Melanie Prinsloo

Melanie Prinsloo is a Senior Clinical Psychologist registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB). She is also a full member of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP). Melanie has accumulated more than 14 years of clinical experience in working with families, couples, and individuals (children, teens, and adults) across various settings. While living South Africa, fondly known as the “rainbow nation” between 2010 and 2016, Melanie worked in private practice, a trauma centre, and multiple health departments (clinics and hospitals) providing psychological assessment and treatment services to individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds. In late 2016, Melanie and her family wholeheartedly embraced New Zealand Aotearoa as their new home. Since this time, Melanie has had the opportunity to work for the Department of Corrections across prison and community probation sites and further developed her knowledge and skills at a well-known private practice in Auckland. She also had the opportunity to briefly collaborate with the Counties Manukau Matariki Service in providing specialist ADHD and ASD assessments for children and teens. In mid-2021, Melanie took on a new challenge and founded Thrive Psychology Centre in Takapuna. It is here that Melanie continues to create a safe, comfortable, and fit-for-purpose space for clients to start the important journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth. Melanie converses comfortably in both English and Afrikaans. She has been developing her competency in Te Reo Maori and welcome any opportunity to practice, learn, and deepen her understanding not only of Te Reo Maori but also that of Maori Tikanga. Melanie considers it her duty to engage in a culturally respectful and appropriate manner with our Maori and Pasifika whānau. Melanie is eco-systemically trained with a strong background in family therapy. She follows an integrated approach, utilizing treatment modalities such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and Schema Therapy. She specializes in EMDR therapy and holds EMDR Level 1 & 2 Accreditation. In addition, she has furthered her expertise through comprehensive additional training. Most notably, Melanie has had the privilege to learn from outstanding trainers such as Arianne Struik, Dr Roger Solomon, Robin Shapiro, Astrid Katzur, Delores Mosquera, and Dr Phil Manfield. A particular highlight for Melanie had been the training and Masterclass by Dr Roger Solomon in 2023 on the “Art of EMDR therapy” with a particular emphasis on working with complex trauma, utilizing the framework of Structural Dissociation. After this, Melanie had another opportunity to learn from Dr Roger Solomon in March 2024 when he presented on EMDR therapy with grief and loss. Within the New Zealand landscape, Melanie’s growing passion for assisting individuals who have experienced trauma led her to partner with ACC and Active-Plus as an accredited service provider. Through the ACC offering to qualifying clients, Melanie draws from her extensive training and experience in addressing trauma to facilitate the process of healing and finding meaning. Notably, Melanie works with complex trauma presentations encompassing the entire dissociative spectrum. She believes in the importance of tailoring the psychological therapy process to suit the client’s needs, including respecting the client’s pace, and to provide the client with an impactful experience to facilitate change and improved mental well-being. Melanie has specific interests in working with presentations of ADHD, depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, trauma (including PTSD, C-PTSD & Dissociation), bereavement, addiction, as well as relationship and adjustment difficulties. She also has specialist, international training through the Vanderbilt Kennedy University in the USA as well as Clinique Spectrum in Canada in gold standard assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Melanie also holds specific expertise to assist individuals and families to effectively manage ADHD. In her clinical practice, Melanie offers comprehensive assessment services for individuals presenting with ADHD, ASD, PTSD (including C-PTSD & Dissociation). Additionally, she provides professional clinical supervision to both newly registered and seasoned Psychologists, enhancing their professional growth and effectiveness in the field. Melanie regularly attends seminars, workshops, symposiums, trainings, and courses to expand her knowledge and range of expertise to ensure that clients are offered the most up to date, evidenced-based treatment options. She continues to hone her proficiency in EMDR therapy with a focus on addressing the intricate dynamics of trauma and dissociation.