About Dr. Kelly Kerrisk

 
 


Kia ora, I'm Dr Kelly. I'm a Clinical Psychologist based in Auckland.

I have a particular passion in supporting parents, babies, and whanau through the perinatal period – from pre-conception, through pregnancy, and into the post-partum period and beyond. The perinatal period is a very important phase of life and I have a strong interest in supporting people to navigate through the struggles and challenges that may arise in this time to a place of thriving. Common issues I work with include ante/post-natal anxiety and depression, fertility issues and assisted conception, grief and perinatal loss, attachment difficulties, early relational health, adoption,and birth trauma, as well as struggles in the adjustment to parenthood. I am supportive of single parents, neurodivergent parents, health professionals,and am LBGTQI+ friendly.

I also work more broadly with people who are experiencing a range of challenges including breast cancer (diagnosis and/or inherited risk), depression, anxiety, burn-out, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), grief and adjustment, parenting and family issues, emotion regulation difficulties, and trauma, as well as those who may wish to come to therapy for more focused self-exploration and development.

I believe in tailoring my approach to the unique needs of each person and/or whanau, while considering the wider family, social, and cultural factors that may impact on their wellbeing. I work collaboratively with clients to support them in making sense of the challenges they are facing, working through 'stuck' points, identifying and strengthening resources and solutions, and achieving meaningful and sustained change.

I draw on a range of evidence -based assessment and therapy approaches including:

  • Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Attachment and parenting interventions

I have a background of working in a range of settings including Starship Hospital, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Perinatal Mental Health services, and within Breast Cancer Services. I also have experience in NGO settings providing counselling for young people, group facilitation, training, and family violence intervention.

I was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. Outside of work I am a proud māmā to two adventurous and lively children. I also love reading, cats, gardening, spending time with friends and family, and getting outside to the beach where me and my family can often be found swimming, surfing, and walking! 

Profession Qualifications and Accreditations
  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Auckland.
  • BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology.
  • Fully registered as a Clinical Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
  • Full member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP)
  • Member of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa (PADA)
  • Member of Infant Mental Health Association of Aotearoa NZ (IMHAANZ)
  • Member of the Association of Infant Mental Health UK (AIMH UK)
  • Member of Psychosocial Oncology New Zealand (PONZ)
  • I have also completed training in KIPS (Keys to Interactive Parenting) and additional specialist intensive training in Perinatal and Infant Mental Health through the Perinatal Training Centre.


Publications & Conference Presentations

Gibson, K., Cartwright, C., Kerrisk, K., Campbell, J., & Seymour, F. (2016). What young people want: A qualitative study of adolescents’ priorities for engagement across psychological services. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(4), 1057-1065.

Kerrisk, K. L. (2014). Narrative, Identity, and Meaning Making: Young People’s Experiences of Psychotherapy (Doctoral dissertation, ResearchSpace@ Auckland).

Kerrisk, K. (2013). Young people's experiences of Psychotherapy. Paper presented at the Society for Psychotherapy Research Conference, Brisbane, Australia. 

Kerrisk, K. (2013). Young people talk about their experiences of psychological services. Paper presented at the NZ Psychological Society Conference, Auckland, NZ.

Barker-Collo, S. L., Thomas, K., Riddick, E., & de Jager, A. (2011). A New Zealand regression formula for premorbid estimation using the National Adult Reading Test. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 40(2)

© Copyright Dr. Kelly Kerrisk - Clinical Psychologist