DR NICI CURTIS
Clinical Psychologist
Nici is an experienced Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of clinical practice. She works with couples, adults and teens.
Nici offers therapy that provides a space to talk honestly and openly about feelings and problems with the goal of understanding more about ourselves and then to develop new ways of living life. Nici is practical and active in assisting clients to take make positive change by developing workable solutions to real difficulties. She will help you explore, process, understand, accept, and change. Nici believes we are complex beings and she has worked hard over many years to develop a range of skills and tools to assist her clients to achieve the change they seek.
A specialist in assisting individuals and families/whanau to cope with and process trauma and difficult life issues, Nici also has a passion for couples therapy and uses a model called Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT), a well researched approach that has been found helpful in up to 90% of couples. This model has its basis in Attachment Theory, and has assisted clinicians all over the world to make sense of love and relationships.
She brings a well rounded and grounded perspective to the therapy experience and aims to identify the heart of the matter and provide as much relief as efficiently as possible. Nici understands that life can be difficult and at times overwhelming and sometimes these difficulties stem from events in childhood. Children can develop responses to distress and abuse in early years that later in life can cause ongoing problems ranging from depression and anxiety to self-loathing, anger, guilt and shame. Sometimes people abuse substances and engage in other harmful activities to escape early memories and the way they feel about themselves.
Everyone requires their own unique approach and so Nici draws from a range of approaches to meet the individual needs of those who work with her. These highly researched models include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT). More recently she has trained in EMDR, now recognised as the gold standard approach for the relief of trauma.
Relationships are at the heart of Nici's work as she believes that all humans are made to be connected. No matter where we go or how we live, we are always meeting new people and/or trying to sustain/strengthen/repair current relationships. Nici's overall approach focusses on assisting individuals and couples to create secure connections within their relationships and to develop the skills and understanding to interact with others in meaningful ways that help us feel safe and protect us from loneliness, depression, sadness, anxiety and isolation.
She holds several degrees from Massey University, New Zealand including a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Nici is Clinical Director for Ta Moko Services and runs her private practice, The Psychology Centre in Kerikeri.