Kyle MacDonald - Psychotherapist

Kyle MacDonald - Psychotherapist Psychotherapist, Director of the Robert Street Clinic and Mental Health Advocate Nick Smith. He has recently become an insufferable e-bike convert.

Kyle is an AUT trained psychotherapist, with over 20 years clinical experience across the public and private sectors. He is passionate about improving access to mental health and addictions treatment and educating the public about psychotherapy. Since 2016 he’s written a weekly mental health column for the NZ Herald, and co-hosted the award-winning mental health radio show “The Nutters Club” on NewstalkZB. For the last 10 years he has publicly fought for improved access to mental health and addiction services. In 2009 Kyle was one of the media spokespeople for a small group who protested the National Government’s changes to the ACC’s Sensitive Claims scheme – funded counselling for people in New Zealand suffering psychological trauma as a result of sexual violence. As part of these protests he organised one of the first online petitions to be presented in the New Zealand Parliament – by Labour MP Lynne Pillay in October 2009 – in opposition to these changes. The public pressure led the ACC to halt the changes and forced a ministerial inquiry initiated by National Minister the Hon. By 2014 he had worked collaboratively with the ACC to redesign the system to better meet people’s counselling needs. In 2016 he led the “People’s Mental Health Review” with Mike King and Action Station – which led directly to “He Ara Oranga: The Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addictions” initiated by the 2017 Labour led Government. In 2019 he ran for the Auckland District Health Board in the local elections as a Green endorsed “City Vision” candidate, and in the 2020 General election he ran as the Green Party candidate for the electorate of Epsom and was placed at 14 on the Green Party list. He regularly appears on radio and TV offering expert commentary on mental health and emotional wellbeing. He is currently on the Psychotherapy Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ), served four years on the NZAP Council and was awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the NZAP for his time promoting psychotherapy. He established – and is co-director of – the Robert Street Clinic in Ellerslie, and lives in Mount Eden Auckland, with his partner and two daughters – where he is a parent representative on the Balmoral School board of trustees.

How we think about loneliness can help us feel less alone | BPS
01/10/2025

How we think about loneliness can help us feel less alone | BPS

When it comes to feeling lonely, it’s not always about how much time we spend alone, but how we conceptualise the experience, according to new research.

ChatGPT admits bot safety measures may weaken in long conversations, as parents sue AI companies over teen suicides
01/10/2025

ChatGPT admits bot safety measures may weaken in long conversations, as parents sue AI companies over teen suicides

“These are not AI for good, these are AI for profit,” a source said of chatbots used by kids and teens for therapy, friendship and comfort.

Making Psychology White Again: The Impact of Dismantling DEI
01/10/2025

Making Psychology White Again: The Impact of Dismantling DEI

The dismantling of DEI will likely lead to a decrease in Black psychologists. For psychology to be a tool for equity and justice, we cannot make psychology (only) White again.

Teens struggling with mental health conditions use socials differently | BPS
30/09/2025

Teens struggling with mental health conditions use socials differently | BPS

Recent work explores social media usage in adolescents with internalising and externalising conditions.

New Illinois law restricts the use of AI in psychotherapy
30/09/2025

New Illinois law restricts the use of AI in psychotherapy

People are turning to AI for therapy — raising concerns among mental health professionals. Illinois legislators have responded by banning therapists from using AI, other than for administrative tasks.

How modern life makes us sick – and what to do about it
29/09/2025

How modern life makes us sick – and what to do about it

From depression to obesity, the concept of ‘evolutionary mismatch’ can help foster self-compassion and point the way to a more rewarding existence

Everything is Connected to the Heart
29/09/2025

Everything is Connected to the Heart

In a modern vehicle you could cross 500 miles of rocky desert in one day, without even getting your pants dirty. This i...

Do we really need breathwork gurus to tell us how to breathe? | Psyche Ideas
28/09/2025

Do we really need breathwork gurus to tell us how to breathe? | Psyche Ideas

Breathing was once a natural reflex. How did it become a high-stakes biohacking ritual taught by wellness celebrities?

Cost of private psychology soars in UK as practitioners turn away clients
28/09/2025

Cost of private psychology soars in UK as practitioners turn away clients

Prices have risen by 34% since 2022, with 29% of psychologists refusing new patients

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says
27/09/2025

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says

Wealth inequality is a growing problem, with the richest 20% of Australians owning more than 60% of our wealth. But for true happiness, more money is rarely enough.

Are the kids alright? Teen psychologist Lisa Damour thinks so
27/09/2025

Are the kids alright? Teen psychologist Lisa Damour thinks so

Today's teens—and their parents—are stressed. Yet psychologist Lisa Damour reminds us that kids are as resilient as ever. In part two of this series, she shares hopeful insights to support teens.

In an era of split attention, there is more than one type of ADHD | Psyche Ideas
26/09/2025

In an era of split attention, there is more than one type of ADHD | Psyche Ideas

ADHD is typically thought to be wired into the brain early. But many cases may be better seen as products of digital life

Address

Robert Street Clinic, 37 Roberts Street, Ellerslie
Auckland
1051

Telephone

+6421708689

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kyle MacDonald - Psychotherapist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category