Educational Psychologists

– Children to Adults

Our Educational Psychologists can assist students at secondary and tertiary levels who may require Special Assessment Conditions for exams (e.g. NCEA). Their skills can help your child in their developmental journey and ultimately unlock their full potential. 

Marie Kelly

Marie Kelly

Educational Psychologist (NZ reg.)

Marie is the Founder and Director of Kidz Therapy. 


Prior to starting Kidz Therapy, Marie worked in a variety of educational settings including as a Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, a RTLB and lecturer at the Auckland College of Education. She also has extensive experience in teaching environments such as primary schools and ESOL, special needs and gifted and talented students. 


Marie specialises in comprehensive assessments for children, teenagers, and adults including cognitive functioning (IQ testing) learning disorders, academic assessments, gifted assessments including twice exceptional (2e) children, dyslexia, dyscalculia (maths), ADHD, adaptive assessments and more. 


Marie is a published author. Her Masters research on improving children’s’ reading comprehension was published both in NZ and overseas. She has also authored a teachers’ resource called ‘Reciprocal Teaching – A practical approach to improving comprehension skills’. 


Reflecting her lifelong passion for education, Marie has undertaken additional training in the Scerts Model and ADI-R autism frameworks, Interactive Drawing Therapy and as a Level 4 Triple P facilitator. Marie also presented at the 23rd World Congress on Reading and regularly facilitates professional development for teachers on a variety of topics.


Marie is a member of:

  • New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPSS)
  • International Reading Association
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Programme
  • SPELD
  • NZ Gifted Association
  • NZ Dyslexia Foundation
  • Autism NZ


Qualifications:

MA (Hons). PGDipEdPsych, PGCertEdPsych, Dip Teaching (Adv)


Availability:

Marie's books are currently closed for assessments.  However, Marie peer reviews all the reports produced by the Kidz Therapy educational psychology team.


Educational Psychologist Shelley de Graaf

Shelley de Graaf

Educational Psychologist (NZ reg.)

Shelley is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist with an extensive background in early childhood education. She is experienced in providing a range of assessments for children and adolescents, including cognitive, educational and behavioural assessments.

 

Prior to working at Kidz Therapy, Shelley worked in the Ministry of Education Learning Support team, working in primary, intermediate and high school settings. She supported high-needs students and their families and schools with a range of strategies to meet their behavioural, developmental and learning needs across both home and school environments.

 

Shelley takes a strengths-based approach to assessment and intervention and is a passionate advocate for ensuring children access that support they need to thrive.

 

Shelley is an accredited Triple P Stepping Stones provider and Bricks Group facilitator.


Qualifications:

PGDipEdDevPsych, MEdPsych (Hons), BTchg (ECE)


Availability:

At Kidz Therapy, Shelley provides cognitive and educational psychology assessments with appointments available on Tuesdays.


Educational Psychology Assessments

Jo Todd

Psychologist

​(NZ reg.)

Jo is a Registered Psychologist (Child & Family) with experience providing cognitive, educational, and behavioural assessment and intervention in both the public and private sector. Jo has previously worked at the Ministry of Education in Learning Support and has an in-depth understanding of learning and behaviour within both the home and school settings. Jo has experience supporting young people and their whānau with a range of challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, learning difficulties, mood disorders, trauma, and intellectual disability. 

 

Jo is passionate about supporting and empowering young people, and the important people around them, to thrive and reach their full potential. Jo utilises a collaborative, strengths based, and ecological approach in her work. 


Qualifications:

PGDipChFamPsy, MSc (Psychology) with Distinction, BA (Psychology)


Availability:

At Kidz Therapy, Jo provides cognitive and educational psychology assessments with appointments available on Wednesdays.

Ron Chau - Educational Psychologist

Ron Chau

Educational Psychologist (NZ reg.)

Ron is a registered psychologist who has over a decade's experience working with neurodiverse children, young people, and their families in a range of settings.


Ron is passionate about working alongside and collaboratively with families and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds so that they can reach their full potential. He is also an accredited Triple P - Stepping Stones provider and a Registered Circle of Security Facilitator.


Qualifications:

BSc, MEdDevPsych, PGDipEdDevPsych


Availability:

At Kidz Therapy, Ron provides cognitive and educational psychology assessments with appointments available on Tuesdays fortnightly, but increases over school holiday period.


Educational Psychologist Zelda Brown

Zelda Brown

Educational and Developmental Psychologist

​(NZ reg.)

Zelda Brown is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, who enjoys working collaboratively alongside children, young people, whanau, educators and other professionals. She is experienced in assessing children and adolescents using a range of cognitive and educational assessment tools, in order to best understand how they learn so that responsive intervention plans can be developed. Zelda is passionate about creating inclusive and supportive environments, that allow the true potential of any individual to grow.

 

Zelda is an accredited Triple P – Fearless and Triple P Stepping Stones Provider, and a registered Circle of Security facilitator.

 

Qualifications:

PGDipEdDevPsych, MEdPsych (Hons), BHScPsych (Hons)

 

Availability:

Monday mornings starting from end of November

Educational Psychology Assessments

Sara Lee

Educational Psychologist

​(NZ reg.)

Sara is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and has a person-centred approach in working with children and young people. She has extensive experience in working with children and families in different educational settings and recognises the value of taking an ecological lens to understand each child and how they learn in their environment. Sara enjoys working collaboratively with families and other professionals to provide support that capitalises on each child’s strengths, helping them to flourish in their learning and development. 


Qualifications:

GradDipTchg (ECE), MEdDevPsych, PGDipEdDevPsych


Availability:

At Kidz Therapy Sara provides comprehensive cognitive and educational assessments with appointments on Friday mornings fortnightly.

Educational Psychologist Butul Iqbal

Gaby Shapiro

Educational Psychologist

​(NZ reg.)

Gaby is an Educational Psychologist who aspires to work collaboratively with children, adolescents, young adults, families, and teachers to best support the social, emotional and academic functioning of the client.


She values the importance of working holistically to best support the needs of her clients and their families. Gaby adopts a strength-based approach when working with children and young people. She is experienced in assessing children and adolescents using a range of both cognitive and educational assessments.


Qualifications:

Master of Education in Educational Psychology (MEd)


Availability:

At Kidz Therapy Gaby provides comprehensive cognitive and educational assessments with appointments on Saturday mornings fortnightly.

Educational Psychologist Brittany Bruin

Zenat "Zee" Ally

Clinical Psychologist

​(NZ reg.)

Zee is a passionate Clinical Psychologist committed to promoting mental well-being and fostering personal growth in young adults, adolescents, and children aged 7-18.


Zee provides tailored assessment and treatment with a therapeutic approach that integrates evidence-based practices, drawing from Psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Brief Dynamic Therapy, and Mentalization Therapy.


Throughout Zee’s professional journey, she has experienced diverse settings, including roles at the Regional Youth Forensic Service (Kari Centre) at Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand, the Perinatal and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) units in Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar, and the Department of Correctional Services and private practice in South Africa. Zee’s most recent role was as a specialist conducting neurodevelopmental and cognitive assessments with the Starship Community team. Additionally, she has provided specialised trauma intervention and assessment services through ACC sensitive claims and psychological services.


These experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of clinical, correctional, youth forensic, maternal mental health, and neurodevelopmental fields.


Zee’s areas of interest include the following Neurodevelopmental Assessments to support complex challenges for children and their families:

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Global Development Delay (GDD) / Intellectual, cognitive disorders (ID)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)


Qualifications

  • Certificate in Youth Forensic Psychiatry, Medical and Health Sciences
  • Masters Social Science, Clinical Psychology (First Class Honours)
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours Psychology (Summa cum Laude)
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours Industrial Relations
  • Bachelor of Social Science


Professional Memberships

  • NZ College of Clinical Psychologists: Full Member of the College (MNZCCP)
  • New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPSS)
  • NZSIGN: Membership with New Zealand Special Interest Group in Neuropsychology
  • ACC registered


Availability

Mondays Only - waitlist applies

Educational Psychologist Brittany Bruin

Bridget Davies

Clinical Psychologist

​(NZ reg.)

Bridget is a warm and compassionate psychologist who works with young people and their families, as well as adults in a community mental health setting. She creates a gentle, validating space where clients feel safe and supported throughout the assessment process.


Bridget is passionate about helping individuals and families gain clarity and understanding around attention and concentration challenges. Her goal is to provide meaningful insights that empower clients to make informed decisions about next steps and access the right supports. She values collaboration and ensures that each assessment is thorough, respectful, and tailored to the unique needs of the person.


Bridget’s approach is strengths-based and informed by evidence-based models. She brings empathy and professionalism to every stage of the assessment journey.


Qualifications and Accreditations

Bridget is registered with the New Zealand Psychologist Board and is a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Psychology and a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology.


Availability

Bridget is offers ADHD Assessments on Friday afternoons only - waitlist applies