Pictured above: Dr. Louise Cowpertwait.
In a short space of time, Dr. Louise Cowpertwait has transformed a side gig consultancy service into a thriving business offering tailored, relationship-based services. Taking a leap of faith, Louise, through MindMatters Clinic, now provides full-time mental wellbeing support to New Zealand employers and their employees.
At a time when mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent in the business community, MindMatters Clinic is providing much-needed professional support. Winner in the Most Outstanding Fledgling Business category at The David Awards 2024, this Auckland-based clinic is dedicated to transforming mental health support in New Zealand. At the helm is Dr. Louise Cowpertwait, a clinical neuropsychologist whose nearly 20 years of experience in the wellbeing sector fuels her passion for empowering individuals and businesses alike.
MindMatters Clinic was born out of Louise’s firsthand experiences in the mental health landscape. “I’ve worked in mental health and wellbeing since I was a teenager,” she says. “I loved supporting people, but saw first-hand that the health system was confusing, slow, and left colleagues burnt out – hardly a place for mental health recovery!”
This dissatisfaction with the existing system led her to refuse the “broken system” narrative. Instead, she sought to build a solution that would genuinely meet the needs of New Zealanders.
Prior to launching MindMatters Clinic in August 2024, Louise had run a small consultancy on the side of her day jobs where she had already built some great client relationships and gained experience in the market.
Louise says that MindMatters Clinic is more than just a service; it’s a relationship-based model that prioritises personalised care. “We walk alongside businesses to provide a simple yet tailored approach to meet the unique needs of the people who work there.” This approach has not only garnered attention but also trust, making MindMatters an important resource in supporting workplace mental health.
The importance of accessible mental health support
As the economic landscape continues to remain uncertain and challenging for many businesses, the mental health of workers is more crucial than ever, making the launch of the clinic quite timely.
“One in four Kiwis currently experience mental illness, and employers are grappling to support mental health at work,” says Louise. With many businesses struggling to navigate the complexities of mental health services, MindMatters Clinic is positioned to bridge this gap. “Finding the right professionals is often confusing and slow,” Louise adds. “We aim to change this by offering New Zealand businesses easy access to qualified, caring mental health professionals.”
The commitment to improving worker wellbeing is evident in the clinic’s approach. Louise has observed how the current economic climate can affect mental health. “People are incredibly resilient, even during tough times. However, a larger number than usual are struggling. Financial stress, uncertainty, and pressure to do more with less takes a toll, leading to increased fatigue and anxiety.” Recognising these challenges, MindMatters Clinic remains dedicated to supporting both individuals and organisations through the tough times. “It’s more important than ever that we know how to care for each other and ourselves.”
Overcoming challenges
Launching a new business is never without its hurdles, and Louise faced her fair share. “My biggest hurdle was my own mindset: taking a leap of faith that I could actually do this.” To build her confidence, Louise immersed herself in business books, crafted a three-year strategic plan, sought mentorship, and surrounded herself with a supportive network of friends and family. This determination has been pivotal, she says, to her success.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and economic fluctuations, Louise reports that MindMatters has thrived. “We’ve been fortunate that our offerings are strong and the demand is high,” she says. This resilience reflects the passion and commitment to quality that drives the clinic’s mission.
As a business owner, Louise understands the importance of maintaining her own mental wellbeing. “Being a psychologist and having my own lived experience of mental health challenges helps. It takes a full toolkit, and each person’s will be different.” For her, prioritising wellbeing is not just a personal commitment but a strategic one for her business. She has established boundaries around work hours, scheduled regular breaks, and maintains a support network that includes counselling and mentorship.
“I also do boring but important stuff like going to the gym and trying to eat regularly,” she says. This balance is crucial for her ability to lead effectively, as she recognises the importance of self-care in maintaining resilience.
“Even then, I have the odd day where the cheese slides off the cracker, but with all these things in place, I find I’m able to bounce back quickly after a tough day.”
Looking to the future
As MindMatters Clinic continues to grow, Louise is already envisioning the next steps for her business. “We want to create a tech product that helps make accessing mental health and wellbeing support an easy and empowering experience for New Zealanders,” she says. This ambitious goal reflects her innovative spirit and commitment to improving mental health accessibility across the country.
“We are a country of innovators, and MindMatters Clinic refuses to accept the status quo.” This forward-thinking mentality is vital in a time when mental health resources are often limited or difficult to navigate.
MindMatters Clinic’s win in The David Awards is recognition of the transformative work being done by Louise and her team. By prioritising accessible, relationship-based mental health support, they are not only addressing the immediate needs of businesses and individuals but also paving the way for a healthier future for all Kiwis.
As they continue to grow and innovate, Louise says this award “means so much” to her and the team, and believes it will provide much motivation to continue with their ambitious goal of creating something truly incredible and life-changing through a business that is still in its infancy.
The David Awards 2024 winner
Category: Most Outstanding Fledgling Business
Company: MindMatters Clinic
Judges’ comments: “Louise has taken her years of experience and created a business in an area which is so important. it will be very exciting to see where she goes from here.”
Finalists: Bru Café; Sunset Society; Think Folk Marketing and Communications; TopTechTubers
This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of NZBusiness magazine. To read the issue, click here.
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