Our Staff

Brigid McRae NZRGON  MA (Massey)  PG Cert CBT (EIT)

Originally from Christchurch, Brigid attended nursing school there and completed undergraduate and postgraduate training at Massey University in Palmerston North, receiving a B.A. in Health Studies and an M.A. in Health Studies and Human Resource Management, and later a PG Cert in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from EIT, with an emphasis on problem-solving and group dynamics.

She is a Director of Health Watch NZ Ltd, a leader in Health and Safety compliance in New Zealand for the last twelve years.
Project: Happiness is currently involved with survivors of Lake Alice, using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to support motivation towards developing everyday living skills. They have a facebook page called 'Happi Bunch'

Psychologist Craig McDonald MA Dip Clinical Psychology (Massey)

A native of Whanganui, Craig attended undergraduate school at Massey University, receiving a B.A. in Psychology, and later an M.A. in Psychology, with an emphasis on psychological profiling. Post-graduate study earned him a Diploma in Clinical Psychology also at Massey, (1978), where he was  a lecturer for many years.

He has had extensive experience as a Clinical Psychologist, working with clients of the Mental Health Service at Lake Alice, and in associated areas in the community.  

He is the Director of the Agape Fellowship, a not-for-profit charitable trust, tackling the social isolation which many people with mental ilness encounter.

Recent research exploring the relationship between social capital and rates of teenage pregnancy has involved him with many young people at risk.

In 2009, he was nominated for Outstanding New Zealander of the Year. His passion is helping, and he does this with kindness, compassion, and an irrepressible sense of humour.

Psychologist Seely Stevens MA Dip Psychoanalysis (UCLA)

Born in California, Seely attended undergraduate school at Canterbury University, receiving a B.A. in Psychology. He completed an M.A. in clinical psychology from the University of Washington, Seattle with an emphasis on anxiety disorders.

He later attended the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles, where he studied family and relationship dynamics using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Seely has recently been lecturing in Canada, speaking to Parenting Groups about the findings of his most recent research with disturbed adolescents.

His professional skill is interacting with young people and his outstanding passion is helping them find the strength and the tools to manage their lives more effectively.

Seely is a family man with three young children, he is a consultant  for several DHB's and is available for seminars and workshops as long as we can squeeze it into his schedule.