Mrs Melissa Aguey-Zinsou

Melissa graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 1997. Melissa went on to complete further postgraduate study, graduating with a Masters of Health Science from The University of Sydney in 2012.  As part of a Masters of Health Science, Melissa completed a special investigation into "Improving employment opportunities for people who have experienced a mental health condition and are disadvantaged in the labour market". Melissa also has as Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from ACU and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). 

Dissanayake, R., Olivieri, R., Aguey-Zinsou, M., Yule, E. & Dunn, L. (2024). Exploring mental health consumer experiences of the strengths model of case management: A phenomenological study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 33 (1), 175-184. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13238

O'Donohue, E., Aguey-Zinsou, M., Yule, E., Fairhurst, I. & Debaets, M. (2023). Mental health consumer perspectives of a person-centred multidisciplinary care planning meeting on a rehabilitation inpatient unit. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 32(6), 1701-1712. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13192

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Scanlan, J.N., Cusick, A. (2023) A Scoping and Systematic Review of Employment Processes and Outcomes for Young Adults Experiencing Psychosis. Community Mental Health Journal, 59(4):728-755. doi: 10.1007/s10597-022-01056-z.

Carmichael, K., Yule, E. & Aguey-Zinsou, M. (2022).  The experiences of occupational therapists in implementing strengths-based approaches in practice.  Poster presentation at World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress (WFOT Paris 2022). 

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Cusick, A & Scanlan, J. (2021). Young people experiencing psychosis at work: An occupational perspective on interventions and partnerships with young people.  Oral Presentations Friday 25 June 2021. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 68(S1), 92-154. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12738

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Cusick, A. and Scanlan, J. (2019). A scoping review of issues and processes related to emerging adults experiencing psychosis preparing for, seeking, obtaining, keeping and re-obtaining work. The International Association of Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) Conference.

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Scanlan, J. & Cusick, A. (2019). A scoping review of research evidence relating to adults with psychosis preparing for, seeking, obtaining, keeping or re-obtaining work. Oral Presentations &ndash Thursday 11 July 2019. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 66(S1), 39-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12585

Aguey-Zinsou, M. & Hughes, J. (2019). Tweeting as an occupation. Harnessing the power of Twitter in occupational therapy. Oral Presentations - Friday 12 July 2019. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 66, 83-115.

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Sommer, J., & Yule, E. (2018). Staff attitudes towards consumer participation and peer worker roles in a community mental health service. Journal of Recovery in Mental Health, 2(1), 82-90. Retrieved from https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/rmh/article/view/31925

Aguey-Zinsou, M. (2017). Next move in the remotivation process: The unique contribution of occupational therapy to supporting consumers of mental health services experiencing motivational difficulties. NSW Mental Health Forum.

Aguey-Zinsou, M. (2017). The quest to provide high fidelity individual placement and support employment programs for people with severe and persistent mental health conditions. "Electronic Posters (EPOSTERS)." Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 64: 91-141.

Shankar, S. & Aguey-Zinsou, M. (2015).  "Will I still need my stethoscope?  Measuring and thinking about moving from a traditional to a strengths model within a public mental health rehabilitation team". Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 49(1), 120.

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Chown, K., Hopkins, M., Sommer, J., Smith, W., & Thomson, N. (2013). Take that shot: mental health leadership with an occupational focus. Closing Session. NSW Mental Health Forum. 

Aguey-Zinsou, M., & Gibson, C. (2010). OTs for Indigenous health NSW. Connections magazine, 8(1).

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Guy, S., Muir, N., & Bennet, P. (2010). Including client perspectives to improve a group program in a mental health intensive care unit. Clinical Initiatives Conference, Sydney NSW.

Aguey-Zinsou, M., Yafele, E., Patel, T.,  &  Harris, T. (2009). Promoting social inclusion for people with mental health problems:  Do we need 24/7 occupational therapy services?  OT Australia NSW-ACT Conference, Sydney NSW. 

Interests

• MOHO
• Strengths model
• Recovery approach
• Consumer participation and co-production
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Evidence based practices and implementation in mental health
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing
• Clinical supervision and clinical leadership

Melissa has extensive experience working in mental health in Australia and the UK.  Melissa has worked with adults, adolescents and older adults in various mental health settings, including intensive care, acute inpatient, community and rehabilitation. Melissa has worked in roles including care coordinator, senior occupational therapist, rehabilitation team leader and rehabilitation coordinator. 

Melissa has also worked as a clinical educator with a Recovery College in NSW and  has co-facilitated training with peer educators on topics of recovery,  strengths model, volunteer work and understanding mental health.

• AHPRA Registration
• Occupational Therapy Australia membership           
• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)