About me:

 

I am a Clinical Psychologist (registered in the Clinical scope of practice with the New Zealand Psychologists Board) with over 30 years of experience in assessment and treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders. I spent 15 years working in a variety of public mental health units in Christchurch and Auckland before establishing my own private practice in Christchurch. Although I see a number of children and adolescents, most of my clients are adults. The most common difficulties I work with are problems with mood (depression, anger), anxiety or relationships.

 

Before setting up my private practice I worked for many years with both acute and chronic patients at Sunnyside Hospital (now Hillmorton Hospital) in Christchurch and at the Connolly Unit at Auckland Hospital. This work involved assessment and treatment/rehabilitation of both inpatients and outpatients. I have also worked in a variety of other specialist units, including, the Alcohol Counselling Centre, the Princess Margaret Hospital (Ward C Day Programme, Eating Disorders Unit, Anxiety Disorders Unit, Mother & Babies Unit), Christchurch Hospital (Child & Family Unit) and the Child, Adolescent & Family Service in Christchurch.

 

After I established my private practice I developed my interests further in the areas of parenting, care and protection of children, and couple or family relationships. I have 15 years experience in providing specialist reports for the Family Court (s29a, s133 s178) and the Child, Youth & Family Service (CYFS) and in providing counselling for parents and couples referred by the Family Court.  During this time, I also developed my interests further in the area of stress and trauma and I provide Counselling and Psychological Services to ACC and to a number of work places or businesses (e.g. NZ Police, Pegasus Health, Law firms).

 

In recent years I have also had training in mediation.

 

Academic Qualifications:

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• B.A. (Psychology, Education, Sociology)

• M.A. (Hons)

• Dip. Clin. Psych.

 

Professional Affiliations:

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• New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP)

• Family Courts Association of New Zealand

Further Information

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Karen Fincham

Registered Clinical Psychologist