Haven Psychology – Clinical Psychology in Christchurch
A calm, confidential space to make sense of what you’re going through.
Life can feel overwhelming, difficult or stuck at times. Haven Psychology offers a gentle, attuned space to help you navigate stress, anxiety and low mood, finding a way forward at your own pace with clinical expertise and human warmth.
Anxiety and stress
Navigating the pressures of daily life and support for managing overwhelming worry or panic.
Trauma and PTSD
Gentle, evidence-based support for resolving long-term stress and the impact of past experiences.
Support for a range of concerns
We offer evidence-based, respectful therapy tailored to each person and your needs. We provide a calm, confidential space to work through challenges at your own pace, ensuring you feel heard and supported throughout your journey.
Children, Young People and Families
Supporting families to navigate difficult emotions and behaviours with care for each person and the family as a whole
Low mood and depression
Support to find engagement, energy, and meaning when things feel heavy or difficult.
Work and study difficulties
Managing burnout, overwhelm, and performance stress in your professional or academic life.
ADHD Assessment for (young) adults
Assessing your strengths and vulnerabilities with attention, concentration, organisation that may be affecting your everyday life
Grief and loss
A compassionate space to process life transitions and the pain of lost relationships or loved ones.
Relationship challenges
Building healthier patterns and fostering meaningful connections in family and personal life.
About Haven Psychology
Haven Psychology is a quiet, confidential space situated in Cashmere, Christchurch, surrounded by the beautiful Port Hills and close to the banks of the Heathcote river. It was recently established as a safe harbour for those seeking to reflect, heal, or navigate meaningful and important change in their life. In a world that often feels rushed, we offer an environment where your experience is met with presence, respect, and clinical expertise.
Dr Dave Smits
Clinical Psychologist, PhD
Dave Smits is a New Zealand–registered Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience across research, teaching, and clinical practice. He began his career in addiction services and has since supported and guided (young) adults with a wide range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relational or work-related challenges. Dave has a particular interest in helping people navigate moral or existential struggles.
His approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and informed by humanistic and experiential therapies, predominantly Emotion-Focused Therapy and Person-Centred & Experiential Therapy. He focuses on helping people attend to, express and make sense of their inner emotional world - especially when emotions appear to work against them.
Working through stuck, painful and repetitive emotions, finding new ways of expression, and learn to be guided by emotions to reconnect with a more meaningful and fulfilling life has made an important difference in Dave`s clients therapeutic journeys.
Originally from Belgium, Dave moved to Aotearoa New Zealand, with his wife and two sons. He now lives in Whakaraupō / Lyttelton, a place that provides the natural surroundings to maintain balance between work and life outside of work. He enjoys spending time outdoors, with friends and family — on a mountain bike, skiing, tramping or exploring the hills.
Charis Whitaker
PG Dip Clin Psych., M.Sci (Distinction)., PG Dip Counselling Children and Adolescents (Distinction), BSocSci(Hons)., MNZCCP
At the heart of Charis` work is the belief that healing happens in connection - with ourselves, with others, and with the emotions that shape our experiences. She understands the deep human need to feel seen, valued, and safe, both in relationships and within ourselves. This is why she places attachment and emotional experience at the centre of therapy.
Charis supports individuals, couples, and families in deepening their connections, strengthening self-understanding, and building emotional resilience. She works with clients navigating emotional pain or seeking greater ease in life, addressing challenges such as anxiety, low self-worth, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, family struggles and mood concerns to name a few.
Rather than focusing solely on thoughts or behaviours, she helps clients tune into their emotional and attachment-based patterns that underpin them, fostering deep healing. As a registered Clinical Psychologist, she integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), alongside somatic, mindfulness and self-compassion techniques. Charis provides a safe, warm and compassionate space for healing.
Outside of her work, Charis is a mother of three children who finds joy in meaningful connection with family and friends, in creativity (painting, writing), walking her dog and spending time outdoors.
She welcomes children, young people, adults across the lifespan, as well as couples, parents and families seeking support.
To seek an appointment with Charis, please contact her directly: chariswhitakerpsychology@gmail.com
Simon Panckhurst
Clinical Psychologist
Simon has worked with clients experiencing: depression, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, trichotillomania, emetophobia, grief, burnout, trauma, concussion recovery and post concussion syndrome, loss and adjustment.
Simon is a registered Clinical Psychologist (NZPB) graduating from Canterbury University in February 2012. Previously he taught at secondary school level and worked in Human Resources, establishing a consultancy firm, HR Direction, in 2005. This included facilitating behavioural interviews, workshops and writing HR articles for the Christchurch Press. Simon worked at CAF South (mental health services for 5 - 18y olds) in Christchurch from 2012 - 2018 and at Canterbury University Health Centre from 2018-2022.
Simon is a member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists and the Association for Behavioural Science. He has two children, aged 15 and 17. He used to run track, road and cross country at national level and currently enjoys tramping, surfing, indoor football, running, wood work and mountain biking.
Simon was once the Chairperson of 'Big Brothers Big Sisters Christchurch'. has an appreciation for good coffee and whiskey and while he is undecided about mowing lawns, he hates cleaning the oven.
Fees & practical information
Standard sessions
Standard individual therapy session fees vary between $215 and $225 and take approximately 50 minutes.
Standard couple therapy sessions take about 75 minutes and vary between $295 and $325 per session.
Initial session
Initial individual sessions are approximately 90 minutes and cost between $300 and $315.
Initial couple sessions take approximately 75 minutes and cost between $295 and $325
Session fees include GST, standard administration and routine communication. Additional services such as formal assessments, reports, letters, or external documentation are charged per hour (pro rata).
Where you can find us
Haven Psychology
58 Colombo Street,
8022, Cashmere
Christchurch
New Zealand
Get in touch
You’re welcome to reach out with any questions. You can use the form below, or contact us directly via email at info@havenpsychology.co.nz