Vicky Ratcliffe

Kia ora koutou,

ko Vicky toku ingoa, my name is Vicky (she/her), and I whakapapa to Ngāpuhi on my maternal side with European ancestry on my paternal side. I am passionate about indigenous psychotherapy and recognise the significance of Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and Te Whare Tapa Whā (Māori healthcare model). I believe that integrating Māori concepts with Western psychotherapy practices offers whānau (family) and tamariki (children) a holistic and culturally-led therapeutic service.

I specialise in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, assisting tamariki who are facing emotional, behavioral, or social difficulties, as well as trauma. During our initial meetings with tamariki and their whānau, I collaboratively explore how we work together to support your cultural values and needs. I help whānau and rangatahi (adolescents) understand how unconscious processes/conflicts impact our thoughts, emotions and behaviours and how past experiences influence their present behaviour.

Meeting a therapist can feel intimidating for our little tamariki, so I encourage them to get to know me in the playroom. Tamariki naturally express themselves through play, as many cannot verbalise their feelings and thoughts the way adults do by talking.

My approach begins with whanaungatanga, which emphasises building trust, connections, and relationships with tamariki and their whānau. I work collaboratively to understand the challenges faced by the whānau and the internal world of the tamariki. I explore relational themes, identifying patterns and emotions associated with significant behaviors, fostering awareness.

My psychotherapeutic approach aims to strengthen whānau, improve the parent/caregiver-child relationship and the child’s relationships, build self-esteem, promote resilience, enhance cultural identity, and facilitate healing through change.

Who I help:

• Tamariki/Children
• Rangatahi/Adolescents
• Whānau/Family

What I can help with:

• anxiety
• depression
• grief and loss
• loneliness
• aggression
• trauma recovery
• developmental disorders
• gender or sexuality
• self-harm and suicidality
• self-esteem issues
• managing emotions

For any enquiries or if you would like to book an appointment, please get in touch with me via email: [email protected]