Jacqui Maguire - Mental health thought leader, speaker and author.

I’m Jacqui Maguire,

a clinical psychologist, writer, speaker and media contributor with a passion for science communication. I not so secretly love researching psychological studies, translating them into easy to understand concepts, and providing practical strategies to optimise personal and professional wellbeing, work and relationships.

Put simply, I want people to live the good life.

A prominent mental health and wellbeing thought leader and speaker, Jacqui delivers engaging and practical psychology with warmth and humility.

Speaking and Events

As seen on

Jacqui Maguire is an expert we seek out regularly to interview because she is able to break down complex ideas into relatable concepts for our audience. She always provides great advice that large audiences like ours can relate to.

Hilary Barry, TVNZ Anchor

Jacqui, if your mission is science communication, you’re nailing it

Adam Grant, New York Times Best Selling Author

I love how Jacqui mixed data facts with real life stories and examples and used everyday language rather than academic speak

Essex City Council, 2020

Jacqui is so succinct. She does a wonderful job of giving us the details without being ‘fluffy’.

Simpson Grierson, 2020

Mind Brew - Podcast

Mind Brew - Podcast

Created to help you understand and learn more about mental health and wellbeing

Speaking

Speaking

Delivering practical psychology with warmth, humility and humour.

My Book

My Book

One ordinary Wednesday night, as Órla was dreaming, a storm arrived that caused the world to turn upside down and inside out.

Follow me on instagram

@jacquimaguirenz

The best relationships—whether romantic, friends

The best relationships—whether romantic, friendships, or family—are built on both strength and grace.

The strongest people I know set clear boundaries while making others feel seen and valued. They hold space for different perspectives while staying true to themselves. They show up with both confidence and care.

Inner strength allows for outward grace. When we are secure in who we are and clear on our values, we don’t need to control others to feel safe or prove our worth to be heard. Strength gives us the stability to stay composed in difficult moments, while grace allows us to listen with openness, communicate with kindness, and navigate tough conversations with respect.

Strength and grace aren’t opposites—they’re partners. And when we learn to balance them, our relationships become stronger, deeper, and more fulfilling.

#RelationshipsMatter
#HealthyRelationships
#CommunicationSkills
#MindfulCommunication
#DeepConnections
#psychology #psychologist #nz #mentalhealth

Not every moment is a teaching moment—especially

Not every moment is a teaching moment—especially in parenting.

When our kids are overwhelmed, frustrated, or melting down, our instinct might be to teach them a lesson—to explain why they should act differently, how they could handle things better, or what they need to learn. But in those moments, they’re not in a space to take it in. It’s like trying to teach someone to swim while they’re drowning.

What they need first is connection. A calm presence. Reassurance that they’re safe and loved. Only once they’ve regulated can they reflect, understand, and grow.

Whether in leadership, parenting, or life—sometimes the best thing we can do isn’t to correct or instruct, but to simply be there. ❤️
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#Parenting #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #EmotionalSafety #SupportOverSolutions #BeThere #nz #psychology #psychologist #learn #emotions

Before you speak, let your words pass through thre

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates:

1️⃣ Is it true? – Are you speaking from fact or assumption? Truth builds trust.
2️⃣ Is it necessary? – Does it serve a purpose, or is it just noise? Not everything needs to be said.
3️⃣ Is it kind? – Will your words uplift, or could they cause harm? Kindness is a choice.

We live in a fast-paced world where words are often spoken (or typed) without pause. But mindful communication isn’t just about what we say—it’s about the impact we leave behind. Whether in leadership, relationships, or self-talk, pausing at these three gates helps us speak with clarity, intention, and compassion.

Next time you’re about to respond—especially in a moment of frustration—pause. Breathe. Run it through the gates. You might be surprised at what doesn’t need to be said.

#MindfulCommunication #RumiWisdom #Psychology #SelfAwareness #Leadership #MentalWellbeing #nz #work

🧨 Burnout doesn’t always look like what we ex

🧨 Burnout doesn’t always look like what we expect 🔥

When your people work remotely, usual warning signs can be easier to miss. Many people don’t realise they’re burning out, mistaking it for “just stress”. Others stay quiet, fearing they’ll be seen as weak if they speak up.

A recent article in the Harvard Business Review by Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic highlights how burnout often goes unnoticed in remote workers and what leaders can do to spot the signs.

Five signs to watch for in remote workers:
🔎 They disengage—cameras off, fewer contributions.
🔎 Deadlines slip, errors increase.
🔎 They seem constantly drained or overwhelmed.
🔎 Communication drops—shorter replies, less interaction.
🔎 They withdraw emotionally—avoiding collaboration.

What can you do? Instead of waiting for someone to say “I’m burned out,” Chamorro-Premuzic suggests you try try:

✅ Asking how they’re really feeling—without judgement.
✅ Checking if their workload still feels sustainable.
✅ Making it clear that wellbeing matters more than overwork.
✅ Normalising conversations about burnout before it becomes unmanageable.

This article is a timely reminder that leaders play a critical role in recognising burnout, fostering a workplace where employees feel safe to speak up, and adapting to the challenges that technology and remote work bring.
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#psychology #mentalhealth #burnout #nz #psychologist #work #remotework #leadership

To all the parents, grandparents, nanny’s, neigh

To all the parents, grandparents, nanny’s, neighbours, older siblings and carers who helped get families through the holidays- hands up you made it! Happy first day of school.

For those who need this today ❤️

For those who need this today ❤️

🥛 “Half empty, half full… or refillable? 🥛

What if the cup wasn’t about measuring what’s there or missing, but about seeing the potential to refill it? That simple shift can change everything.

Our mindset shapes how we navigate challenges, celebrate wins, and find resilience in the in-between.

Feeling depleted? Maybe it’s time to pause and ask, what refills my cup? Connection, rest, movement, purpose—whatever it is, lean into it. Because no matter how full or empty it feels right now, the cup is always refillable.

#MindsetMatters #SelfCare #EmotionalResilience #SmallShiftsBigImpact #psychology #psychologist #nz #nzmentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness

Do you know where you work best? For me, it’s a

Do you know where you work best?
For me, it’s a café. The gentle hum of background noise, the smell (and taste) of coffee and being surrounded by people without necessarily interacting with them. It’s my sweet spot for focus and creativity—especially for tasks that require deep thinking, design or writing.

But here’s the thing: we’re all wired differently. Research shows that our optimal work environment can vary significantly based on personality, preferences, and even the type of task we’re doing. Some people thrive in a bustling environment like me, while others need the quiet solitude of a private office (my husband!).

The key is self-awareness. Take a moment to reflect:
• When and where do you feel most focused and productive?
• Does your energy flow better in a quiet, structured space, or from movement and noise?
• Can you match different tasks to the environments that suit them best (e.g., emails in a busy spot, strategy work in silence)?

Finding and designing your optimal work environment isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a way to support your wellbeing. As a clinical psychologist specialising in organisational wellbeing and leadership, I’ve seen how small shifts like this can make a huge difference in how people feel and perform.

So, next time you’re stuck or feeling unproductive, think about your environment. Are you working with your natural preferences, or against them?

I’d love to hear where you work best—whether it’s a buzzing café, a home office, or somewhere unexpected! Share your insights below and let’s spark some reflection.
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#PsychologyTips
#MentalHealthMatters
#WorkplaceWellbeing
#OrganisationalPsychology
#PositivePsychology
#LeadershipPsychology
#SelfAwarenessJourney
#PsychologyInsights
#ThrivingNotSurviving
#MindsetMatters
#MentalFitness
#workplacementalhealth
#NZPsychologist
#KiwiBusiness
#NZWellbeing
#NZLeadership
#LifeInNZ
#NZWorkCulture
#WellbeingNZ
#WorkLifeBalanceNZ
#NZSmallBusiness
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#madeinnz