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.
Meet Jenny
Registered Clinical Psychologist
NZ Psychologist Board
Dr. Jenny Jeffrey
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.
Jenny is not currently accepting new clients.
To request to join Jenny’s waitlist, please complete the contact form with a brief summary of your concerns and the support you are seeking.
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. Over this time working alongside individuals, couples, parents and family systems, I’ve built expertise supporting relationship difficulties, mood/depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioural challenges and navigating neurodivergence. I am also an ACC-Registered provider under the Sensitive Claims Contract.
I bring authenticity, genuine regard & humour to therapy, alongside training in Family Therapy and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) 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), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance & Committment Therapy) and Tuning Into Kids principles 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.
Tika is not currently accepting new clients.
To request to join Tika’s waitlist, please complete the contact form with a brief summary of your concerns and the support you are seeking.
Meet Kate
Registered Clinical Psychologist
NZ Psychologist Board
Dr. Kate Ross-McAlpine
Kia ora koutou,
My name is Kate (she/her) and I grew up in Tauranga before moving to Wellington to study. I like to spend my time with my young family, reading novels and baking.
I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2018 (Massey University) and have worked in the Child, Adolescent and Family field since that time. I have expertise in a range of modalities including CBT, ACT, Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Circle of Security. I love supporting young people and their families to feel more connected.
I work at Nīkau on Thursdays and am immediately available for brief psychological therapy and neuropsychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults.