Dr Matt Slavin · Auckland & New Zealand · Performance Psychology
1:1 Performance Psychology & Therapy
Individual work for professionals, leaders and adults who want to understand what's driving their stress, shift patterns that are holding them back, and perform - and live - more clearly under pressure.
Format · Individual sessions · Ongoing work
Online · Worldwide (excl. USA & Canada)
In person · Auckland, New Zealand
THE WORK
Who this is for
Most people who come to work with me are functioning well on the outside. They're achieving, leading, delivering. But something isn't right - they're running on empty, reacting in ways they don't like, carrying anxiety they can't switch off, or hitting the same wall again and again.
This work is for people who want to understand what's actually happening - not just manage it - and build a more sustainable, grounded way of operating. Whether that's through performance psychology, therapy, EMDR, or a blend of approaches, we work out what fits you.
WHAT WE WORK ON
Presenting issues
Stress & burnout
Chronic stress, exhaustion and the gradual erosion of capacity that comes from sustained high-demand environments.
Sport & performance psychology
For competitive and ambitious athletes working on the mental side of performance - focus, confidence, pressure and consistency. Drawing on the same psychological tools used at the highest levels of sport.
Anxiety & panic
Persistent worry, panic attacks, and the hypervigilance that makes it hard to be present, rest or think clearly.
Patterns & self-understanding
Recurring patterns in how you think, relate or respond and a genuine desire to understand where they come from and how to shift them.
Performance & high achievement
Pressure, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and the mental demands of performing consistently at a high level.
Leadership & the loneliness of the top
Founders and owners often find there's no one to think out loud with - no safe space to work through decisions, doubt, direction or the weight of responsibility without it affecting how they're seen. This work offers that space.
Trauma & EMDR
Past experiences that continue to shape how you think, feel and respond, even when you'd rather they didn't. EMDR is one of the most effective trauma approaches available.
Life transitions
Career changes, relationship shifts, identity questions, or those periods when something has changed and you're not yet sure who you are on the other side.
THE APPROACH
How I work
My work integrates clinical psychology, performance psychology, trauma-informed practice and EMDR. The approach is always tailored, what works for one person doesn't work for another, and I take that seriously.
01 We start by understanding what's actually going on
Not just the presenting problem, but the patterns underneath it - how your nervous system, history and current context are all shaping what you're experiencing.
02 The work is both psychological and practical
Understanding is important but so is change. Sessions move between insight and practice, building real skills and shifts you can use outside the session.
03 EMDR where it's helpful
For trauma, stuck patterns or experiences that haven't shifted with other approaches, EMDR can be remarkably effective. I'm trained and experienced in its use.
04 Tailored, not templated
I don't run a fixed programme. The work is shaped around you - your goals, your pace, your life - and adjusted as we go.
AVAILABILITY
Working together
ONLINE
WorldwideExcluding USA & CanadaIN PERSON
Auckland, New ZealandCentral Auckland consulting roomsSESSION LENGTH
50 minutesRegular weekly or fortnightlyA note on fit: I work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at any one time. If I'm not the right fit - or don't have availability - I'll do my best to help you find someone who is.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
In their words
"Before working with Matt I was feeling lower and lower, easily overwhelmed. Sessions evolved from session to session and I felt more relaxed and grounded after each one. I feel in control. It has made the biggest shift in my day to day."
- 1:1 Client (Founder)"The work we have done together has been genuinely life changing. My performances have dramatically improved and most importantly I feel I'm ready to fly the nest. I can't thank you enough."
- 1:1 Client (Athlete)
"These sessions have had a transformational impact on my life. I was at risk of burnout, lacking the awareness and strategies I needed. Dr Slavin is highly responsive, tailoring his approach in every session to your mood, needs and goals."
- 1:1 Client (Senior Exec)“Working with Matt has been absolutely fantastic. I found that his calm compassionate manner has been extremely reassuring and I found it very easy to be open and honest about challenges that I’ve been having both personally and professionally. Together we have worked through and come up with solutions for issues that have been affecting me for many years and I feel as a result of our work together that I’m in a much better position to tackle similar challenges in the future. I would totally recommend working with Matt for anyone interested in improving their work performance or addressing unhelpful patterns of behaviour or just fine tuning their mental wellbeing.”
— 1:1 Client (Doctor)“I can’t believe how much of a difference it has made to me. I feel in control. It is very hard to explain but it has made the biggest shift in my day to day. If you have ever thought of getting help then, I would say you should get it as soon as possible so you can make the change quicker. I would just like to say how much you have helped and how much I appreciate it.”
— 1:1 Client (Athlete)In their words
"The EMDR is like surgery. I could feel it fixing me from the inside."
- 1:1 Client (CEO, Tech Startup)“Dr Slavin makes you feel like, with the right support and guidance, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
- 1:1 Client (Senior Leader)"I've never found someone who has helped me realise so much about myself in such a short space of time. You have made me feel respected, heard, understood and acknowledged."
- 1:1 Client (Therapy)Interested in working together?
If something here resonates, get in touch. There's no obligation, just a conversation about where you're at and whether working together makes sense.
FAQs
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Do I need to be really struggling to come?
1
No. Many people I work with are functioning well by most measures, they're just not functioning as well as they'd like. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from this work. If anything, the earlier you come, the easier it tends to be.
How is this different from coaching?
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Coaching typically focuses on goals, strategy and forward momentum. As a clinical psychologist, I can go deeper, into the patterns, history and psychological processes that shape how you think, feel and behave. In practice, the work often blends both: insight and understanding alongside practical tools and real change. The difference is that I'm trained to work with the whole picture, not just the presenting goal.
Why work with a clinical psychologist specifically?
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Clinical psychologists complete some of the most rigorous training in the mental health field - a minimum of six years of postgraduate study and supervised practice, covering assessment, formulation and a wide range of evidence-based approaches. That depth matters. It means I can make sense of complex presentations, adapt the approach to what you actually need, and work safely with whatever comes up - including trauma, which many coaches and therapists aren't trained to hold.
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What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?
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That's more common than you'd think, and it's worth saying plainly: not all therapy is the same. Different approaches work for different people, and the relationship between you and your therapist matters enormously. If something hasn't worked before, it's worth understanding why and whether a different approach, or a different person, might land differently. I'm happy to talk that through before you commit to anything.
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How long will it take?
I'm busy, will this realistically fit into my life?
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Is it worth the cost?
Is it confidential?
Can I claim on insurance?
What if I open things up and it gets worse before it gets better?
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It's a fair concern. Sometimes, early in the work, things can feel more present or more unsettled as you start to look at them more directly. That's normal and usually temporary and it's something I hold carefully. I work at a pace that makes sense for you, and you're never pushed into territory you're not ready for. The goal is always to build capacity, not overwhelm it.
It depends on what you're working on and what you want from it. Some people come for a focused block of 6-12 sessions around a specific issue. Others work with me over a longer period as things shift and develop. We check in regularly on how the work is going and what makes sense to continue. There's no fixed programme and no pressure to commit beyond what feels right.
Sessions are 50 minutes and available online, which removes a lot of the friction. Most people find that a weekly or fortnightly session is manageable and that the clarity and steadiness it builds actually gives them more capacity, not less. I also work early mornings and evenings to fit into the business of life. If timing is a concern, mention it when you get in touch and we'll find something that works.
That's a question only you can answer, but it's worth asking what it's costing you not to address it - in energy, performance, relationships, or quality of life. Most people who do this work say they wish they'd started sooner. If you're unsure, the initial call is free and there's no obligation.
Yes. Everything you share is confidential. There are a small number of legal and ethical exceptions - for example, if there's a serious risk of harm. Confidentiality is foundational to this work.
This depends on your provider and policy. Some insurers cover sessions with a registered clinical psychologist, it's worth checking directly with your provider. I can provide invoices and documentation to help support a claim.