Helping young people and their whānau understand and work through anxiety.
Professional Background
I am a psychologist with over 17 years of experience, licensed to practice under the generalist scope in both Australia and New Zealand. My journey into psychology began during my early work in disability support, which sparked a deep passion for mental health and well-being.
Education & Qualifications
I hold a Double Major in Psychology and Industrial Relations/Human Resource Management from the University of Waikato, graduating with First-Class Honours, followed by postgraduate studies at Central Queensland University and an internship to gain registration.
Areas of Experience
Throughout my career, I’ve worked across community, education, and specialized settings, helping individuals of all ages manage a wide range of challenges. My experience includes:
Supporting young people and adults with emotion regulation, gaming addiction, academic stress, neurodiversity, self-harm, and suicide risk.
Developing a strong focus on understanding and treating anxiety disorders, which are central to my practice.
Specialisations in Anxiety Treatment
I specialise in working with clients experiencing:
Generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, health anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Specific phobias (e.g., fear of heights, animals, sickness, fire, or the ocean).
Academic and performance-related anxieties.
Life transitions and related stress.
For young clients, I work closely with parents, offering psychoeducational programs to equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to support their children.
School-Based & Therapeutic Approaches
In addition to individual therapy, I’ve designed school-based wellbeing programmes to address anxiety in educational settings, focusing on early intervention, resilience, and collaborative care.
My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based methods, including:
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
I continue to refine my practise through ongoing professional development and supervision with leading experts, including Dr Dom DiMattia, Dr Louise Hayes, Russ Harris, and Dr Stan Steindl.
Publications & Unique Contributions
Beyond my clinical work, I’ve contributed to publications such as:
Kiwiparent Magazine
Principal Today
Culturalhubb Books
Previous Roles & Experience
My previous roles include:
Child development services
Securing educational funding for students
Critical incident response
Academic intervention
Large-scale research initiatives
Stakeholder training and development
Personal Interests
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, exploring New Zealand’s great outdoors, and spending time with my whānau.
Get in Touch
For a more detailed overview of my qualifications and experience, feel free to visit my LinkedIn profile: James Evans-McLeod | LinkedIn.
“If you’re looking for support for your young person or whānau, I’m here to help. Together, we can create strategies to help them navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.”
