Credentials
I am a Clinical Psychologist based in Hawkes Bay. I completed my Masters in Clinical Psychology in South Africa. I have completed several additional courses to supplement my degree in the latter areas. I have completed a diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy, 300 hr Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher qualification, Level 3 Brainspotting, Dialectical Behavioral therapy and Somatic Experiencing. My special interests are in helping woman move through trauma in an integrated way, so that they can live lives aligned with their True Nature. My role is to help individuals understand and explore their inner selves, assist with diagnosis of mental disorders and relieve psychological distress. I desire to help individuals become more adaptive in their lives, form healthy relationships with those around them and to ultimately achieve a sense of self, a sense of identity and of peace.
How I work
I was trained psychodynamically, and generally work within this theoretical framework. This means that I work with the client to gain deeper understanding of their own minds, emotions, and how they relate to others. Often we need an ‘other’ to help us understand the strong forces that drive us, which can be confusing.
I am a strong believer that “I relate, therefore I am” (adaptation from John. S. Mbiti), and thus try not to see the individual in isolation and work to enhance the way one relates to others.
I try to hold in mind a holistic view of life and therapy, so as to work with individual needs, rather than utilizing one particular theoretical perspective as a “fix all” solution.
On a personal note…
Freedom, love and joy. Is this not what we all seek in life? I was named after these three little words, Misha meaning freedom, and my second name being Joy. Hence I have spent much of my time considering how to encompass and ‘live out’ my name. After years of soul searching and self-reflection, I realize that seeking happiness is predominantly a Western illusion created by modern society. Happiness is ultimately a selfish pursuit, concerned with getting one’s own needs met… and when we get this all the time, we are still left feeling empty. So what is life about, then? So far in my short experience of life, I have discovered that searching for meaning gives one mental stability and a sense of peace. It is other-focused, and therefore that sense of emptiness slowly dissipates. Meaning is about purpose, fulfilment and self-actualization. Unfortunately, it often does not come easy and one has to suffer the roller coaster of emotions on this journey of ‘self and other’ discovery. To live means to suffer, but to live also means to be alive – to feel the full range of emotions, to be congruent, real and genuine. Often this is a challenge in our society, and my hope is to walk a part of your journey with you so that you do not feel so alone and confused. I desire to work with you, to once again engage you with the real world in a way that is respectful, meaningful and kind, realistic and satisfying.