From Academic Pursuit to Compassionate Practice |
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Wonita WoolhouseREGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
REGISTERED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ACC ACCREDITED (SENSITIVE CLAIMS) Professional Background and Experience
With over 25 years of dedicated experience in mental health, Wonita Woolhouse has a rich and diverse background in both Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy. Beginning her career in Forensics, Wonita has primarily focused on child and adolescent mental health, extending her expertise across New Zealand and the United Kingdom. |
Wonita has garnered specialist knowledge and qualifications in handling complex mental health issues, trauma, autistic spectrum, and other developmental disorders. Her journey in the field of mental health has seen her transition from a seasoned Occupational Therapist to a respected Psychotherapist, spending the last 8 years in private practice.
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Approach to Therapy
Wonita advanced her expertise by gaining a Master’s in Health Sciences, ensuring she stays at the forefront of emerging research, particularly in trauma work. Her dissertation was around addressing working therapeutically with the experience of self-disgust resulting from complex trauma. Wonita’s way of working is ethically grounded in respect (I'm OK; You're OK), transparency, and authenticity. She offers a confidential and supportive space for clients to explore and discuss their experiences and emotions. Understanding that reaching out to begin therapy can be daunting and discussing your options with Wonita may assist you in making the best decision for you. Qualifications and Accreditations
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Professional Memberships
Professional Memberships
- Occupational Therapy New Zealand – Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa (OTNZ-WNA)
- Psychotherapy Board of New Zealand (PBANZ)
- Transactional Analysis Association Aotearoa New Zealand (TAAANZ)
- New Zealand Psychotherapy Association (NZAP)
Academic Work
Co-authored the research paper:
S. Telfar, G.F.H. McLeod, H.E.T. Broad, B. Dhakal , W. Woolhouse, J. Henderson, S. Macfarlane, S. Tanveer, & J.M. Boden. (2023). Child abuse and neglect and mental health outcomes in adulthood by ethnicity: Findings from a 40-year longitudinal study in New Zealand/Aotearoa. Child Abuse & Neglect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106444
Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of the relationship between therapist and patient as a window into problematic relationship patterns in the patient’s life. Its goal is not only to alleviate the most obvious symptoms but to help people lead healthier lives.
“The American public has been told that only newer, symptom-focused treatments like cognitive behavior therapy or medication have scientific support,” said study author Jonathan Shedler, PhD, of the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. “The actual scientific evidence shows that psychodynamic therapy is highly effective. The benefits are at least as large as those of other psychotherapies, and they last.”
Integrating Theory and Practice
More recent academic and clinical development includes ascertaining best practice for working with autism and sexual violence trauma in the therapy room. Theorists who influence my academic and professional practice include:
Article: “The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy,” Jonathan K. Shedler, PhD, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine; American Psychologist, Vol. 65. No.2.
Psychotherapy in a nutshell is about influencing the neurological and evolutional mechanisms of early development – learning, unlearning and relearning - the social organs that are our brains that have adapted as a result of our lived experiences. As psychotherapists, we are striving ultimately to find ways that help our clients to overcome barriers to attaining flexible and balanced self-regulation. In the words of Cozolino (2002), “remember, from the perspective of neuroscience, psychotherapists are in the brain-rebuilding business”. The imprinting of the early interpersonal environment effectively shapes the child’s neural networks for how they see themselves and others in the world. These internal ‘working models’ or blueprints unconsciously drives our emotion, attachment and later developing cognitive and intellectual skills, as well as our overall sense of self.
Psychotherapy in a nutshell is about influencing the neurological and evolutional mechanisms of early development – learning, unlearning and relearning - the social organs that are our brains that have adapted as a result of our lived experiences. As psychotherapists, we are striving ultimately to find ways that help our clients to overcome barriers to attaining flexible and balanced self-regulation. In the words of Cozolino (2002), “remember, from the perspective of neuroscience, psychotherapists are in the brain-rebuilding business”. The imprinting of the early interpersonal environment effectively shapes the child’s neural networks for how they see themselves and others in the world. These internal ‘working models’ or blueprints unconsciously drives our emotion, attachment and later developing cognitive and intellectual skills, as well as our overall sense of self.
Cozolino, L. (2002) The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy Building and Rebuilding the Human Brain. W.W. Norton & Company, London.
Recommended scholars in the field that underpin my psychodynamic way of working include:
Recommended scholars in the field that underpin my psychodynamic way of working include:
- Louis Cozolino
- Bruce Perry
- Bessel van der Kolk
- Daniel Siegel
- Developmental theorists – Ainsworth, Winnicott, Freud, Schore, Erikson,
- Transactional Analysis writings of Eric Berne
