Psychological therapy
I’m Dr Carien Lubbe, a Registered Psychologist with extensive experience supporting individuals through periods of distress, change and uncertainty.
Therapy can provide a space to understand what is happening, make sense of patterns that may be contributing to distress, and develop more effective ways of responding. My approach is integrative and evidence-informed, drawing on established psychological therapies alongside a nervous-system-informed perspective.
Individual therapy
People come to therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a clear problem that has become difficult to manage. At other times, you may simply know that something isn't working anymore, or that you want to understand yourself and your experiences differently.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin.
Some of the concerns I commonly support people with include:
Anxiety, stress and overwhelm
Therapy can support people experiencing persistent worry, anxiety, panic, emotional overwhelm, difficulty switching off, or feeling as though they are constantly trying to keep up.
We can work towards understanding what is maintaining the anxiety or stress response and develop practical and sustainable ways of responding.
Burnout and life transitions
Periods of significant change can challenge our usual ways of coping. This might include changes in work, relationships, family circumstances, migration, identity, loss or other major life transitions.
Therapy can help you make sense of what has changed, reconnect with what matters to you, and consider what you need going forward.
Emotional regulation
You may find yourself experiencing emotions more intensely than you'd like, struggling with boundaries, becoming caught in recurring relationship patterns, or finding it difficult to stay connected to yourself and others when things become challenging.
Therapy can help you understand these patterns and develop different ways of responding.
Trauma and difficult experiences
Past or more recent experiences can continue to influence how we feel, think, respond and relate to others.
Therapy can provide a safe and collaborative space to understand these experiences and their ongoing impact, while developing greater capacity to respond to what is happening in the present.
When you feel stuck
Not everyone arrives with a diagnosis or a clearly defined problem.
Sometimes the experience is simply: I don't feel like myself anymore, I keep getting stuck in the same patterns, or I know something needs to change, but I don't know where to start.
Therapy can be a place to begin making sense of that.
How I work
Integrative and evidence-informed
I don't believe that one therapeutic approach is right for everyone. My work is integrative, drawing on a range of established psychological approaches and adapting therapy according to your needs, goals, circumstances and preferences.
My training and clinical experience include approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Experiencing® (SE), BWRT® and EMDR.
The aim is not to fit you into a particular therapy, but to use appropriate therapeutic approaches to support the work we are doing together.
Nervous-system-informed
I am particularly interested in the relationship between psychological experience, the body and our responses to stress.
Alongside talking and cognitive approaches, therapy may sometimes include attention to bodily sensations, patterns of activation, emotional regulation, present-moment awareness and developing greater awareness of what is happening within you.
This doesn't mean that every session involves somatic work. Rather, it is one part of an integrative psychological approach that can be drawn on when it is useful
What therapy is like
Therapy is a collaborative process, and it can take time to understand what is really going on.
In our early sessions, we will explore what has brought you to therapy, relevant aspects of your history and current circumstances, and what you would like to be different. Together, we can develop an understanding of the difficulties you are experiencing and identify meaningful goals for therapy. From there, we work collaboratively and review progress along the way.
You don't need to know exactly what you need before your first appointment. And therapy isn't always immediately comfortable. Sometimes beginning to notice patterns, emotions or experiences that have previously been avoided can feel difficult. Developing new ways of responding can also take time.
The therapeutic relationship matters. I aim to provide a space that is respectful, collaborative and appropriately challenging — where you can develop greater understanding, choice and agency.
Appointments
Private psychological therapy
Private appointments are my primary service. Appointments are 50 minutes and are available in person in Tauranga or online. The standard fee is $205 per session.
If you're considering therapy and aren't sure whether it's the right fit, you're welcome to get in touch before booking.
Therapy Intensives
For some people, a more concentrated period of therapeutic work can be useful. Therapy intensives provide additional time to focus on a particular concern or therapeutic goal within a structured psychological framework.
A therapy intensive is a deep dive into the inner world of your psyche, scheduled in 2-hour sessions, on a single day or across multiple days. The benefit is that it condenses treatment into a shorter time frame, as you are not spending 5-10 minutes checking in at the beginning or focusing on crises or general chit-chat.
An intensive focus allows you to fully immerse yourself into the therapy experience, which then allows you to better understand yourself, where you feel stuck in your life and relationships, and make more significant progress because of the extended time focused on a specific concern.
Other ways to fund therapy
EAP
I also work with several Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providers, offering focused, confidential psychological support for work-related and personal concerns.
EAP providers I currently work with:
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Clearhead
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Vitae
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OCP
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Instep / Habit Health
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Gumboot Friday
If you are accessing therapy through an EAP provider, you can arrange an appointment through your provider's booking system. Depending on the provider and referral requirements, you may also contact me directly to discuss an appointment.
View my Clearhead profile
View my Vitae profile
View my Gumboot profile (18-25 year olds)
Book through OCP
Learn about Instep/ Habit Health
EAP sessions are subject to the arrangements and number of sessions approved by your EAP provider.
ACC Sensitive Claims
(not accepting new clients)
I provide psychological therapy for clients accessing support through an eligible ACC Sensitive Claim.
If you are considering an ACC claim or have an existing claim, please get in touch to discuss whether this service is appropriate for your circumstances.
FAQs
What is psychological therapy like?
Psychological therapy is a collaborative and individualised process. There is no one way that therapy should look or feel — it depends on what brings you, what you hope for, and the relationship we develop together.
Sessions are usually 45–50 minutes, unless we have arranged otherwise. Under most circumstances, I meet with people weekly. We will talk, reflect, notice patterns, explore what is happening for you, and make space for the things that may be harder to put into words.
My approach is nervous-system-informed, which means I am interested not only in what you think and talk about, but also in what you notice in your body, your emotions, your impulses, and your responses. We may pause during a session to notice what is happening in the moment, rather than simply talking about it. This gives us space to slow things down, connect with your experience, and allow new understanding to emerge.
Sessions are meant to be easy on the nervous system. The aim isn't to push through or overwhelm yourself in the name of therapy. Instead, we work at a pace that allows you to stay present, curious and connected — even when we are exploring things that are difficult.
Over time, therapy can become a space to understand yourself and your experiences differently, regain strength and a sense of agency, revisit choices, change patterns that no longer serve you, and explore where to go next.
For many people, reaching out for support is one of the scariest but bravest things they will ever do. Setting the appointment and walking through the door can be daunting. You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. You just need to be willing to start somewhere.
What can I expect in my first session?
The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and for you to get a sense of what it might be like to work together. It is also a chance to arrive and settle into the space — there is no need to rush straight into the difficult stuff.
You might be wondering where to park, where to sit, what to say, or whether you will even like your therapist. All of that is part of starting therapy.
When you arrive, we will take a moment to get settled and orient to the space. I will share a little about myself and how I work, and you can ask any questions you have. Then we will begin with what has brought you to therapy.
I will be interested in what was happening when you first decided to make an appointment, what has happened since, and whether things have changed, improved, or become more difficult. From there, I will gather some background information to help me understand the bigger picture.
Together, we will begin making sense of what might be going on and what could be helpful. Depending on what brings you to therapy, we may also try a simple strategy or exercise in the first session — something practical that you can take away with you.
There is no expectation that you will tell me your whole story in the first session. We will go at a pace that feels manageable, and work out together where to go from there.
Do I need to do work between sessions?
Many people find that reflecting on sessions, noticing patterns, or making small changes between appointments supports the therapy process. This is discussed collaboratively and at your pace.
You may also find it helpful to document your process in whatever way suits you — a journal, photographs, notes, drawings, questions, or simply a place to capture what you are noticing. Be curious about what is different, what you are learning, and what stays with you between sessions.
This is your confidential space to reflect on your development and the changes you are making.
Can therapy feel uncomfortable at times?
Yes. Therapy can involve exploring difficult emotions, experiences, relationships, or patterns that may be uncomfortable to face.
The aim is not to avoid discomfort altogether, but neither is therapy about pushing you beyond what you can manage. We pay attention to what your nervous system can tolerate and work at a pace that allows difficult experiences to be explored with care and support.
Sometimes meaningful change begins with being able to stay present with something that previously felt too difficult to face.
How long does psychological therapy take?
Therapy does not follow a fixed timeline. The length and focus of therapy depend on your goals, circumstances, what you are working through, and how things evolve over time.
Some people benefit from a relatively focused period of therapy, while others choose to work together for longer. We can review your progress along the way and make decisions about what you need next.
How can I support myself during therapy?
Therapy is one part of the process. The way you care for yourself between sessions can also make a difference.
Rest, nourishment, movement, time in nature, meaningful activities, supportive relationships, and moments of reflection can all help create the conditions for your nervous system and emotional health to recover and develop.
You may also find it helpful to read: How to Maintain Your Emotional Health After Therapy.
Explore my approach
If you'd like to understand more about the way I work, you may find these articles helpful:
Easing Anxiety Through Somatic Therapy: When the Body Speaks First
Exploring how attention to bodily experience can complement psychological approaches when working with anxiety.
Beyond Talk: Why Somatic Therapy Works
An introduction to the role of body-based approaches within an integrative understanding of psychological therapy.
How Do I Integrate Somatic Experiencing® Into My Practice?
A more detailed look at how I integrate Somatic Experiencing into my work as a psychologist.
Ready to take the next step?
New to Emotional Health?
If you're considering psychological therapy and would like to explore whether working together might be a good fit, you can book an appointment or get in touch.
If you're not sure where to start, you're welcome to get in touch before booking. I offer a brief, complimentary phone conversation to answer any initial questions and help you decide whether working together feels like the right next step.