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.
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.
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.
Fees & practical information
Standard sessions
Standard therapy session fees are $195 (excl. GST).
A standard sessions is approximately 50 minutes.
Initial session
Initial sessions are approximately 90 minutes and cost $235 (excl. GST).
Session fees include standard administration and routine communication. Additional services such as formal assessments, reports, letters, or external documentation are charged at $195 + GST 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