Welcome
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I’m a registered psychologist with over 30 years working experience.
I trained in Canada but have spent almost 25 years working in New Zealand with non-profit agencies, hospital boards, as a university lecturer, and in full time private practice for over 16 years. I specialise in:
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- Developmental & lifespan psychology and adjustment to change and life’s transitions and rites of passage
- Grief, loss and trauma experiences
- The psychology of aging well & redirection/retirement & elderhood
I have also run groups for expectant and new fathers (new born fathers); new parents (couples becoming parents); and young adults (Krossroads programme)
Prior to Life In New Zealand
I started working with people during my high school years, strangely enough in the Hospitality Industry, which was a great training crucible in human behavior for someone like me with an interest in Psychology where I rose through the ranks from dishwasher to sous chef over 4 years at the same restaurant.
While at Trent University, where I completed a B.Sc. in Psychology, I worked at a quintessential North American Children’s Summer Camp. I was a Camp Counsellor and then for 2 summers co-directed the Counsellor in Training Programme for 16 year olds who wanted to be Camp Counsellors.
During my 2nd/3rd years at Trent University I developed and facilitated an after school programme for children that supervised University students in the education/psychology departments who wanted to get practical experience working with children to meet their course requirements for volunteer work. I also volunteered to mentor children with special needs (downs syndrome & giftedness).
While at Trent University, where I completed a B.Sc. in Psychology, I worked at a quintessential North American Children’s Summer Camp. I was a Camp Counsellor and then for 2 summers co-directed the Counsellor in Training Programme for 16 year olds who wanted to be Camp Counsellors.
During my 2nd/3rd years at Trent University I developed and facilitated an after school programme for children that supervised University students in the education/psychology departments who wanted to get practical experience working with children to meet their course requirements for volunteer work. I also volunteered to mentor children with special needs (downs syndrome & giftedness).
Graduate School
While at Graduate School, at The Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto, I worked at an Adolescent Treatment Centre for youth with significant social/emotional/behavioural concerns, where I developed an outreach programme, a summer camp programme, and provided co-counselling to youth and families with the professional staff.
My second year at the Institute I had the great opportunity to work at an excellent Psychoanalytic Child Guidance Clinic for a year as my internship, and completed my Master’s Level Post Graduate Diploma in Child Studies (Child Assessment & Counselling) focusing on the provision and integration of play and family therapy.
My second year at the Institute I had the great opportunity to work at an excellent Psychoanalytic Child Guidance Clinic for a year as my internship, and completed my Master’s Level Post Graduate Diploma in Child Studies (Child Assessment & Counselling) focusing on the provision and integration of play and family therapy.
Post-Graduate Employment
My first professional job was in Northern Ontario at a Children’s Mental Health Centre where I worked for 2 years, providing psychological assessments and counselling/therapy to children and their families in a challenging social/emotional community environment.
Hello New Zealand
In 1991 I immigrated to New Zealand where I quickly found work at Auckland Family Counselling & Psychotherapy Centre, and later Greenlane Hospital, and also began my private practice while continuing my training with the New Zealand Psychoanalytic Institute.
In 1995 I decided to travel through South East Asia/India/Nepal for a year returned to Canada where I lived in Vancouver for 3 years, and worked in front line Children’s Mental Health where I developed an outreach programme for street youth and provided assessment and counselling for children and families involved with the service, and also worked in private practice.
In 1999 we returned to New Zealand to raise our family. I found work at a non-profit child and family counselling service and began lecturing at the Auckland University of Technology and started my private practice here on the Shore.
I later began consulting with maternal mental health where I was able to apply my research in working with new parents and supporting them in their transition to parenthood, particularly the father’s experience. And I designed New Born Fathers which ran for over 12 years and were support groups for expectant and new dads and consulted with various community organisations.
I was a founding member of Psychotherapy @ Apollo Health & Wellness Centre in Albany which I left in 2011 to create my own practice at Medplus.
In 1995 I decided to travel through South East Asia/India/Nepal for a year returned to Canada where I lived in Vancouver for 3 years, and worked in front line Children’s Mental Health where I developed an outreach programme for street youth and provided assessment and counselling for children and families involved with the service, and also worked in private practice.
In 1999 we returned to New Zealand to raise our family. I found work at a non-profit child and family counselling service and began lecturing at the Auckland University of Technology and started my private practice here on the Shore.
I later began consulting with maternal mental health where I was able to apply my research in working with new parents and supporting them in their transition to parenthood, particularly the father’s experience. And I designed New Born Fathers which ran for over 12 years and were support groups for expectant and new dads and consulted with various community organisations.
I was a founding member of Psychotherapy @ Apollo Health & Wellness Centre in Albany which I left in 2011 to create my own practice at Medplus.
Present Day
Now, here I am, working in full time private practice, part of a great medical centre/team here at Medplus. I continue to provide psychological services to individuals, couples, families, and groups to the wider Auckland community. I also provide global virtual consultations to expectant and new fathers around the adjustment to Fatherhood.
I am actively involved in the NZ Men’s Community where I regularly attend events relating to positive men’s health and well-being, attend a community based men’s support group, and facilitate a men’s book group - 'Kulture Klub' that’s been meeting monthly for over 11 years.
I continue also to play sport at a club and regional masters level for touch rugby and ultimate frisbee, and maintain my physical fitness through Les Mills, the Devonport Swim Club, and Ocean Swimming.
I am actively involved in the NZ Men’s Community where I regularly attend events relating to positive men’s health and well-being, attend a community based men’s support group, and facilitate a men’s book group - 'Kulture Klub' that’s been meeting monthly for over 11 years.
I continue also to play sport at a club and regional masters level for touch rugby and ultimate frisbee, and maintain my physical fitness through Les Mills, the Devonport Swim Club, and Ocean Swimming.
