Immigrant psychotherapists and New Zealand clients

Mark Thorpe; Miranda Thorpe

doi:10.9791/ajpanz.2008.05

Mark Thorpe
Miranda Thorpe

DOI: https://doi.org/10.9791/ajpanz.2008.05

Abstract

There has been a gradual increase in the number of overseas born and trained mental health professionals practicing in New Zealand. This paper, based on an interactive workshop, looks at those factors which shape the therapeutic relationship between immigrant psychotherapists and New Zealand clients. Variables discussed include: a) the therapist's attachment style and resultant ability to tolerate, process and mourn the multiple losses including friends, family and clients; b) the therapist's phase appropriate use of defences; c) the complementary attitudes and projections of the host country, colleagues and clients; and d) the degree of perceived difference between client and therapist.

Author Biographies

Mark Thorpe

As recorded in 2008.

Mark Thorpe is a registered psychotherapist and clinical psychologist. He obtained his PhD at Rhodes University in South Africa and worked as a psychologist in the hospital system and in private practice. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1994 where he worked for BOPDHB and in private practice. Presently he is head of psychology at AUT University and is involved in facilitating the first master's level counselling psychology programme at a New Zealand university. His interests include supervision and training of psychotherapists and psychologists, personality disorders, organization group consultancy, dialectics and the effects of immigration.

Miranda Thorpe

As recorded in 2008.

Miranda Thorpe is a registered psychotherapist and counsellor. She co-founded "Psychotherapy at Apollo" in Albany three years ago. She trained at AUT and has worked in private practice for ten years and at Auckland Family Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre for eight years. Miranda was born in the UK, raised in the Gambia, Uganda, UK, Portugal and subsequently lived in South Africa for 15 years before immigrating to New Zealand 14 years ago. She speaks several languages. Her interests include individual and couple psychotherapy, supervision, integrating health and psychological programmes at Apollo Health and Wellness Centre and the interface of attachment styles and immigration. She is presently undertaking an advanced training through the Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.