Senior Clinical Psychologist

DClinPsych, PGDipArts (Psych), BSW (Hons)

Registered Psychologist , NZ Psychologists Board, Clinical Scope
Member, New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
Member, International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

I am a clinical psychologist who works with clients to bring a deeper awareness to themselves.  I develop strong relationships with my clients to help overcome difficulties, develop strengths and learn more about themselves to achieve growth and change.  I use this approach in my work with eating difficulties, which is one of my special interests.

I have worked for many years with adolescents, adults and families providing specialist therapeutic services to overcome complex difficulties with eating.  I work on and beyond symptom alleviation to understand the emotional and relational underpinnings to achieve meaningful and long-lasting changes in both eating and in all aspects of my client’s lives.  I am interested in working with my clients to understand how eating and bodies have become complicated and to understand what role eating plays in one’s internal and interpersonal world.

I have over 20 years experience providing expert psychological services, both in public and private practice, working with a wide range of issues.  This includes working as a consultant senior psychologist and researcher at the Regional Eating Disorder Service in Auckland, where I also provided specialist supervision, consultation and training in the treatment of eating disorders.  I have extensive training and experience in using a range of therapeutic modalities in this work and identify the right treatment for each person I work with.  I draw on this knowledge and experience in an integrative way, incorporating skills based approaches alongside a strong focus on interpersonal and relational treatment.  I want my clients to take away skills as well as being able to discover what is really going on.  

My main focus is on connecting with my clients and giving them the space to understand themselves and achieve a life of meaning and satisfaction.  I am passionate about the importance of understanding and caring for oneself and how this contributes to success in life.  I also work with adults across a wide range of issues to improve individual functioning, develop resiliency, and effectively manage challenges in life. 

Please contact Michelle via email to ascertain her availability and session rates.  michelle@humansoftware.co.nz

Recovery Coach

Bachelor of Social Work at Auckland University 
Post graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health 
CCI Body Image Certificate

Family Based Treatment Workshops with Jim Lock and Andrew Wallis 

Jess is passionate about bringing hope into the struggle to overcome eating disorders and equipping people with tools for recovery because she believes that recovery is possible for everyone.

She has worked as a therapist at a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service and at the Auckland Regional Eating Disorder Service.

Jess has been diagnosed with Anorexia as a teenager herself, but has now been recovered for 13 years. Her personal hard battle with anorexia has taught her many helpful tools and she discovered that there was a bigger purpose for her life than her eating disorder.

This has helped fuel her passion and commitment to seeing people recover from their eating disorder. Jess founded Tears of Hope which has been hosting a number of events around the country providing a platform to share hope and mentor people. Through this she has seen many people find freedom and purpose.

As a recovery coach, Jess will help you identify your strengths, weaknesses and patterns which are preventing you from reaching your goals, and she will provide practical tools and guidance to help you get to where you want to be. Jess also works in close collaboration with your current therapist and treatment team to maximise current goals and assist with practical support outside of therapy sessions (for example: eating out or social eating, clothes shopping).

You can expect Jess to support you with forming a plan of action, offering guidance in developing new behavioural patterns and in directing you to the right resources.

For more information please visit: redefinedcoaching.co