Areas of specialty Children Adolescents Couple Therapy Family Court counselling Family Court reports Professional supervision

Academic Qualifications

BSc (University of Canterbury)
BA Hons (1st Class) (University of Canterbury)
MA (with Distinction) (University of Canterbury)
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (University of Canterbury)
PhD (University of Otago)

Professional Qualification

I am registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the Clinical Scope of Practice

Professional Affiliations

Fellow of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (FNZCCP). I was awarded the Fellowship in 2007 by the NZCCP for “significant and pre-eminent contribution to the NZ College of Clinical Psychologists or the Psychology profession in general”.
Family Courts Association of New Zealand
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, USA
Australia and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law
Academy of Cognitive Psychology, USA
New Zealand Psychological Society

Experience and current work environments

I worked in the public health system for many years in the Child and Family area, and subsequently moved into private practice, starting the Child and Family Psychology Centre in Christchurch with another Clinical Psychologist, Prue Fanselow-Brown.

I work half my time in clinical practice where I see children and adolescents with all kinds of psychological difficulties, including learning problems, anxiety, depression, and a wide range of behavioral difficulties. I see couples for therapy, and do Family Therapy with Prue. One of the biggest parts of my clinical work is the child custody evaluations I do for the Family Court and I also counsel parents who are struggling to reach agreement about the care of their children. I provide peer supervision to my colleagues in various areas and advise organisations on their work with clients.

The other half of my time is spent at the University of Canterbury where I am a lecturer in the Psychology Department. I teach Child and Adolescent Development, Family Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Couple and Family Therapy.

I have published articles in academic journals and in popular magazines, and two series of articles about children’s psychological difficulties in The Press (Christchurch daily newspaper). These articles are available in the form of Client Fact Sheets on this website.

Approach to the work

It is difficult to be explicit about my approach to the work, and I would not want to be rigid about any of this.

My assessment model involves assessing four areas of functioning (social, emotional, physical, and intellectual) within four contexts (the person’s own biology, the family, the school/workplace, and community).

My approach to therapy involves

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

with children at an age-appropriate level; parent training and psychoeducation; CBT and Family Therapy with adolescents; and an integrated model including various CBT approaches, interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy for adults.

I am committed to peer supervision on a regular basis to ensure that my work is challenged by colleagues and that I have a forum for discussion and professional development. I attend formal professional development training courses in my areas of interest, and make presentations to various community organisations, medical practices, and schools.

Fees and services

I charge NZ$150 (GST incl.) per 50-minute session. However, a Child Assessment involving two sessions, questionnaires, and oral feedback (no written report unless specifically requested) with recommendations, costs NZ$350. A written report will incur further cost.

Fee increase

Please note that my fees will increase from the 1st October 2010. The session fee will increase to $160, and the Child Assessment fee will increase to $380.

Availability

I am available for consultations on Wednesday from 1pm to 5pm; on Thursday from 10am to 5pm; and on Friday from 10am to 5pm. I am usually booked up between 3 and 4 weeks in advance. However, there are times when I close my waiting list due to high demand. You will find a message to that effect on the voice mail of my consulting rooms (03 3665262).

Articles of interest written for this website

Separated parents: What’s it like?
Adult fighting: What happens to children?
10 Commandments for separated parents
Always late!
Depression: Prevention and Treatment
Children who are different
Anxiety: Afraid or angry?
Thinking about puberty
Gossip can be good for you!
Sports fans – the good, the bad, and the ugly
Adolescents and Facebook

Contact details

Dr Fran Vertue
Child and Family Psychology Centre
P O Box 7544 (for all postal mail)
67 Durham Street
Sydenham
Christchurch 8240

Tel: +64 3 3665262
Fax: +64 3 3665264
email: Fran@christchurchpsychology.co.nz