Help to tackle life's struggles
BY EMMA DANGERFIELD
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Kaikoura
An experienced psychologist offers people a chance to shift obstacles that have stopped them from living the life they want to lead.
Working for the benefit of others is something Lisa Moffat has always enjoyed and now she is setting up a business to do just that.
Originally from Timaru, Lisa has been a registered psychologist for 10 years, having obtained her Masters and Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology from Massey University.
Lisa has many years experience working with children with a wide range of special education needs. At the start of her career she worked for Special Education Service in Palmerston North, dealing with children with extremely troubled and challenging behaviour.
"It was interesting work and I gained valuable experience, not only in how to meet students' special education needs, but also how different factions of the community work, what they value, and how best to help."
Eventually, however, she found she wanted to return to the South Island.
Her husband Wayne, originally from Kaikoura, had no trouble luring Lisa here with its amazing scenery and the help of a very memorable dolphin swimming trip while visiting friends.
That was six years ago. Lisa began working with local schools as a resource teacher of learning and behaviour in 2003, a Ministry of Education role for working with children with moderate to severe behaviour and learning problems.
Referrals came from local schools so Lisa has worked with many students, teachers and families in the area.
This year, wanting a change, she has taken up the challenge of going it alone, looking to expanding her private psychology/counselling business, Mindset Consultancy.
Last year she began to see clients privately for a variety of "life's challenges" and in 2008 she ran an ACE course, teaching 16 women practical skills to bring them closer to the life they wanted to lead.
"We often struggle with our past as well as things going on currently in our lives. Whether you are an adult or a child, life presents challenges which can sometimes prove hard to shift,' says Lisa.
"I concentrate on building resiliency. I look for strengths and help people build on them, exploring beliefs, thoughts and actions that might be holding them back, and supporting them to discover and grow alternative, positive ways of thinking and behaving to allow them to live more contented lives.
"It's all about giving people skills they can use further down the track, building hope and optimism, and helping others develop the mindsets they need."
Lisa tries to help clients find healthier ways of living, enabling them to develop life-long skills, and greater self-understanding and self-knowledge. Rather than "naval gazing", she tries to be practical in helping others tackle challenges.
"The quicker people feel confident to make even the smallest steps towards positive change the faster they will feel more in control of their lives and their choices," she says.
"Having some fun and a few laughs where possible is also a good thing.
"Learning about yourself, healing hurts and finding direction is extremely rewarding not to mention obviously life altering. It can really help not only your own wellness, but improve relationships with others."
As a registered psychologist with the NZ Psychological Society Lisa has a strict code of conduct and ethics she must subscribe to.
She attends professional development opportunities every year, and professional supervision in Nelson with another registered psychologist every month.
She also insists that the counselling process is not meant to last forever.
The idea is to help people so that they can move forward on their own, learning to cope with life without needing to rely on ongoing counselling.
With a good qualified psychologist, people should be able to identify reasons behind their struggles, which she says can hit people from all walks of life at any time.
For more information on Lisa's professional and highly confidential service, call 319 7870 or 021 522 909 or contact her through Indulge Body and Soul on Beach Rd, 319 5834.
- © Fairfax NZ News
