Our Team
Nīkau Mental Health is founded and run by Tika & Jenny, longtime friends and trusted professional colleagues. Having worked & laughed alongside each other for years, we share a deep alignment in our therapeutic values, clinical ethics, commitment to client care and sense of humour.
A small practice, lovingly built on mutual respect, shared expertise, and a genuine passion for helping people thrive.
Registered Clinical Psychologist
NZ Psychologist Board
Dr. Jenny Jeffrey
Meet Jenny
Kia ora! Dumela! Welcome
I'm Jenny (she/they), a clinical psychologist who was born in Botswana with whānau originally from England. Though I have lived most of my life in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa. Alongside being a psychologist, I am also a book worm, D&D and board game enthusiast, an amateur runner and a parent.
After 10 years of study, I completed my Doctor of Clinical Psychology (2021) at Massey University after my Master's and Honours degrees (2015) at Victoria University. I have experience working as a clinical psychologist across both public and private settings and have trained in a range of evidence-based therapies, including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
I specialise in working with trauma, including complex PTSD and dissociative disorders, and regularly support people experiencing anxiety, stress, grief, and interpersonal or relationship difficulties. I have worked extensively with LGBTQIA+ and rainbow communities and strive to provide an affirming, inclusive space where people feel safe to be themselves. Alongside therapy, I have experience completing psychological assessments to support gender-affirming healthcare pathways and ADHD assessments.
I am an ACC-registered provider under both the Sensitive Claims and Psychological Services contracts, providing specialist cover assessments and treatment for clients accessing ACC funded care.
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded, with a sprinkle of humour where appropriate. From my own experience (and backed by research!), therapy works best when you feel genuinely seen, understood, and respected. Therefore, I tailor my specific style to each person's unique experiences, strengths, and goals. My aim is to create a warm, non-judgemental and relaxed space where we can work together to create meaningful and lasting positive change, whatever that looks like for you.
Meet Tika
Therapist & Clinical Supervisor
Social Workers Registration Board NZ
Tika Bell
Kia Ora!
I’m Tika (she/her). I was born in South India and grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) before making Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) my home in my early twenties. Outside of my work, I love anything to do with the ocean, starting creative projects, recharging in nature, and hanging out with my husband and our two wee cats, Haggis and Whisky.
I completed my Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) in 2018, followed by a PGCert in Health Science specialising in Mental Health & Addictions in 2019. Over the last 8 years, I’ve worked within a range of Mental Health, Addiction, and Intellectual Disability Services (MHAIDS) locally, as well as a stint as a locum in Adult Protection and Medicine of the Elderly in Scotland.
Throughout my career, I’ve found myself most drawn to relational work. I believe that the way we move through the world is influenced by (and influences) the environment around us. As such, I approach my practice from a systemic perspective. This looks like creating space to explore your internal world, alongside your relationships with others and your wider environment, in the context of what’s brought you to therapy.
In practice, this means I bring my training in Family Therapy and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) both of which focus on building secure attachments and healing relationships with self and others. I use an integrative approach which combines these relationship-focused frameworks with practical tools from CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) to support your day to day wellbeing.
Whether you’re an individual navigating challenges, or a couple/whānau looking for some extra support, we can work together to find a way forward that’s right for you.
As a neurodivergent person of colour, my own intersectionality has profoundly shaped my journey in the mental health sector and how I show up as a therapist. I’m a firm believer in the importance of therapy that respects all parts of your identity and this drives my commitment to providing culturally safe, neuroaffirming, and inclusive care.
Clinical Supervision
Alongside client work, I provide clinical supervision for Registered Social Workers aligned with the SWRB’s ethical guidelines.
As a supervisor, I take a relational and curious approach to exploring micro and macro layers in supervision. My goal is to create a space that feels exploratory rather than prescriptive. I aspire to create a supportive space for supervisees to feel safe to wonder out loud, to analyse decisions/deepen reflective practice and to grow clinical confidence in meaningful and sustainable ways.
If you’d like to see if we’re a good fit, please reach out for a free kōrero.