Frequently Asked Questions

What are the session fees?

For individual therapy, each session is $205 (50 mins). Psychology is a significant investment, however the skills, processes and techniques that you learn are lifelong and versatile.

What is a Registered Psychologist?

A Registered Psychologist in New Zealand has successfully completed extensive formal academic studies, training and practical experience. They are trained to use scientific measures in their practice. A New Zealand Registered Psychologist must be registered with The New Zealand Psychologists’ Board. Registered Psychologists have undertaken both academic and practical psychology training, usually for 6 to 8 years. They provide talking therapy. They do not and cannot prescribe drugs.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors who have undertaken further academic and practical study in mental illness. They are trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They can also prescribe drugs.

Psychologists help people to understand how their experiences and personality contribute to their beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and values about themselves, others and the world in general. Psychologists help people to become aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and their impact on how they live their lives. They can be trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

What is psychological therapy?

Psychological therapy is a two way process between the client and the psychologist. The initial session is about understanding your current situation and discussing and agreeing on individual treatment areas with your therapist. Before your first appointment it can be helpful for you to think about your expectations from therapy and raise any concerns that you have with your therapist.

Research shows that therapy works best when you attend regularly, are motivated and give some thought to what you want to discuss during each session. You will be asked to practice processes, skills and strategies discussed in session at home, work and when socialising. Practicing these skills allows you to get more out of therapy.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

ACT is considered a ‘third wave’ in behavioural and cognitive therapy. ACT is based on Relational Frame Theory which in the most basic way of explaining is the relationship to the thoughts and emotion and not just the content of thought.

The research within RFT suggests that many of the tools we use to solve problems lead us into traps that create suffering. One of the biggest of those traps is the human mind itself and our ability as humans to use language.

The aim of ACT is to increase psychological flexibility. ACT is a psychological intervention that is based around a set of methods or processes that are focused on a model called psychological flexibility. In normal, everyday language, this means moving towards what matters most to us rather than reacting to short-term, transient, impermanent thoughts and feelings.

What is Schema Therapy?

Schema Therapy is an integrative therapy approach for people who are experiencing more longstanding interpersonal difficulties. Schema therapy includes elements of cognitive, behavioural, gestalt and object relations therapy. The emphasis of schema therapy is on recognising, managing and healing patterns in our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and memories that stem from consistently unmet emotional needs. These enduring patterns are called Early Maladaptive Schemas and often develop in early childhood.

We all have schemas but the degree to which they impact on our functioning and quality of life varies. Therapy focuses on the identification of schemas and the schema modes we develop unconsciously to cope with them. The therapeutic relationship is hugely important in schema therapy. Between the relationship and an array of experiential processes the aim is to build our ‘healthy adult’ through healing the ‘inner child’.

How long does therapy last?

A clinical session is 50 minutes. Each person is unique, therefore the amount of sessions for each person will differ.

I can provide shorter-term, goal-oriented therapy that can range from 6-12 sessions or longer depending on treatment modality choice.

How many sessions will I need?

The amount of sessions needed will depend entirely on individual circumstances and treatment modality choice. Therapy can be most effective when it is regular and consistent, particularly when first beginning the process. Typically, sessions can occur weekly or fortnightly to start with, and then decrease in frequency. We will assess your needs and situation, and decide together on what will work best for you.

What does your therapy space look like?

All of the images on my website are of my therapy space. People often tell me that when they walk in, they feel immediately safe and at ease. I have consciously created a space that is filled with natural light, gentle decor, comfortable chairs and lots of plants.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is about getting to know each other and for me to learn about you and your world. It is also an opportunity for you to familiarise yourself with me, the space and the therapy process, and decide whether we will be a good fit for each other. It is important that you feel my approach to therapy is suited to your individual needs. Therapy is most effective if you feel there is a good fit between us, an alignment in values and a sense of safety in the therapy space.

Do I need a referral?

No, I accept self-referrals, referrals from GPs, psychiatrists and other professionals.

Can I contact you after hours?

I am unavailable after opening hours as I am not an emergency service. If you require immediate support, please contact emergency services or after hours counselling services such as:

Auckland Crisis Team: 09 487 1414 – North Shore 0800 800 717 – Auckland Central 09 261 3700 – South Auckland

Phone numbers are subject to change. If you are concerned about someone and the number you are calling is not working, call 1737 and ask to be put through to the crisis team in your area. For more crisis numbers, click here for Resources.

Is my information private and confidential?

From the moment you first make contact with me, everything you share within your therapy sessions is confidential. I will not confirm whether you are even attending therapy with me, unless you provide written consent to me that we are able to share this information with another specific person. The exception to this is if I become concerned about your safety or someone else's safety, requiring me to take steps to ensure that ethical Duty of Care is covered. As I work from a collaborative approach, wherever possible and appropriate, these steps will always be discussed in collaboration with you prior to taking action.

How do I book?

You can email me on laura@laurabraidpsychology, call me on 021 733 953 or follow through to the contact page or complete the online form. Get in touch

Terms and Conditions

An invoice will sent to via email after your session. Please make full payment on the day of your individual session.

Please note that a missed appointment or late cancellation (within 24hrs of your scheduled appointment) will incur a full session fee.

Social Media

My social media pages are for general information and social media purposes only.

I respectfully advise you that I am unable to offer or respond to any requests for personal psychological advice. Any techniques, strategies or processes described may not be right for you personally. My social media pages DO NOT constitute therapy, treatment, or the establishment of a psychologist-client relationship between you and I.

Please don’t post personal information on these social media pages as they are not a confidential forum nor are we engaged in a consented therapeutic relationship. If you would like to make a request for an appointment, please contact me via my website, email or by calling me. If you leave a request for me to call you back, please indicate in your message to me how you would like me to identify myself when I call you.

Thank you very much for your understanding of these requests and I hope you enjoy my social media feeds.