Mary Farrell

I am a registered Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, and Clinical Supervisor with 36 years experience. I work online.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Psychotherapy is a way of understanding ourselves and making sense of all the complex layers of our relationships. It is a way to gain awareness of what truly makes us who we are. It gives us far more choice about how we respond to ourselves and to others, and will provide clarity and understanding.

We all have a conscious world – in other words, we are aware of all kinds of feelings and thoughts that go on in our day to day life. Underneath this outer layer is a deep ocean of emotions and reactions that often surprise us and cause us distress. Many of these intense feelings originate in childhood, and understanding more about the dynamics and patterns that were part of our families of origin can be so helpful in our present day lives. Exploring our dreams can also provide a wealth of information that can illuminate our current anxieties and emotions.

In the unique conversation that evolves between psychotherapist and client, the unconscious is gradually brought to awareness and it is far more possible to understand the workings of our own minds and to choose how we behave with other people. It is also possible to have compassion for ourselves and all that we have suffered in our lives.

About Me

I have been in private practice as a psychotherapist and counsellor for the last thirty six years. I completed my education and training in the UK. I emigrated to Aotearoa NZ in 1995 and have worked in private practice in Titirangi and online since then.  I am an associate member of NZIPP (the NZ Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy) and present movie/discussion evenings as part of our public programme. I’m also part of the institute’s poetry competition, run every year.  Looking at the links between psychotherapy, art, culture, theatre, cinema and tv shows is something I really enjoy sharing with others. 

Professional Supervision and Mentoring

I offer supervision to members of all the helping professions. I have many years’ experience in mentoring members of the medical profession, helping them to debrief and come to terms with the daily trauma they often experience.

Acts of Trust

Every relationship we have, whatever its nature, depends on trust for its successful continuance. Sometimes life itself depends on it. But how do we trust other people? And what happens to us when our trust is betrayed? I explore these questions in my book Acts of Trust: Making Sense of Risk, Trust and Betrayal in Our Relationships  by using familiar stories from television, film and literature, plus true-life case studies about exceptional people who have engaged in extraordinary acts of trust.