PSYCHOLOGISTS & PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Each of our Registered Psychologists and Psychotherapists have a unique combination of skills and experience to help guide your child along their developmental journey.
Therapy Team at Morningside Centre
Dr Erica March
Clinical Psychologist
Mondays to Wednesdays
Hetti Macindoe
Councelling Psychologist
Tuesdays to Thursdays
Narelle Nichelsen
Counselling Psychologist
Tuesdays & Saturdays
Ebonee Hodder
Psychologist
Wednesdays
Therapy Team at Other Locations
Shelley de Graaf
Psychologist
New Lynn
Mondays
Narelle Nichelsen
Counselling Psychologist
Mt Wellington
Wednesdays & Thursdays
Talia Morgan
Psychotherapist
Half Moon Bay
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
We also offer Art Therapy alongside our therapy services, we have qualified Art Therapists ready to support your child’s growth and wellbeing.
Talia Morgan
Psychotherapist (NZ reg.)
Talia offers a warm, inclusive approach to therapy, creating a safe space where tamariki, adolescents, and their whānau feel supported and understood. She works alongside families to navigate big feelings, complex experiences, and relationship challenges, always focusing on connection and trust. Talia believes play is the natural language of children, and when words are hard to find, she uses creative modalities like play, art, and sand tray therapy to help express what’s inside. Her work is grounded in psychodynamic and relational principles, and she brings a trauma-informed lens to every session.
Passionate about supporting healing from grief, loss, trauma, and attachment disruptions, Talia partners with parents and caregivers to strengthen relationships and foster resilience. She values cultural awareness and draws on Te Whare Tapa Whā to honour the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and whānau. With experience in education and child mental health, Talia understands the unique needs of neurodiverse children and works collaboratively with families and schools to provide wrap-around care. Her calm, nurturing presence helps children and teens feel safe to explore their inner world, while empowering whānau to support growth and wellbeing.
Talia has worked in child and adolescent mental health and education settings for many years and has experience in working with a range of presentations and difficulties. Her areas of therapeutic interest include:
- Parent-child dyad
- Emotional development
- Relationship difficulties
- Effects of grief and loss
- Family dysfunction
- Selective mutism
- Sibling challenges
- Adjustment difficulties
- Neurodivergence
Qualifications & Membership
BHSc (Psyhcology), GradCertHSc (Psyhcology), GradDipTchg (Primary), GradDip Psychotherapy, MPsychotherapy (Hons).
Talia is a registered child and adolescent psychotherapist with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ) and the New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (NZACAP).
Availability
Talia's therapy appointments are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Half Moon Bay during school hours.
Appointments Available.
Vivian Ho
Psychotherapist (NZ reg.)
Vivian believes therapy is a collaborative journey. She creates a warm, supportive space where children, teens, and families feel truly heard and understood. Every child has a unique story, and Vivian works alongside them to explore emotions, build resilience, and strengthen relationships. Her approach is creative and client-focused, using play, sandplay, and art to help young people express what words sometimes cannot.
Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, Vivian values cultural understanding and connection, ensuring families feel comfortable and supported in their preferred language. Whether supporting a child through anxiety, trauma, social challenges, or emotional overwhelm, Vivian walks beside families with compassion and curiosity, helping each child discover their inner strengths and find ways to thrive.
Vivian has worked in child and adolescent mental health and education settings for many years and has experience in working with a range of presentations and difficulties. Her areas of therapeutic interest include:
- Neurodiversity including ADHD, Autism & Asperger's
- Migration Adjustment
- Identity and self exploration
- Mind-Body Counselling
- Loneliness
- Emotional regulation
- Self-Esteem
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- OCD
- Sex, Sexuality and Gender
- Parenting Support
- Personal Development
- Stress
- Physical Illness
- Grief & Loss
Qualifications & Membership
Master of Psychotherapy(Hons), Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Practice-Based Play Therapy (Merit)
Vivian is a registered child and adolescent psychotherapist with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ) and the New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (NZACAP).
Availability
Vivian's therapy appointments are held on Mondays and Tuesday at Morningside.
Appointments Available.
Dr Erica March
Clinical Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Erica has a wealth of experience providing assessment and therapy in both tertiary and child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) settings. Through her work with a culturally diverse range of young people and their whānau, Erica has addressed a variety of difficulties. These include areas such as adjustment, stress, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, identity considerations, relational challenges, and emotional and behavioural barriers to academic success.
Erica values the opportunity to be alongside others as they grow, appreciating that challenge is part of life. She relates well to young people and strives to keep therapy engaging through an intuitive, creative, and holistic approach.
Modalities:
Erica personalises her technique to the individual, sourcing from a range of approaches such as:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Movement Therapy
- Family Systems Therapy
- Brief Solutions Focused Therapy
Erica’s areas of therapeutic interest:
- Reflective personal growth work
- Development of self-expression and emotional intelligence
- Coming of age (the transition from childhood into adulthood)
- Identity-related exploration
- Spiritual and religious considerations
- Sexuality
- Conscious interpersonal relating
- Familial and systemic concerns
- Cultural challenges
- Social and environmental concerns
- Philosophical and ethical considerations
Qualifications
Erica is a registered Clinical Psychologist, having has completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland. Her thesis explored how young women navigate the intersection between their spirituality and sexuality, and what they wanted in therapy as a result. She has also trained in Therapy in Motion and teaches in a Masters of Dance Therapy programme.
Availability
Erica's therapy session are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Waitlist applies
Erica also offers a online therapy if you are unable to come in person. However, please ensure that both yourself and your tamariki are comfortable working online for some of your sessions. This option is only suitable for adolescents and not younger children.
Hana Xharra Bates
Psychotherapist (NZ reg.)
Hana is a registered child and adolescent psychotherapist. She offers short and long-term therapy for children, teenagers, and their families. Hana works with whanau who are experiencing difficulties with their feelings, difficulties in relationships, and who are displaying challenging or concerning behaviours.
Hana is an empathetic and engaging therapist who offers a reflective and non-judgmental space for young people and their families. She builds a therapeutic relationship with her clients that is supportive, open, and collaborative. Hana uses play, art, and a sand tray as a tool for children to express and process feelings about themselves and their environment.
In her work, Hana emphasises the importance of connection in the parent-child relationship to help with children’s emotional development. Hana’s work with parents is aimed at supporting and developing their understanding of their child, building on their relationship with their children, and getting to know their family dynamics. To add to her work with parents Hana is a certified facilitator of an attachment-based parenting program called Circle of Security.
Hana’s practice is integrative, combining several models such as psychodynamic and relational psychotherapy, dyadic developmental psychotherapy, mentalization and family-based therapeutic modalities. Hana has skills in using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) tailored to suit each client’s needs.
Hana has worked in child and adolescent mental health public settings for many years and has experience working with a range of presentations and difficulties. However, her areas of therapeutic interest include:
- Parent-child dyad
- Relationship disturbances
- Effects of trauma
- Family dysfunction
- Identity/ self-image issues
- Anxiety and separation anxiety
- Childhood depression
- Effects of grief and loss
- Selective mutism
- Gender issues
- Adjustment difficulties (due to life changes such as moving countries, moving schools, parent’s separation, etc).
Qualifications & Membership
BA (Psychology and Spanish), GDip in Child Mental Health, Master of Health Science specialising in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Hana is a registered Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ), a full member of New Zealand Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists (NZACAP) and a member of Healthy Attachment Australia New Zealand (HAANZ).
Availability
Hana's therapy appointments are held on Thursdays and Fridays during school hours.
Waitlist applies
Narelle Nichelsen
Counselling Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Narelle works alongside young people, couples, and whānaus to create a safe conversational space. She helps her clients talk about change that enhances the resilience and well-being of both the individual and the family. Narelle draws on a person-centered practice that encourages open communication, and self-reflection and teaches emotional regulation and coping skills in a non-judgemental and supportive environment.
Her counselling expertise draws upon a range of approaches including, motivational interviewing, conflict resolution, solution-focused, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy, strengths-based, interactive drawing therapy and sand play therapy.
Originally trained as a nurse, Narelle has worked in counselling in Australia and New Zealand since 1996 and is an experienced group facilitator and educator. Narelle enjoys coaching parents to break stuck patterns in family dynamics. She is also an expert at providing skills and an understanding that assists families in building resilience and support.
Narelle is available to help support children, adolescents and their families with:
- gaming and other addictions
- compulsive type behaviours
- mood disturbances (e.g. anxiety and depression)
- sand play therapy
- grief and loss
- attachment issues
- parent coaching to break stuck patterns
- family dynamic counselling
- Graded Exposure Therapy for anxiety and phobias
Availabilities on:
- Tuesdays and Saturdays - Kidz Therapy Morningside - Waitlist applies
- Wednesdays and Thursdays - Kidz Therapy Mt Wellington Waitlist applies
Hetti Macindoe
Counselling Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Hetti is a registered counselling psychologist with a background in family therapy.
She enjoys working with individuals and families to help them make behavioural changes, increase emotional awareness, and improve their relationships and family dynamics. Hetti aims to create a balance where people feel both supported and challenged to make the necessary changes to achieve their therapeutic goals.
In her work, she draws from a range of evidence-based practices and therapeutic modalities, including CBT, Family Systems Therapy, ACT and developmental psychology.
Hetti likes to take a holistic perspective to understand client’s presenting problems. This means she aims to understand contributing factors from various aspects of life.
Hetti is trained in Triple P Positive Parenting levels 4 and 5 and has many years of experience working with a multi-systemic therapy model, aiming to reduce problematic behaviours.
Hetti’s areas of therapeutic interest include:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Exposure and Responsive Prevention
- Personal growth/reflection
- Behaviour change including substance use
- Familial/Relationship dynamics – including blended families
- Parenting support
- Identity exploration
- Attachment and trauma
Availability
Hetti is available for therapy sessions during school hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Waitlist Applies
Shelley de Graaf
Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Shelley is an educational and developmental psychologist who has experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in a range of settings. She is a passionate advocate for ensuring that children and young people access the support they need to thrive. Taking a collaborative and client-led approach, Shelley focuses on empowering children and adolescents to build self-esteem, develop resilience, and learn the necessary coping tools to navigate life’s challenges effectively.
Shelley is experienced in providing a range of assessments and therapeutic interventions. She draws from a range of evidence-based practices and therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and developmental psychology.
Shelley is available to help support children, adolescents and their families with:
Behavioural challenges:
- school refusal
- disruptive behaviour
- peer relationships/social skills
- perfectionism
Emotional dis-regulation:
- easily overwhelmed, frequent mood shifts, intense emotional reactions, easily upset
Anxiety
Executive functioning issues:
- self-organisation
- impulse-control
- task initiation
Support plans to support children with:
- Dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia etc
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Qualifications and Accreditations
PGDipEdDevPsych, MEdPsych (Hons), BTchg (ECE)
Accredited Triple P Stepping Stones provider and Bricks Group Facilitator.
Availability
Shelley therapy sessions are on Mondays only in
New Lynn.
Waitlist Applies.
Ebonee Hodder
Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Ebonee is a Registered Psychologist and is experienced working with adolescents and families experiencing complex challenges. She previously worked as the Senior Psychologist for a wraparound service supporting young people and families in care and protection and youth justice spaces. Ebonee provides a non-judgmental and strengths-based service, where she aims to understand the young person, their environment and the wider systems impacting them.
Ebonee is trained in behavioural psychology and utilises various trauma-informed techniques to support young people and families to live rich, full and meaningful lives.
Ebonee is available to help support adolescents, and their families with:
- aggression
- school avoidance/truancy
- anxiety
- emotion dysregulation
- parenting support
- attachment and trauma
- social skills and relationships
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Psychology and Criminology, University of Auckland, 2016; Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Distinction), University of Auckland, 2017; MA of Science (First Class Honours), University of Auckland, 2018; Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Distinction), University of Auckland; 2019
Availability
Ebonee's therapy sessions are on Mondays and Tuesdays at Morningside. Waitlist applies.
Hilary Dixon
Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Hilary provides assessment and therapeutic support for children, youth and their whānau. She has over 30 years’ experience in the areas of mental health e.g., anxiety and depression, challenging behaviour, neurodiversity, attachment and family relationships.
Hilary’s previous roles have included: Educational Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, Certified Training Provider of NAS Earlybird Programme for Autism New Zealand, and Research Fellow at the University of Auckland’s evaluating “Parents as First Teachers Pilot Project”.
Hilary is a certified Triple P Positive Parenting Programme practitioner at Level 4 and is also certified in the Secret Agent Social Skills programme for children on the Autistic Spectrum.
Hilary’s current practice is informed by a number of models including development theory, dialectical behavioural therapy, attachment-based therapy, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, family systems therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. She incorporates expressive therapies such as sand tray and other play therapy modalities as well as talk therapy.
Qualifications
P Grad Dip Ed Psych, MA, BA (all Uni of Auck); PGDip Health Science -Advanced Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (AUT), MNZPsS
Availability
Hilary's books are currently closed, she is unable to take on any new clients.
Lara Morton
Psychologist (NZ reg.)
Lara has been working with and supporting youth in the care system for many years. She has worked with a wide range of cultures, needs, and varying capabilities in terms of language and academics.
Lara works from a holistic, system connectedness, attachment, and mindfulness perspective. She strives to understand all the systems around a child, how those impact a young person and the young person's impact on those systems.
Through creating a safe environment for her clients, Lara works from their developmental level, interests and strengths. She facilitates a young person to explore self-awareness, emotional insight, and behavioural choices within their control.
Lara’s areas of therapeutic interest:
- Holistic/ systems approach
- Attachment theory
- Developmental trauma
- Emotional regulation
- Interpersonal skills
- Distress tolerance
- Older children/ Youth
- Parenting support
Qualifications
Applied Mental Health Cert, Bachelor of Health Science – Psychology, Master in Science – Psychology, Post Grad Dip in Psychological Practice
Availability
Lara's books are currently closed, she is unable to take on any new clients.
