About Darcie

For thirty years, Darcie ran her own successful hair styling business. It was her passion and her livelihood. But life had a bigger plan.

Driven by lived experience and a deep desire to give back, Darcie made the bold decision to change careers entirely — enrolling at Wellington Institute of Technology to study addictions. What started as a Certificate in Peer Support quickly became a calling. She completed her Bachelor of Addictions Studies and never looked back.

Darcie began her clinical career at Higher Ground in Auckland, one of New Zealand's leading therapeutic communities. Over five years she progressed from intern to senior clinician — facilitating Multi-Family Groups, psycho-education, process groups, 12-step programmes, and Criminal Addictive Thinking (CAT) groups. She became a mentor to junior staff and students, and was instrumental in organising International Women's Day events in recovery services — work that led to her presenting at the DAPAANZ Summer Series.

In 2023, Darcie moved to Christchurch to take on a leadership role as Team Leader at Odyssey House, where she provides strategic oversight of the He Kete Oranga o Te Mana Wharine programme. She leads teams, drives service delivery, maintains interagency partnerships, and creates culturally responsive, high-trust environments for both clients and staff.

Alongside her clinical role, Darcie is a DAPAANZ Accredited Clinical Supervisor, running her own supervision practice — 2 Head Supervision — supporting addiction practitioners in their professional development.

Interested in clinical supervision?