Meet Our Team

Dr. Sarah Watson is the Founder, Managing Director and a registered Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist at Totally Psyched. Sarah has over twenty years' experience as both a Psychologist and leader across a variety of settings, all specialising in working with children, adolescents and their families.

Sarah worked for many years in one of Auckland's Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead of teams, and led many specific multi-agency ministerial projects. Prior to her doctoral clinical training and having a family of her own, Sarah worked in South London & Maudsley for several years as a Residential Social Worker and Assistant Psychologist; working with children with severe mental health needs who were in residential government care ('children's homes').

Sarah has successfully been in private practice based in the hub of Auckland's North Shore for over eight years and manages another clinic in Warkworth, north of Auckland. She is regularly asked for her expert opinion and has appeared on various radio and television shows including NZ Herald, RNZ, MoreFM, The Project, Breakfast, Seven Sharp, The Paul Henry Show and regularly contributes to the NZ Herald and other media. She is a guest Lecturer for the University of Auckland GP and Psychiatric Registrar training programme and professional development conferences for government ministries, GPs, Teachers, Professionals, Social Workers, RTLBs and Counsellors nationwide. She runs professional development sessions for teachers, SENCOs and Teacher Aides. Our clinics are affiliated with Massey, AUT and Auckland Universities psychology training programmes, with Totally Psyched regularly training students on placement and internships. Sarah runs this programme and supervises university interns, placement students and Clinical & Counselling Psychologists.

Sarah also feels a strong commitment to her communities, including her local area through volunteering on local boards, Chair of the Sea Scouts Committee, advisor and writer for the Mental Health Foundation and Fixate (OCD group) and is the Clinical Advisor for ADHD NZ.

Sarah maintains a small clinical caseload, working with children, adolescents and families across a variety of areas and is particularly interested in working with families affected by neurodevelopmental delays (ADHD & ASD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Angela has been part of the Totally Psyched team for over two years and brings a strong background in operations, people leadership and practice management. She is passionate about creating a positive, supportive environment where both our team and the families we work with feel welcomed and valued.

As Practice Manager, Angela enjoys bringing people, processes and ideas together to help the practice run smoothly and continue to grow. She believes that a well-supported team is at the heart of great client care and takes pride in making sure our clinicians have what they need to do their best work. From supporting the team behind the scenes to finding ways to improve our systems, Angela is committed to helping Totally Psyched provide a welcoming, professional and caring experience for every family.

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Dr Jess Henry is a Consultant Psychiatrist with a special interest in family psychiatry.

Jess grew up in Northern England where she completed her medical training, before moving to Aotearoa over a decade ago.

Jess is excited to work with Totally Psyched families, seeing the possibilities of supporting families across the lifespan and in a family context, rather than seeing a person in isolation.

Dr Darryl-Lee is a Medical Doctor (Psychiatry) with over 20 years' experience working in psychiatry with children and adolescents. Having originally trained in South Africa, Dr Darryl-Lee has been practising in New Zealand since 2002. She has held a broad range of roles, principally in psychiatry including maternal mental health, infant mental health, eating disorders, primary care liaison and general psychiatry, but Dr Darryl-Lee has a particular interest in psychiatry in children and adolescents. As such, she has spent most of her career working within child and adolescent mental health.

Dr Darryl-Lee has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in Ministry of Health, local District Health Board community mental health services throughout NZ. She is also currently completing the final requirements of her registration to the Royal College of Psychiatry Fellowship programme in NZ and once completed will continue to work in Psychiatry, specialising in child and adolescent mental health.

Dayna is a warm, friendly and approachable Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience working with children, adolescents and their families across a variety of settings. Dayna’s experience includes working with mild to moderate mental health issues in a youth development organisation, providing specialist neuropsychological assessment in a university clinic, and assessment and treatment of moderate to severe complex psychological concerns for the DHB Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. She is experienced in providing assessment and therapeutic intervention for children, adolescents and young adults who present with a wide range of mental health concerns, including and specialising in emotional dysregulation, eating disorders, trauma and abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety disorders and dissociative disorders.

Dayna is also a skilled group facilitator and has facilitated many evidence-based programmes for parents and young people including the multi-family DBT skills group and the FOCUS group for OCD. She has specific training in brief family therapy interventions.

Dayna uses a range of therapeutic modalities which include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, EMDR and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, Mindfulness and Family Therapy Interventions. She is also interested in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders using neuropsychological assessment tools and specialised clinical interviewing and observation techniques.

Dayna takes a strengths-based and client-centred approach to all of her work with children, young people and families and is skilled at engaging and motivating young people to make positive changes in their lives. She strives to offer effective and evidence-based interventions of a high standard to support her clients to reach their goals. She values collaboration, consultation and a partnered approach with the families she works with. Dayna is positive, encouraging and calm, with a great sense of humour and a passion for supporting young people to reach their potential and overcome their difficulties.

Bruce is a highly experienced clinical psychologist who works with children, young people, families and adults where they are facing a range of difficulties and at times complex needs. Bruce believes in the capacity of individuals, parents and families to utilise the strengths and resources they have available with the support and expertise of someone who is non-judgemental, knowledgeable and supportive.

Bruce has extensive experience in assessing and working therapeutically with a range of presenting difficulties across ages. Bruce has training and expertise in a variety of models of evidence-based psychological therapy including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Narrative/Systemic Therapy.

Bruce has worked as a clinical psychologist in New Zealand and the UK for more than 30 years in hospital-based and community health settings with both children and adults. After training and working in NZ, Bruce worked in the UK National Health Service for more than 20 years, 15 of those as Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Surrey Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. Bruce was responsible for the development and delivery of psychological services for children, young people and families, and for the clinical supervision of the psychologists within the service. Bruce also spent five years as Associate Director of Therapies for Children and Young People’s Services.

Bruce is committed to working in partnership with clients to develop collaborative working relationships which are strength-based and solution-focused. He believes that therapy is most helpful when someone feels listened to and supported to tackle the challenges which may be impacting on their lives and relationships. Bruce works with people to arrive at a shared understanding of the issues they want to address and agree goals which feel helpful, reasonable and achievable.

Jo is a warm and friendly Counselling Psychologist. She loves to work collaboratively with children, teens and families, providing a safe space to support them through challenges, to flourish and thrive.

Jo utilises evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where each person feels seen and heard.

Professional Qualifications

Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology awarded with Clear Distinction, Auckland University of Technology

Master of Health Science (Psychology) awarded with Honours

Bachelor of Health Science (Hons)

Nursing Diploma - Registered Comprehensive

Memberships to Professional Colleges/Boards

New Zealand Psychologists Board

Skyler Watt is deeply passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice and enjoys working alongside neurodivergent clients and their families, in ways that are tailored, strengths-based, and practical.

He is a warm, collaborative counselling psychologist who offers a supportive, non-judgmental space to help people make sense of what’s happening, reconnect with their strengths, and develop practical skills for change. He is passionate about accessible, holistic mental health care and enjoys supporting wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable self-care.

A core focus of Skyler’s work is rainbow-affirming practice. He is committed to creating an affirming environment for people of all genders and sexualities and brings a strong understanding of minority stress and the impact of stigma and discrimination on wellbeing.

Skyler takes an integrative, evidence-informed approach, drawing on therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectal behavioural Therapy Skills (DBT Skills), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), alongside trauma-informed and positive psychology approaches.

He is also committed to culturally safe practice, and has experience working with Māori, Pasifika, and Asian clients and whānau, incorporating culturally informed holistic health models such alongside Western psychological approaches.

Professional Qualifications

• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology, Auckland University of Technology
• Master of Health Science (Psychology), First Class, Auckland University of Technology
• Bachelor of Health Science (Psychology) (Honours), First Class, Auckland University of Technology
• Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Psychology), Auckland University of Technology
• Bachelor of International Studies, Double Minor in Psychology and Japanese

Registration & Memberships

New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB) – Counselling Psychologist

Registered clinician with Victim Support

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Madelein provides a safe and nurturing space where children can express themselves freely through play and creative processes. She works collaboratively with children, parents, and families, fostering understanding, connection, and emotional growth. Her approach is child-centred, responsive, and grounded in respect for each child's individuality and inner world.

In addition to her work with younger children, Madelein has worked extensively with teenagers, supporting them through challenges such as anxiety, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. She integrates counselling, sand therapy, and art therapy to help young people express their emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Professional Qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy - Play Therapy International

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology

Postgraduate Diploma in Education, specialising in Diverse Learning Needs

Memberships to Professional Bodies

Member, New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)

Member, Play Therapy International (PTI)

Registered clinician with Victim Support

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Danielle is a kind and caring practitioner committed to empowering her clients to achieve their goals. She has experience working with people of all cultures and ages, including supporting children and their families.

Danielle has several years of experience working in community mental health. She is knowledgeable about a diverse range of presentations, including neurodivergent conditions like ADHD. Her clinical interests also include anxiety disorders such as social anxiety, depression, stress, and self-confidence and body image concerns.

Therapy - Danielle is primarily trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and prioritises taking a client-centred approach. She creates a collaborative and nurturing therapeutic environment where she enjoys bringing creativity into her work with clients. To support clients with emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills, Danielle draws from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). In this way, Danielle supports clients to develop practical skills to work towards meaningful and achievable change.

Professional Qualifications:

Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychological Practice, Massey University

Master of Arts, with Distinction in Psychology, Massey University

Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts, with Merit in Psychology, Massey University

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Media Studies, Victoria University of Wellington

Registration & Memberships:

New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB) - Registered Psychologist

Registered clinician with Victim Support

I am a counsellor with a warm, creative and integrative approach to counselling. I hold provisional membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), and I enjoy creating a safe and supportive space where clients can feel heard, understood and free to explore what is happening in their lives.

My approach is integrative, drawing on CBT and behavioural techniques, as well as psychodrama and art therapy. I particularly enjoy bringing creativity, spontaneity and, when appropriate, a little humour into my work, as I believe these can help us connect with ourselves and others and are an important part of wellbeing.

Professional Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Master’s Degree in Psychology / Psychotherapy

Training in Art Therapy (Art Module)

Memberships to Professional Colleges/Boards

Provisional membership NZAC

Registered clinician with Victim Support

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Lee is an NZAC registered counsellor with an undergraduate psychology degree. She has extensive experience working with young people, adults and families in a variety of roles, including at Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS), Salvation Army Bridge programme, Puawaitahi (multi-agency Ministry of Social Development service), and in private practice.

She is passionate about empowering young people and their families to face and overcome the challenges in their lives by increasing understanding of their own and others' behaviour. She is trained in CBT, DBT, EMDR, Mindfulness and TA and draws from a range of therapeutic approaches, tailoring her approach to individual needs. She has particular interest in systemic dynamics, ADD (inattentive and hyperactive), ASD and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Lee is warm, friendly and encouraging, and it is her privilege to work collaboratively with her clients to grow strengths and teach skills to enable them to walk with greater ease through their lives.

Registered clinician with Victim Support

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Catherine is a paediatric Speech and Language Therapist with more than ten years' experience working with children and young people with a range of communication presentations. She is enthusiastic and passionate about her work, bringing energy and creative flair to her sessions. Catherine's secret ingredient is fun: she finds what motivates the young person and runs with it, so that they become engaged and invested in their therapy sessions.

Catherine has worked extensively with neurodivergent young people and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Catherine is also skilled in working with young people with primary or co-occurring speech, language and communication needs, including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Selective/Situational Mutism, speech/phonological delay and disorder and social communication/pragmatic differences.

Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy: First Class Honours - Birmingham City University, UK

Bachelor of English Literature (Hons) - Sheffield University - UK

Originally from Poland, she completed her Master's degree in Psychology at the University of Wrocław in 2002, followed by a Diploma in Educational Psychology with Teacher Credentials.

After immigrating to New Zealand, Marta continued her clinical work, focusing on supporting children with learning difficulties and the behavioural or emotional challenges that often accompany them.

She works closely with children, their families, and schools to develop practical, evidence-based strategies tailored to each child's unique needs.

Marta lives in rural North Auckland with her husband, two young children, and their much-loved family dog.

She brings warmth, multicultural understanding, and deep professional expertise to her work with children, youth, and adults alike.

Professional Qualifications

Master's degree in Psychology, University of Wrocław, Poland | 1996-2002

Professional Memberships

NZ Registered Psychologist (Psychologist)

Pat is a warm and friendly Psychologist who values making a genuine connection through empathy and shared understanding with her clients. She prefers to work collaboratively and is adaptable to the preferences of her clients.

She completed her training in Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She has worked with young people to assess various developmental difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Learning Difficulties (e.g. dyslexia). She has worked in the disability sector providing counselling and behaviour assessments and interventions across the lifespan. She enjoys working closely with a client's family and broader support system to create positive system change.

Since then, she has moved to New Zealand with her partner. She seeks to continue helping young people reach their dreams and potential.

Memberships:

New Zealand Psychologists Board

Australian Psychological Society

Languages

English

Filipino

Virginia has experience supporting neurodivergent young people as well as facilitating group programmes. Her clinical interests include anxiety disorders, depression, self-esteem and identity concerns, and health-related mental wellbeing. Virginia also enjoys working with clients who share similar NZ-Asian cultural experiences and she is fluent in English and Cantonese and is conversationally proficient in Mandarin.

Virginia strives to empower clients with practical tools, compassion, and a sense of genuine connection.

Professional Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, The University of Auckland

Master of Health Psychology (First Class Honours), The University of Auckland

Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice (in progress), Massey University

Memberships to Professional Colleges/Boards

NZ Registered Psychologist (Intern Psychologist)

Fiona’s journey with ADHD began in adulthood, after recognising similarities between herself and one of her daughters, who had been diagnosed with ADHD.

Fiona is passionate about working with teens, university students, and young adults, with a particular focus on supporting individuals to better understand their executive function challenges. She brings warmth and understanding to her coaching, helping clients build self-confidence, self-awareness, and practical strategies to navigate school, university, and everyday life.

Imogen is a Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about working with young people and their families, and prides herself on being friendly and approachable. She has experience in assessments and behavioural therapy, having worked clinically at Totally Psyched for years and prior to that spent time working at Youthline and the Centre for Learning, Integration and Managing Behaviour.

Levi is an important part of the Totally Psyched team, bringing plenty of calm, comfort and cuddles to the clinic.

He’s an excellent listener, never interrupts, and is always happy to lend an ear (or a paw) when someone needs a quiet moment. Levi especially enjoys a good cuddle and believes that sometimes the best therapy is simply having a friendly furry face nearby.

Levi works part-time, so he isn’t at the clinic every day - but when he is here, he’s ready to brighten someone’s day, provide a little company and remind us all to take a breath and slow down.