History & Experience

I am using the best of what psychology tells us about how our minds work and learn to create high-quality intervention for children, young people and adults to improve functioning in their community. I am striving to bring psychology and the Coromandel Peninsula community together to provide a place for children and adults to develop the social, emotional, and behavioural tools they need for success.

I am a registered and practicing psychologist since 2011. I am also a registered teacher and experienced Resource Teacher (Learning and Behaviour Specialisation). My practice is concentrated in the area of children, young adults and families. I provide intervention support for emotional, developmental and behavioral related issues.  In working with young people, I work collaboratively with other intervening professionals, parents, and teachers to improve young people's emotional and behavioral functioning in the community, at home and school, and to comprehensively address family needs. 

I conduct psycho-educational evaluations for cognitive functioning (pre-school through to advanced-aged individuals), ADHD, autism, specific learning difficulties and emotional/behavioural concerns. I provide classroom and playground observations, consultation, individual and group interventions focused on social and behavioural issues, and mindfulness coaching. This includes evidence-based social skills training, emotional regulation teaching, anxiety/stress support, anger management, interpersonal relationship management etc. My focus is furthermore on supporting professionals in the community to better serve individuals (of all ages) and their families who present with autism, by providing in-depth consultation, professional support and professional development opportunities.

I provide guidance to parents, working with family issues in the areas of parenting, managing difficult relationships, reunification, major life changes and other related concerns. I also provide psychological services for young people and their families to help adjustment to medical conditions like cancer, physical trauma etc.

I completed a psychology masters, and a post-masterate psychology internship at Massey University. I completed post-graduate training in education at Auckland University and an honours degree in children’s psychology studies at the University of the Free State.

I provide professional supervision to fellow psychologists, counsellors, teachers, SWiS and RTLB, and I have previously supervised Masters level students in Psychology. I work closely with community orginasations, public and private schools. I have presented professional learning and workshops to early childhood centres, school staff and parents on a number of topics. These topics include:

• attachment

• autism

• specific learning difficulties

• the function of undesired behaviour

• children’s anxiety and selective mutism

• auditory processing disorder

• safe physical restraint (MAPA)

• children presenting with undesired sexualised behaviour

My approach to intervention is an understanding that psychological support is also a process of learning, processing and practicing. It is the process of discussing, recognising and understanding until the individual becomes deeply familiar with the presenting issue. Long standing, deep seated issues do not “go away” after a single discussion, but rather by practicing new learned behaviours with increased automaticity and ease over time. Change doesn't happen overnight: It happens over time.

Get in touch

Welcome to Whitianga Psychology. Thank you for visiting this website. Are you looking for a Psychologist on the Coromandel Peninsula? I offer Psychological services for children, young people and adults. Many times it is difficult to know whether an issue or concern is "just a phase." If you or a family member are experiencing difficulties (emotionally, academically, behaviourally, or developmentally), you have the opportunity to do something about it.

The earlier challenges are recognized and professional help is sought, the greater the chances that you and your family can be supported to overcome these difficulties. I have a caring attitude, as well as professional credentials. If you should have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Whitianga Psychology.