Dr. Robyn Watts

Kia ora,

Tēnā koe, ko Robyn toku ingoa.

(Hello, my name is Robyn). 

I’m an experienced clinical psychologist specialising in ADHD/ADD, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA+, anxiety, depression, ptsd/c-ptsd, grief and health issues. Patients have described me as “real”, “safe”, “non-judgmental and down to earth”, “funny at the right times”, “mouth of a sailor with the knowledge and soul of a healer”. Please note, that I do use profanity often, so if you’re uncomfortable with this type of language, I am not going to be the right therapist for you.

I offer free 20 minute phone consultations to see if I’m the right fit for you. Once you’ve had your free consult and decide that you’d like to move forward with treatment, I conduct my sessions online so that I may be available to people all over NZ and Australia. While some people may prefer in person sessions, I have found that once someone gets over their initial nervousness/hesitation with online therapy, they come to prefer the opportunity to have therapy in their own safe space.

Specialties:

• Adults and Teens
• ADD/ADHD Assessments
• Loss of a loved one (Human or Animal Companion)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Coping with a Chronic and/or Life threatening Medical Condition
• Chronic Pain and/or Chronic Fatigue
• Preparing for yours or a loved ones death and making the most of the time that’s left
• Care Giver Burnout/Fatigue
• Multi-cultural issues such as: Culture Shock and/or Balancing ones own culture with a new identity or new culture
• Immigration Stress
• Day to Day Stress
• Work place bullying
• Loss of direction or purpose
• Job loss 
• Fear and Uncertainty in the current climate
• Bullying
• LGBTQ+
• Body Image
• HRT and Gender confirmation surgery letters of support

About Me:

I’m originally from North America, and have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand for more than 7 years. I live in Whakatuu/Nelson with my husband, cats and pet rats (and hopefully two Kune Kune pigs soon).

I’ve worked as a licensed clinical psychologist for over fourteen years, in a wide range of settings including hospitals, prisons, inpatient and outpatient wards, and private practice. I have a Doctorate of Psychology degree (Psy.D) from Alliant International University in California.

My specialty is health psychology, helping teenagers and adults with either acute or chronic medical conditions. I have a chronic illness myself, so I can approach these conditions with understanding of what it’s like to live with one. In addition, I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 43. Receiving this diagnosis was both liberating and devastating. Engaging in the right medication and treatment for me has absolutely changed my life for the better, however, I couldn’t help but look back and think, “If only I’d been taken seriously and diagnosed earlier, I would not have had to suffer so much.”

Outside of work, I love traveling, learning/speaking French and te reo Māori, ice swimming, hiking, scuba diving, archery, aerial hoop, camping, indulging my inner goth girl, and generally spending as much time in nature – and with animals – as possible. Yes, I still get stupidly excited by all the sheep here!  I feel super lucky to live here and use my skills and experience to help people in Aotearoa New Zealand.