	(Zoom) Therapist St Heliers - Auckland 9 Brown Street Ponsonby 1011 Auckland
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Caitrin | Therapist

(Zoom) Therapist St Heliers - Auckland

I am an open, caring and positive Therapist. I hold a Bachelor of Science, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Masters Degree in Psychology.

I am trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Relaxation Training, Mindfulness Training, Exposure Therapy and Trauma Focussed Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

I have experience in treating Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Somatisation Disorder, Insomnia, Agoraphobia and Eating Disorders.

In line with providing a safe space, it is important for me to clarify that any information you share with me will remain confidential unless I am concerned for your own safety or the safety of someone else. I will continue to attend workshops/training seminars as I see necessary to meet the needs of my clients.

As seen below, I charge $140 per session (each session lasting 1 hour). As well, I offer an initial 15 minute zoom consultation free of charge (with no obligation to book a session). It is my belief, that in order for the therapist/client relationship to work, there must first be a positive rapport between therapist and client; the therapist must be a good fit for the client. A client can only know, whether or not a therpist is right for them, by talking to them.

If you are intrested in booking a free 15 minute zoom consultation, to discuss your presenting concerns and what I can offer you as a therapist, please send me a message.

Online therapy

I can meet with you virtually via Zoom, if this is your preference or if you live outside of Auckland.

If you prefer face to face sessions I have rooms available at 9 Brown Street, Ponsonby.

Qualifications and registrations

I hold a Bachelor of Science, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Masters Degree in Psychology. I was registered as a Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologist Board (NZPB) and held an Annual Practicing Certificate for 8 years from2012-2019 after which I took time away to raise my now school aged son. I am in the process of reapplying for registration with the NZPB and will apply for an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) for the year of 2025. Currently I do not hold an APC.

I have recently completed professional development with Dr Dennis Tirch in a Compassion Focussed Therapy seminar (May, 2024). I attended a workshop with Dr David Tolin in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for anxiety related disorders (July, 2024). I also had a look at current research in the area of Psychedelic Medicine in a workshop with Dr Paul Liknaitzky (September, 2024).

I have attended two Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshops with Dr Russ Harris; one was a two day training workshop on the use of ACT techniques for psychological disorders (2015) and the other was a follow up workshop in the use of ACT techniques in anxiety disorders (2016).

I completed a two day Hypnosis workshop with Dr Bob Large (2014), looking at the use of hypnosis for anxiety and behaviour change.

I have completed a two day course on the relevance of Maori world views and Treaty of Waitangi in the context of psychological health (2014). I also completed a culture and cultural competency workshop looking at the importance of understanding different cultural views as a healthcare professional (2014).

Thanks to my time spent interacting with and learning from clients, engaging with the many tools available online and making use of the very important supervisor/supervisee relationship I also have experience in utlising the following therapeutic techniques: Narrative Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Relationship Counselling, Mindfulness, Meditation, EMDR Therapy, DBT, Child/Youth Counselling and Career Counselling.

Registrations

TCNZ - Therapycounselling NZ

I offer therapy in

✓ English

Specialisations

1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
2. Acceptance Commitment Therapy
3. Compassion Focussed Therapy
4. Relaxation Training
5. Mindfulness Training

Specialisations and Expertises

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective in treating a wide range of problems including Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Alcohol and Drug use problems, Marital / Relationship problems, Eating Disorders, and other mental health issues. CBT is based on the following core principals:

- Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking
- Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behaviour
- People suffering from psychological problems can learn better or more helpful ways of thinking and behaving which will relieve their symptoms help them become more effective in their lives
- Our thoughts, emotions and behaviour are all interlinked. When we change one, we change the other two

CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking and behaviour patterns, in the hopes of improving difficult emotions. Clients learn to:

- Recognise distroted thinking
- Face ones fears instead of avoiding them
- Introduce positive behaviour (Behaviour Activation) to improve negative emotional states
- Calm ones mind and relax ones body using relaxation strategies and mindfuness based techniques

Through a combination of in session exercises and "homework" exercises, clients are helped to develop coping skills. Clients learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behaviour.

Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes acceptance as a means of managing negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. ACT teaches a client commitment to living a life based on values and activities that uphold their values; it teaches a client to accept what is out of their control and concentrate on what is within their control.

The 6 Core Processes of ACT are as follows:

1. Acceptance
2. Cognitive Defusion - teaching clients to create space between themselves and their emotions and thoughts so that they have less of a hold over them
3. Contacting the present moment (mindfulness)
4. Self as Context - teaching clients that experiences, thoughts and feelings are content that is ever changing. That their core self remains unchanged no matter how they might think, feel or see themselves in any given moment
5. Values - the deeper things in life that are important
6. Committed Action - taking action as guided by values

Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) is a theraputic approach aimed at helping those who struggle with shame, self-criticism and self-judgment. CFT helps individuals develop a kinder and more understanding relationship with themselves; emphasizing the development of a compassionate mindset.

Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) includes various guided exercises and practises such as :

- Attention training
- Mindfulness practice
- Breath work
- Imagery practises
- Compassionate Action
- Compassionate letter writing
- Balancing thoughts

Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) teaches a client how to give compassion to themselves, give it to others and accept it from others. These are known as the three flows of compassion. Whilst self compassion is the main focus of CFT, cultivation of the other two flows of compassion is also important.

Relaxation strategies can be useful in reducing anxiety levels, both physically and psychologically.

Relaxation is most effective when it is practised daily; in a similar way that you need to exercise regularly to stay fit, you needs to practise relaxatioin strategies regularly in order for them to be effective. Over time, as you learn different relaxation strategies, you will become more aware of how your body reacts to anxiety and what strategies are most effective for you.

Most common issues I support people with:

The top 5 issues I support people with are:

Depression

Anxiety

Addiction

Somatisation / Chronic Fatigue / Chronic Pain

Eating disorders

Therapies offered

Areas of counselling I can help with

Fees

$140 per session, each session lasting 1 hour.

I offer sliding sliding scale therapy pricing. If you are in a position where you currently have fewer resources, please message me and we can try to work out a fee that better suits you.

Availability (Opening hours)

Monday	8.00am - 7.00pm Clinic in Ponsonby
Tuesday	9.30am - 2.00pm via Zoom
Wednesday	9.30am - 2.00pm via Zoom
Thursday	9.30am - 7.00pm via Zoom
Friday	9.30am - 2.00pm via Zoom
Saturday	-
Sunday	-

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Location

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