About Cherilyn…
MSc (systemic family therapy), BA (psychology and education), Registered Psychotherapist
My areas of interest and specialist experience are in working with adolescents and their families. I also enjoy helping couples with their communication and parenting.
I have over 25 years of experience working with adolescents and families, I am a trained Family Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist and a member of the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand holding a current Annual Practicing Certificate.
In 1994 I completed a BA degree in psychology and education at the University of Auckland. I then moved to Wellington and began working with children and families in a non-profit organisation. In 2005, while living in London, I completed an MSc in Systemic Family Therapy at the Institute of Psychiatry (King’s College London). As part of this training I had a placement at the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders Service at the Maudsley Hospital.
I spent 12 years working with the Youth Specialty Service at the Hutt Hospital’s Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health and Addiction Service (ICAFS), working with young people experiencing difficulties with depression, anxiety, stress, challenging behaviours, eating disorders, sleep issues, self harm, and in their relationships. I helped them to make changes and move ahead in strength and confidence. I also enjoy working with parents, both supporting them to assist their children in their recovery and addressing their own difficulties.
I am an accredited Dialectical Behavioural therapist (DBT) and was a member of the ICAFS DBT team for 10 years. DBT is a therapy that has proven to be very effective in helping people who struggle with fluctuating emotions, self-harming behaviours, and difficulties maintaining healthy relationships.