ĀHUA Psychology

ĀHUA Psychology Taylor Rapley | Registered Psychologist. I work with a broad range of people—athletes, everyday humans, and those going through tough times. My Approach?

My mahi is about helping people tackle challenges, break free from the past, show up as their true selves, push the limits of what’s possible, and make real, lasting change where it matters. TAYLOR RAPLEY
Registered Psychologist
BSc MSc Psych PG Dip Psychological Practice

I’m a registered psychologist based in Wānaka, working in both mental health and performance psychology. My mahi is about helping people navigate the ups and downs of life, or to push the limits of what’s possible in sport and performance. Before becoming a psychologist, I spent eight years on the New Zealand Alpine Ski Team, chasing winters and competing internationally at an elite level against the world's best. Throwing myself into high-pressure environments from a young age provided plenty of knocks (both literal and figurative) and valuable lessons, building the kind of resilience that has carried me through challenges in sport, loss, and life. After years of competing, studying, and traveling, I’ve found my way back to the mountains—but this time with a different mission: I help people tackle challenges, break free from the past, show up as their true selves, and make real, lasting change where it matters. In the mental health space, that means supporting people with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, stress, and recovery from injury or illness. In performance, I work with athletes at all levels—from young up-and-comers to Olympians and World Champions—helping them develop the mental skills to thrive, not just in sport, but in life. It’s science-backed but human. Holistic but practical. I draw from ACT, EMDR, IFS and psycho-somatic approaches depending on what works best for you—because there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your unique psychology. And I’m not about just talking for the sake of it. The real change happens when you take what we work on and apply it in your world, outside of our sessions. Outside of work, I’m happiest in the mountains or the ocean—skiing, surfing, mountain biking, or just being out in nature. Meditation, travel, and time outside with the people I love and laugh with keep me grounded. I work in person in Wānaka and online via Zoom. If you’re keen to work together, please reach out. I’d love to hear from you! www.ahuapsychology.com
taylor@ahuapsychology.com

17/12/2025

Here’s what might be contributing to your anxiety, irritability, low mood, brain foggy, or ragey state…

1. Blood sugar = emotional stability 🧘🏽

When you skip meals or live on caffeine your blood glucose drops and cortisol + adrenaline spike. Your brain interprets this as threat ‼️ resulting in irritability, anxiety, low mood, brain fog, or emotional reactivity.

Regular meals = steadier glucose = calmer nervous system.

2. Your brain needs real food food 🍳🥩🥑🥦🍌
Serotonin, dopamine, + GABA (your calming neurotransmitter) are made from amino acids (protein), B vitamins, Iron, zinc, magnesium + omega 3 fats.

No kai → no nutrients → mood regulation gets wobbly.

To put simply can’t out think a neurotransmitter deficit ⚛️🧠

3. Gut → brain is a two-way street

A huge amount serotonin is produced in the gut.
Under eating, restrictive eating, eating like s**t 💩 or chaotic food disrupts impact the gut microbiome, inflammation levels, and vagus nerve signalling, which directly affects anxiety, mood, and emotional resilience.

4. Eating = safety cue to the nervous system 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

From a neuroception point of view, consistent and well rounded nourishment tells your body: “We’re safe. Resources are available.” 😅

That shifts you out of fight/flight and into regulation.

Mood dips aren’t always “mental”. Sometimes low motivation, flat mood, or emotional fragility isn’t trauma, mindset, or lack of grit.

Sometimes… you just need a feed!

👉🏽 eating well is a core regulation strategy 👈🏽

So eat your kai. Your brain will thank you ❤️





Today, I feel incredibly grateful for my mahi, for the people I work with, and for having the training to meet people wh...
13/12/2025

Today, I feel incredibly grateful for my mahi, for the people I work with, and for having the training to meet people where they’re at.

There’s nothing worse as a psychologist than seeing someone in front of you, knowing they’re hurting, and thinking, “I don’t have the right tools for this.”

It’s been a while since I’ve felt that! EMDR therapy has given my work so much more value than I could have imagined. It’s given me a way to help people create real, measurable change. Shifts you can actually feel, not just understand. And the results have been incredibly reassuring, for me and for my clients.

I can honestly say I’m genuinely proud of my mahi this year. Proud of the work, proud of the growth, and proud of the way clients continue to show courage, honesty, and heart, even when it’s hard ❤️

Thank you to everyone who walked through the door in 2025. You’ve taught me just as much as I’ve supported you.

Psychology is about understanding your wiring, UNLEARNING what’s keeping you stuck, and RE-WIRING your nervous system (b...
01/12/2025

Psychology is about understanding your wiring, UNLEARNING what’s keeping you stuck, and RE-WIRING your nervous system (body & mind) to actually change.
NOT slapping a motivational quote on a lifelong pattern and pretending a shock and awe moment of insight or emotional release is going to magically re-wire your nervous system in one go.

What have you assumed about psychologists?

Healthy boundaries aren’t supposed to isolate you. But somewhere along the way, “self-care” got mixed up with “I never h...
17/11/2025

Healthy boundaries aren’t supposed to isolate you. But somewhere along the way, “self-care” got mixed up with “I never have to feel uncomfortable.”

There’s a difference between protecting your wellbeing and using boundaries to avoid hard conversations, awkward moments, or being accountable.

We’ve all been there, so no judgement. But I think it’s important to differentiate..

Healthy boundaries ask you to be clear, not perfect. Honest, not avoidant. Willing to stay in the conversation long enough to actually be understood.

And yes, they’ll ask you to feel a little uncomfortable sometimes. But that’s the cost of depth, trust, and relationships that feel safe and secure. The best kind 😌

06/11/2025

Connection to your emotions doesn’t mean they lead. It means you listen before you act.

You can feel angry without sending the text.
You can feel lonely without messaging your ex.
You can feel anxious without cancelling your plans.
You can feel frustrated without giving up.

The goal isn’t to suppress or explode, it’s to notice.

Name the emotion.

Feel it in your body.

Then ask yourself, “what action actually lines up with who I want to be?”

Emotional awareness ≠ emotional obedience.

Often we just need to LEARN how to feel our emotions without letting them take control.

Keen?

After years of sitting with people’s stories (and my own), a few things have become pretty clear:Most of what looks like...
03/11/2025

After years of sitting with people’s stories (and my own), a few things have become pretty clear:

Most of what looks like “overthinking” is under feeling.

Most of what looks like “the problem” isn’t actually the problem.

And most of us are far more alike and far less broken than we realise.

He mihi nui to all my couragous clients for being my greatest teachers 💙

Everyone wants to be understood, but few are willing to be seen 🫣It’s easier to act unbothered than admit you care…but t...
30/10/2025

Everyone wants to be understood, but few are willing to be seen 🫣

It’s easier to act unbothered than admit you care…but that “chill” act can also be fear in disguise.

Deep connection (if that’s what you’re craving) starts when you stop performing calm and start letting people actually see you 👀

Tag someone who sees the real you ❤️

Everyone wants to be understood, but few are willing to be seen 🫣It’s easier to act unbothered than admit you care, but ...
30/10/2025

Everyone wants to be understood, but few are willing to be seen 🫣

It’s easier to act unbothered than admit you care, but that “chill” act can be fear in disguise.

Real connection starts when you stop performing calm and start letting people actually see you 👀

Tag someone who sees the real you ❤️

Everyone wants to be understood, but few are willing to be seen. It’s easier to act unbothered than admit you care…but t...
30/10/2025

Everyone wants to be understood, but few are willing to be seen. It’s easier to act unbothered than admit you care…but that “chill” act is usually fear in disguise 🫣

Real connection starts when you stop performing calm and start letting people actually see you 👀

Tag someone in your life who sees the real you…

I keep seeing people talk about “nervous system regulation” like it’s some kind of permanent zen mode, but it’s not 😑Th...
22/09/2025

I keep seeing people talk about “nervous system regulation” like it’s some kind of permanent zen mode, but it’s not 😑

That thinking is a slippery slope. It’s unrealistic (and honestly unhealthy) to expect to stay “calm” 24/7 🧘🏽

Regulation is about way more than staying chill.. but it’s not about losing your s**t either (in the form of yourself and others through a complete loss of control) 😓

True regulation isn’t about shutting our response down, it’s about working with it 🤝

Lettingg the energy move through so your body can reset.. (without causing harm) 💃🏾😌👌🏽🥲😮‍💨🏃🥵💦🫨🪇🫠

What helps you come back to centre?

Self assurance is a quiet confidence in one’s own ability and character, independent of success of failure. Is your self...
09/09/2025

Self assurance is a quiet confidence in one’s own ability and character, independent of success of failure.

Is your self assurance built on outcomes, or something deeper?

04/09/2025

Pressure isn’t the problem. Overcontrol is.

When the heat is on, your brain scrambles for safety by gripping tighter.

This can look like:

Fixating on skills that normally flow with ease

Forcing “positive” thoughts while wrestling with the negative ones

The result?

Skills feel clunky instead of automatic (reinvestment theory).

Negative thoughts grow louder the harder you try to shut them down (ironic process theory).

You end up stuck in your head, not in the moment…making it harder to actually perform.

The good news: there’s a better way than white knuckling control…

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The ĀHUA Approach.

Taylor works with athletes, organisations and ‘everyday’ individuals delivering evidence based knowledge and skills for optimal performance, resilience and well-being. Sessions, courses and workshops are geared towards assisting groups and individuals to optimise challenges, work with life's inevitable stressors, un-tap their potential and perform when it matters.

Taylor is currently completing her Master's thesis in Psychology, with a special interest in performance, resilience & well-being, as she prepares to undertake her PGDip towards registration as a Psychologist.

As a researcher and adventure fanatic with an undeniable passion for movement in nature, community and human potential, Taylor previously spent 8 years on the NZ Ski Team, representing New Zealand on the world stage and spending back-to-back winters in Europe & North America.

Taylor now works with all kinds of individuals ranging from World Champions, Olympic Medalists and The New Zealand Police through to big & little organisations and everyday individuals in developing knowledge and embodying evidence based skills required for enhanced resilience, performance & well-being day-to-day.