Dr. Heidi Douglass is an American-trained Clinical Psychologist who provides psychological assessment and treatment services for clients based in New Zealand. Dr. Douglass provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) along with other evidence-based therapeutic approaches (skills from Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, & Mindfulness) depending on the needs of the person.
Dr. Douglass has experience treating a wide range of problems including obesity and weight management, binge eating and Bulimia, addiction, anxiety (stress, Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), depression and trauma. Mindfulness Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) is one of her specialities.
As a registered psychologist with a doctorate degree, Dr. Douglass has the highest level of training for a mental health professional recognized by the government. Dr. Douglass only uses evidence based therapeutic techniques; those are treatments that have been rigorously tested & published in the scientific literature.
Over the years, Heidi has held clinical and research positions at some of the most prestigious American Institutions including: Harvard University, Columbia University, Boston University, Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC, Brown University in Providence RI and 3 Hospitals of the American Veterans Administration, and within New Zealand at Otago Medical School. For two and a half years, she worked as an obesity expert for the Waikato DHB in Hamilton. She resigned from this position to return to private work in August 2013.
My Own Mindfulness Practice, Teaching & Training
Dr. Heidi is available to offer Mindfulness training to individuals and larger organizations. If you are wondering if you might like to use the services of Dr. Douglass, you can chat with her briefly for a free telephone consultation. Mobile: 022 012 3781
One requirement of teaching Mindfulness and Mindful Eating (MB-EAT) is that teachers must have their own Mindfulness Practice. A regular meditation practice has been part of my life since 2011.
My primary Mindfulness teacher was Nyanaviro (aka Stephen Archer). Nyanaviro is a former Buddhist monk, based in NZ, who was trained in the Thai Forest Tradition. I met with Nyanaviro on a regular basis (usually monthly) from 2015 – 2022.
For several years now, as part of my Mindfulness Practice, I go on solitary, silent retreats at least twice each year. This is usually to an off the grid, backcountry hut on a mountain top. This time alone in wild Nature lets me unplug and disconnect from the distractions & noise of daily life and reconnect with myself.
To read some posts and see some pictures about these silent retreats, check out my Facebook page.
Heidi immigrated to New Zealand from the Boston area of Massachusetts in 2010. She is married to a man from Dunedin named Mark and they have two children. When she is not working Heidi enjoys travel, yoga, meditation, hiking and organic gardening.
Heidi welcomes clients representing any sexual orientation (LGBT+ friendly), race, ethnicity and class background. Heidi is knowledgeable about the topic of chemical sensitivity and avoids use of artificial fragrances on her person or in her work environment.