Nadav Avny

Nadav Avny – Auckland-Based Psychologist

Kia ora, and welcome.

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. My clinical psychology training was in the psychodynamic approach, including dream analysis. I later completed training in Integrative Psychotherapy with a focus on Gestalt and Existential approaches, and I have been a UK Council for Psychotherapy Registered Psychotherapist (UKCP reg.) since 2007.

The therapeutic work with my clients is not just a profession for me – I consider it one of the most important missions I have in life.

I approach the therapeutic process and each person from a deep place of presence, awareness, and understanding of the pain involved in being a human being.  I see my clients as the experts of their lives with an innate capacity to grow towards wholeness. My role is to walk alongside you —bringing my clinical experience, evidence-based methods, and clinical intuition. My style is very collaborative. Together, we can create a safe and fruitful therapeutic journey.  I experience steadiness in walking the terrain of the internal landscape, and  I feel privileged and inspired to witness the courage and authenticity of my clients as we walk this journey together.  At the heart of my work are acceptance, warmth, and integrity. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be fully yourself, supporting you through the paradoxical process of change and working together towards the outcomes you seek, including healing and transformation.

My breadth of training, experience, and expertise enables me to integrate various therapeutic approaches and tailor the work to your unique needs, wishes, and circumstances:

I am an Accredited EMDR Practitioner (EMDRNZ): Beyond completing Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) training, which enables clinicians to use EMDR in their work, I continued to meet advanced professional requirements to attain an accredited practitioner status, reflecting a higher level of competence and experience in using EMDR.

EMDR is an evidence-based and highly effective therapy that helps overcome the impact of negative life events on us and helps treat anxiety, depression and complex grief, amongst others.

I am a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist (IFS International): IFS certification goes beyond completing IFS training, which enables practice with clients.  IFS certification meets advanced requirements, reflecting both a high level of experience and expertise in this approach. To read about IFS click here

Internal Family Systems (IFS) – helps you understand and heal the different ‘parts’ of yourself.  Inside your mind, there’s not just one you — there’s a whole team of parts and a Self. Each part has its own feelings, thoughts, and roles, such as those who feel hurt, anxious, or critical.  IFS has a way of understanding how all these parts inside you can sometimes argue, hide, or get hurt – and how you can develop a relationship between Self and parts that ultimately will help them heal and become effective team members. In this in-depth work, when you get to know your parts, you start to feel calmer and more whole – because everyone inside your ‘inner family’ gets to be heard, understood, and cared for.

I am a Certified Mindfulness Based Programmes Teacher and Supervisor: As the Co-Director of the Mindfulness Training Institute: Australia & New Zealand – hyperlink- (MTI-ANZ) I develop and deliver training to upcoming mindfulness teachers.  I also facilitate mindfulness courses and retreats through Mindfulness Auckland (hyperlink). This means that I have a thorough understanding of whether and how to integrate mindfulness in individual therapy.

Over the years, I have gained in-depth knowledge and practice in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Family Therapy.

I provide therapy to individuals, families, and groups, and I supervise clinicians and teams.

I have worked in a range of clinical settings, from university counselling services to inpatient mental health units. Most recently, I worked for ten years at the Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Auckland City Hospital.

Awards:

• Auckland DHB Health Excellence Awards – Finalist (2016)
• Auckland DHB Allied Health Scientific and Technical Award for the Mental Health Directorate (2016)

And not related to my professional background, but most importantly in my life, I am the father of a wonderful 20-year-old young woman.