psychologist clinical psychologist assessment EMDR ADHD ASD counselling

Address: 16 Byron Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand

Melanie Prinsloo - registered clinical psychologist

About Melanie Prinsloo — Senior Clinical Psychologist

Melanie Prinsloo is a senior Clinical Psychologist registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Aphra). She is a full member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP), Consultant-in-Training and Board Member of EMDRNZ. She brings over 16 years of clinical experience to her work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, and is a trusted provider of psychology services in Auckland.

Extensive International and Local Experience

Melanie began her career in South Africa—often referred to as the “rainbow nation”—where she worked across diverse clinical settings, including private practice, a trauma centre, and multiple public health departments. From 2010 to 2016, she gained significant experience supporting individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds through both assessment and therapy. After relocating to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2016, Melanie worked within the Department of Corrections in both prison and community probation settings, broadening her expertise in complex clinical presentations. She later joined a well-established private practice in Auckland and contributed to the Counties Manukau Matariki Service, providing specialist ADHD and ASD assessments for children and teenagers.

Founder of Thrive Psychology Centre

In 2021, Melanie founded Thrive Psychology Centre in Takapuna. Her aim was to create a warm, purpose-designed space where clients can safely explore their experiences, deepen self-understanding, and work toward meaningful personal growth.

A Culturally Responsive Practitioner

Fluent in English and Afrikaans, Melanie is actively developing her competency in te reo Māori and is committed to practising in a way that honours Māori and Pasifika values, whānau structures, and cultural perspectives. She considers it both a privilege and a professional responsibility to work respectfully with clients from all cultural backgrounds.

Therapeutic Approach and Specialist Training

Melanie works from an ecosystemic and integrative perspective, drawing on:

EMDR therapy (her primary area of specialty)
Ego-State Therapy / Parts work
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Schema Therapy
Family therapy principles

She is an Accredited EMDR Practitioner and Consultant-in-Training with EMDRNZ, having completed EMDR Levels 1 and 2, along with extensive advanced training. More recently, Melanie has been appointed as a member of the EMDRNZ Board. She has trained with leading international experts such as Arianne Struik, Dr Roger Solomon, Robin Shapiro, Astrid Katzur, Delores Mosquera, and Dr Phil Manfield. A professional highlight has been attending Dr Roger Solomon’s international masterclasses on complex trauma, structural dissociation, and grief and loss. More recently, Melanie also obtained EMDR member status with EMDRAA.

Trauma Expertise and ACC Provider

Melanie is an accredited provider with ACC Sensitive Claims and Psychological Services via Active-Plus. She specialises in treating trauma, including PTSD, Complex PTSD, dissociation, and the effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and family violence. She is experienced in working across the full dissociative spectrum and tailors therapy carefully to each client’s pace and needs.

Clinical Interests and Assessment Expertise

Melanie has strong clinical interests in:

ADHD and Autism
Trauma (PTSD, C-PTSD, Dissociative Disorders)
Anxiety disorders (including social anxiety, health anxiety, phobias)
OCD and intrusive thoughts
Depression and bipolar disorder
Eating disorders
Relationship and adjustment difficulties
Addiction
Bereavement and loss

Her assessment expertise includes comprehensive evaluations for:

ADHD (children, adolescents, adults)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — trained through Vanderbilt Kennedy University (USA) and Clinique Spectrum (Canada)
PTSD, Complex PTSD, and dissociation

Professional Supervision

Melanie provides clinical supervision to both early-career and senior psychologists, supporting their development, reflective practice, and clinical excellence. As an EMDRNZ Consultant-in-Training, she also provides case consultation to practitioners embarking on their training in EMDR.

Availability and Professional Development

Due to the complexity of her caseload, Melanie has limited capacity for new clients or supervisees. however, expressions of interest can be submitted by emailing admin@thrivepsychologycentre.com.

Melanie is committed to lifelong learning and regularly attends seminars, workshops, and advanced training to ensure her practice remains aligned with current research and evidence-based approaches. She continues to deepen her expertise in EMDR therapy, complex trauma, and dissociative processes.

DR ARAMIS DENNAN - REGISTERED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Aramis is an experienced, registered senior Clinical Psychologist and full member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP). Born and raised on Auckland’s North Shore, he brings a grounded, relational approach to supporting clients across the lifespan. He has extensive experience in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and the development of individualised treatment plans for a wide range of mental health concerns.

Aramis works therapeutically with clients experiencing difficulties related to control, uncertainty, and anxiety. He has particular expertise in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and a range of anxiety disorders. He is also highly skilled in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders, drawing on neuropsychological tools and specialised clinical interviewing and observation techniques.

With a background spanning both public and private sectors, Aramis integrates multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). He is also passionate about group work and has experience designing and facilitating evidence-based programmes for parents and young people.

Aramis takes a dialogical, relationally focused approach, prioritising strong therapeutic connections and meaningful collaboration. He works alongside clients—and when appropriate, their families—to help them create lasting, values-aligned change. His style is warm, practical, and grounded in the belief that therapy should feel like a supportive partnership.

Aramis enjoys helping people move toward the lives they want to lead and is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care in every stage of the therapeutic process.

BIANCA DURAND - Registered COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST

Bianca Durand is a Counselling Psychologist registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB). She is a full member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) and EMDR NZ, the New Zealand Association for EMDR Therapists. With over ten years of experience, Bianca works with children, adolescents, adults, families, and individuals across a range of settings, supporting them to build resilience, strengthen emotional wellbeing, and access their inner resources.

From 2016 to 2020, Bianca worked extensively within educational settings in South Africa, including primary, intermediate, and high schools, as well as universities. During this time, she provided individual and group therapy, facilitated workshops focused on learning skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, leadership, and resilience, and conducted educational and emotional assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults. This work allowed her to develop a strong foundation in understanding developmental needs, learning profiles, and the emotional challenges faced across different life stages.

In November 2020, Bianca and her husband relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand. Following this transition, she worked at the Ministry of Education, supporting schools across the North Shore. Her role involved conducting assessments, providing consultation and training to teachers, and contributing to the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to support students with diverse learning and emotional needs. In March 2022, Bianca moved into private practice at Thrive Psychology Centre, where she continues to work with clients in a therapeutic setting that prioritises safety, collaboration, and meaningful change.

Bianca places strong emphasis on creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, understood, and valued. She is committed to building genuine, open, and authentic therapeutic relationships, allowing clients to explore their experiences at their own pace while feeling supported and respected. Her approach is holistic and tailored, taking into account each client’s unique context, strengths, and level of functioning. She draws on evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and Ego-state therapy to meet individual needs.

Bianca has a particular interest and advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She has completed EMDR Level 1 and Level 2 training through EMDR Australia in March 2023 and continues to develop her skills through ongoing professional learning and supervision. Her EMDR work is informed by training with leading clinicians such as Dr Roger Solomon and Ana Gomez, with a focus on trauma, structural dissociation, grief and loss, and EMDR therapy with children.

In addition to her therapeutic work, Bianca has received international training through Hogrefe UK and Clinique Spectrum in Canada in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She also works with individuals and families navigating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), providing assessment-informed support and intervention.

Bianca supports clients presenting with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety (such as social, performance, and health anxiety), depression, trauma (including PTSD, complex trauma, and dissociation), grief and loss, relationship difficulties, adjustment to major life changes, stress, burnout, and challenges related to self-care. She is passionate about helping clients develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience, and to move through life’s challenges with increased confidence and emotional flexibility.

Areas of Interest

Working with children, adolescents, and adults
Anxiety (social, performance, health, separation, phobias)
Depression
Trauma and dissociation
Loss, grief, and bereavement
Adjustment to major life changes
Stress, burnout, and self-care
Relationship difficulties
Mindfulness and self-acceptance
Developing personal strengths and resilience
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Qualifications

MA Counselling Psychology (Cum Laude), 2015 – University of the Free State
BA (Hons) Psychology (Cum Laude), 2013 – University of the Free State
BA (Hons) Industrial Psychology & Psychometry (B.Psig) (Cum Laude), 2012 – University of the Free State
BA Psychology (Cum Laude), 2011 – University of the Free State

Sulette Snyman - Registered Counsellor

EMDR Accredited Practitioner

About Sulette Snyman

Sulette Snyman is an experienced Registered Counsellor with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults and families with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and trauma-related difficulties. She completed a Master of Science in Psychology, focusing on Wellbeing and Mental Health through the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom, alongside postgraduate training in therapeutic play skills. Sulette brings a warm, grounded and collaborative approach to therapy. She places particular importance on creating a safe therapeutic space in which clients feel heard, respected and supported to work at a pace that feels manageable for them.

Extensive International and Local Experience

Sulette has worked across South Africa, the United Kingdom and Aotearoa New Zealand, giving her broad experience with clients from different backgrounds and across the lifespan. Her experience includes private practice, workplace and EAP counselling, fertility-related mental health support, neurofeedback and play-based therapy, and youth mental health and addiction services. In New Zealand, she has worked with clients experiencing mental health, trauma and alcohol and other drug-related difficulties, providing assessment, therapeutic intervention, emotional regulation support and collaborative care.

Therapeutic Approach and EMDR Experience

Sulette works integratively and tailors therapy according to each client's needs, circumstances and therapeutic goals. Her approaches include:

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Mindfulness-informed approaches
Play-based therapeutic approaches
Neurofeedback

Sulette has experience in EMDR therapy and has provided more than 1,300 EMDR therapy sessions over a three-year period. EMDR can be used to help clients process distressing or traumatic experiences that continue to influence their emotions, beliefs, relationships or responses in the present.

Trauma Therapy and ACC Sensitive Claims

Sulette has a particular interest in working with trauma and the ways in which difficult or overwhelming experiences can continue to affect emotional wellbeing, relationships, self-esteem and the nervous system. She also provides therapy through the ACC Sensitive Claims Service, including trauma-focused therapy and EMDR for clients accessing support following sexual trauma.

Children, Adolescents and Families

Sulette has extensive experience supporting children, adolescents and their families. Her postgraduate training in therapeutic play skills enables her to adapt therapy according to a child's developmental stage and to incorporate play-based strategies where appropriate. She has experience supporting young people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional dysregulation, behavioural difficulties, neurodevelopmental challenges, low self-esteem and family stressors. Where appropriate, Sulette works collaboratively with parents, caregivers, schools, GPs and other professionals to support the child or young person within the broader context of their family and environment.

Clinical Interests

Sulette works with clients experiencing a broad range of difficulties, including:

Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and phobias
Depression and low mood
Emotional dysregulation
Grief and loss
Relationship and family difficulties
Low self-esteem and confidence
Stress and burnout
Adjustment to significant life changes
Parenting difficulties
ADHD and neurodevelopmental difficulties
Workplace difficulties and compassion fatigue

Therapeutic Style

Sulette's therapeutic style is relational, strengths-based and trauma-informed. She aims to help clients not only reduce distress, but also develop greater emotional awareness, resilience, confidence and a stronger sense of safety within themselves and their relationships. She recognises that each person's experiences and circumstances are different and works collaboratively with clients to develop a therapeutic approach that is meaningful, practical and responsive to their individual goals.

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

MSc Psychology: Wellbeing and Mental Health – University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills / Play Therapy – Leeds Beckett University
BA (Hons) Pastoral Counselling
EMDRNZ Accredited Practitioner
Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)

Sulette offers therapy in person at Thrive Psychology Centre in Takapuna, Auckland, and online.