Clinical Psychology Services
I am a clinical psychologist based in South Christchurch, seeing adult clients (aged 18 and over) both in-person and via Zoom nationwide.
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I provide individual psychotherapeutic treatment for:
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ADHD and autism
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Anxiety disorders
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Mood disorders
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Relationship problems (individual therapy)
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Sleep disorders
I also have an interest in the impact of feminising sex hormones on ADHD symptoms across the lifespan.
Therapy is delivered from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective. I use evidence-based talking therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Check out my blog:
CURRENT AVAILABILITY
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Therapy
I am currently fully booked and am not accepting new therapy clients. Check back here for availability information. Returning clients please email me.
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ADHD Assessment
Bookings are currently closed, with bookings for August - November opening mid-July. I don't keep a waiting or cancellation list.
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Please read this information about my full assessment process, cost, and the use of AI.
In Canterbury, a psychologist assessment can lead to prescription of stimulant meds through a person's GP (via mental health system referral). We are the only region in NZ that has this formal ADHD pathway in the public health system.
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Please note that you MUST have evidence of several ADHD symptoms present prior to the age of 12, either evident in school reports, or by report of someone who knew you well as a child (usually a parent). I will ask you about this via email prior to booking the screening appointment and I strongly suggest you talk to the informant before this to know if this evidence exists. If it doesn't, I'm not the right person for an assessment. ​
ABOUT PETRA
I am a registered clinical psychologist trained at the University of Canterbury, graduating in 2012. For nine years (2011-2020), I worked in a public health interdisciplinary team at the Older Persons Mental Health Service. I have worked with people dealing with a full range of mental health problems, from outpatients to day clinic patients, to those very unwell in the inpatient ward. I have worked with people with chronic and recurring mental health problems and those experiencing their first episode of mental unwellness.
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I also performed neuropsychological assessments, so I know a fair bit about how brain function is affected by a range of factors, both internal (e.g. neurodevelopmental differences and degenerative brain disease) and external (e.g. brain injury due to trauma or chemical exposure, including alcohol).
I do not offer neuropsychological assessment privately.
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In private practice I work with people with a range of mental health, neurodevelopmental, and life problems issues. I can see people from all around the country via Zoom. You can see more of the kinds of problems I work with here.
QUALIFICATIONS
I completed a PhD in psychology in 2011 and qualified as a registered clinical psychologist in 2012 at the University of Canterbury. My PhD focused on older adults determining driving ability, both in cognitively healthy older adults and those with cognitive impairment, including dementia.
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2012 - Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PGDipClinPsyc)
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2011 - PhD in Psychology
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2007 - Bachelor of Arts Honors (first class) in Psychology
Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
Member of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association
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PERSONAL
I live in Christchurch with my husband (also a clinical psychologist) and our two young children. I enjoy walking on the hill, listening to podcasts, reading, and sitting in silence in my small amounts of spare time.
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DO YOU NEED IMMEDIATE/EMERGENCY HELP?
I do not provide an emergency help service. For those in Canterbury, there is the Crisis Resolution service through the Canterbury District Health Board. The government-sponsored Need to Talk service is accessed by free call or text 1737 or 0800 1737 1737.