Script for Change
“Helping doctors find their way back to the joy in medicine.”
About
At Script for Change, we know how easy it can be to lose sight of the joy in medicine. Founded by Dr. Sandra Spilg and Dr. Joanne MacGregor, both experienced GPs, this service is here to support doctors in building sustainable and fulfilling careers.
We call our approach " Integrated Professional Support," which is a flexible blend of coaching, mentoring, and professional supervision. This means we can adapt to what each doctor needs in the moment, moving seamlessly between methods.
Sandra and Jo offer a safe, confidential space to reflect, reconnect, and realign with why you became a doctor in the first place. This isn't only for times of difficulty- many doctors come to strengthen boundaries, preserve energy, and stay grounded in their values.
We are all about helping doctors protect their wellbeing and sustain long, rewarding careers in medicine.
You’re not alone. Let’s rewrite your script — together.
MBChB, FRNZCGP
Member of International Coaching Federation ( ICF)
Coaching
Mentoring
Professional Supervision
Coaching
Coaching offers protected time to think clearly about how you want to move forward.
It’s a space to pause and make sense of what’s going on — especially when things feel tangled, uncertain, or relentless. Coaching supports you to explore what matters most, reflect on your patterns, and make decisions that feel more aligned, intentional, and sustainable.
You might use coaching to:
- Navigate difficult decisions or role transitions
- Reconnect with purpose and direction
- Work through feelings of stuckness, overwhelm, or disconnection
- Challenge thought patterns like perfectionism, people pleasing or imposter feelings
- Make space for what’s missing — whether that’s rest, clarity, or confidence
Our foundation is coaching — grounded in curiosity, empathy, and shared clinical understanding. We don’t set the agenda or offer ready-made solutions. But, when it’s helpful, we can bring in mentoring — sharing observations, experience, or suggestions — with care and respect for your autonomy.
Coaching with us is flexible. Some sessions are more reflective. Others may include guidance, perspective, or ideas — depending on what’s most useful to you.
Professional Supervision
Professional supervision is a familiar practice in hospital environments, often offered monthly. In general practice, it’s less common — but just as valuable. Whether you’re new to the role or decades in, supervision can help you stay steady, thoughtful, and connected to the kind of doctor you want to be.
You might use supervision to:
- Explore the emotional or ethical impact of clinical work
- Reflect on boundaries, values, or relational challenges
- Build confidence in a new role, setting, or country
- Support your wellbeing and prevent burnout
- Develop yourself professionally — with space to think, grow, and plan
This isn’t performance management. It’s a tool for growth, sustainability, and support. Some GPs use it as a regular touchpoint — others dip in as needed, or blend it with coaching.
Mentoring
Mentoring brings in our experience as fellow doctors when that perspective is helpful.
It’s still a supportive, collaborative space — but with a more directional flavour. You might ask for insight into how others have handled similar situations, test out ideas, or explore next steps with someone who knows what the system can be like.
Mentoring can be especially helpful when:
- You’re navigating a new role or unfamiliar territory
- You want to sense-check your thinking or plan next steps
- You’re weighing up career changes or leadership opportunities
- You’re trying to find your footing again after a difficult experience
We use mentoring carefully and respectfully — not to steer you, but to support your thinking with shared wisdom when it feels right. It can be part of the mix or the main focus, depending on what you need.
Our Story
We’re Sandra and Jo — both General Practitioners with decades of experience behind us, and a deep love for the art of medicine. But we’ve also known what it feels like when that love gets buried beneath the weight of long hours, relentless pressure, and quiet exhaustion.
We created Script for Change not as experts above you, but as peers beside you — doctors who’ve walked through burnout, questioned our place in the profession, and found ways to heal, reimagine, and re-engage with the work we care about.
We don’t offer quick fixes. What we offer is time. Space. Honesty. Compassion. A place to talk, to reflect, to reconnect with who you are underneath the job title.
If you’re feeling stuck, tired, or unsure where to go next — we’re here.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Dr Alice Zwart
Sandra is an exceptional listener with the ability to synthesise a wide range of issues—whether personal, professional, or business-related—and distill them into clear, actionable themes. Her calm, sensitive approach helped bring structure and clarity at a time when I needed it. She provided practical strategies I could implement, along with valuable resources and connections that supported my growth as both a general practitioner and business owner. I highly recommend her as a thoughtful and effective coach and mentor.
Dr Louise Kuegler
Sandra created a supportive, non-threatening space that gently challenged my thinking and helped me gain clarity at a career crossroads. Her thoughtful questions, practical frameworks, and suggested readings gave me confidence to take the next step. I’ve really valued her wisdom, encouragement, and the flexibility of one-on-one sessions.
Dr Matilda Lawrence
Working with Sandra has given me some great tools to find my balance in a busy world. She comes from a place of vast experience and empathy and has helped me with how I think about roles. I particularly found her ‘wheel of life’ concept so helpful in making sense of where I was and what I needed to run more smoothly. For any GP looking for mentoring, I’d wholeheartedly recommend Script for Change.
Is This For Me?
It can be hard to know when to reach out. If any of this feels familiar, we invite you to connect with us:
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You feel emotionally drained before your day even begins
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You love helping people, but you’re starting to feel disconnected from it
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You’re overwhelmed, but still pushing through (because that’s what doctors do)
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You’ve thought, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this anymore”
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You’ve lost the spark that used to drive you
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You want to stay in medicine — but not like this
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You’re holding it all together on the outside, but falling apart quietly inside
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If that’s you — welcome. You're exactly who we had in mind when we built this space.
Who is Script for Change for? Script for Change is for GPs and doctors who are feeling stretched, burnt out, or simply disconnected from the work they used to love. Whether you're early in your career, mid-way through, or close to stepping away — this space is for you.
Frequently asked questions
Contact Us
Dr Sandra Spilg - sandra@scriptforchange.co.nz - 022 013 9558
Dr Jo Macgregor - jo@scriptforchange.co.nz - 027 4323 351