About

Founded by a team of like minded child psychologists

Like minded child psychologists

At KidPsych, we share a vision to create a service that’s tailor-made and dedicated to supporting Kids. Our aim is to provide a space where young people can feel at home and safe enough to open up and express the hard stuff that’s going on for them. This space can provide a platform for growing awareness and understanding, and from there, a sense of agency for change.

We believe that ‘Kids do well if they can’ but when a young person is struggling, a little bit of help early on can go a long way. We share a passion for early intervention and the lightest possible touch to get Kids back on track when life presents challenges.

At KidPsych, we know that children don’t stand alone but are nurtured and impacted by their environment. That’s why, in working with young people, we also work alongside parents, whānau, schools and other professionals who care for children. Importantly, we acknowledge you, the parent or caregiver, as being ‘the expert’ on your child, the key role model, and the most important influence for positive change.

Poipoia te kākano, kia puāwai

Nurture the seed and it will blossom

MEET THE TEAM

What makes us special?

As child psychologists, we have undertaken specific training to provide psychological services to children, adolescents and their families. This is what makes us child psychology specialists. We don’t work with all age groups, just ‘Kids’ (up to 18) and our expertise and experience lie in the areas of difficulty that affect Kids most.

The research and practices of the child and family psychologist focus on understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and treating psychological, cognitive, emotional, developmental, behavioural, and learning problems of children and their families (M C Roberts, 2006).

Our training has equipped us to take a developmental perspective, to have knowledge of typical development and developmental and attachment theory, and to be focused on preventative intervention. We are all registered with, and accountable to, the New Zealand Psychologists Board, the regulatory authority appointed under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003 in respect of the psychology profession. This means that we’re all trained and regulated to a high standard in comprehensive assessment and treatment approaches.

KidPsych is not a ‘virtual team’. We’re all based together at our Practice in Merivale, a short walk from Hagley Park and close to the city centre. There’s free parking in neighbouring streets and various amenities at Holmwood Village right next door.

Meet The Team

Samantha

Clare

Jacqui

Sally

Jess

Sarah

Anna

Dr Linde-Marie

About Child and Family Psychologist

Samantha
MacGibbon

Founder / Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Sam is a registered child psychologist and parenting specialist. She is passionate about working to increase the well-being of young people and their families. She supports young people with social, emotional, psychological, behavioural, and attachment difficulties and has a particular interest in developmental and complex trauma. She enjoys working alongside parents and caregivers to develop ‘therapeutic parenting’ and recognises that each child and family is unique.

Sam’s approach incorporates evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and Synergetic Play Therapy as well as body-based approaches.

Sam provides assessments and treatment for ACC Sensitive Claims and is passionate about child advocacy. She regularly works with schools, to build greater understanding and empathy around the effects of trauma, which in turn assists the child on their pathway to healing.

Sam is the proud parent of two creative, kind, and energetic humans. When not at work, Sam tries to practise what she preaches by engaging in yoga and getting in touch with nature. This might be in the form of trying to keep up with her partner on a mountain bike or hacking around a golf course.

Sam has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology and a Master of Science in Child and Family Psychology through the University of Canterbury. She is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) and the EMDR Association of New Zealand (EMDRNZ).

About Child and Family Psychologist

Clare
Vesty

Founder / Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Clare is a Child and Family Psychologist with experience working in specialist mental health services, not-for-profit sector, and primary and high school-based wellbeing services. Prior to training as a psychologist, Clare trained and worked as a primary school teacher in both Australia and New Zealand.

Clare feels privileged to work alongside children and adolescents, and the adults that care for them, in order to bring about positive, sustainable change. She has a particular interest in supporting young people around concerns with general anxiety, separation anxiety, low mood, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She provides both therapy and supported assessments through ACC Sensitive Claims. Clare is passionate about ensuring young people are supported in all the environments they spend their time so works closely with schools and other education settings when appropriate.

Clare incorporates the therapeutic modalities of cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has trained in the parenting programmes of Tuning in to Kids and Triple P Parenting which she also utilises in individual work. When working with the young person she ensures that activities are age appropriate and engaging. Clare recognises that children and young people are curious by nature so enjoys providing them with the education and knowledge that will enable them to better know themselves.

Clare is a mother, runner, and enthusiast of coffee and being in nature.

Clare has completed a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Master of Science with First Class Honours, a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology, and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary).

About Child and Family Psychologist

Jacqui
Jackman (Giller)

Founder / Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Jacqui is a Child and Family Psychologist with over a decade’s experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. Jacqui enjoys the process of working alongside families, drawing upon their own strengths and resources to encourage resilience and relational improvement.

Jacqui has worked across a range of settings including the not-for-profit sector, education, private practice and in DHB health settings. Jacqui enjoys working with children and adolescents particularly around anxiety, panic, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, body image and perfectionism. Jacqui has experience working in the area of cognitive assessment, ADHD, giftedness, behavioural challenges, sleep and is a trained parenting provider.

Jacqui utilises a range of evidence-based treatment modalities including CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), MBCT (mindfulness based cognitive therapy) and borrows from DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy).

Jacqui is a mother to 2 children and 2 step-children, she enjoys the physical and mental challenge of CrossFit and the peace of the great outdoors.

Jacqui has a Master of Science (with Honours) in Child and Family Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology and is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society. Jacqui also provides assessments for ACC sensitive claims.

About Child and Family Psychologist

Sally
Burrett

Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Sally is a Child and Family Psychologist with experience working in a range of settings, including early intervention, not-for-profit sector, education, and private practice. Sally’s experience includes working with children with emotional/behavioural difficulties, anxiety, strained family relationships, trauma, and sleep problems. She has helped many families to have a good night’s sleep. Sally also carries out assessments when there are concerns regarding a child’s general development.

Underlying Sally’s therapy is an attachment-based, trauma informed approach. Sally utilises a range of evidenced-based treatments, including Video Interaction Guidance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child Directed Play, and “Theraplay”. Sally is accredited to deliver the research based “Tuning into Kids” emotional coaching programme, and the “Triple P” parenting programmes which she also draws from in her individual work.

Sally is a mother of three and an active grandmother of six preschool children. She enjoys beach and forest walks, and good coffee.

Sally has a Master of Science (with Honours) in Child and Family Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology and is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

About Child and Family Psychologist

Jess
Lawless

Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Jess is a Child and Family Psychologist with experience working in non-government organisations and CAFS Specialist Mental Health Services. Jess's experience includes working alongside young people and their families to assess and treat a vast range of difficulties including; eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, low mood, self harm, suicidal ideation, difficult family dynamics and neurodevelopmental difficulties.

Jess is passionate about evidence based treatment and uses different therapeutic modalities in her child and adolescent work including; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Jess is also trained in family interventions including Maudsley Family Therapy, and Mentalisation Based Therapy for Families (MBT-F).

Jess has completed a Masters of Science in Psychology with Distinction and a Post Graduate Diploma of Child and Family Psychology through the University of Canterbury. Jess is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society and the Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association.

Jess is warm, friendly and non judgemental. She's passionate about helping young people become unstuck so they can set themselves up for a meaningful life. When she's not working Jess is spending time with family and friends, out walking in the hills, planning her next adventure or reading a book over a chai latte.

About Child and Family Psychologist

Sarah
Cole

Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Sarah is a Child and Family Psychologist with experience working in social service agencies and school settings. Sarah has worked with many families and young people to support their mental wellbeing and strengthen their resilience with a particular focus on strength based approaches.

Sarah has extensive experience in evidence based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Sarah has worked with children, young people and their families with a focus on child centred and trauma informed therapy. Sarah has experience working with young people with sleep difficulties, children with neurodiversities, and behavioural and learning challenges.

Sarah is the proud parent of three energetic and fun primary school aged children. As a family they enjoy being outdoors, spending time together as well as with friends and family, and love an escape room.

Sarah has completed a Masters of Science in Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma of Child and Family Psychology through the University of Canterbury. Sarah is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

About Child and Family Psychologist

Anna
Smit

Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Anna is a Child and Family Psychologist with experience working in services focused on trauma, well-being, parenting and neuro-diverse populations in both not-for-profit and health settings. She enjoys supporting young people and their families with behavioural difficulties, low mood and anxiety, and has a particular interest in complex and developmental trauma.

Anna is passionate about providing a non-judgemental space where young people can learn the skills they need to move towards who they want to be long-term. Anna also recognises the importance of each unique situation and aims to increase the resources and well-being of the family unit and wider context where appropriate.

Anna uses multiple evidence-based modalities including CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), and ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis). She is also a trained provider of the Triple P parenting course and provides therapy and assessment for ACC Sensitive Claims.

Anna is also a parent to two very energetic young children who have brought new meaning to the reality that there is no such thing as ‘perfect parenting’. When time allows it Anna can be found mountain biking and running in the hills, or socialising with friends and family. She is passionate about ensuring balance in her life even in the busy seasons.

Anna has a Masters of Science in Psychology with First Class Honours and a Post Graduate Diploma of Child and Family Psychology through the University of Canterbury. Anna is also a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS).

About Child and Family Psychologist

Dr Linde-Marie
Amersfoort

Registered Child and Family Psychologist

Linde-Marie is a registered Child and Family Psychologist and has previously worked for the Ministry of Education and Specialist Mental Health Services (Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora). She also has a research background where she developed, updated, and evaluated parenting programmes for the not-for-profit sector, including the Toolbox Parenting Programmes and the Space for You and Your Baby programme. She is passionate about improving the well-being and mental health of tamariki/children, rangatahi/young people and their parents as well as whānau and believes that the first step in this process involves building connection and relationship with her clients. This is reflected in the therapeutic approaches she specialises in including attachment-based therapies such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP).

Linde-Marie also utilises other evidenced based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is also trained in Maudsley Family Therapy and CBT-T - both for eating disorders. Accordingly, Linde-Marie has extensive experience in supporting children and young people in managing anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, eating disorders, neuro-divergence, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, and processing traumatic events. She is also passionate about helping parents to support their children and young people and build positive, connected, and enjoyable family relationships.

Linde-Marie and her husband have two young-adult daughters and are empty-nesters. Luckily, they have a beautiful Springer Spaniel, Kya, who keeps them busy and loves going for walks in the hills with Linde-Marie (when she's not binge-watching Netflix or working in her vege garden!)

Linde-Marie has a PhD in Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology, and is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society, the EMDR Association of New Zealand, and the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute.