Educational psychology assessments
Are you concerned about your child’s engagement in learning, behaviour, social and emotional development or mental-health and well-being?
As an Educational Psychologist, Debbie Kenwright can use a range of specialised psychological and academic assessments, interviews with parents/teachers and observations to provide insight into your child’s intellectual and academic potential and achievement; giftedness; barriers to learning; diagnosis of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and functioning.
Through the assessment process Debbie can help families better understand ‘why’ your child is struggling and provide evidence-based recommendations to support you and your child to better manage your child’s individual needs, be it social, emotional, psychological, or behavioural.
Often changes in the child’s environment, approaches to teaching and access to appropriate support and resources are sufficient to bring about significant improvements for your child.
As parents, all we ever want is to have a happy child who is well-supported to meet their potential.
Professional development for teachers
Are you a teacher, concerned about how you can support your student’s engagement in learning, behaviour, social and emotional development or mental-health and well-being?
As an Educational Psychologist, Debbie Kenwright can provide professional development to those professionals supporting children, young people, and adolescents either through her developed programmes or based on the organisation’s unique needs.
These evidence-based workshops will assist staff to continue to be reflective practitioners, add to their knowledge base and provide additional understanding and strategies which they may choose to use in their daily teaching practices.
Often changes in the child’s environment and access to appropriate support and resources are sufficient to bring about significant improvements for your student.
As teachers, we all hope to be a positive part of our students learning and development journey.
Anxiety programmes for children and their families
Are you concerned about your child’s showing signs of anxiety, lack of resilience and coping, emotional outburst or withdrawal?
As an Educational Psychologist, Debbie Kenwright has prioritised becoming an accredited trainer in both the Cool Kids Anxiety Program and Triple P – Fearless Anxiety Program due to the apparent prevalence of anxiety she is observing in children and young people.
All too often I see families struggling to either recognise their child is experiencing anxiety or know how to help their child manage their anxiety.
These programs are designed as ‘family interventions’ where parents learn about anxiety and develop skills for reducing its impact on their child and family.
Anxiety is not a ‘child problem’ – rather it is impacted by the context in which anxiety occurs. It requires a compassionate response founded on an evidence-based understanding of what it is, how it impacts the individual and family, and how to overcome it.
These programs will require parents to be reflective and consider how some of their parenting practices may be inadvertently maintaining their child’s anxiety and how to overcome this. It is a supportive environment where parents are safe to be vulnerable, gain insight, support, and grow from this experience in order to provide their anxious child with the right support, as and when they need it.
Our approach
Mindful Directions provides educational psychology services to children, parents, caregivers and other individuals. Our approach is client-centered, strengths-based and solution-focused.
We aim to increase caregivers’ competence and confidence in meeting their child’s unique needs, and support individuals to thrive.
Assessments are conducted at our office in Albany, Auckland, while our other services are available online.
If it is necessary to observe your child at home or school, we will travel within the Auckland North Shore and Hibiscus Coast areas from Northcote to Warkworth, including Birkenhead, Birkdale, Beach Haven, Glenfield, Takapuna, Milford, Browns Bay, Torbay, Long Bay, Whangaparāoa, Gulf Harbour, Red Beach, Silverdale, Orewa, Waiwera, Puhoi, Mahurangi, Algies Bay, Snells Beach and Sandspit.
Crisis Services are not available
Our office hours are 8.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday. We are unavailable after hours and on weekends.
Please note that crisis services are not provided.
Contact your General Practitioner (GP) as your first point of contact.
You can also report to your nearest hospital emergency department (ED) for assistance. If anyone is in immediate physical danger call 111.
In the event of a crisis please call your local mental health crisis team on 0800 800 717 or find more information.
Tautoko Suicide Crisis Helpline helps people in distress and for those who are worried about someone else. Call 0508 828 865.