Welcome
to ‘Mindful Practice’, the psychology website of
David
Semp. I am
a
registered
clinical psychologist,
based in
Auckland, providing
individual therapy,
supervision, training, and team consultations. This website is intended
to give
you some
idea of my approach to therapy and to broader uses of
psychology.
Clinical
Background
I have practiced as a clinical psychologist since 1996 and have experience in alcohol and drug services, and in public mental health services, where I still work. I have also provided clinical supervision and therapy in private practice. These work settings have given me much experience working with a wide diversity of people on a wide range of issues. I also have a background in adult education and regularly provide lectures and trainings in various aspects of psychological practice. In recent years I have developed a keen interest in helping teams work more effectively.
I have
a PhD in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
from the University of Auckland. I also have a Postgraduate Diploma in
Health Science (in Advanced Psychotherapy Practice) from Auckland
University of Technology. I am a member of the New
Zealand Psychological Society.
Therapy
Over
my years of practice I have come to appreciate the major
positive changes people make in their lives, even when
initially
they
cannot imagine how this is possible. These changes occur through
various
approaches such as looking at old problems
in new
ways, learning new skills for dealing with painful emotions, and
improving the
quality of our relationships with others and with ourselves.
Research
indicates we can literally develop new ways of
thinking and responding to situations, including painful memories. This
is
similar to how people teach their minds to recover physical and mental
abilities
following
a stroke. In many ways I have come to think of therapy as a type of
‘physiotherapy for the brain’. For therapy to work
it requires a safe
therapeutic relationship in which painful experiences can be
acknowledged and
new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving are learned.
Common Problems I
Have Helped
People With:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulties
in relationships
- Overwhelming emotions
- Self
criticism & perfectionism
- Issues surrounding sexual orientation
- Overcoming
trauma
- Grief