Dr Missy Wolfman

Empowerment Psychology

Announcements

ADHD assessment for children, teens and adults I offer ADHD assessment for children, teens and adults. Please email me regarding the assessment package in terms of what it involves, and the fee. Email at [email protected]

Contact me

New online course for mums on Are you a mum and you are stressed and overwhelmed? You're not alone and it doesn't have to be this way! Let me show you simple and effective system on how to change your relationship with time, reduce stress and do more of what you love. It's possible and you deserve it. I've designed an online course for busy mums. This course is about changing your time mindset, and using a practical system to reduce stress, overwhelmed, and do more of what you love. Get full access of the course and you can download all the files including audio, transcripts and 'fun' books to keep for NZD $69.99 +GST

Yes, please! I'd like to enrol in the course.

Cognitive, Adaptive and Intellectual Disability Assessment From April 2024, I am able to do a cognitive (WAIS-IV), adaptive (ABAS-3) and intellectual disability (WAIS-IV and ABAS-3) assessment for anyone from the age of 16 years old. Please email me to inquire about price, process and availability.

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I’m passionate in supporting and empowering you to live your best-life. Life can be hard and stressful, and you may feel stuck at times. We’ll work together to get you back on track with your values and goals, so you can thrive.

Areas of Special Interest

  • Assessment and treatment for anxiety and mood disorders, grief, life transitions and adjustment, OCD, parenting problems, trauma and maternal mental health issues.
  • Assessment for neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD & ASD.
  • Starting in April 2024, I am offering cognitive assessment, adaptive functioning and intellectual disability assessment for youth 16+ and adults 18+

Due to my limited availability, I am not able to see clients who are presenting with

  • Severe level of mental health symptoms
  • High risk of harm to self and/or others
  • Borderline personality traits or disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Bipolar, Schizophrenia or Psychosis related presentations

Counselling/Therapy Services

Let’s face it – life can be hard and stressful and sometimes you can feel stuck. My job is to listen and support you, and teach you skills and strategies that can help you get moving again. I always work from a client-centered approach and therefore my session with you is always tailored to your specific wants and needs.

I have a wide range of experience in assessing for neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD for children, adolescent and adults. I’m also passionate in supporting clients with a wide range of mental health issues from anxiety and mood disorders, to grief and life transitions, and trauma. My special interest is supporting and working with mothers on their mental health such as pre and postnatal depression and anxiety, birth trauma and parenting issues.

Counselling/Therapy Approach

I offer bespoke, individualized treatment catered to you, what you need and the best way you work. I use a variety of evidence-based modalities such as:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Client-Centred Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Strength based therapy
  • Compassion focused therapy

Background & Experience

I am a Clinical Psychologist, registered with the New Zealand Psychologist Board. I did my PhD and Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology training at Victoria University of Wellington. I have 10 years of undergraduate and postgraduate training and qualifications, and 8 years as a fully registered Clinical Psychologist. I have experience working with children, adolescents and adults in diverse settings including in private practice, Child, Youth & Family’s secure Care & Protection, and Youth Justice residences, in a high security prison, and Children & Adult Community Mental Health Service (Waitemata DHB).

FAQs

Q Registrations and Memberships

- Registered Clinical Psychologist with the NZ Psychologist Board
- Associate Member NZ College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP)
- Full Member of EMDR NZ
- Member of Perinatal Anxiety Depression Aotearoa

Q Qualifications

- PhD in Psychology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
- Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Health Science Conjoint

Q Appointments

- Please email to inquire about current availability ([email protected])

Q Fees

- ​​​​​​​First assessment session (80 minutes) $330 including GST
- Therapy session (50 minutes) $220 including GST
- EMDR therapy session (80 minutes) $250 including GST
- ADHD assessment package - please inquire regarding what it involves and price
- ASD assessment package - please inquire regarding what it involves and price
- Payment to be made by bank transfer upon invoice. Online credit card payment is available but will incur a transaction fee

What funding is available?
- I am a registered provider for ACC sensitive claims therapy (through supplier with Crossroads Psychology)
- I am a Southern Cross easy-claim partner
- I am a registered provider with Victim Support Services
- I am a registered provider for Kenzie's gift - supporting children, teenagers and families affected by serious illness or grief.
- Work and Income Disability funding available for those eligible (through your GP)
- Depending on your employer they may have funding available for session e.g. through Clearhead platform
- If you have Unimed insurance you may also be eligible for 3 funded sessions per year

Q Testimonial from a therapy client 1

“As a busy mum of two toddlers I was struggling to adjust with the huge changes that motherhood brought to my life and my anxiety was controlling me. Missy helped me to really understand those changes and work on managing my anxiety better. She had some wonderful tools and tips for both my anxiety and parenting. I found her super relatable being a mother herself and she made me feel comfortable from the very first session. “
– Sophie

Q Testimonial from a therapy client 2

"I'd wholeheartedly recommend Missy for any wahine looking to be the best she can be for herself and her family. Her astute and pragmatic approach was really helpful to me in working through some big roadblocks in a short time, and she helped me focus in on what was important to me."
- Steph

Q Testimonial from a therapy client 3

"I first encountered Missy at one of her Empowermums courses, and was impressed by her calm, relatable manner, so she was an easy choice when I needed some help with my anxiety. She brought that same gentle, no-nonsense energy to our individual sessions. I found her easy to talk to, and she gave me some helpful tools to work on managing my anxiety levels. I'd definitely reach out to her again in the future. "
- Kirstie

Q Testimonial from an ADHD assessment client

" I would like to thank Dr Missy Wolfman , from Empowerment Pychology for making my journey of discovery, easy and without the associated anxiety that can accompany this type of inspection. Her easy way made me very comfortable and her diagnosis of my ADHD at 61 y/o is quite a revelation.

I have no hesitation, in the slightest recommending Dr Wolfman her help and resources have been invaluable to me." - David

Q Testimonial from an ASD assessment client

“Missy was very responsive, transparent, and informative during the entire process. Her calm attitude made it very easy for me to open up and to be myself during the ASD assessment. It was especially reassuring to know that Missy was experienced with Autism in women and how it presented differently. I felt very comfortable during the appointments and I would definitely recommend Missy to anyone looking for an ASD assessment.” - 23 year old woman

Q Testimonial from an EMDR therapy client

“I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Woolfman for helping me work through the trauma I suffered during the birth of my daughter in 2022 and resulting PTSD.

After complications leading up to her birth, an induction and close to 40 hours of labour which ended up in an emergency c-section, I felt like I had no control over the birth. Every aspect of what I thought should have been a magical experience was taken away from me.

As a result, I really struggled with the first few months of new motherhood. I was living with constant flashbacks of the birth, couldn’t go to basic medical appointments without being taken back to the experience, and was racked with guilt for having no connection with my daughter.

After struggling to get any help through the public health system, Missy took me as a patient immediately and recommended EMDR therapy.

Applying EMDR therapy with absolute professionalism, a kind hearted attitude, wisdom and sensitivity, Missy quickly empowered me to improve my PTSD on a profound level. For the first time in months since the birth, I was able to gain a sense of control back over my life, the flashbacks I had been riddled with, and truly form a connection with my daughter.

Through EMDR therapy, I can now proudly say that I feel empowered by my traumatic experience.

I am extremely grateful for Missy’s help, and hope that many more people - whether they be Mum’s or otherwise - can experience improved lives with her invaluable assistance.” - Haley, mother of one

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