Areas of special interest or skills include;
Anxiety, Stress, Trauma
Anxiety disorders are common and they can include such things as panic attacks, phobias, obsessions and compulsions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The person can experience excessive worry or fear (e.g. fear of losing control, going crazy, dying
or being judged by others) and/or physical discomfort or tension. The person may avoid situations which trigger these experiences (e.g. going out in public) or engage in rituals to cope with the anxiety and tension. Clinical Psychologists can diagnose and treat anxiety and can advise on whether or not you should seek additional help from a medical practitioner or other medical specialist.
Depression and Other Mood Disorders
(e.g. Grief, Guilt, Anger, Irritability)
The essential feature of depression is a persistent sad mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Other symptoms include changes in appetite, weight, sleep, energy, concentration and thinking. The person may experience feelings of worthlessness, guilt, anger and agitation, and thoughts of death. There may also be feelings of anxiety and panic. Feeling sad is a normal response to loss (e.g. death of family member, losing a job), and is something we all experience from time to time, but if the feelings persist or seem to be too intense that person may be experiencing depression. Clinical Psychologists can diagnose and treat depression and can advise on whether or not you should seek additional help from a medical practitioner or other medical specialist.
Family Dysfunction
Sometimes the simple things get overlooked in families with busy lifestyles. I have considerable training and experience in assessing and treating families and can help formulate a treatment plan for getting problem behaviour back on track so the family can function in a psychologically healthier and more harmonious way.
Couple and Relationship Problems, Sexual Difficulties
I have extensive experience and training in work with couples of all ages and sexual orientations. Common issues that I have worked with include; couples who are just embarking on their relationship together and want guidance, couples who have been together for some time but who want to improve their communication skills, couples who want help to deal with infidelity or other breaches of trust, couples with sexual difficulties, and couples who have separated or may be contemplating separation and need help (e.g. to agree on care arrangements for their children, to clarify their goals and priorities).
I am a Family Court Counsellor so you may be able to obtain funding for this service from the Family Court.
Children and Adolescence
I am trained and experienced in providing assessment and treatment for a range of psychological disorders of childhood and adolescence. Common childhood problems that I regularly work with include anxiety problems, bullying, and sleeping problems. I have many years experience with assessing and treating problems with attachment and bonding and with assisting children from separated families.
Personality Problems
The essential feature of a personality disorder is a longstanding pattern of behaviour that is inflexible, maladaptive and distressing. Most Clinical Psychologists have training and experience in providing assessment and treatment of personality disorders. I have extensive training and experience in dealing with personality problems and can assist you or your family to formulate a plan to help minimize distress or manage the personality problems better.
Work Related Problems
I have many years of experience of providing help and support for a variety of work related problems, whether the cause of the problems that effect work performance are personal difficulties, stressors or problems in the work place, or problems at home.
I have contracts for a number of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) work-related services so you may be able to obtain funding for this service from your workplace.
Eating Disorders
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Intellectual Difficulty, Brain Injury
and Other Neurological Conditions
Clinical Psychologists have training and experience in providing assessments of intellectual functioning/cognitive functioning and can help you to formulate a plan to help cope or manage with cognitive difficulties.
Rehabilitation of Chronic Conditions
Personal Growth and Development
Teaching, Mentoring and Supervision of Health Professionals
I have training and experience in providing supervision to a number of Clinical Psychologists as well as other allied health professionals (e.g GPs, Social Workers, Nurses).
Since 1995 I have been an Accredited Supervisor of Associated Affiliates New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists.
I have served on Complaints Assessment Committees (CACs) and Professional Complaint Committees (PCCs) for the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
As part of the requirements for my ongoing registration with the Psychologists Board I receive ongoing supervision of my work, both on a one-to-one basis and as part of a peer supervision group.
Consultation and Supervision of Other Professionals
I have training and experience in providing consultation, supervision and support for a range of non-health related professionals (e.g. Police, Teachers, Lawyers and legal staff, Bank staff).
- Approved Consulting Psychologist for New Zealand Police
- Provision of debriefing for work trauma
- Provision of Second Opinion Reports for the Family Court
- Consultation for Cross Examination in Family Court
I have contracts for a number of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) work related services so you may be able to obtain funding for this service from your workplace.
