| Occupation | Clinical Psychologist, EMDR therapist |
|---|---|
| Education | PhD Clinical Psychology — University of Auckland |
| Methods | EMDR, CBT, Kaupapa Māori frameworks, ACT |
| Registration | New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB #90-12345) |
| Organization | EMDR Encyclopedia & Global Directory |
Dr. Emma Ngata (Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa) — NZPB-registered clinical psychologist and EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist based in Auckland, New Zealand. She specializes in Māori mental health, intergenerational trauma, and cultural identity. Dr. Ngata integrates Kaupapa Māori frameworks with evidence-based EMDR therapy, offering a uniquely culturally grounded approach to healing.
| Issue | Methods |
|---|---|
| Intergenerational trauma | EMDR, Kaupapa Māori frameworks |
| Cultural identity & belonging | EMDR, ACT, Kaupapa Māori |
| Colonization-related trauma | EMDR, Kaupapa Māori |
| Anxiety & depression | CBT, EMDR, ACT |
| Grief & loss | EMDR, Kaupapa Māori |
| Family & whānau wellbeing | EMDR, systemic therapy |
Dr. Ngata practices at the intersection of Western clinical psychology and Māori healing traditions. She believes that true healing must honour the whole person — including their whakapapa (genealogy), their connection to whenua (land), and their place within their whānau and community. EMDR, she has found, works beautifully alongside Māori concepts of trauma and recovery. Her sessions are grounded in manaakitanga (care and respect) and often incorporate te reo Māori for clients who find comfort in their ancestral language. She is a sought-after speaker on decolonizing mental health practice.
She offers in-person sessions in Ponsonby and telehealth across New Zealand.