About us
Clinical Psychologists are experts in assessing mental health difficulties, understanding how the challenge or challenges developed, and applying reliable and scientifically supported treatment plans that are tailored to each individual.
None of us is perfect, and neither is life. That means it is completely normal to get stuck in an unhelpful pattern, to feel burdened by emotion, or to not know how to fix some problems.
At Resilience Psychology, our Psychologists across Auckland and Wellington understand that seeking support to enhance your wellbeing can feel overwhelming. We want to break the stigma which creates a barrier for many people to reach out. Building our mental and emotional resilience should be seen as normal as going to the gym or accessing medical services.
That is why we aim to provide a safe, non-judgemental space that allows you to discuss your difficulties at your own pace, whatever their size. We aim to work alongside you, whether short-term or long-term and equip you with skills for life.
We have a range of clinicians of various cultural backgrounds (genders, ages, sexualities, etc) with a breadth of clinical experience and knowledge. Scroll down to read more about each of our wonderful staff members.
Auckland
89a College Hill, Ponsonby
Introducing
Dr Kirsten Wooff
Kirsten has experience with a large range of clients and their challenges. She is adept in managing all levels of psychological challenges, including more complex clinical presentations and circumstances, getting to understand the core issues and presenting straightforward information and strategies to ensure lasting change. Areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, parenting, perfectionism, lifestyle imbalance, and self-esteem. She works with the client, using their strengths, to help them live a happier, more satisfying life.
Kirsten is committed to ensuring her clients care is holistic, including their family, school, or medical team when necessary. She is also is an experienced group facilitator and has run groups for adolescents, young adults, and adults.
Kirsten believes strongly in being non-judgemental, offers kindness and is committed to her clients’ well-being, enjoying working alongside them to help them achieve positive change. She utilises a range of therapy approaches including CBT, ACT, positive psychology, schema therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness. She is ACC registered and an accredited practitioner in EMDR.
Available Monday to Wednesday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of Canterbury
-
Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours (Psychology), University of Canterbury
-
Master of Science (with distinction), University of Canterbury
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (with distinction), University of Canterbury
-
Doctorate in Philosophy (Psychology), University of Canterbury
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the NZ Psychologists Board (Clinical Scope)
-
Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
-
ACC Registered
-
Accredited practitioner in EMDR - EMDRNZ Association
Dr Jeanne Van Wyk
Jeanne is a non-judgmental, warm, and highly empathic clinician. Her therapeutic approach is holistic, client-centered, and strength-based. She works collaboratively with her clients to create a supportive space where meaningful change can occur. Jeanne is able to offer online therapy sessions.
Available Tuesday to Friday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of Auckland
-
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Education), University of Auckland
-
Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours (Psychology), University of Auckland
-
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the NZ Psychologists Board (Clinical Scope)
-
Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
-
ACC Registered
Colette Hamman
Colette is a registered Clinical Psychologist who has worked in a variety of settings in New Zealand and South Africa. Her research and clinical experience allowed her the opportunity to work with people from various age groups and diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
She appreciates that people’s experiences are unique and complex. As such, she offers an integrative and person-centred treatment approach. Her training includes modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She finds it particularly helpful to also focus on the interpersonal process within therapy.
Colette believes in developing authentic connections where she shows her humanness. Her style is warm, transparent and attentive in order to facilitate a safe and inclusive space for the people she works with.
Colette is fluent in Afrikaans and English.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Human Life Sciences with Psychology, Stellenbosch University
-
Bachelor of Science Honours (Hons) Psychology, Stellenbosch University
-
Master of Science (MSc) Psychology, Stellenbosch University
-
Master of Arts (MA) Clinical Psychology, Rhodes University
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with New Zealand Psychologists Board (Clinical Scope)
-
Member of New Zealand Psychological Society
-
Member of Health Professions Council of South Africa (Clinical Psychologist in Independent Practice)
Dr Anna Walters
Anna is a registered clinical psychologist with experience working in a range of areas including mental health and university settings. She has worked with children, adolescents and adults both individually in therapy as well as facilitating groups.
Anna has a warm, respectful and empathic approach to therapy. She believes in working compassionately and collaboratively with clients to enable them to make meaningful life changes and reach their potential. Her areas of expertise include low mood and depression, anxiety and worry, difficulties with intense emotions, fatigue and stress.
Anna’s practice is informed by a range of evidence-based therapies which she tailors to each client to help them understand and make sense of their experiences and develop psychological skills. She has undertaken specialised training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
She has a strong interest in mindfulness and its effects on psychological health and is committed to her own mindfulness practice to strengthen her understanding.
Available Tuesday and Wednesday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland
-
Bachelor of Health Science with First Class Honours (Psychology), Massey University
-
Bachelor of Health Science (Psychology), Auckland University of Technology
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the NZ Psychologists Board (Clinical Scope)
-
Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
Dr Anoosh Franklin
Anoosh is a registered Clinical Psychologist who has a client-centred, collaborative and flexible therapeutic approach. She values bringing warmth, genuineness and compassion to her therapeutic style. Anoosh enjoys helping clients pursue more fulfilling lives through providing a safe environment for them to make sense of their own experiences and patterns.
Anoosh has clinical experience working primarily with adults in the public sector. She is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Anoosh tailors and integrates these therapeutic models when supporting clients with their unique needs and goals. Therapy can be short-term or long-term, and can focus on developing insight and understanding as well as practical skills.
Anoosh has experience working with a wide range of presentations including anxiety, depression, emotion regulation, relationship problems, stress and adjustment, trauma and attachment, self-esteem, cultural and identity issues. Anoosh is particularly passionate about working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and has extensive clinical and research experience in this area. Currently, Anoosh is pursuing further training in EMDR and the treatment of depression and anxiety in clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Available Thursday and Friday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology), University of Auckland
-
Bachelor of Arts Honours with First Class Honours (Psychology), University of Auckland
-
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the NZ Psychologists Board (Clinical Scope)
-
Member of the New Zealand College Psychological Society
Dr Laurel McArthur
Laurel is a registered clinical psychologist and has experience working with individuals and groups across the adult life span.
She has a warm, client-centred approach and enjoys working collaboratively to help clients build a meaningful life in times of stress and struggle. She has experience working with adjustment following physical health issues including acquired brain injury, relationship difficulties, mental health issues and questions around gender and sexual identity. She has a particular interest in working with individuals who’s challenges relate to neurodivergence such as autism, attention deficit disorders (ADHD) or acquired brain injuries like fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), stroke, encephalitis, aneurysm and traumatic brain injuries.
Laurel uses a range of therapy approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) along with behavioural skills practice where relevant.
Available weekday mornings on Mondays and Thursdays
-
Postgraduate Diploma of Clinical Psychology, Massey University
-
Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology), Massey University
-
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Education), Massey University
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Science, University of Auckland
-
Bachelor of Science Honours (with first class honours) in Psychology, University of Auckland
-
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the NZ Psychologist's Board (Clinical scope)
-
Member of NZ Psychological Society
-
Member of Association for Contextual Behavioural Science
Jakov Burić
Jakov is a registered clinical psychologist and has experience working with a range of adult clients and their difficulties. His approach is humanistic and relational, aimed at developing autonomy. Autonomy involves being aware, spontaneous and having the capacity for intimacy or being our authentic selves. He is compassionate, empathetic and non-judgmental in his work creating a safe place for clients to explore themselves. While part of his work focuses on managing present difficulties clients have, he is also looking beyond diagnosis at underlying causes.
Jakov is originally trained in Transactional Analysis, a theory of human personality and behaviour. Its focus is on both unconscious dynamic factors influencing our behaviour and on inner dialogues between different parts of our psyche that can be unhelpful at times. One of the basic tenets of TA is that people are okay and capable to change and grow and Jakov is here to facilitate that process.
He is also trained in EMDR, Schema therapy and is highly influenced by psychodynamic theory and approach in his work.
He is available Tuesdays from 5 to 8 PM. Apart from English, he speaks Croatian.
Available Tuesdays.
-
Postgraduate Diploma of Clinical Psychology, Massey University
-
Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology), Massey University
-
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Education), Massey University
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) University of Zadar, Croatia
-
Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) University of Rijeka, Croatia
Professional Memberships
-
Registered Psychologist with New Zealand Psychologists Board (Clinical Scope)
-
Member of the New Zealand Psychological Society
Dr Natasha Amarasekara
Natasha is a warm, collaborative, client-centred clinical psychologist who works with both adolescents and adults. She works in a strengths-based manner instilling people with the tools and understandings needed to work through any difficulties to maximise well-being. Natasha strongly values the therapeutic alliance between herself and her clients. Her style is non-judgmental, empathetic, attentive, and authentic, aiming to create a safe and inclusive space in therapy. She holds hope during times of difficulty and believes everyone is capable of reaching their personal recovery goals.
Natasha has worked clinically with a wide range of people at different ages, stages, and cultural backgrounds across mental health, addictions, and forensic settings. She is particularly passionate about working with people who have a challenging relationship with food, eating, body image, and/or exercise. Other areas of interest include depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, stress and adjustment, sleep difficulties, addiction, attachment, and cultural identity.
Natasha’s therapeutic approach is underpinned by evidence-based practice tailored to the individual. While primarily trained within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), she also draws on Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Mindfulness, where appropriate.
Professional Qualifications
-
Registered Clinical Psychologist
-
Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, Massey University
-
Master of Science with Distinction in Psychology, University of Otago
-
Bachelor of Science with Honours, First Class in Psychology, University of Otago
-
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience
Professional Memberships
-
Registered Clinical Psychologist (NZ Psychologists Board, Clinical Scope)
-
Member of New Zealand Psychological Society
-
Member of New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
Zahra Howell
Zahra is a New Zealand registered counselling psychologist, who has significant experience working with people from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She provides assessment and therapy for individuals dealing with a wide range of challenges and concerns such as feeling low/depressed, self-esteem/self-confidence difficulties, stress or burnout, anxiety, fear and worry, trauma, difficulties with relationships, managing emotions, sleep issues, life transitions and adjustments and other difficulties.
Zahra believes everyone is unique and she tailors the way she works to each client and their specific needs and situations. Her aim is to help improve client’s awareness, insight, skills and knowledge to manage their challenges and difficult thoughts and feelings and go towards a rich and meaningful life. Providing a safe, non-judgmental and inclusive space is a priority and she works from a client-centered perspective, making sure that the client feels heard, understood and respected.
The therapy she offers is holistic and draws on a wide range of evidence-based methods including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy (CBT), trauma informed therapies and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Zahra is available on Mondays.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Clinical Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University
-
Bachelor of Health Science with First Class (Honours) in Psychology, AUT Auckland
-
Master of Health Science (First Class) in Psychology, Auckland University of Technology
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology, Auckland University of Technology
Professional Memberships
-
Registered Psychologist with New Zealand Psychologists Board (Counselling Psychology Scope)
-
Member New Zealand Psychological Society
-
Member of The EMDR Association of New Zealand (EMDRNZ)
-
ACC Registered
Georgie Silk
Georgie qualified as a secondary school teacher before making the decision to return to university to specialise as a counsellor. She has worked extensively with teenagers and young adults who are navigating a wide range of issues and has spent time counselling within secondary and tertiary education.
Georgie uses a strength based approach to help her clients make positive change in their lives. She incorporates a range of approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Compassion-focused therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, grief work and creative modalities into her therapeutic practice. With a performing arts background, Georgie has done extensive research on creative expression for therapeutic benefit.
She has a warm-hearted, non-judgemental and caring personality which helps her build rapport easily with her clients. Georgie also gently welcomes humour into her therapeutic space so her clients can leave with a more optimistic outlook.
Available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Performing Arts, Unitec
-
Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching (with distinction), University of Auckland
-
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (with distinction), University of Auckland
-
Masters in Counselling (with first class honours), University of Auckland
Wellington
7a, 99 The Terrace, Wellington CBD
Jaimee Kleinbichler
Jaimee (she/her) is a registered Clinical Psychologist and works through a multicultural lens. She is Filipino/German, spent her childhood in Nigeria, and moved to Aotearoa New Zealand as a teenager. She is part of the rainbow community and values creating a safe and inclusive space within the therapeutic relationship. Jaimee sees diversity as a strength to be nurtured and welcomes creativity and self-expression in her sessions.
Jaimee has worked with young people and adults over the past decade. She is committed to assisting those she works with to connect with their values and live in a way that is meaningful to them. Her areas of practice include mental health difficulties, offending behaviour, developmental needs and identity formation, gender/sexuality, and acculturation (migration, discrimination, marginalisation).
Her passion lies in social justice advocacy, community care, and harnessing the power of young people. As tangata tiriti, she stands firm in support of tino rangatiratanga for the pursuit of an equitable Aotearoa New Zealand.
Jaimee uses a range of therapy modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Cognitive Self-Change Therapy, and draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy when appropriate. She is ACC registered and EMDR trained.
Jaimee is available Monday to Thursday. She speaks fluent English and German.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Canterbury
-
Master of Science in Psychology, University of Canterbury
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, University of Canterbury
Charlotte Wetton
Charlotte is a Registered Psychologist who is committed to reducing the stigma and barriers to accessing wellbeing support.
She grew up in England but moved over to Aotearoa in 2017. Charlotte aims to helps others to cope with life changing health diagnoses, injuries or events.
With over 10 years experience in a range of areas including identity, stress, grief, sleep difficulties, anxiety and mood management her previous roles also mean she has experience helping people within their relationships and substance recovery.
She works using a strengths based approach, empowering clients to make sense of their story and equipping them with skills to move forward.
Charlotte uses a trauma informed approach and has experience in a wide range of modalities including DBT, CBT, ACT, EMDR and schema therapy. She also sees a real benefit from regular mindfulness and somatic practices. She is soon to be ACC registered.
Available Wednesdays
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Social Psychology – Loughborough University, United Kingdom
-
Forensic Psychology Masters MSc – Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
-
Supervision to Registration (StR) Programme —Ara Poutama Aotearoa, New Zealand
Dr Prasuna Reddy
Prasuna brings a wealth of experience as a multi-faceted psychologist to our team. She holds a PhD and Masters qualifications in health and organisational psychology, and specialist registration as a practising counselling psychologist. Prasuna has over 15 years of experience as a psychologist working with adults and couples in private practice. She has worked extensively in the treatment of acute and post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. As an organisational psychologist, Prasuna has expertise in workplace health and relationship issues. As a health psychologist, Prasuna works with people in adjusting and managing acute and chronic medical conditions, grief and loss, and illness impact on couples and families.
Prasuna holds training qualifications in a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, Solution Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. Her family counselling and workplace coaching is grounded in viewing relationships as dynamic parts of environmental systems and cultures.
Prasuna is a Fellow of the Colleges of Health and Organisational Psychologists, and an elected Member of the New Zealand Psychological Society.
Bookings available by appointment.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Swinburne University
-
Master of Arts (Psychology), University of Melbourne
-
Doctorate in Philosophy (Behavioural Science), University of Melbourne
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the NZ Psychologists Board (Counselling Scope)
-
ACC Registered
-
Member of the NZ Psychological Society
Dr Niamh Doyle
Dr Niamh Doyle is a compassionate and experienced Clinical Psychologist from Ireland, who now lives and works in Wellington.
Niamh (pronounced ‘Neev’) has a diverse range of therapeutic experience, having worked with individuals in distress in Ireland, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand. In both public and private practice, she has supported adults recovering from the impacts of stress, adversity, and trauma.
Niamh’s understanding of the complexities of trauma has led her to take a deliberately gentle and kind approach to therapy. She creates a safe and nurturing therapeutic space, reflecting her value in people’s choice and autonomy. Empowering people in this way is a key feature of Niamh’s therapeutic approach.
Beyond her formal qualifications, Niamh has trained in a range of specialties including in Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Attachment Based Family Therapy for adolescents, and mindful and somatic approaches to trauma.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Psychology
-
Masters in Neuropsychology
-
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Kent Abbot
Kent is a warm, collaborative, client-centred psychologist who works with adults. He works in a strengths-focused manner supporting people with tools and understandings needed to work through the presenting issue with a focus on the root cause for the distress.
Kent values and emphasises the therapeutic alliance between himself and his clients and takes the time to develop a rapport that is built on trust and non-judgement. Kent holds optimism and hope for the people he works with, believing they have the capacity and internal resources to improve and strengthen their wellbeing.
Kent has worked clinically with a wide range of people at different stages and cultural backgrounds across mental health and forensic settings. He is passionate about working with people who experience difficulties with depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, stress and adjustment, sleep difficulties, addiction, attachment, and cultural identity.
Kent’s therapeutic approach is underpinned by evidence-based practice which he endeavours to make unique to the individual he is working with. While primarily trained within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), he also utilises Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques, Schema Therapy (ST), and has emerging training and experience in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Professional Qualifications
-
Registered Psychologist
-
Post-Graduate Diploma of Psychological Practice, Massey University
-
Master of Applied Psychology, University of Waikato
-
Bachelor of Social Science with Honours, First Class in Psychology, University of Waikato
-
Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology, University of Waikato
Professional Memberships
-
Registered Psychologist (NZ Psychologists Board, General Scope)
-
Member of the NZ Psychological Society
John Swart
John is a registered clinical psychologist with experience working in a range of contexts which includes various mental health as well as forensic settings. John has worked with children and adults as well as facilitated various types of groups.
John’s therapeutic stance is based on humanistic psychology, that as human beings, we supersede the sum of our parts, and that we cannot be reduced to its components. Based on this, the belief in the human will and spirit to transcend any situation. John’s draws on a wide range of evidence-based approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Available Wednesday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (with Distinction), University of Pretoria (UP)
-
Master of Arts in Play Therapy, University of South Africa (UNISA)
-
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
-
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Johannesburg (RAU)
Professional Memberships
-
Registered Psychologist with New Zealand Psychologists Board (Clinical Psychology Scope)
-
Member of New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
-
Member of The EMDR Association of New Zealand (EMDRNZ)
-
Member of Gold Key International Honour Society
Dr Adrienne Wootton
Adrienne is a registered clinical psychologist originally from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. She works with adults from all walks of life and enjoys helping people with a wide range of mental health challenges.
Adrienne has a warm, perceptive, and compassionate therapeutic style. Her approach is science-based and tailored to the unique way each person learns and lives life. She aims to help clients gain perspective, upskill ways of coping, and better understand themselves, so they can get unstuck from difficulties and improve their wellbeing.
Adrienne’s special interests are in childhood emotional trauma, adjustment to long-term health conditions, and mental health concerns for medical professionals. Her doctoral research looked into ways to better support the psychological needs of people with Parkinson’s disease and their families. As part of her clinical training, Adrienne also spent time in specialised services for the rehabilitation of injury, illness, and pain management.
Adrienne’s work is mostly informed by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), while drawing from principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and neurobiological understandings of trauma.
Available Mondays and Tuesdays
Professional Qualifications
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, The University of Waikato
-
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, The University of Waikato
-
Conjoint Bachelor of Health Science (Population Health)/Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in Psychology), The University of Auckland
Professional Memberships
-
Registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (Clinical)
-
Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
-
ACC registered for some types of support (please ask for more information)
Kelly Lawrence
Kelly is a Registered Clinical Psychologist based in Wellington but working with clients from all around New Zealand via Telehealth. She originally hails from Hamilton and the Far North. Kelly is passionate about using a parts-approach to help clients lift the constraints which are preventing them from living in alignment with their values. Kelly supports clients to find explanations for why they do and feel the way they do.
Kelly primarily does ADHD assessments via telehealth on a Saturday.
Professional Qualifications
-
Bachelor of Management Studies (First class honours), University of Waikato
-
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (First class honours), Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
-
Masters of Science (Psychology) with Distinction, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
Professional Memberships
-
Member of New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists