Calm Minds Psychology
Dr Francesca Bowden
Registered Clinical Psychologist
DClinPsy, MNZCCP

About Me
Welcome to Calm Minds Psychology.
My name is Francesca and I am a Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about helping people live more fulfilling lives through meaningful therapy.
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Life is challenging at times and this can leave us feeling distressed and stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, which prevents us from living the type of life that we want. Therapy can be beneficial for anyone. It can help us to understand ourselves on a deeper level and navigate life’s challenges so that we can live a more satisfying life.


Therapy
What to Expect
Our first session will focus on gaining an understanding of what brings you to therapy and what you are hoping to gain from your sessions. My work is tailored to you as an individual person and your needs, therefore therapy may be short or long term, goal oriented or reflection-focused.
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Therapy involves developing insight and understanding of the difficulties and challenges we face in life. During therapy our work together will explore and identify unhelpful thoughts, emotions and behavioural patterns that you might get into. With new awareness, we will work towards helping you change the way you see yourself, your relationships and the world around you. I will give you practical tools to manage current difficulties, while also helping to address and heal the underlying causes of those problems and moving towards self-acceptance. Throughout this process my goal is to help you live a more meaningful life that is guided by your values and what is important to you. My therapy style focuses on identifying and building on your existing strengths and resilience to guide you towards reaching your full-potential. I believe strongly in the importance of using the therapeutic relationship to facilitate transformation and change, and my goal as a therapist is to provide you with a supportive environment in which you feel safe to discuss difficult issues.
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I have experience with and am sensitive to working with people from a wide range of cultural and spiritual backgrounds, and sexual orientations.
Areas of Specialty
Common concerns I provide therapy for include, but are not limited to:​
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Trauma & abuse (sexual, emotional, physical)
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Stress and burnout
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Sadness and depression
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Worry/ anxiety
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Relationship difficulties
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Grief and loss
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Self doubt
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Identity difficulties
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Difficulties managing emotions
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Personal growth and life transitions
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Therapy Approach
I have experience with and am trained in a range of evidence-based therapies which I tailor to individual clients needs, including:​
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Mindfulness
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
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Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Telepsychology
I also provide therapy via video platforms.
Please contact me to discuss suitability.
Qualifications and Affiliations
Qualifications
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Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (University of Auckland)
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Bachelor of Arts, Honours (First Class Honours in Psychology; University of Auckland)
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Bachelor of Arts (University of Auckland)
Affiliations
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Registered Clinical Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
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Member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP)
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​ACC Registered Counsellor

“Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength”
Sigmund Freud

Contact Me
Reaching out and taking this first step can be challenging. If you have any questions, uncertainties or would like further information please don’t hesitate to contact me. Alternatively, if you are ready to book your first appointment, please get in touch.
Located in Ponsonby, Auckland