Amanda Cox - Psychotherapist

My first paid work was the post graduate internship at Porirua, working mostly with long-term mental health patients in the community. This role was very rewarding and provided me with such useful insights and foundation for my future work.

After travelling to the UK and working in both private and public healthcare systems in mental health and oncology, I returned to NZ and spent the following six years working in medical recruitment, working the odd shift in mental health respite when needed. I specialised in placing nursing staff into mental health employment. I also ran courses for these nurses at the agency. It was during this time that I began studying for my Masters in Psychotherapy.

As part of my Masters internship, I worked at a well established counselling and psychotherapy centre in Epsom. Alongside my study I also worked as a group clinical supervisor for mental health diploma students, as well as tutoring students studying first level psychology papers. After graduation I worked as a case manager whilst also running my own small private psychotherapy practice. I eventually joined the NZ AIDS Foundation providing psychotherapy for people needing support for HIV diagnoses and/or sexuality struggles. This was a valuable experience and I loved working with the team there, but after 2 years I went on maternity leave and had my first child. When I went back to work, I decided to return to private practice and co-founded Auckland City Therapy. I now work in general practice providing psychotherapy for individuals and couples.

In 2023, I worked on a TV series called ‘Couples Therapy NZ’, which I am proud to have been a part of. The show followed real couples working with a real therapist over a series of live therapy sessions. I think it gave a realistic insight into the couples therapy process and has helped to dispel some of the fears and the myths some people have about couples therapy.  

Outside of my work I always have time for my partner, my children and my friends. My children are now teenagers and we have recently recognised they are both on the spectrum; this has been a huge learning curve for me, and has allowed a lot of things to fall into place and make much more sense.  I have a greater understanding of what it means to be neurodivergent and how the two groups (neurodivergent and neurotypical) can struggle to understand each other. In addition to my relationships with family and friends, I love time on my own as well; walking our dogs, gardening, baking, managing my son’s football team and attempting to keep fit at my age and stage of life! I am also a big fan of mindfulness practice. I love my job, and am passionate about the benefits it produces. I look forward to meeting you if you choose to make an appointment.

How to contact me

Therapists can be difficult to get hold of because we can't answer phone calls or emails when we are in client sessions. The easiest way to contact me is to fill in the form on this page. Your details will be sent directly to my inbox and I will get back to you shortly. If you prefer you can also phone or email me directly. I look forward to hearing from you.