MPsych (Honours, first class), GradDip Psychotherapy Studies, BEd.
Therapist
Karen is a registered psychotherapist from New Zealand, where she has worked in a therapeutic community for five years, alongside a private practice. Karen enjoys facilitating groups where clients can support and assist one another to find their own best solutions. Primarily trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Karen includes in her practice elements of rational emotive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and 12-step philosophies. Her work is founded on a desire to empower clients to bring their inner resources to their recovery, so that substances are no longer their preferred method of coping with difficulties.
Karen’s heritage is Māori (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru) and European, and she incorporates the stories of both in her work. Her tribal affiliations are noted above, as is usual practice for Māori, so that others might “place” her and see connections. Before becoming a therapist Karen travelled extensively, and remains vastly interested in how peoples of all cultures think about their world. Her research interests include therapeutic use of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and experiences of twins in therapy.
