We take a collaborative and evidence-based approach to therapy, blending clinical expertise with real empathy. Your experiences, your identity, and your goals shape every part of your treatment plan.   

We’re here not only to help you understand what you’re going through—but to empower you with the skills and strategies to move forward with confidence.

Dr Amy Montagu is a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist based in Christchurch. She provides assessment and treatment for adolescents and adults across a broad range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma (including sexual trauma), chronic pain and fatigue, grief, relationship and gender-related issues. Amy's practice is evidence-based and person-centred; she is known for clear formulation, compassionate care, and calm, thoughtful support for people facing complex presentations.

• Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, Massey University (2014)
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Hons (First Class), University of Canterbury (2008)
• Graduate Diploma in Science (Psychology), University of Canterbury (2007)
• Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Biology), University of Canterbury (2004)
• Registered Clinical Psychologist, New Zealand Psychologist Board (Reg. 90-05692)

Amy completed her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at Massey University and earlier degrees at the University of Canterbury, combining strong research training with clinical placements across forensic, correctional, older adult, and general mental health services. Her doctoral work and subsequent research include evaluation of low-intensity CBT interventions and outcome monitoring in New Zealand settings.

• Senior Clinical Psychologist, ACC Sensitive Claims (Nov 2023 – present).
• Consultant Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nurture Psychology (Eating Disorder Clinic) (Oct 2023 – Jun 2024).
• Consultant Senior Clinical Psychologist, Oxford Women’s Clinic (Jun 2021 – 2026).
• Private practice  — assessment and therapy for adolescents and adults, face-to-face and online, including international clients and retreat settings (Feb 2019 – present).
• Clinical Director / Primary Clinical Psychologist, The Lighthouse Bali (May 2019 – 2022) — clinical leadership, programme tailoring, staff training and workshops.
• Clinical Psychologist / Neuropsychologist, Mental Health Services for Older Adults, WDHB (May 2015 – Mar 2019) — comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, diagnosis, rehabilitation and family education.
• Clinical Psychologist, Centre for Psychology, Massey University (Mar 2015 – 2019) — assessment, therapy and trainee supervision.
• Consultant Clinical Psychologist, several international retreat and rehabilitation services (2019–2020).

• Registered Clinical Psychologist, New Zealand Psychologist Board (Reg. 90-05692).
• Member, New Zealand Psychologists for Older People (NZPOPS).
• Member, New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP).

Amy is highly regarded for exceptional case conceptualisation, clinical competence, and rigorous risk assessment. She is hard-working, collaborative, and committed to evidence-based practice (skills include CBT, EMDR, DBT, schema-focused and compassion-based therapies).

Selected publications include work on low-intensity CBT and outcome monitoring in New Zealand journals and conference presentations.
Achievements include Massey University Doctoral Scholarship (2011), Institute of Clinical Psychology Best Student Conference Paper (2013) and multiple research scholarships.

Dr Amber Wakefield is a general adult and forensic psychiatrist based in Christchurch. She has worked at the Canterbury Regional Forensic Services and within General Adult Specialist Mental Health Services at Te Whatu Ora Canterbury and is known for her calm, thoughtful, and compassionate approach. Amber values building respectful, trusting relationships and supporting people with careful, personalised care.

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Massey University
• Master of Arts (Psychology), Massey University
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, Massey University
• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy, University of Otago
• Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2023)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
• Advanced Certificate of Forensic Psychiatry

Amber has dual qualifications as a psychiatrist and clinical psychologist, but currently practices as a psychiatrist. Amber completed her training in clinical psychology at Massey University, followed by her medical degree at the University of Auckland. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy from the University of Otago and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science from Swinburne University. Her training reflects a broad clinical background spanning medicine, surgery, psychology, and forensic psychiatry.

Amber has experience in the assessment, treatment and management of a broad range of psychiatric conditions including psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders (e.g., PTSD), substance use disorders, neuropsychiatric conditions (e.g., ADHD, Dementia), and personality disorders. She has experience in preparing medicolegal reports, expert witness work, and supervising training psychiatrists, junior doctors and medical students.

Amber has contributed to psychiatry education through the Christchurch Psychiatric Training Program and has served as Senior Lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Otago. She has participated in academic publication and presented at national conferences, reflecting her commitment to teaching, research, and ongoing professional development.

Sue brings a wealth of experience in administration and reception within GP practices across Auckland and Christchurch. Sue enjoys helping to create a smooth, welcoming, and positive experience for patients and their families.

Outside of work, you will often find her cycling around the city or exploring NZ’s beautiful trails. Watching rugby, cricket or working on interior design projects at home.

Sascha works as our practice manager at Elimbias Health and enjoys meeting and assisting our patients and whānau throughout their care. She brings vast experience and knowledge in business management from owning and operating her own successful business and managing small businesses in the trade and IT sectors. She has also completed and spent time teaching the National Certificate in Business, Computing, and Administration. Alongside her skills in business, she has been an advocate for children and is passionate about quality care. With a background in early childhood education, she has spent time in Southeast Asia volunteering in children’s orphanages teaching English. She has extensive experience in the health sector working as a palliative oncology patient carer with complex wound care and in disability support work assisting clients with neuropathy & down syndrome regression disorder. When she is not working hard at Elimbias Health, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family in the sunshine.

Marie has extensive clinical experience in both public and private settings in New Zealand and Australia, alongside academic experience at Griffith University and the University of Otago. She has conducted clinical research in psychotherapy for mood disorders, producing nearly 200 published research papers. Marie has been trained in and delivers Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Her current interest is combining Interpersonal Psychotherapy with psilocybin, which boosts the psychotherapeutic effect for ‘treatment-resistant’ depression.

• Bachelor of Arts (University of Canterbury)
• Registered psychiatric nurse, Christchurch Hospital
• PhD(Humanities) Griffith University, Brisbane
• Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies, Mind Medicine, Melbourne

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On leaving school, Marie completed a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Canterbury and then trained as a psychiatric nurse at Christchurch Hospital. She later completed her PhD at Griffith University, Brisbane, in Cultural Studies in the Humanities Faculty. She recently completed a 12-month Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies.

Dr. Stevenson has completed extensive specialist training in neurodevelopmental assessments, supporting children, young people, and their families. She is highly skilled in evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Maudsley Family Therapy, Collaborative Proactive Solutions, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) psychopharmacology and cultural psychiatry. Her training reflects her commitment to providing care that is both compassionate and grounded in best-practice approaches.

• MBChB, University of Otago
• Fellow, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2023)
• Advanced Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Diploma in Child Health, University of Otago
• Master of Human Nutrition, University of Otago

Dr. Stevenson is a compassionate psychiatrist dedicated to helping people understand and strengthen their mental health and well being. She believes in a holistic approach that values the whole person — recognising the importance of family, community, and connection in achieving lasting well being.

Born and raised in Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Dr. Stevenson completed all her medical and psychiatric training in Aotearoa New Zealand. Over the past 12 years, she has worked within the public health system, supporting children, young people, and adults in hospital, community, and home-based settings. Her roles have included working as a paediatric medical registrar, child psychiatrist, adult psychiatrist and consult liaison psychiatrist for the paediatric hospital team, giving her a deep understanding of the connection between physical and emotional health.

Dr. Stevenson is passionate about walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate life's challenges. She strives to help people find balance, resilience, and wellbeing within their own communities — empowering them to better understand and manage their mental health in a supportive and compassionate way.

Professor Cameron Lacey has been passionate about mental health since leaving medical school. He has studied in multiple countries and has carried out extensive research across the field. Through leadership, governance, and academia he has extensive knowledge in many areas of psychiatry, including Māori, Old Age and youth and adolescent

Professor Lacey sees people of all ages and believes in using a holistic approach to treatment, including therapy, specialised medications and lifestyle changes, including currently being the only psychiatrist in New Zealand to be able to offer Psilocybin therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression.

Professor Lacey is Clinical Director of Research for Health New Zealand and Adjunct Professor at University of Canterbury, School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing. Former roles include Professor, Department of Psychological Medicine and Head of Department, MIHI, University of Otago and Medical Director for West Coast DHB. He was a board member of the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation.

• MBChB (Otago)
• Advanced Certificate in Old Age Psychiatry
• PhD (University of Melbourne)
• Advanced Certificate in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
• Fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists since 2006.

Professor Lacey has completed extensive training in a variety of specialities, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychopharmacology, neuropsychiatry and Māori mental health. He is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest research and treatments in the field of psychiatry.

Professor Lacey completed his medical degree at Otago University. He completed training in psychiatry across Australia and New Zealand, including Christchurch, The Alfred and St Vincent's Hospitals. He has also completed advanced training in consultation liaison psychiatry and old age psychiatry. He completed a PhD at University of Melbourne investigating genetic and mental health risk factors for depression in people with epilepsy.

Professor Lacey has over 130 research publications. His publications include the use of psychedelics for depression, mood disorders, psychosis, medical education, neurology, cardiology and hauora Māori. See link for full publication list.

https://tinyurl.com/fkaaw7mn

Professor Lacey has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to the field of mental health research. He and his research teams have received numerous awards, including the Nature Inclusive Health research award, and their research has been featured in numerous academic journals.