Resources
In my work, I come across all kinds of useful books, podcasts, apps and videos. These are the resources I’ve found most helpful. There are also suggestions for urgent help, and other therapists who have space.
Help now
- Need to Talk? Call or text 1737 to connect with a trained counsellor
- Te Haika Call 0800 745 477 to talk to Wellington’s crisis Mental Health Services
- Square Breathing
- Samaritans at 0800 72 66 66 and Lifeline Aotearoa at 0800 543 354 provide confidential, non‑judgemental, non‑religious 24/7 support from highly trained staff and volunteers when people are feeling loneliness, depression, despair, distress or suicidal.
- The Quiet Place helps you do nothing for 30 seconds
- Support for all survivors of sexual violence at the HELP Foundation
- Providing a safety and support for women and children experiencing domestic violence at Women’s Refuge
- Youthline provides a 24-7 helpline for youth — call 0800 376 633, free text 234
- OutLine is an all-ages rainbow mental health organisation providing support to the rainbow community, their friends, whānau, and those questioning – at 0800 688 5463
About anxiety
“Pure O” OCD: Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Chad Lejeune
Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety by Troy Du Frene & Kelly Wilson
Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD by Eli Lebowitz
(an excellent guide for parents wondering “How can I help my child with their anxiety?”)
What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming OCD by Dawn Heubner
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Heubner
About the limits of diagnosis and medication
Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker
Doctoring the Mind by Richard Bentall
The Emperor’s New Drugs by Irving Kirsch
Psychiatric Diagnosis by Lucy Johnstone
About depression
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety by Sonya Watson, Kathryn Whitehead
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris
Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression by Kirk Strosahl & Patti Robinson Couples
About parenting
Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD by Eli Lebowitz. (An excellent guide if you’re asking yourself “What do I do as a parent, to help my child with their anxiety?”)
Good Inside: A Practical Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be by Dr Becky Kennedy
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Parent Effectiveness Training: The Proven Program for Raising Responsible Children by Thomas Gordon
Transforming the Difficult Child by Howard Glasser
The Nurtured Heart Approach podcast
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Lisa Coyne, ACT Psychologist, answers a range of parenting questions
These short videos from the Family Institute demonstrate how to skillfully and lovingly handle familiar yet tough moments with your children
Awakening Greatness in Children video by Howard Glasser
About drugs and alcohol
The Wisdom to Know the Difference: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Overcoming Substance Abuse by Kelly Wilson & Troy DuFrene
The Inner Compass Initiative For support to reduce or come off medication
For teenagers
ACT for Teenagers groups with Julia Sawyer
Stuff That Sucks: Accepting what you can’t change and committing to what you can by Ben Sedley
Girl Stuff: Your Full-on Guide to the Teen Years by Kaz Cooke
Your Life, Your Way: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills to Help Teens Manage Emotions and Build Resilience by Joe Ciarrochi and Louise Hayes
About bodies
Julia Rucklidege explains why micronutrients are so important for good brain functioning
Living with Your Body and Other Things You Hate: Letting Go of the Struggle with What You See in the Mirror Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Emily Sandoz and Troy DuFrene
The Compassionate Mind-Guide to Ending Overeating: Using Compassion-Focused Therapy to Overcome Bingeing & Disordered Eating (Compassionate-Mind Guides) by Ken Goss & Paul Gilbert
About self-esteem
Kristin Neff and Steven Hayes discuss the benefits of focussing on Self-Compassion rather than on Self-Esteem.
- Why Self-compassion is Healthier than Self-Esteem by Kristin Neff
- Is Self-Compassion More Important Than Self-Esteem? by Steven Hayes
How to Be Nice to Yourself: The Everyday Guide to Self-Compassion by Laura Silberstein-Tirch
About ACT
The Shit Series – NZ’s first ACT Podcast!
Headspace Meditation – Changing Perspective
Big Think Interview with Steve Hayes, the founder of ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Acceptance
Kelly Wilson discusses Values and Vulnerabilities
Kelly Wilson asks “What If Nothing Needs To Be Removed? What If Your Own Hardest Thoughts Need Not Be The Enemy?”
Slowing down, noticing and mindfulness
With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend.
- Exercises with Kristin Neff
- Guided Meditations
- More meditations with Christopher Germer
- Insight timer
- Finding Peace in a Frantic World
- Free Mindfulness Project
Myths about Meditation with Dan Harris
In This Moment: Five Steps to Transcending Stress Using Mindfulness and Neuroscience by Kirk Strosahl & Patricia Robinson
The Skeptic’s Guide to Meditation by Dan Harris
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
Other things that can help
Art, Music, Exercise, and More: What Are the Recommended Doses for Improving Mental Health? by Amy Biancolli
Join the ACT for the Public Listserv, a forum for non-professionals to discuss and ask questions about ACT
Dr Dan Siegel’s website
Dr Kerry Makin Byrd‘s website
Online therapy
Other in-person support in Wellington
Nigel Guy, Rachel Navanua & Kaz: Queer Therapy Collective
Based in Wellington working with people aged 18 and over, of all genders and sexualities
Kerry Makin-Byrd
Based in Lower Hutt working with adults
Tina Ireland
Based in Kāpiti, specialising in helping people taper off medication