Aimee Hanson Psychology
Christchurch Clinical Psychologist & Family Therapist
![](assets/images/image02.jpg?v=1548946f)
Unfortunately, I am not currently accepting new clients & do not run a waiting list.I am an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist practicing in Christchurch and registered with the NZ Psychologists Board. I am a full member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP). Whilst I have a broad range of experience, my areas of specialty are the assessment and treatment of anxiety, trauma and relationship issues. I see children, teenagers, adults, and families.I am trained in multiple therapy modalities and use evidence-based treatments to deliver the best outcome for my clients. Most often this includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) or Systemic Family Therapy. I am an approved ACC provider for Sensitive Claims, providing assessment and treatment of sexual trauma.
About
I completed my training in early 2008 at the University of Canterbury and hold a Bachelor of Arts with Honours, a Masters of Arts (with Distinction) in Psychology and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology. After many years working within Family Therapy teams with families, I went on to complete formal qualifications in Family & Systemic Therapies from the University of Otago in 2016. During my clinical training, I gained valuable clinical experience across the areas of adult mental health and child and adolescent mental health.Following the completion of my professional training at the University of Canterbury, I moved to Sydney where I was employed at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. In this role I worked across the Psychological Medicine and Adolescent Medicine departments and saw a variety of children and adolescents and their families who were both inpatients and outpatients of the hospital. In my day to day clinical work I was both an individual and family therapist. I also worked as a therapist on a large research trial and conducted conference presentations, lectures, training workshops and supervision in child & adolescent mental health and eating disorders.On returning to New Zealand in 2011, I was employed with the Specialist Mental Health Service within the Canterbury District Health Board working with both adults and adolescents with mental health problems until early 2020. I have been working in private practice intermittently since 2012.I have been involved in the immediate psychosocial response efforts in the Canterbury Earthquakes, Kaikoura Earthquake and the Christchurch Mosque Attacks. I also have experience working with members of the Defence Force and First Responders.I use a number of therapeutic modalities, including Systemic Therapy (Family Therapy), Schema Therapy, CBT and EMDR. I was trained by John and Julie Gottman in the Gottman Couples Therapy method in 2016.I provide specialized assessments for ACC and the Family Court. I have a special interest in assessing trauma and dissociative disorders (including Dissociative Identity Disorder).
![](assets/images/image05.jpg?v=1548946f)
![](assets/images/image06.jpg?v=1548946f)
![](assets/images/image07.png?v=1548946f)
Services
I provide assessment & treatment of a broad range of difficulties including:
Anxiety (excessive worry, OCD, social anxiety, phobias, panic)
Low mood & depression
Trauma & dissociation
Grief and adjustment
Eating issues in children
Family relationship issues (not couples alone)
Family dynamics (including addressing family of origin concerns)
Managing emotions
Self-esteem issues
Gender Dysphoria
Psychological Opinion Assessment reports (various fields)
![](assets/images/image01.jpg?v=1548946f)
I see clients and families from all backgrounds, cultures and I am LGBTQI+ friendly. I work with children, teenagers and adults.My therapy clinic days are Thursdays only. Due to my limited availability I am not currently taking on clients with significant risk concerns or personality disorders. I provide specialized assessments on other days.Fees:Clinical Assessment (90 mins) $350 (including GST) – required for most individuals & includes thorough assessment, diagnosis (if wanted) and formulation of a treatment planTherapy Sessions (50 mins) $225 (including GST)Psychological reports are charged per hour of report writing (please ask for a quote).Financial Assistance:Some insurance policies provide subsidies for Clinical Psychology services. Please check with your insurance company prior to engagement with me if you are reliant on their funding. You may require a referral from your GP in this instance.Some clients may meet criteria for partial funding for therapy via WINZ: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/disability-allowance.htmlACC provides funding for therapy related to sexual trauma that occurred in New Zealand through the Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims pathway: https://findsupport.co.nz/about-acc/about-the-sensitive-claims-unit-2/Sensitive Claims Assessments:I am a registered Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims provider. I am not accepting new therapy cases, although am available for Supported Assessments or Treatment Reviews.Cancellation policy:If for any reason you are unable to make your scheduled appointment time please give me at least 24 hours notice of cancellation or payment of 50% of the session fee will be required. In the cases of recurrent cancellations, 100% of the session fee will be required.
Systemic Family Therapy
Systemic Therapy (or Family Therapy) is useful for a vast range of problems. Systemic simply means the focus is on the interaction between people and the functioning of the system (couple or family) as a whole. Systemic therapists aim help to family members understand each other better, change problematic patterns of behaviour and solve issues together.Whilst a couple or family might self-refer for a particular issue, it is helpful to start therapy by sitting down together and talking about the worries each person has within the family. Not only does this ensure all the tricky stuff is put on the table, it also broadens the spotlight to avoid any one family member feeling like they are in the therapy hot-seat all the time (which can help people feel more comfortable trying therapy). Systemic Therapy should become a safe place to have difficult conversations and work together on solving concerns within the family.Families come to see me with a range of issues including:
Conflict in the family
Parenting challenges
Concerns around mental illness
Grief / bereavement (including loss due to other reasons)
Adjustments (i.e. big changes impacting family life)
Times of transitions (i.e. teens starting high school or leaving home)
Couple relationship issues (including infidelity)
Family of origin issues (difficulties regarding the family in which you grew up)
![](assets/images/image03.jpg?v=1548946f)
Even when asked to see a child on their own I tend to prefer to involve families for most difficulties. Afterall, parents are usually on hand to provide the best support for their kids and know their child far better than any therapist can! I also like the way that families who have been to family therapy grow closer and improve conflict and communication skills so they can manage other bumps in the road without needing to see a professional in the future. Good therapy should build resilience and not dependence.I am also keen to help individuals think systemically about their own difficulties and understand themselves better by reflecting on both their current and past relationships (including family of origin).
Contact
Unfortunately I am not accepting new clients at this time and do not run a waiting list. However, my colleagues at The Psychology Hub may have space. Please visit www.thepsychologyhub.co.nzLocation:The Psychology Hub – Suite 3, 21 Leslie Hills Drive, Riccarton.
There are dedicated client parks (labelled PSYC HUB) outside the building, although at busy times you may also find 2-hour free street parking a short stroll away on the corner of Mandeville St & Leslie Hills Drive. Please do not park in other businesses car parks.Urgent assistance:I am not available for emergency support. If you feel overwhelmed or in need of urgent support please contact your GP or Crisis Resolution (CR). CR are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You may present to them in person at Hillmorton Hospital (weekdays 8:30am – 4:30pm) or Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department (outside of these hours). Or call them on 0800 920 092 or 03 364 0640.If you are concerned about your medical well-being please contact your GP or present to an after-hours clinic or Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department.Imminent emergencies should be directed to 111.