Sam Payne

Kia ora, I am a registered psychologist providing therapy for adults in Albany, on the North Shore of Auckland, and in Parnell, near the city centre. I am also available for sessions online. 

At times, all of us feel overwhelmed, a lack of direction, or question where our lives are heading. Often it’s helpful to talk to someone outside our circle. Therapy is a space to reflect on our journey so far, build insight into how we got here, develop skills and approaches to cope with life’s challenges, and plan our next steps to move positively into the future and grow. 

Approach

I am passionate about mental health and supporting people to overcome challenges they face, becoming the best version of themselves. I work from a client-centred perspective, placing you and your experience at the centre of our work together. I draw on Rogerian, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches, as well as cultural models.  If you’re not a therapist, all of that means that I take into consideration how your feeling, thinking, and your surroundings and work collaboratively with you to find the best way for you to move forward authentically and grow from whatever situation you are facing.

These evidence-based approaches are important, we want to know that this will work after all! That said, in my experience, the most important element of therapy is that we will work together, as a team, dedicating time aside in each of our lives to focus on the challenges you’re facing and work together uncovering solutions and new ways forward.

Experience

I am a registered Psychologist with a background working in the forensic setting, group facilitation, brief intervention, community organisations, and EAP (employee assistance programmes).

Areas of Interest/Focus:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Grief and loss
• Burnout
• Guilt
• Communication

Duration

The length of therapy can vary for different people depending on their focus. Some people come with a very specific problem they wish to focus on and can build the skills quickly to resolve the challenge in a few sessions. Others are wanting to take a deeper look at themselves and challenge patterns that have been playing out in their life for years, or even decades, this can be a longer journey that takes months, but is a very fruitful journey to  go on, with many gains along the way. I can offer short-term or longer therapy.

My website can be found here: https://www.openpsychology.co.nz/