About Change it Psychology - Auckland

Change it energizing psychology was formed in 2007 by Dr. Mary Grogan, a clinical psychologist who wanted to create a professional, effective but relaxed practice in central Auckland.

Mary has been very fortunate to welcome experienced clinical psychologists into the practice including Dr. Elizabeth Du Preez. and Dr. Jackie Feather.


About Dr Mary Grogan
Dr Mary Grogan, Clinical Psychologist
Qualifications and experience assuring you of safe accountable practice

Mary has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Auckland. She has worked for the last 5 years in the public and private sectors of mental health as a clinical psychologist, working with individuals and running groups.

She is also involved in working towards greater access to evidence-based talking therapies across the mental health and addiction sector at Te Pou, New Zealand's national centre of mental health research, information and workforce development.

Expert roles
Mary has been a tutor for the University of Auckland where she taught "The science of happiness" in 2008. This course explored the science of happiness from the relatively new field of positive psychology which focuses on strengths and well-being. This course will run again in early 2010.

Mary currently writes feature articles and columns for MiNDFOOD magazine, you can read her blog or feature articles on forgiveness, emotional intelligence and why diets fail.

Mary was the NZ Women's Health magazine Stress Less expert in 2008-2009 and been interviewed frequently on radio providing strategies to improve work-life balance and have less stress in life.

Therapy Training
Mary has trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression (MBCT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and positive psychology.

Membership and conferences
Mary is a member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists, and a founding member of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Mary has presented research at psychology conferences in Auckland (New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists Annual Conference) and Berlin (International Neuropsychological Society Annual Conference.) She also participated in the Vivien Smith Advanced Institute of the International Neuropsychological Society in Greece.
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About Dr. Elizabeth Du Preez
Dr. Elizabeth Du Preez, Clinical Psychologist, Change it Psychology
Qualifications and experience assuring you of safe accountable practice
Elizabeth has a doctorate in psychology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She has worked for the last 15 years in the tertiary education and private sectors of mental health as a counselling and clinical psychologist, working with individuals, couples, families and groups, as well as training psychology students on postgraduate level.

Expert roles

Elizabeth has been a lecturer at the University of Pretoria for 10 years where she taught family and narrative therapy 1999-2009. These courses explored ways in which therapists could make a difference in clients’ lives by looking at interpersonal dynamics, co-creating solution focused strategies and practicing mindfulness.

She has also had a private practice for the past 10 years, working with individuals struggling with disordered eating patterns, relationship therapy, depression and anxiety.

Elizabeth is currently a senior lecturer at the psychology dept at AUT, teaching and supervising on the postgraduate programmes in counselling psychology. She is also a family therapy supervisor at Kari Centre (ADHB).

Therapy Training
Elizabeth has trained in couples, family and group therapy as well as solution focussed narrative therapy.

Membership and conferences
Elizabeth is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society and the NZ representative of an ongoing international research project between NZ, Sweden and South Africa that explores the relationship between personality, coping and resilience in police populations. She has published in this field and will be presenting some of her findings in Sweden in October 2010.
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About Dr. Jackie Feather
Dr Jackie Feather
Jackie joined Change it in February 2010.  She is a registered clinical psychologist who works in the practice on Tuesday mornings. Jackie is married with three children in their 20s.  She can help with everyday problems and life transitions through to more complex problems such as resolving the effects of traumatic experiences.

Qualifications and experience assuring you of safe accountable practice
Jackie has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Massey University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Auckland.  She has worked as a therapist, psychologist and supervisor for over 20 years in community and public sectors of mental health with all age groups from children through to older adults.

Expert roles
Jackie worked for 12 years in a specialist child abuse team that provided assessment and therapy for children, adolescents and their families. She has also worked in adult mental health providing therapy for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress and other mental health difficulties. 

In 2008, Jackie received First Prize in the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Research Awards.  She has published a number of articles in academic journals and is the senior author of a book being published in May 2010: Cognitive behavioural therapy for child trauma and abuse: A step by step approach.
Jackie has taught Psychology at CQ University, Australia and is currently a senior lecturer in the postgraduate programme in Counselling Psychology at AUT University.

Therapy training
Jackie has trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including mindfulness and compassion-focused approaches.  She has particular expertise in trauma-focused CBT for resolving past trauma and creating a new future.  She has also trained in couple and family therapy.

Membership and conferences
Jackie is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society and is a founding member of the Aotearoa/New Zealand Association for Cognitive Behavioural Therapists.  She has presented conference papers and workshops in New Zealand, Australia and London based on her research on trauma-focused CBT.
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