Dr Mary Miller

When you’re stressed you’ll rely on the coping tools you have available… and for many of us our coping tool box may only include sucking it up and pushing on.

I specialise in responding to the strains from modern life – for a range of issues including life and career changes, stress, burnout, anxiety, sleep disturbance, low self-esteem, low mood and worry. I have noticed that those in positions of responsibility and leadership tend to be very hard on themselves and have a strong drive to achieve. While this may have given you recognition and success, these traits often come at a cost. 

Sometimes we might feel stuck or isolated, there may be an area in life which is causing us distress, or an event happens that upsets our sense of equilibrium. Having the time and space to talk about our difficulties can help us to find new perspectives and I use a compassion-based framework to explore the issue, to help you learn skills so that you can get on with the things in life that matter to you. 

I place an emphasis on working collaboratively in an empowering manner using evidence-based treatments where we can work together to create positive change. I have a special interest in Compassion based approaches and draw on a range of therapeutic models including Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness based approaches and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). My honours degree in Human Biology allows me to bring a strong understanding of physiological processes and how these interact with mental wellbeing.

I currently work in private general clinical practice, as well as running mental wellbeing training and coaching for individuals, businesses and organisations (www.mindtherapy.co.nz). I previously worked at Auckland District Health Board (ADHB), and lectured at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). My latest work – Fierce Compassion (www.fiercecompassion.me) is breaking new ground in leadership development.

I work in a professional, warm, and non-judgemental way according to your goals and needs to help you to lead a fulfilling and purposeful life.