Dominiek Baetens

Dom is a Consultant Psychiatrist. She is an Australian resident of Flemish background. She was born in Belgium and grew up in Tāmaki Makaura (Auckland), Aotearoa (New Zealand). She lives in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia and is Deputy Director of Clinical Services at St Vincent’s Mental Health having recently completed a two year secondment as Deputy Chief Psychiatrist (Victoria). She is also part of the community mental health team which supports the Maryborough community in rural Victoria (Bendigo Health). Dominiek’s journey has included working in the arts sector internationally prior to coming to medicine and finally psychiatry and administration. Dom believes that we develop as people and leaders in relationships to and in conversation with others. Such relationships require learning to work with and tolerate gaps, silences and uncertainty to create space for reflection, deeper thought and greater understanding. She has a particular interest in co-design and in enabling all voices to participate in dialogue around the issues that matter. While thriving on complexity she appreciates simplicity and is intrigued by the concepts of anti-fragility in systems and hormesis in individuals. She has particular interests in nutritional psychiatry and women’s mental health. Dom is the mother of two sons and partner to her husband of twenty five years. Like many she balances carer responsibilities with work commitments. She loves cooking (and basic fermenting), grows her own zucchini and rhubarb (but has not had any success with lemons). She walks and plays with her dog daily, meditates, is taking tango classes and has recently taken up multi day hiking.