My name is Natasha Pomeroy and I’m a Registered Clinical Psychologist now working in Christchurch.
I am married and have a wonderful, active, curious and determined 8-year old boy. We moved back to Christchurch in 2021 (where I grew-up) to be closer to family. I have really been enjoying relearning this beautiful and vibrant city.
I absolutely love helping people through difficult and tough times- helping them learn about the things that are really important to them, and then helping them to understand and manage their emotions and behaviours so they are more free to live the life that they want!
My Training
I obtained my undergraduate and Masters Psychology Degree's from Otago University (which I loved!), and completed my Clinical Psychology training at Massey University (completed at end of 2006).
My Experience
I've been working as a Clinical Psychologist since 2007, both in Greater Wellington, in London, and now in Christchurch. During this time I have worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Wellington, Porirua, and in London in which I tended to specialise in the adolescent population, and often with the most severe and risky issues. I've also worked as the Consultant Psychologist in the Chronic Fatigue Unit in London with adults. More recently I've worked with ACC clients who have chronic pain, concussions, or emotional/psychological difficulties after an accident or injury, helping them recover and rehabilitate.
In my private practice (which I have been doing since 2013 with a break for maternity leave) I have seen children, teenagers, and adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm behaviours, unresolved grief, chronic health conditions, mild or emerging eating disorders, stress, and people just wanting some clarity and help in figuring out how to move forward in their life. Approximately half my clients are teenagers and half are adults.
My Approach
More than anything I have learnt that the rapport and relationship that we develop is crucial to how successful the therapy will be. My focus at the start therefore is on getting to know you as a person. I am genuinely interested and curious in figuring out your personality, your strengths, as well as the problems that you are going through.
In order to help you with these difficulties, I tend to use a variety of different techniques and approaches (CBT, ACT, & DBT) that are all evidence-based. I combine them together in the best way for you as a person and for your unique situation. I will often give practice tasks for you to focus on throughout the week. These will come from our session and are aimed at helping you learn new strategies in your actual life (as opposed to just in the therapy room).