Psychologists and Counsellors - Therapy ǀ Kidz Therapy

Psychologists & Psychotherapists

Each of our Registered Psychologists and Psychotherapists have a unique combination of skills and experience to help guide your child along their developmental journey.

Hetti Macindoe

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:

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 client sessions during school hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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 & Memvbership

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

Ron Chau

Psychologist (NZ reg.)

BSc, MEdDevPsych, PGDipEdDevPsych

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.

He is experienced in supporting those with mild to moderate experiences of mental distress. This includes difficulties with emotional regulation, behavioural challenges in the home and other settings, as well as experiences of anxiety and low affect. Ron's therapeutic work draws from a range of modalities, including CBT, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing.

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.

Availability

Ron's therapy appointments are held on Wednesdays.

Sarah Buckland

Psychologist (NZ reg.)

Sarah has over 25 years’ experience in the areas of mental health, disabilities, and neurodiverse populations. She has extensive experience working with both children and adults who have challenging behaviours and high and complex needs.

In addition to this Sarah is a Triple P (Level 4) Practitioner for both Stepping Stones and Standard Triple P programs. She works in a culturally responsive way with families who are from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. She also has had extensive experience in parent and staff training.

Prior to starting at Kidz Therapy Sarah was a Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, and contracting to ACC. At ACC, Sarah worked with individuals who have an injury and need support to work towards their rehabilitation goals.

Sarah’s current practice is influenced by several models, including CBT, ACT (FACT), DBT, Lego Therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, functional analysis and solutions-focused models.

Sarah's specialties/areas of interest:

Applied Behaviour Analysis
Behaviour Change
Autism
Anxiety
Working with people with intellectual disabilities and neurodiversity
Early Intervention
High and Complex Needs
Triple P Facilitator
Parent Coaching
Teacher Training
Dual Diagnosis
Play Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Motivational Interviewing Therapy
Lego Therapy
ACT (FACT)
Trauma-Informed Strategies and Intervention Training
Cognitive Assessments
Assessment and Intervention
Rehabilitation
Supervision

Availability

Sarah's therapy appointments are held on Mondays.

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, she 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 has experience working in the following areas:

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

Availability

Tuesdays - Kidz Therapy. Morningside

Wednesdays- Kidz Therapy off-site, The Salvation Army building,18 Allright Place, Mt Wellington

Thursdays - Kidz Therapy off-site, The Salvation Army building,18 Allright Place, Mt Wellington

Saturdays - Kidz Therapy. Morningside

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 offers a combination of in-person and online therapy. If you would like to work with Erica, please ensure that both yourself and your tamariki are comfortable working online for some of your sessions.

Erica accepts clients on Mondays and Tuesdays for therapy appointments - please enquire about availbility.

Dr Rebecca Lakadia

Clinical Psychologist (NZ reg.)

Rebecca provides assessment and therapy for children and their whānau. She is qualified in a range of therapeutic approaches including ACT, CBT, DBT and family systems therapy. Rebecca is also an experienced assessor who can provide cognitive and educational assessments for children with learning differences (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia).

Rebecca has spent the last decade working with children and their families through various roles in the community and specialised mental health settings. Before working as a psychologist, Rebecca worked in schools, both as a teacher (ESL) and as a facilitator of therapeutic and skills groups. She also has experience working with families in times of acute crisis and trauma.

Rebecca works alongside her clients and their families collaboratively and creatively, to ensure that her approach empowers them to realise ongoing positive outcomes for themselves.

Rebecca completed an Honours degree in Counselling Psychology at Auckland University of Technology. She then went on to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University of Auckland. Rebecca has a keen interest in Neuropsychology, having completed her doctoral thesis in this field.

Rebecca’s areas of therapeutic interest include:

Attachment and trauma
Complex trauma
Mood related difficulties
Parent-child attachment
Distress Tolerance and Emotional Regulation
Building resilience and well-being
Conscious interpersonal relating;
Familial and systemic concerns;
Strengthening families
Neuropsychology and cognitive functioning

Qualifications:

DClinPsych, BHSc (Hons), BA/BHSc; Reg Clinical Psychologist; (NZ) Assoc member of the NZ College of Clinical Psychologists

Availability

Rebecca' is currently accepting clients on Tuesdays during school hours

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.

Dr Jemila Chadwick

Psychologist (NZ reg.)

Dr Jemila Chadwick is an Educational and Child Psychologist who has a range of experience working with children and whānau. Prior to her role at Kidz Therapy, Jemila worked as an Educational and Child Psychologist in the United Kingdom, and for the Ministry of Education in New Zealand.

Jemila enjoys supporting children and caregivers to gain helpful insights that lead to positive change. She supports her clients to reflect upon thinking patterns, feelings, and behaviour. Her approach is collaborative and empowering and led by client goals.

Jemila is influenced by a range of approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy, therapeutic story writing, brief solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness.

Jemila’s areas of therapeutic interest include:

Attachment and interpersonal trauma
Parenting support
Emotional literacy and emotional regulation
Navigating social situations
Anxiety and avoidance

Jemila is trained in Triple P Positive Parenting level 4 and is a trained Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons), PGCE, DEdCPsy

Availability

Jemila's books are currently closed, she is unable to take on any new clients.

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.

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: