Individual Adults
At least half of my practice is working with individual adults in short and long-term psychotherapy. The age of patients I have worked with spans the early adult years to patients in their seventies. All come from a range of cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds both similar and different to my own. My practice is generally made up of a fairly even split of men and woman at any one time. I think this reflects my interest and comfort in working with either. A good proportion of my work with individual adults is about relationships in one way or another, either to oneself, to people in the present as well as those from the past.
The emotional, psychological and physical need for relationships from the beginning of life has a profound influence on the way we relate to ourselves, how we view life and how we think, feel and behave in the present. For a list of some of the individual adult issues I work with please refer to the Why Psychotherapy? page.
Couples
I have been seeing couples in my practice for eight years now and have found I have good results working in this role. Relationships are difficult and we all face challenges in them. I believe that good relationships require attention and a willingness for open communication. Often, however, we find ourselves locked into circular patterns of relating that seem to dictate the interactions within our relationships. To change this we must first recognise that something we are doing is hindering the growth of our relationship.
It is important that these ways of being with our significant other are acknowledged and understood in order for less defended patterns to give way to more constructive ways of relating. Bringing a therapist ‘into’ your relationship is a very intimate experience and can be challenging. However the benefits of having an impartial person who brings perspective and understanding to a relationship can be hugely beneficial.
Adolescents
Traversing adolescence is a developmental accomplishment. Sometimes young people need our assistance or support with making it through to more settled ground. Invariably, my work with young people involves working with parents to understand the issues and create better communication if there has been a breakdown.
I tailor my approach sensitively to meet each young person where they are at, trying to get alongside them to understand their world and the problems they are facing. I work well with both boys and girls from the age of 12 and up. I have been a psychotherapist to young people since 2004 in both South and Central Auckland.
Families
Similarly to couple therapy, families go through crises, conflicts and transitions and when these processes get stuck members can withdraw and hurts can be carried. A psychotherapist can be a very useful facilitator to begin difficult conversations in a safe environment. Families and groups have their own unique ways of relating and communicating which make up the family culture. I work with families to understand this culture and help to facilitate conversations about the ‘elephants’ that might live in any family – e.g. the hidden pressures, expectations or beliefs that might exist and be negatively impacting members.
I am trained to have an understand of family dynamics and how these hidden currents might work for or against a family; whether members are thriving in this culture/community or whether there are destructive elements at play. I work to promote the voice of all members to promote better communication and a healthier family system.
New Fathers
I am interested in working with new fathers who are struggling with the transitions that becoming a father can entail. I believe there has been a welcomed growth in support for new mothers in our communities – however I feel that there is still a lack of support for new fathers. The birth of a child is an exciting transition for a couple – going from two to three (or more). For a man it can pose some unique challenges as becoming a new father means different things to different men.
New fathers have to negotiate and integrate their new role and changed relationship with their partners. Feeling like a ‘third wheel’ is a common experience and finding a way of staying in relationship to Mum and baby can be a significant challenge at times. I welcome enquiries where this transition into fatherhood is proving more challenging than it should be.
Employee Assistance Services
My experience of working with employees for both short and long term periods began when I worked in an education institute in Auckland where I was asked to provide psychological support for staff and students. More recently I have been asked to provide three New Zealand companies with ongoing Employee Assistance services.
If you or your company wish to discuss setting up an Employee Assistance service to support your employees I would be happy to talk this through with you.
Skype Therapy
I have used both Skype and telephone as a means of connecting with patients when it hasn’t been possible for them to be in the room with me. While I believe the work is best done in the conventional way,
Skype provides a good way to overcome geographical distance or difficulties accessing my office in Central Auckland. I am open to discussing Skype therapy options with individuals or couples.