practical guidance and mentorship.”