Michelle McCarthy
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Areas of specialty
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Academic Qualifications
BSc Hons (1st Class) in Psychology (Lancaster University, UK)
Jeffrey Owen Katz Prize (academic excellence)
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Macquarie University, Sydney)
Professional Qualification
I am registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the Clinical Scope of Practice
Professional Affiliations
Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP)
Family Courts Association of New Zealand
Infant Mental Health Association of Aotearoa New Zealand
Experience and current work environments
I have worked for several years in public health in general mental health services but found my real interest working in a specialty service for women in the ante- and postnatal period experiencing depression, anxiety and a range of other mental health difficulties.
I now work in private practice and joined with three other clinical psychologists, earlier this year to form The Anxiety Clinic & Centre for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. A large part of my work is still with women who are experiencing postnatal depression and/or anxiety and this work remains my great passion. I’m also on the board of trustees for the Postnatal Depression Trust Family/Whanau Trust and have been involved in setting up a comprehensive website for women, their partners and health professionals. The other major part of my work is conducting child custody evaluations for the Family Court. In addition to my clinical work, I also provide supervision to colleagues and work (very) part-time as consultant for a global training consultancy which is committed to getting the best out of people at work. And finally, I also do a small amount of teaching to post graduate students in the area of perinatal psychiatry and infant mental health.
Approach to the work
I primarily work from a
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
approach. There is a particular emphasis on developing a shared understanding of the difficulties with clients and the changes they want to make. Setting and achieving goals is important so that clients are able to see the progress they are making. CBT is a practical approach to therapy which focuses primarily on the here and now and the specific ways in which we think and behave that maintain the problem. As well as CBT, I also find the attachment model very helpful particularly when I am working with mothers. This framework places an emphasis on relationships we have with our family members and particularly with our children. Many mothers who have never had mental health problems before experience difficulties in the postnatal period (i.e. the wheels fall off!) and for many women it takes only brief input to get them back on track. I have regular group supervision with my colleagues as well as individual supervision to ensure I maintain my professional standards. I also attend professional development and training courses in my areas of interest.
Fees and services
$140.00 per 50-minute session (incl GST)
Availability
I am available from Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm. I am usually able to offer an appointment within a week of contact.
Articles of interest written for this website
Contact details
Dr Michelle McCarthy
The Anxiety Clinic and Centre for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Victoria Mansions
3/91 Victoria St
P.O. Box 21-264
Christchurch 8143
Telephone: (03) 377 9996
Fax: (03) 3779993
Cell: 021 2882026
Email: michelle@christchurchpsychology.co.nz
Website: http://www.theanxietyclinic.co.nz
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