Graeme McCartney

Graeme provides individual counselling and psychotherapy for adult men and women.

Graeme also provides clinical supervision.

Counselling can help you to identify your set ways of reacting to particular situations, and help you to change your responses to a particular problem.

Psychotherapy is a process that can help to resolve more entrenched problems. These deeper problems often have their roots in childhood and/or traumatic experiences. In the process of psychotherapy, one becomes more aware of the significance of their relationship with the therapist as it develops over time, and can then use this awareness to help them make changes.

Graeme is experienced in working with:

• anxiety/depression
• self-esteem/self-image
• trauma
• grief and loss
• shame/guilt
• addictions, alcohol, drug and other addictions
• alcohol and drug assessments
• anger management
• existential issues, Who am I? What does my life mean?

What can one expect from psychotherapy or counselling?

One can reasonably expect to have a clearer sense of what is causing problems or concerns in life and to have a broader range of options to choose from. Metaphorically, this can be seen as a process of illumination.

Both psychotherapy and counselling are talking therapies and involve a two way dialogue and a relationship in which we both commit to working together in order to further the process of understanding and insight.

Out of this process it is possible to know and understand yourself in a deeper way and situations that previously caused considerable distress, may be taken more easily in stride and lived with more comfortably.

Who can benefit from psychotherapy or counselling?

• Anyone who may be feeling stuck with a particular problem or experience and who would like to have some assistance in problem solving or identifying alternative responses to what has become problematic.
• Anyone who would like to gain a different perspective and come to view life and themselves through a different lens.
• Anyone who has a desire to understand their unique way of seeing the world and how they react/respond to life, and who would like to become more self-aware.
• Anyone who may be experiencing concern about how they see/experience themselves or the world in general, and who would like to gain a deeper and clearer understanding of themselves.

Style of working

I am a Gestalt trained psychotherapist. I believe that we have the ability to find meaning for ourselves through experiencing connections with others and that Psychotherapy can assist people in deepening their awareness of their unique ways of relating with others. Sometimes we can get caught up in trying to be someone, or something that we are not. The therapeutic alliance can help to identify how this comes about and can help us to become more fully who we really are.

I am experienced in a number of counselling techniques and styles, and I can adapt to your particular needs or requirements. We will negotiate a contract together at the beginning of our work and we can re-negotiate this contract at any time. I will often take a family and relationship history during our first session together. There will be time during our first session for you to also ask questions of me, this may assist you in deciding whether or not you think that we can work together. I will also give you honest feedback about whether or not I think I am the best match for you.

About Graeme

Graeme McCartney has a private practice in Wellington City, Levin and Palmerston North, and is a Gestalt psychotherapist; he has 15 years’ experience as a counsellor, psychotherapist, and as an alcohol and drug practitioner. Prior to this Graeme worked in the mental health field for 8 years.

Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision will provide checks and balances for your work. It provides oversight to be sure you are providing effective, ethical and legal services to clients. Supervision will also support you into reflecting on, and developing your professional practice.