Sonja Bakker Psychology
Sonja Bakker
Clinical Psychologist
BA, MA, PGDipClinPsyc, FNZCCP
I am a clinical psychologist with 15 years’ experience working with adults, providing assessment and therapy, and working with other professionals providing supervision and training. I use the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach in working with clients and am trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). I am interested in using self-compassion techniques in my work.
I engage in regular professional development and supervision and draw on scientific research to ensure that I am providing effective and safe services. I am a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS), a group of professionals dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering and the advancement of human well-being through research and practice grounded in contextual behavioural science.
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship difficulties
Life and work stress
Adjustment/transition difficulties
Pain, injury and health problems
Work difficulties
Sleep problems
Grief and loss
What is a clinical psychologist?
How do I know that you are the right psychologist for me?
I am happy to have a telephone conversation with you (at no charge) to discuss what you are wanting help with and how I work, to assist you to decide if I am the right psychologist for you.
What is the cost to see you?
The cost for the first assessment session is $350. This takes 90-120 minutes and the fee includes writing a brief summary letter for the GP if required. The cost of subsequent treatment sessions is $190 per 50-minute appointment. Please enquire for the fee for sessions invoiced to third parties.
What about payment?
Payment is due on the day of the appointment (cash or online banking). Please note that a cancellation fee may be charged if the appointment is cancelled or changed within 1 business day of the appointment.
For some, there may be some financial assistance available through a MSD disability allowance. Please see if think you may be eligible for this.
What days can I make appointments with you?
I have appointments available 9am to 5pm by arrangement weekdays in Edgeware, Chch. I can provide appointments outside these times by telepsychology (in some circumstances).
What happens in the assessment?
This involves me asking you questions and you filling out questionnaires to help me understand what matters to you in your life (your values) and your patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour, and how these may be helping or hindering you moving towards your valued directions. You will be asked about your past history and your current functioning, across all areas of your life. Sometimes, with your permission, information will be requested from other sources, such as your GP, past therapists or a family member. This assessment assists with the development of an interim formulation, which is a summary of how your problems developed, are maintained and can be changed and an agreed treatment plan to guide the subsequent therapy that we do.
What happens in Acceptance & Commitment (ACT) Therapy?
My focus in providing ACT therapy with clients is twofold. It is, first of all, to help clients clarify what truly matters to them in life (their values) and to use this knowledge to guide them to set goals and take action to enrich their lives. Secondly, it is to teach clients the skills to handle painful thoughts and feelings so that they don’t get hooked by these and derailed from taking steps towards what truly matters to them.
Steven Hayes, on the ACBS website, provides a description of ACT. (More information…)
What about remote options (telepsychology)?
Yes, by negotiation. Although there are advantages in having face to face sessions, psychology input via electronic means can be helpful to enable access/continuity (such as when clients are away for work or during Covid-19 social distancing/self-isolation requirements). There can, however, be some disadvantages as well. I am considering new referrals for telepsychology, on a case by case basis, Please contact me if you would like to discuss this option.