KARIN MUIR | CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST | BA (hons), MSc, PGDIPCLINPSYC, MNZCCP
ADVANCED CERTIFIED SCHEMA THERAPIST
ABOUT ME
Please note I am not currently able to accept new referrals for therapy nor am I running a waitlist
My name is Karin Muir and I am a registered Clinical Psychologist with twelve years experience practising in Christchurch, New Zealand. I provide confidential and evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment for adults 18+ who are struggling with mental health problems or life stressors.
I take a compassionate and collaborative approach to working with each individual and tailor my way of working to your personal needs. I aim to help you develop a clearer understanding of your problem or difficulty and help you develop skills to manage difficult thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be preventing you from living your life in the way that you would like. For those interested in schema therapy or those who come to therapy with with recurrent or longer term difficulties, an important part of therapy is often about understanding how childhood experiences (good and bad) may have impacted on your beliefs and coping style and how this might be contributing to your current difficulties.
While my initial training was in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I have completed additional training in Mindful Self Compassion, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and I am an advanced certified schema therapist. I generally work in an integrative way, drawing on a number of different treatment modalities to suit each individual. What is most important to me is that therapy offers a safe space where each individual can feel understood and supported while exploring new ways of thinking and being.
I have a broad range of experience, having worked in community and inpatient mental health settings, both in New Zealand and in the UK. I also have experience providing brief intervention in an EAP setting and have worked in correctional/forensic services for a number of years. I have an interest in assessment and treatment of complex trauma and dissociation (including dissociative identity disorder) and am available to complete ACC supported assessments.
I am a full member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP) and am registered with the New Zealand Psychologist's Board under the clinical scope.
SERVICES I OFFER
I WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH:
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Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
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Eating and body image concerns
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Trauma related stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss.
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Life changes, relationships, and work stress/difficulties.
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Recurrent patterns of unhelpful or infective coping or problematic behaviors or recurrent relationship problems
I also provide diagnostic assessments for Adult ADHD and am an ACC registered provider and assessor for sensitive claims and physical injury. Please note I am only accepting limited referrals for ADHD assessments via The Psychology Hub at present (see www.thepsychologyhub.co.nz).
I am able to provide online therapy as this can be helpful to enable access/continuity (such as when clients are away for work, live in a remote area where travel to appointments can be a barrier, or during COVID restrictions. Please let me know when enquiring if you are wanting to have your sessions online.
I offer supervision for other psychologists, counsellors, and therapists. I have completed supervision training and value a focus on both content and process issues that might be impacting your clinical work. I also believe that a focus on therapist wellbeing is an important part of supervision.
If you are unsure about whether I work with a particular problem or difficulty, please get in touch and we can discuss your needs and whether I am able to meet them.
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What happens in therapy?The first one to two sessions involve assessment. We will discuss the problem or issue that brought you along and try to gain a better understanding of how it started and what keeps it going. By the end we should have an idea of what sort of treatment approach might be helpful and I will be able to discuss recommendations for therapy with you. Later sessions will focus on providing you with the psychological skills necessary to manage your difficulties more effectively. I usually work with people on a weekly or fortnightly basis, however this is something we can decide on together. The number of therapy sessions you attend is also an individualised decision and varies based on the types of problems you are wanting to work on and your needs. I work with people anywhere from 3-4 sessions to several years depending on your goals and the problems you are wanting help with.
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How much does it cost?Therapy appointments run for 50 minutes and cost $220 (including GST) for private individuals. Written reports will incur an extra cost. For organisations referring to Live Well Psychology, the fee is $220 (excluding GST). You may be eligible for WINZ subsidies for counselling. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/health-and-disability/counselling.html#null NB: Payment on the day is required unless arranged otherwise. You can pay via internet transfer with or with cash. Eftpos facilities are not available at the present time.
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Is my information private?Everything we discuss is confidential within some limits. If during our contact I have serious concerns about your safety or the safety of others, I may have to break confidentiality. If this were to happen, where possible I would always try to discuss this with you first. As registered health professionals, Clinical Psychologists adhere to the rules and principles of the Privacy Act 2020, Health Information Privacy Code (2020), and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
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What if I am in crisis?I am unable to provide a crisis service. If you need immediate support, please call 111 or the mental health crisis resolution team on: 0800 920 092 Other helpful contacts are listed below: Lifeline: 03 366 6742 Youthline: 0800 376 633 , Free TXT234, email: talk@youthline.co.nz Warmline: 03 379 8415, 0800 899 276, email: warmline@comcare.org.nz
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What days can I make an appointment?I am available for therapy appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I currently only have daytime appointments available. Please let me know when enquiring what days and times work best for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CONTACT ME
Please note I am not currently able to accept new referral for therapy and nor am I running a waitlist.
Please contact me via booking form. Please include a brief summary of the problem or issue you are seeking help for, your contact details (name, email & phone number), and what times/days you are able to attend. Please note I do not currently offer appointments after 5pm.
I am happy to have a phone conversation free of charge prior to booking an appointment to discuss your needs or answer any questions you might have.
Currently I am only accepting referrals for ADHD assessments via the Psychology Hub (www.thepsychologyhub.co.nz) and have only limited availability for these.