Shannae Kean

Kia ora, I’m Shannae Kean I’m a registered psychologist based in Christchurch, New Zealand, with a Master of Science in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology. With over a decade of experience, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals and families through various mental health and life challenges.

I’ve worked across multiple settings, including education, mental health, and physical health, most recently serving as the inpatient psychologist at the Child Haematology and Oncology Centre (CHOC) within Christchurch Hospital.

I am deeply passionate about creating a safe, nurturing space for you to explore your thoughts and emotions. Whether you’re navigating grief, dealing with anxiety or trauma, or seeking support for tamariki and/or whānau (children and families), I’m here to walk alongside you on your journey.

Some Areas of Focus:

• Grief Support (including child and parent loss)
• Anxiety & Stress Management
• Depression & Mood Disorders
• Trauma & PTSD
• Sleep Difficulties
• Parenting Support
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (under 21 years)
• Trichotillomania (under 21 years)
• ADHD Assessments (7-21 years)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessments (under 21 years)
• Child, Family, and Adolescent Psychology

My Therapeutic Approach:

My approach is integrative, meaning I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to best support your unique needs. I believe that every person is different, and so your treatment plan will be tailored to suit you. Some of the modalities I commonly use include:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Exposure Therapy
• Exposure and Response Prevention (for OCD)

What to Expect in Therapy:

From the moment you arrive, you will be greeted with warmth and kindness. I believe that building a strong therapeutic relationship begins with creating a comfortable and supportive environment. You can expect to be welcomed with a smile and a hot drink as we start our work together. I specialize in working with both children and families, as well as rangatahi (youth) up to the age of 25. I have experience supporting adults with grief, including, but not limited to, child loss. My clinic in Merivale, Christchurch, offers a peaceful, welcoming space with a relaxing waiting area for parents or loved ones dropping someone off for support.

Contact Information:

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email at [email protected]. I understand that finding the right psychologist can feel challenging, and I usually recommend one initial session to see if we are a good fit before committing to further sessions.