OUR TEAM
Our team includes a range of mental health, and health professionals committed to client-centered care, a trusted therapeutic relationship and quality evidence-based intervention.
Amanda Pinny
Director/Registered Psychologist
Available in Hamilton and Online
Amanda is an experienced Registered Psychologist who is passionate about working with people who have experienced traumatic events or significant loss. Amanda loves to see people living well and thriving after traumatic or adverse life experiences. As a Psychologist, Amanda spent 5 years in a modified therapeutic community delivering group therapy to men with violence and sexual convictions in prison. Amanda then continued to work in the justice population supporting men and women’s change journeys in the community. Amanda has worked in private practice for the past 5 years, primarily with women experiencing depression, anxiety, and trauma-related difficulties. Prior to completing her training as a Psychologist, Amanda spent 12 years working in healthcare and rehabilitation roles, observing and supporting healthcare and rehabilitation journeys in children’s healthcare, rehabilitation for brain injury and in forensic/correctional settings.
Aaron Wirepa
Clinical Psychologist
Available in Hamilton and Online
Aaron's background spans both forensic and primary mental health settings, which has provided him with experience working alongside people from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their own story, strengths, challenges, and goals. Aaron's practice primarily draws on cognitive behavioural principles and a transdiagnostic framework that recognises many psychological difficulties as being maintained by common underlying patterns. He works with clients to better understand these patterns and develop practical, evidence-based strategies that support meaningful and lasting change. Outside of his work, Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, getting outdoors, following a range of sports, and keeping up with developments in technology.
Dr Adina Smith
Clinical Psychologist
Available in Hamilton
Adina is a registered clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience working in both the United States and Aotearoa New Zealand. She takes a collaborative, client-focused approach, with a strong emphasis on building trusting and respectful therapeutic relationships to support meaningful and lasting change. Adina’s therapeutic practice is integrative, drawing on psychodynamic, interpersonal, humanistic, trauma-focused, family systems, and cognitive-behavioural approaches to meet the unique needs of each client. She is committed to fostering culturally safe environments and building respectful relationships, and honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health frameworks in her work. Adina holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has worked in forensic/correctional settings in New Zealand. Outside of her professional work, Adina enjoys travelling, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family, dogs, and chickens.
Elvis Mendu
Clinical Psychologist
Available Online Only
Elvis is an outgoing, grounded, and people-centred person who genuinely enjoys connecting. He values authenticity and strives to build trusting relationships. Elvis’s work as a Clinical Psychologist is shaped by a wide range of experience, over the years, he’s worked with individuals across the lifespan in New Zealand and abroad, navigating complex mental health presentations. Elvis regularly works with presentations such as psychosis, mood disorders, suicidality, personality disorders, anxiety, and trauma. His background includes assessment, crisis interventions, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma focused. Outside of the clinical setting, Elvis is an animal lover and loves exploring new places, sightseeing, and being outdoors. Elvis enjoys learning about the world as much as he enjoys understanding people.
Cushla Griffin
Clinical Psychologist
Available in Hamilton and Online
Cushla is a Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing for eight years. She began her career at the Department of Corrections, then moved into working with individuals who experience chronic pain and other physical health difficulties, and has worked in private practice for four years. She specialises in working with adults with a wide variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, PTSD, sleep, physical health, grief, and adjustment to life changes and she draws upon a range of modalities to help meet the client's own individual needs. Cushla enjoys working collaboratively with clients and aims to provide a safe, trusting, and supportive therapeutic experience.
Bella Kwon
Clinical Psychologist
Available in Hamilton and Online
Bella is a qualified clinical psychologist who is passionate to work with adolescents and adults, and joint work for couples and families. When you get to meet with her, together you will be exploring your life-disturbing issues. Together, you will identify the origins of the issues, learn strategies to help you tolerate or resolve them, or find ways to reduce its impact on your life. Bella will adapt her approach to suit your interest and learning style and will listen with respect and empathy. Bella comes with a wide range of experience, including in delivering group treatment at the Department of Corrections, working with children and adolescent and their families, and working with individuals with life-debilitating health conditions. She can work with private clients, and clients funded through Primary Mental Health and DHB mental health. Bella is fluent in Korean and English. Her availabilities are Saturday mornings in person, and Friday evenings via Telehealth.
Ryan Murray
Counsellor (Provisional Member NZAC)
Available in Hamilton and Online
Life can bring challenges—whether overwhelming or simply times when you need someone to talk to. Ryan offers a safe, supportive space to explore what’s on your mind.Ryan is a qualified counsellor with a Bachelor of Counselling and is registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC). He works with people from adolescence through to later life, supporting concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, bullying, and identity.Using a collaborative approach, Ryan draws on person-centred, narrative, and cognitive behavioural therapies to meet you where you’re at. He focuses on helping clients recognise their strengths and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.Ryan brings a fresh, relatable approach and would be honoured to walk alongside you.
Ellen Kendrick
Counsellor (MNZAC)
Available in Hamilton
Ellen returned to the workforce as an administrator after having her twins, and has since transitioned back into a counselling role for River Psychology. She is passionate about supporting clients to improve their mental health and overall wellbeing through a collaborative, compassionate, and non-judgemental approach. Ellen works with a diverse range of clients experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and difficulties with self-worth and self-esteem, recognising the importance of creating a safe space where they feel heard, understood, and empowered. She also co-facilitates the ACC-funded Healing Through Play Board Games Group, helping participants build confidence, connection, and social skills through shared play experiences.
Britney Govender
Counsellor (DAAPANZ)
Available in Hamilton and Online
Britney moved to New Zealand in 2017 from South Africa. Her hobbies include MMA, yoga, and spending time in nature. Britney specialises in Human development and Mental health and Addictions. She believes in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—creating personalized plans that empower individuals to heal from the inside out. Whether you're struggling with past trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges, Britney is here to guide you toward lasting recovery and personal growth. Through compassionate care, tailored coaching and counselling, and proven techniques, she can help you rebuild your life, restore balance, and unlock your full potential. Your journey to healing and transformation starts here.
Stephanie Hills
Counsellor (MNZAC)
Available in Hamilton and Online
Stephanie has had forty years’ experience working with people in distress, both as a social worker and a counsellor. She uses mainly narrative and sometimes art therapy to help people move on from depression, eating disorders and other long-term problems. Stephanie has worked successfully with children and couples experiencing relationship difficulties. At present, her work is mainly centered on helping adults who have experienced sexual abuse to overcome its effects and move on with their lives. She believes that we all hold the answers within ourselves, but often our habitual ways of thinking blind us to what we already know. Counselling can help uncover our hidden wisdom and set us on the path to overcoming our difficulties. Stephanie has two grown sons and has recently become a grandmother.
Elske Reyneke-Barnard
Clinical Arts Therapist
Available in Hamilton
Elske is a Creative Arts Therapist who endeavours to inspire hope and dignity in every tamariki and wahine she works alongside and seeks to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Elske is a certified Clay Field Therapist. She incorporates Sandplay Therapy and is currently working towards certification. Elske specialises in working with children ages four to twelve. Her approach is person-centered, recognising that each child's journey is different. She uses art and play to facilitate connection, exploration, expression in support of healing. She loves to paint and create herself, and believes the Creative Arts Therapy is about the process, not the product. Elske also co-facilitates group arts therapy and offers adjunct arts therapy to wahine under SCS.
Karissa Vosper
Registered Psychologist
Available in Matamata-Piako and Online
Karissa is a Registered Psychologist who supports adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, OCD, phobias, and PTSD. Passionate about creating a safe, empowering therapeutic space, she tailors evidence-based interventions to meet each client’s unique needs. Her practice incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and EMDR therapy. Karissa is dedicated to supporting behavioural change and guiding individuals through trauma processing so they no longer feel stuck in past pain. Based in the Matamata-Piako region, she is committed to offering compassionate, high-quality care that helps clients move toward a life shaped by growth and strength.
Angela Jones
Counsellor (MNZAC)
Available in Matamata-Piako and Online
Angela’s specialties are anxiety and depression and relationship work. She works mainly with adults. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive space, so you feel heard and validated, and to feel comfortable to explore goals, empower, heal and live life to its fullest. Finding tools to embrace life’s challenges, learning how to find confidence and self-value, creating awareness on how to navigate through life’s paths, and to find healing, are some of the things that Angela loves walking alongside clients with. Angela uses the therapeutic models of cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, strength-based counselling, along with client-centered counselling, within a collaborative relationship. Angela grew up (one of 7 children) on a sheep farm and then was dairy farming for 30 years before training to be a counsellor. She has two grown children and two very cute grandchildren. Her hobbies are music, reading, walking, carpentry, and gardening.
Katherine Lee
Registered Psychologist
Available in Christchurch and Online
Katherine understands that beginning therapy can feel like a big step, and aims to create a warm, welcoming, and non-judgemental space where clients feel safe to explore their experiences, develop insight, and work towards meaningful change. Katherine takes a collaborative and personalised approach, drawing primarily on Schema Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). She works alongside clients to understand their unique experiences, build self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience, and develop practical strategies to navigate life's challenges. She has a particular interest in anxiety, intimate relationships, family dynamics, and fertility and perinatal mental health. Outside of her clinical work, Katherine enjoys op-shopping for hidden treasures, getting creative with crafting projects, and making memories through outdoor adventures with her family.
Camea Degen
Registered Psychologist
Available Online Only
With a friendly, kind nature, and absolute judgement free respect for each person’s individual story and situation, Camea is dedicated to helping clients gain greater self-understanding towards a better path forward. Camea provides psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments and therapy to people aged 18+, including Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessments with a comprehensive diagnostic report and recommendations. As a mature-aged psychologist, Camea brings rich lived and clinical practice experience from across New Zealand and Australia. She has extensive expertise in ADHD and ASD, is a former Autism NZ committee member, and advocator for consistency of comprehensive Adult ADHD and ASD diagnostic assessments in our communities.
Dr Charlotte Pennington
Clinical Psychologist
Available Online Only
Charlotte is a Clinical Psychologist and specialises in working with young adults and women. Clients often come to Charlotte feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, and looking for support handling those emotions. In therapy, Charlotte will help you learn skills to manage your feelings, improve your relationships, and build confidence. In all her work, she takes a collaborative approach with her clients to ensure evidence-based services are tailored to their individual needs. Charlotte moved to New Zealand from the United States in 2023 and in her spare time she enjoys dancing, yoga, and taking her dog for adventures.
Tabitha Brogden
Counsellor (Provisional Member NZCCA)
Available in Matamata-Piako and Online
Tabitha is a counsellor based in Matamata. She is committed to providing a safe, confidential space where you feel heard and validated. Whether you are navigating individual challenges or seeking to strengthen your relationship, she is there to walk alongside you. As a local and a person of faith, serving the needs of her community is deeply important to Tabitha. She believes in the power of connection and the potential for every individual and couple to find growth and healing. Tabitha’s practice is grounded in empathy and integrity, ensuring that every client receives personalized care tailored to their unique journey. Her approach is collaborative and adaptive, integrating several evidence-based models to suit your specific needs and provides support for a range of challenges affecting young adults through to elderly populations.
Mia Bessa
Office Administrator
Mia is one of the River Psychology Administrators. She is currently doing post-graduate studies, working towards becoming a counsellor. Mia enjoys working in a versatile role that allows her to work and interact with providers, clients, and stakeholders.
Asher MacLeod
Office Administrator
Asher is a part-time administrator here at River Psychology. She is currently pursuing post-graduate studies on the path to becoming a clinical psychologist. Asher is passionate about creating a safe environment for clients even outside of sessions and enjoys the opportunity to work with a range of experienced practitioners.
Phone: 027 216 2096
Email: office@riverpsychology.co.nz
E Block, 21 Ruakura Road, Hamilton East, 3216
