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Welcome to Insightful Practice

Your journey towards personal effectiveness begins here

Services

Our wide range of tailored services

Book a session
from age 5 and up

Counselling / Therapy Approaches

A young girl talking to a therapist

We provide counselling / therapy services founded on therapeutic alliance, presence and relationships. Our modalities are pluralistic (many ways to solve a problem) and integrative (what works best for you); therefore, we bring out different techniques from various evidence-based therapeutic approaches:

  • Person-centred Approach
  • Existential / Humanistic Approaches
  • Relational Psychodynamic Approach
  • Behavioural Approaches
  • Cognitive Approaches
  • Systems Approaches
  • Constructivist Approaches
  • Multicultural Approaches

We also offer counselling/therapy packages for those who are keen to experience a solid approach while working with their mental well-being issues.

  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Emotion-Focused Therapy
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy
  • Schema Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy

Our practices may include the following:

  • Career Counselling
  • Couples Counselling
  • Family Counselling
  • Play and Arts Therapy
  • Child and Parent Counselling
  • Trauma Counselling
  • Addictions Counselling
  • Counselling for Health

Counselling and therapy research showed that short-term (up to 6 sessions) and long-term sessions work (from 12 sessions and over), but these are dependent on several factors such as the quality of therapeutic relationships, client personal factors, motivation and confidence, as well as the severity and workability of the problem. As a client, we will discuss your options and guide/help you navigate your counselling/therapy pathways.

Screening and Assessment

A counsellor/therapist doing a screening assessment for a client

We provide screening and assessment that fits the client's needs; these procedures include clinical interviewing, developmental and health history, and psychometrics to target specific areas of concern. Current research shows that assessments can be therapeutic because clients (including children, parents or even employers) feel certain and aware of what they are going through. Screening and assessments are a great way to understand problems or issues and can be used to guide or frame the client’s counselling and therapy plans. We also use the screening and assessment results for consultation and referrals to other specialists, such as other mental health professionals, GPs, Nurses or Psychiatrists.

We offer screening and assessment services for those who want to explore, increase insight and facilitate better framing of their counselling/therapy plans.

Screening and assessment packages can be discussed with your psychologist, and the session may range from 3 to 6 sessions plus report writing.

  • Screening and Brief Interventions for Addictive Behaviours
  • Mental Health Screening and Assessment
  • Personality Screening and Assessment
  • Career Assessment and Development Workplace Mental Well-being Screening and Assessment
  • Safe Return-to-Work Well-Being Assessment and Planning
  • University Student Compassionate Consideration Letter with Screening
  • Play Assessment for Children (age 5 to 10)
  • Autism Screening/Assessment and Referral of Children and Adults (age five and up)
  • ADHD Screening/Assessment and Referral of Children and adults (age five and up)
  • Trauma and Violence Screening and Assessment of Children and Adults (age five and up)

A referral is recommended for complex well-being issues, and we will discuss your options with your counselling/ therapy pathways. We can provide a dynamic and narrative psychological impression of your problems/challenges with the view that a better understanding and insight into the client’s lived experience may facilitate a better service consideration. If a client needs medications, we will facilitate a referral to a specialist, either coming from your GP or psychiatrists or paediatrician/child psychiatrists for minors with the consent of their guardian/parents.

Counselling / Therapy Approaches

We offer integrative counselling using various evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive and multicultural therapies. Services include career and trauma counselling, with effectiveness depending on factors like the therapeutic relationship and client motivation.

Screening and Assessments

We offer screening and assessment services to guide therapy plans and provide referrals. These cover mental health, addiction, autism, ADHD, and trauma, with packages from 3 to 6 sessions. Referrals are available for complex cases.

Emergency Support

We are not able to provide an emergency care and support response. Please get in touch with Auckland Crisis Team at 0800 800 717 for immediate crisis support. For medical emergencies, please dial 111 or visit your nearest emergency department.

Service Limitations

We are unable to provide psychology services to challenges or mental health issues that require immediate primary care and/or long-term medical specialist attention and support: 

Schizophrenia spectrum, Medication-induced psychosis, Neuro-cognitive disorders, Bipolar and related disorders, Eating disorders, Delirium Tremens or Epileptic Seizures

Child and Family Development

  • Separation anxiety
  • School avoidance
  • Bullying
  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Developmental issues
  • Selective mutism
  • Family conflicts
  • Divorce/ separation
  • Anxiety
  • Low mood
  • Obsessive-compulsive behaviours
  • Conduct issues

Adult Mental Health

  • Anxiety
  • Social phobia
  • Obsessive/ compulsive issues
  • Depression
  • Personality issues
  • Acute stress
  • Adjustment issues
  • Prolonged grief
  • Trauma and violence
  • Physical and illness anxiety
  • Sleep issues
  • Panic attacks
  • Impulse control issues
  • Hoarding

Addictive Behaviours

  • Alcohol-related issues
  • Caffeine-related issues
  • Nicotine-related issues
  • Stimulant-related issues
  • Cannabis-related issues
  • Hallucinogen-related issues
  • Inhalant-related issues
  • Opioid-related issues
  • Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-related issues
  • Unknown substance-related issues
  • Gambling issues
  • Pornography issues
  • Emotional eating issues
  • Internet-related issues

Abuse, Trauma and Injuries

  • Domestic violence
  • Physical assault
  • Natural disaster
  • Sexual assault/ violations
  • Emotional neglect
  • Abandonment
  • Cyberbullying
  • Interpersonal trauma
  • Motor vehicle accident and injuries

Gender and Sexuality

  • LGBTI-related adjustment issues
  • Gender dysphoria
  • Gender identity
  • LGBTI relationships
  • Open relationships and adjustments
  • Sexual dysfunctions
  • Paraphilic issues

Careers / Employment Assistance

  • Role confusion
  • Bullying and discrimination
  • Stress and burnout
  • Fitness issues
  • Moral injuries
  • Psychological safety
  • Anxiety reactions
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Perfectionism
  • Exposures to accident or trauma

Youth Mental Health

  • Emotional crisis
  • Social rejection
  • Bullying
  • Relationship issues
  • Developmental issues
  • Alcohol & drugs issues
  • Autism
  • ADHD
  • Career indecision
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obsessive/ compulsive issues
  • Trauma and violence

Immigrant Issues

  • Acculturation
  • Adjustment issues
  • Culture differences
  • Internalised racism
  • Mental health literacy
  • Cross-cultural issues
  • Culture-bound syndromes
  • Parenting adjustments

Consultation and Supervision

  • Consultation for professional practice
  • Consultation for employment
  • Consultation for research
  • Consultation for child well-being
  • Consultation for mental health
  • Supervision for counselling / psychology intern

Health-related Psychology Support

  • Physical injury support
  • Health and lifestyle support
  • Eczema-related support
  • Cancer support
  • Pain support
  • After surgery support
  • Diabetes support
  • Premenstrual dysphoric support
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from age 5 and up
Testimonials

What our clients say about us, says it all

Book a session
from age 5 and up
a mountain range is reflected in the still water of a lake

“What is the most therapeutic is the style and the approach that I am experiencing each session. I had several counselling sessions but yours are more empathic, reflective and validating of my trauma experiences”

Trauma Client

a large waterfall is in the middle of a body of water

“It is clear to me where I am heading now after we did several sessions, I learned a lot about me being an autistic person and we talked about ways to accept, acknowledge and advanced to what is important for me”

Young Person with Mild Autism

a path in the middle of a field with mountains in the background

"We all wanted to say thank you for providing our daughter with support and strategies for tackling her mood issues. Once again thanks for everything, especially your efforts in getting all the support we need. We really appreciate it."

Child and Family

a close up of a New Zealand fern

"Would it be possible to have you as a regular counselor? You are very good and would like to stick with you if possible"

LGBT Young Person

a view of a body of water from a rocky area

"I had sessions with several mental health professionals, but I am impressed by your intelligence and your ability to quickly grasp my lived experience, you showed me where I am struggling and you supported me in my recovery"

Commercial Lawyer

a grassy field with mountains in the background

"Ryan you are meticulous with your work as a psychologist, you make sure that your clients are safe and well understood. It is hard to find a versatile psychologist like you"

Medical Doctor

an aerial view of a beach and ocean

"That is incredibly generous of you thank you so much. I am so happy and grateful for our sessions thank you for being so good to me it means a lot! Have a great weekend!

Company Manager

A lake surrounded by beautiful native bush

"I am touched by your words. I wish to express gratitude for the warmth and care in your words. It further strengthens my sense of safety with an admiration. It is incredible how you hold space. Kind Regards,"

Intern Counsellor

a close up of a green leafy plant

"You've been a real help this past year! Thanks,"

University Student

FAQs

Additional information you might like to know

If your question is not here please feel free to get in touch to find out more.

Psychology session costs and fees?

Our psychology service fees are affordable but competitive, considering bills, clinic rent, automation, miscellaneous, case management and more than 15 years of training and studying psychology. Sessions are 50 minutes long for any Psychology interventions, consultation/supervision, or screening/assessment.

  • Private Psychology Session 205 NZD (with GST)
  • Private Psychology Assessment 205 NZD (with GST)
  • Private Psychology Couple Session 230 NZD (with GST)
  • Private Consultation / Supervision 150 NZD (with GST)
  • Workplace counselling (EAP covered)
  • ACC counselling and assessment (ACC covered)
  • PHO psychology session (PHO covered)
  • Child and Youth psychology session (Gumboot Friday covered)

* We do not have affiliations with Southern Cross Insurance

* Payments should be made through bank transfer within the week after attending a psychology session.

Account Name: Insightful Practice
Bank Account: ANZ 01-0666-0316554-01
(GST enabled IRD 117-693-295)

Are referrals accepted?

We accept self-referrals, GP-referrals and Psychiatrist referrals.

Can I cancel my session?

When unexpected events happen, please email us at rsdpsychologist@gmail.com as soon as possible. There is a 50% charge if sessions are not cancelled within 48 hours.

Are the sessions confidential?

Confidentiality protects our sessions following the New Zealand Psychologists Board Code of Ethics, the Health Practitioners Competency Act, the Health Information and the Privacy Act.

  • Exceptions to confidentiality include concerns that you are at risk to yourself or others, and your psychologist is obliged to act. Lastly, psychologists are supervised, and aspects of your sessions might be considered for service monitoring and safety.

Can I change my consent details?

Yes! at any stage of your psychology session your consent can be changed or revised dependent on your needs, just tell your psychologist about your circumstances.

Contact

Let's have a conversation

Reach out to us to learn more about our services or to book a session. We're here for you.

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Meet Dr Ryan

Discover the heart behind Insightful Practice

Welcome to Insightful Practice, where therapeutic presence and relationships are at the heart of our approach.

Founded by Dr. Ryan, a seasoned psychologist with nearly two decades of experience, we believe in pluralistic and integrative frameworks to address human challenges and suffering.

Vision

Our vision at Insightful Practice is to be the leading psychology practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We are committed to diversity, flexibility, and growth, striving to create a practice that welcomes all and adapts to the changing needs of our community.

Mission

At Insightful Practice, our mission is clear: to provide a client-centred approach to anyone seeking psychology services. We achieve this by fostering respect for individuals, maintaining a caring stance, upholding integrity in therapeutic relationships, and tirelessly advocating for social justice.

Book a session
from age 5 and up
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Dr Ryan
Dr Ryan San Diego

Your experienced coach to well-being

My name is Ryan and I have almost 20 years of combined academic and psychology practice experience in New Zealand and abroad. My practice is founded within the pluralistic (different ways to solve a problem) and integrative (combining what works) frameworks.

I subscribe to the idea that human challenges and suffering are associated with our social and ecological environments. We are active agents of our realities and we co-create symbols and meanings vital to our human existence and flourishing.

NZPB: Registered Psychologist

NZPsS: Full Member

ACC: ISSC Specialist Assessment

ACC: ISSC Treatment

APA: International Member

DAPAANZ: Registered Professional 

Couples Counselling
On-going training for Emotion-Focused Therapy certification.
Personality Issues
On-going training for Schema Therapy certification

Qualifications:

PhD in Health Psychology

University of Auckland

MSc in Clinical Psychology

De La Salle University 

BSc in Psychology 

Colegio de San Juan de Letran

PGDip in Psychological Practice

Massey University

PGDip in Mental Health and Addictions

Auckland University of Technology

Take the first step towards growth by scheduling an appointment today!

Book a session
from age 5 and up
A silhouette of a woman posing on a mountain with her arms in the air