Katharina Kercher
I’m Katharina Kercher, a registered Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience, predominantly in mental health. I work with people navigating personal difficulties, professional challenges and questions about how they want to live.
My work draws on psychological approaches, a practical understanding of everyday life, and a longstanding interest in creativity.
A little about my background
Originally from Germany’s Black Forest, I have lived in different countries and made my home in Aotearoa New Zealand. Living across different cultures, learning another language and finding my way through unfamiliar circumstances have shaped my perspective.
These experiences inform my curiosity about people’s lives and the different ways we find belonging, meaning and direction. In my work, I bring an openness to experiences and perspectives that may be very different from my own.
I combine a grounded clinical approach with a love of creative exploration, helping you work through challenges and find ways of living that feel meaningful and true to you.
What informs my work
My ongoing learning has included Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindful self-compassion (MSC), solution-focused approaches and sensory modulation. These inform my work alongside a longstanding interest in creativity and the connection between our physical and emotional experiences.
I bring warmth, curiosity and care to our conversations. We can explore difficult experiences and uncertainties at your pace, with attention to what feels helpful and possible for you.
Where it feels helpful, we may also draw on images and creative exploration, including SoulCollage®, to give expression to experiences that can be difficult to put into words.
Qualifications and affiliations
Occupational Therapist & Mindfulness Teacher
BA Social Science (University of Kingston, UK)
BHSc Occupational Therapy (Auckland University of Technology, NZ)
Cert Supervision and Professional Development (University of Auckland, NZ)
Trained Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) teacher (University of San Diego, US)
Trained SoulCollage® Facilitator
Affiliations:
Registered with the NZ Board of Occupational Therapy
Member of the International SoulCollage® Community
Read reflections & feedback from people who have worked with me, including a musical thank-you.