Allison Li

Like the lotus flower growing from muddy water untainted to bloom towards the sun, it is possible to overcome and develop from difficult experiences we go through in life. 

Working together we can utilize your strengths and adversity as a foundation to create changes you choose and build the life you desire to lead.

I have experience in working with:

• depression
• anxiety
• life changes
• grief and loss
• trauma effects
• workplace difficulties
• stress and burnout
• communication and relationships
• executive coaching
• personal development

Counselling/Therapy Services

As a New Zealand registered psychologist, I have supported individuals to cope with a wide range of presenting difficulties including mental distress, addiction, physical ailments, workplace and relationship difficulties, family and sexual harm, and other adjustment and stress effects.

I believe in person-centred care and work in collaboration with my clients to support and maintain wellness which include increasing symptom management, reducing disability and distress, addressing underlying difficulties, maximizing self-care, developing coping skills, strengthening protective factors, and improving quality of life.

I acknowledge the need to identify therapy targets quickly to alleviate distress and the importance of the therapeutic relationship built on understanding, warmth, and trust. I am culturally sensitive and recognize the importance of meeting the needs of Māori tāngata whai ora and other ethnic minorities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Therapy can be brief or longer-term depending on your specific needs. Prior to confirming a first appointment, we can speak over the phone to discuss what you hope to gain from our sessions and if you would feel comfortable to work with me. I can also make recommendations for the type of therapeutic support most suited to your needs.

Counselling/Therapy Approach

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Compassion-Focused Therapy
• Person-Centred Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Mentalization-Based Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Mindfulness-Based Practices

Background and Experience

In the light of changing health trends, psychological factors have an increasingly significant role to play in improving health outcomes for individuals in contemporary society. I am passionate about the role of health promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment in improving personal and community wellbeing and am motivated to facilitate this process by using scientific knowledge and evidenced-based practices. In the context of the current pandemic, I hope to increase public access to timely psychological input through the use of teletherapy.

I practice as an ACC registered assessor and provider for Sensitive Claims, PHO, and EAP contracts. I’m currently at full capacity for ACC Sensitive Claims and am not accepting new clients for this funded pathway. Prior to joining private practice, I worked for a leading primary mental health service, the national telehealth service in mental health and addictions, and a domestic abuse support agency.

Supervision Services

I come from a migrant background and provide cultural supervision to support clinicians who wish to work effectively with Chinese communities.