Jessamy Gandy Psychology

About Jessamy

I am a registered psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. I have worked in a number of roles across health and disability services and have found that this breadth is useful in supporting my clients and their families. Growing up with a sister with an intellectual disability sparked my interest in the field.

My area of interest is disability and supporting comorbid mental health. I have worked with both children and adults with varying disabilities. Currently I work across the Hutt Valley, however I will travel further in certain circumstances.

The services I provide include assessments of common neurodevelopmental disorders (for example: cognitive assessments, learning disability assessments, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder).

I also provide intervention services for children and adults in their family unit. This may mean working with parents, caregivers, the child/individual and broader supports such as school/vocational supports/workplace.

I work using positive behavioural support (PBS) model, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Positive behaviour support views that all behaviour is a form of communication and is being used as it is functional for that person. It supports the person and those around them to build skills and modify the environment to improve quality of life. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at the interactions between feelings, thoughts and behaviour. It then supports the development of skills in these areas to help create change. ACT is a behaviour based therapy, and gets its name from the core message of accepting what you cannot control and commit yourself to action leading to a rich, full and meaningful life.

Feel free to contact me to discuss your situation so we can work out if I am the right person to work with you or your family member. Where possible, if I am not the right person, I will try to point you in the direction of someone who can help.