Dr Adriana Thomas

I am a registered clinical psychologist in New Zealand originally from Brazil and the UK. I completed the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland and am working in Freemans Bay/Ponsonby area. I help individuals to understand life’s challenges whilst working towards positive changes and a meaningful existence.

Prior to private practice, I worked in Women’s health and with a Maori Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in community mental health. I am registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the clinical scope of practice. I am also a member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP).

I have experience working with a wide range of people and difficulties. Some of these difficulties include anxiety, sadness, grief, anger and low self-esteem. I also have experience working with trauma, relationship challenges, family concerns and child and adolescent mental health.

I am trained in a range of therapies and draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family Systems/Narrative therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.  In my clinical work, I help people gain insight into challenges they face, patterns that occur and strengths they have to improve their wellbeing. Difficulties are identified through research in the areas of evidence based therapies, attachment and trauma considering cultural, spiritual and contextual factors. I am a provider for ACC under the integrated service for sensitive claims (ISSC) and provide assessment and therapy to people who have experienced sexual violence. I have also completed 20 hours of training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga with the Trauma Centre Yoga Programme.

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Before private practice I also worked in community mental health with children, adolescents and adults.  I have also previously worked as a teacher and speak fluent Portuguese, Spanish and French and have worked and lived in different countries. My research and clinical interests are also in migration and cross-cultural therapy. I migrated to New Zealand myself and am fortunate to call this place home.