What is Health Psychology?
Health Psychology focuses on how biological, social, cultural and psychological factors influence health and illness. Health Psychologists use psychological science to promote and improve health, prevent illness and improve health care systems. Health Psychologists are interested in the psychological factors that influence health and how health influences psychological wellbeing. Health Psychologists are experts in understanding the factors that allow people to be healthy, recover from an illness or cope with a chronic condition. Their specialised understanding of health and behaviour means they perform a critical component in whole person health care. Being diagnosed with any health condition or being concerned about health can be a challenging time for people. People often focus on what we need to do to be as physically well as possible but focussing on psychological and emotional factors is also incredibly important and valuable for wellbeing.
What can a Health Psychologist help with?
Common reasons why people seek care from a health psychologist include:
adjustment to health conditions such as diabetes, cardiac/heart conditions, cancer, lung/breathing conditions, arthritis, chronic pain
low mood and anxiety in response to health concerns
support for unexplained physical symptoms
anxiety/worry about health
loss & grief
stress management
sleep
relaxation
lifestyle and behavioural change
help navigating the health system and relationships with health professionals
Health psychologists also provide professional supervision to many members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Professional supervision is proven to show improved psychological wellbeing and help protect against workplace stressors and burnout.
Health Psychologists use a variety of evidence based therapeutic techniques to assist clients, including supportive expressive psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, DBT and Motivational Interviewing. These are tailored to suit the client, their needs and the therapeutic goals and desired outcomes.
About Juliet
Juliet studied at the University of Auckland and obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology, a Master of Science (MSc) with honours in Health Psychology. After completing her clinical training in Health Psychology (Post Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology) and gaining Registration as a Psychologist She went on to work in various medical departments/services at Green Lane Clinical Centre, Auckland City Hospital and Middlemore Hospital, working alongside medical nursing and allied health staff. Developing a special interest in working with people affected by cancer, she was the National Clinical Lead for the Cancer Psychological & Social Support initiative, working with Psychologists and Social Workers in every hospital in New Zealand to improve psychosocial care for people with cancer in NZ.
Juliet has worked in private practice alongside her public hospital work for 20 years providing psychological care and support as well as professional supervision for individuals and groups.
She is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland. She teaches training health psychologists and has played an active role in the ongoing growth and development of Health Psychology in NZ.
With a love of ongoing learning and development Juliet has also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Leadership at the University of Auckland and is a trained Mayo Clinic Health Coach.
Rates
Psychological consultation
50-60 mins | $210
Professional Supervision
50-60 mins | $210
Payment due within 48 hours post appointment via Bank transfer. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will incur a $100 charge
Availability
Appointments are available Tuesday - Saturday