Welcome! My name is Dr Jenni Beckett, I am a Registered Psychologist, author, BPD, Trauma and Anxiety Disorder specialist, and creator of the Surviving Emotional Storms Program and book. I am registered under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act (HPCA) with the New Zealand Psychologist Board. I am  a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society, (NZPsS) and the Association for Contextual Behaviour Sciences (ACBS). I have been working in mental health for over 20 years including working in an Anxiety Disorders Clinic, in a tertiary setting with youth, as a supervisor for psychologist training and clinical supervision, as a youth specialist for primary health organisation, and in my private practice. I have  Bachelors,  Honours, and  Masters Degree's in Psychology, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychological Practice. and a PhD in Psychology.

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I have a real passion for helping people who have BPD and complex trauma. My interest in BPD came about when I was working in a  clinic where I was researching risk. I found that 1 in 5 people referring in to the clinic were having suicidal thoughts at the time of seeking help- but that the cause was not depression, it was emotional dysregulation. At the time there was so much support and funding being put into depression to reduce self-harm and suicide risk- but this was not what the majority of people were suffering from as my referrals. As a Psychologist I noticed many of those at risk met criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and /or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). When referring BPD patients to public services for help, many told me that they struggled being on a waiting list to do a treatment group/ individual therapy, and some did not meet criteria for this help.  Others told me that they were not able to enrol in for example a service for Eating Disorders if they self-harmed, and vice versa, that they felt they were falling through the cracks.

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I invested in extensive additional training  to become a specialist in this area and to write my book and develop the Surviving Emotional Storms Program. I have trained in Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Trauma-informed therapies, attachment therapy, and for many years now have designed and facilitated DBT groups, and retreats. 

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Alongside my clinical practice, I decided to undertake PhD level research into the lived experience of people in NZ with BPD and complex trauma. Over many years I have interviewed people with BPD, listening to their stories on early symptoms, difficulty getting help, and stigma. The stories and feedback of those with BPD were researched through thematic analysis, if you are interested you can read my research publication which identified and explored the themes that came out of these rich interviews. My research helped shape the development and evaluation of the Surviving Emotional Storms Programme.

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The Lighthouse Academy is where you will find a safe grounding place and shining light, to guide you as we navigate the stormy seas of emotions together. You are not alone!

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Dr Jennifer  J  Beckett

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Programme Support Co-Ordinator

Sophie Knox​ (further information coming soon)

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Programme and retreat specialists/ co-facilitators

Lyn Birrell (further information coming soon)

Jenni Hardyment (further information coming soon)

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