Principal Clinical Psychologist

Dip Tchg
PhD (Auck), PGDipClinPsy, BA Hons (1st class)

Registered Psychologist (NZ Psychologists Board, Clinical Scope)
New Zealand Psychological Society
Australian and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders

I have specialised in the treatment of disordered eating for over 15 years. My interest in eating disorders began when I undertook an internship at the Regional Eating Disorders Service in Auckland. I continued to work there for several years before moving into private practice.

My professional practice includes working with a wide range of problematic eating behaviours and can involve adolescents, families and adults. Experience has shown me how difficult it can be to make changes and fully recover from an eating disorder and has given me an appreciation of the extent of suffering for all those involved. Experience has also shown me that treatment works and I am fully committed to working with clients to achieve their recovery goals.

Part of the treatment approach can include close involvement with the dietitians in our practice, particularly with clients who need to recover weight, those who binge/overeat and have weight concerns, and clients with longstanding disordered eating behaviours. Taking into account what the research has to say about the most effective treatment approach, we have developed a way of working designed to normalise eating behaviours whilst addressing the barriers that get in the way of health, wellbeing and sustaining change. The results and positive outcomes reported by clients makes this aspect of our teamwork particularly gratifying.

Alongside the focus on eating issues I also treat anxiety, mood issues, relationship difficulties and life transitions. I draw from a range of therapies and have a particular interest in cognitive analytic therapy, which is particularly effective for those who are stuck and struggling to make changes.

I provide supervision and case consultations to other clinicians working with disordered patterns of eating. I keep up to date through reading, contact with colleagues, and regular attendance at training workshops and conferences.

Clinic days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Senior Clinical Psychologist

BA
D Litt et Phil (Psych)
MA (Psych)
MA (Speech Pathology)
BA (Sp & H Th)
BA (Hons) (Applied Psych)
MEd (Educational Linguistics)
Hons BA (Applied Linguistics)

Registered Clinical Psychologist
New Zealand Psychologists Board
New Zealand Psychological Society
International Association of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology
Health Professions Council of South Africa

I have specialised in the treatment of clients with eating disorders and disordered eating for the past 16 years. I love that my work is filled with hope and that people can change their lives with therapy. It is very rewarding to assist people in their healing and recovery.

I have worked with various kinds of eating disorders both on an in-patient unit and out-patient basis. I have also provided professional supervision to and run reading groups for fellow clinicians who work with clients with eating disorders. I completed my doctorate on eating disorders and addiction and keep up to date with the literature and research in these fields.

I especially enjoy working as a member of a team as I do at Shelly Beach Practice. It ensures that I am able to take care of clients in the most impactful way possible. Other team members may include a dietitian, family and anyone else who can provide support in the time of recovery.

I see human experience as complex and enjoy working with individuals beyond weight management, focussing on individual experiences of being in relationship with others, functioning optimally in the world, addressing issues of sexuality, gender and body image and the process of rediscovering the importance of developing a healthier relationship with food. I enjoy working with adults and adolescents.

As well as my work with eating and related disorders, I work extensively with addiction (alcohol, drugs and sex), personality-related problems, self-mutilation, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, physical illness and trauma. I believe it is important to adapt my approach to each person’s individual therapeutic needs. I am able to draw on a variety of therapies including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT and CBT-E), psychodynamic therapy, transference-focussed therapy, narrative therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, systemic therapy and art therapy.

I have a specific interest in relational forms of individual psychotherapy and in family/couples therapy. I also find supervising the clinical work of colleagues satisfying.

Clinic days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Clinical Psychologist

BSC
PGDipClinPsych
MSC (Hons)

Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists

I have over 13 years of experience. I have worked in the public sector at the Regional Eating Disorders Service in Auckland, and for the Auckland District Health Board Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. I have worked in the private sector since 2013.

I have worked with people struggling with eating difficulties and body image issues since 2006. I assist people to understand the function of their eating behaviours, learn new coping strategies and gain greater balance in their life. I take a collaborative approach and work alongside people to help them reach their goals for change. I especially enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary team, including working with dietitians, physiotherapists and psychiatrists, to assist people with different aspects of their lives.

As well as experience in working with eating disorders, I work with people experiencing depression, relationship difficulties, stress, trauma, emotional overwhelm and regulation difficulties. I have a particular interest in working with anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, generalised anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I specialise in working with children, adolescents and young adults.

I have training and experience in a variety of evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behaviour therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy with a particular interest in acceptance commitment therapy. I am passionate about assisting people to live a life that is value-driven and meaningful for them. I help people develop insight, coping strategies and skills that help them manage distress, as well as manage difficult thoughts and emotions.

Clinic days are Mondays

Clinical Psychologist

Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), BSc Hons (1st class), BA

Registered Psychologist (NZ Psychologists Board, Clinical Scope)
Member, New Zealand Psychological Society
Member, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders

I have over 10 years’ experience working as a clinical psychologist in mental health and addiction services. 

It takes tremendous courage to seek support for eating related concerns and other mental health issues. I aim to create a warm, validating and collaborative therapeutic environment, and am committed to working with people of any culture, gender, age and background. I work with individuals (and their families) to understand their specific needs and work together to equip them with the skills they need to overcome their current difficulties, and to lead full and meaningful lives. I believe that recovery from an eating disorder is possible at any stage. 

I have a strong interest in clinical research and am committed to providing therapy that is based on what we know works best. In addition to my clinical practice, I have worked on a number of treatment trials for mental health and substance use problems, particularly with young people, in New Zealand, Australia (Orygen Research Centre), and the UK (Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London). Since returning to New Zealand in 2013, I have worked in both mental health and addiction services, and academically at the University of Auckland in the School of Psychological Medicine. 

I specialise in working with adolescents and young adults. During my career I have enjoyed teaching and providing supervision in evidence-based treatments for common mental health and substance use problems in young people. I value working as part of a multidisciplinary team, which at Shelly Beach Practice may include a dietitian, physiotherapist, GP, psychiatrist and families/support people. 

In addition to eating disorders, I work with people experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, emotion regulation difficulties including anger, and I have a particular interest in co-existing substance use problems. I work primarily using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) including CBT-E for eating disorders, but also include when appropriate Motivational Interviewing, DBT skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Clinic day is Wednesday